I love it when...

Okay, so here's one that made the cut. This illustration took a lot of time and effort, but I think the results are great. Anotherwords, I'm very content with this illustration. If I can say that about something I've done, I feel a sense of accomplishment.

The story that goes along with this cover illustration is entitled "I Love it When". The story is all about a Mom who loves to watch her two daughters play, grow, and learn.

2nd Place

Not all of my ideas are brilliant. In fact, I rarely have a truly, inspired idea. It is thus with most artists. So, I'm beginning a new series. A record of all those off target ideas for illustrations. Sometimes, it can be interesting to see what could have been but never was.

Up first, a sketch for Deep Magazine that dealt with modern etiquette. The sketch was cute, but had absolutely nothing to do with the workplace. REJECTED, as it should have been. Still, it was a nice sketch. Some people might also be interested to see what one of my sketchs looks like. This has been scanned into Photoshop. Then I added some value to give it depth.

Basically, the idea was contrast. The lady on the left has very poor etiquette, while the lady on the right is appalled by her companion's lack of decorum.

Back Home in Indiana

I love Indiana. It's raining and miserable, but boy do I love it. Two years ago I was singing a different tune. I couldn't wait to get out of Indiana and head for the warm, sunny South. Savannah is lovely, but it is not home. I'm really enjoying myself.

So I'd just like to say to anyone who is reading this, Merry Christmas!

One Day to Wheels Up

One Day.

One day to pack, run to the bank, buy candy (yes, at least 20 lb of saltwater taffy), eat all leftover food in the fridge, drop Gilbert of with friends, clean the bathroom, do laundry, shove as many sweaters into my rather small suitcase, put all liquids or pastes in a 1 quart plastic baggy for the airport security checkpoints, and email like crazy, crazy, crazy.

I cannot begin to describe how wonderful it will feel to finally sit down on the plane and know I am going home! Sweet home Indiana, where the skys are so blue. Sweet home Indiana, I'll be comin' home to you!

Sunday Morning

So here I am, with my OJ and my muffins. I found a delicious recipie for muffins on the internet. So I am about to scarf down two lovely "Hearty Country Muffins" with cranberries, walnuts, carrot, apples, and whole wheat.

Mmmmmmmm. I was wondering though, if you just eat muffins for breakfast lunch and dinner, what happens to you?

One More Red Kite Pic

Top Row: Me, Becky, Hillary, Luke, David, Jen, Vince
Bottom Row: Nealy, Nick, Kate, Amanda, Clif, Laura

Red Kite Stuff

I thought I'd load some pics of previous Red Kite shows. If anyone is checking this, they might be interested to know that until recently I was part of Red Kite Studio. Alas, a lack of time and money prevented me from continuing, but I am still an honorary Red Kiter.

Wyeth Faith?

Faith: What is it?

You know,

I've been thinking a great deal about faith lately. Several other people have mentioned it over the past two weeks. One friend asked, "what if I get to the end of my life and realize I am unfulfilled?" Good question. I've been struggling lately, with how to attack the issue of faith. Perhaps by instinct, I started reading Romans again. I always go back to Romans, because I never truly understand it all. I'm sure after I read it 40 times, I'll still be far away from unraveling all the mysteries.

So, our good friend Paul says, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And (emphasis mine) we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." What? What does this mean?

For those of us Christians who have spent our entire lives in the Church, this is a beguiling statement. In some ways, our faith is an elemental thing. Something that we know is there but don't really understand. New Christians don't have this luxury, I think. They can clearly remember a time when they were without faith, and they second guess themselves more often. However, their faith is fiercer, stronger, even, than the faith of older Christians (such as myself). They are on the Christian Yo-Yo diet. The seasoned veterans fall into the trap of blind faith, which can quickly lead to spiritual death. Going through the motions, and not really knowing why you bother.

This brings us to a serious problem. Ex-Christians. They have lost faith. They say to themselves, "I don't really believe this anymore. Why should I continue to live as if I do?" How is it that I have not lost faith? I've been asking this question so much lately. How am I any different from so many other people who grew up in the Church and left after being disgusted with the way most Christians behave? Have I been brainwashed? Do I fear the unknown? Am I comfortable in my established routine?

I have no idea. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is where faith comes in. I can't describe it. All I know is that it is there, always at the back of my mind. It's there when somehow, ends meet. It's there when I see doors open (and when I see them close). It's in my family and friends. It's there when I stand on the beach and brave an approaching squall atop a jetty. This may all sound very sentimental, but these raw, unadulterated moments of faith remind me of who I am.

Many people do not stop to think about faith moments. They don't see them for what they really are. They are shrouded, and they lose most of their surreal beauty. Lately, though, I have seen non-believers recognize God and his hand upon their lives. It is a strange, elating thing to sense the rebirth of faith. And as Paul says, there is only one thing to do in such a circumstance, "rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Strange Day

Yesterday, a Scottish guy gave me two dollars and I found a perfectly good bookshelf in the dumpster behind the Chatham Projects.

Awesome day.

A New Leaf

I think I should blog more.

Some New Stuff

Ah, the infamous "Pride and Prejudice" project. Start with over 50 chapters of one of the best loved novels ever written. Make some illustrations for them. Hopefully get hired to do similar work as a real adult. I have been fantasizing about illustrating "Pride and Prejudice" for some time now. I only hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.

Alan, my professor (a British bloke), seems to think I am going places. For example, today, I am going to class, and then perhaps to the WC, and after that to the grocery store to buy some stomach medication. Yes, going places.

Jack the Grammarian

“You ended that sentence with a preposition, you bastard.” --Col. Jack O’Neill (SG1)

The End is Nigh

The end of the quarter is coming up. Only two more days till freedom. What will I do with all that time? I have no idea. Hopefully, I will keep busy and spend small amounts of money.

Did you know that art is a wonderful way to slowly drive yourself crazy. Yes, if you are looking for an excuse to go insane, you can't beat art. I don't have time to list all the crazies who were also artists. Rest assured, they were all gifted and very disturbed.

I have chosen to be an illustrator, which will hopefully lessen my chances of chopping off my own ear and sending it in a nice little box to my lover. Illustrators don't have time for such nonsense. We have deadlines to meet.

To the side: Hello Ginta!
Photoshop Collage
2006

Art and Fear

There is a book I've heard about, "Art and Fear". More than most professions, artists deal with the cold, lonely sort of fear one only discovers through deep self reflection. I second guess myself all the time. And the huge cosmic question "WHY?" often crops up. Why am I an artist? Why is anything I do valid? Why can't I create art that I am satisfied with. Perhaps the very nature of art leads artists to insanity. Or perhaps the paint fumes have something to do with it. I'm still trying to figure out how to be an artists and a normal person. The two states of being don't often seem to go together. In the past, artists have been seen as those who chose to live outside the plane of normalcy. Only then can they become impartial observers, separate from their subjects. Cool, calculating creators. This seems wrong to me. As created beings, we cannot separate from other created things. We are "stuck" in a world that is often ugly, filled with disappointment and misery. Those heaven painters among us have the hardest time, always longing for something they can never quite grasp. Insanity ensues.

True Love comes out the Piano Forte

Some time ago, when Beth visited me in Savannah, she created this saying out of my custom made "Pride and Prejudice" magnetic poetry.

"True Love comes out the Piano Forte."

I would think this to be true always. Perhaps infatuation comes out the flute. Lust, the guitar, and hate, the drums. Let it not be said that anything but true love comes out the pianoforte.

Why do I have custom made "Pride and Prejudice" magnetic poetry? Perhaps it is better left unsaid.

Pigeon on my Porch

Several days ago, a pigeon decided to roost upon my porch. It was a baby pigeon. I captured him in a box and released him next to some bushes. I felt sorry for him, but I didn't know what to do. He would certianly starve on my porch. As far as I could tell, he wasn't able to fly.

The next morning, I opened my blinds, and he was sitting right in front of the door, gazing up at me. He had climbed all the way back up the stairs! Perhaps this pigeon had formed some sort of attachement to me, or to my door mat, or maybe to my tiny herb garden. Once again, I rangled him into the box (it took a while, he was fiesty) and then dumped him back in the bushes. I also gave him some leftover popcorn (which he ignored).

I haven't seen him since. I hope he is okay.

PIM

"You just became a three legged possum crossing highway P. I. M."

Red Kite Grand Opening May 5th!!!

Some New Images

Mockingbird
6''x8''
collage
2006
currently on display at Red Kite Studio,
Savannah, GA.

The Trip to Atlanta

Yesterday, Beth and I went to Atlanta. We had a wonderful time. First stop, Ikea, where we shopped till we dropped, and had and argument, and got grumpy. Shopping will do that to you. Especially when you are on a budget, and in Bethanie's case you can only buy what you can take home in your suitcase.

We finally talked things out in the office supplies section and decided to get the heck out of there and head to the Georgia Aquarium. Its the largest aquarium in the world and, despite the 22 dollar entrance fee, amazing.

We saw all sorts of fish, whales, and we also got to touch sting rays. They're a bit slimy but very friendly, comical almost. They seemed to like being touched and would swim towards your outstreched arm. One even swam by on the surface of the water, flapping his fins against the surface as if it was waving or playing.

It was good to get out of Savannah for a while and see some new sights. All in all, a nice trip.

Tatoo for Illustration Friday

Illustration Friday

Crazy Picture

My sister arrives today!

I am so excited! Today Beth comes to Savannah for a whole week and a half! Wow. We are going to have a great time. I also have other stuff going on, like a possible new job and a gallery opening soon. So much to think about, so little time. I am very glad to have some time off though.

More later. :)