Well I've cleared out my studio, sending all paintings to be with their buyers, save one. If you saw the photo I posted a few weeks ago of my studio, you'll see why I'm so happy to have my space back again. Something about all those pieces sitting around drying was killing my "feng shui". That and the fact that I was begining to burn out. I had hit some emotional road blocks, and it's taken some time to get back into art. Funny how a negitive response to a piece that i finished has kick-started my desire to do more, better, and bigger.

I'm nearing the completion of the cow painting, again. LOL.. He's such a cute critter, I really don't mind doing him a second time. I found that I am having almost the same problem with his head as I did the last time. Kind of funny how we continue to do the same things over and over. At least I remember how to step back and correct it. I'm also set to begin the abstract poodle. It should be fun, I'm hoping.

Next month I begin with our "Art for Life" project with the Denver Childrens Hospital, for the second year in a row. I'm really looking forward to getting a fun kiddo to work with. I love how kids see art, and I love the ideas that they come up with. What's better, is that I know that it's something that they will never forget. Hopefully it encourages the kiddo to continue exploring art.

Today, I'm sitting down to do some wild life in pencil. I've decided that for christmas this year, a lot of my gifts will be coming from what I can make. I think it'll mean more to my family members to receive something I personaly made, than something I bought at a box store. And.. lets not kid ourselves here.. It's a heck of alot cheaper!! LOL

Ok, off to sharpen my graphite and let the lead hit the paper!!

Cheers!

I normally don't do these things, but this seemed kind of fun...


1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

"It did not occur to him what the hate might mean in practial terms; it was only later that he realized she might have left him that night, gone to a motel, gotten a divorce lawyer in the morning; or called the police." The Shining, Stephen King


2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What are you touching?

Nothing

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

I watched Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs try to make a glass bowl of some sort. it didn't go well.. lol.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is?

11:59am

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

12:01pm

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

I hear cars driving past my house, my cat gooming himself noisely. and birds chirping.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

I came home after driving my daughter to school this morning.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

new art work that was posted by my friends.

9. What are you wearing?

Black yoga pants and a maroon tank top.. I'm gonna go work out in a minute..

11. When did you last laugh?

Last night.. I was last laughing while watching poor Mike Rowe try to make the Blown Glass Bowl.. Like I said, it didn't go well..

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

My walls are bare. But they are painted Ivory and Forest green.


13. Seen anything weird lately?

Only the strange possitions my cat gets into while grooming himself, lol.

14. What do you think of this quiz?

Meh...

15. What is the last film you saw?

Underworld-Rise of the Lycans

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?

I would see to it that my family is well taken care of,and that my daughter has a choice for her higher education. Oh come on, lets not kid ourselves.. I'd buy lots of ART SUPPLIES, get a better studio, go to school and get an Art Degree, go around the world and see inspiring art work!!!!!

17. Tell me something about you that I don't know:

I want to be an MMA fighter.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

I'd love to see the world look like it did when I was younger.. (not THAT long ago, lol) A lower population level. The skies were so much bluer back then...

19. Do you like to dance?

Only if there's a spider on my head!!!

20. George Bush:

Voted for him twice.

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?:

I named her Tyraa.

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

This was a hard one, because with my one and only child, we could never settle on a boy name.. good thing she was a girl!! LOL

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Perhaps


24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?

Welcome Home.


ok, your turn, if you so desire!

My first alla prima, "Behind the Mask"! I think this is something I could get used to! LOL. I spent a good 4 hours on it, and am very happy with the outcome. The photograph was taken by AbsinthePhotography. I'm looking forward to more collabritive work, and more surrealism.

Cheers!!

Happily hanging in his new home, Raku has left my studio this past weekend. I was glad to send him off, I need more space for up coming projects. Yet I was sad to let him go, because I loved seeing how beautiful he turned out. Gypsy Fire is awaiting his final high-lights, then he will be off to grace the walls of his new home as well. I find that whenever I release a painting, I go through an "empty nest" feeling. I wonder if other artist feel the same as well, lol. I guess it's a good thing, because it means that I am connecting with my work on a deeper level. I haven't had that "get it out of here" feeling in quite some time now.

So now I'm set to tackel the Cow and the Bison projects. Along the way I've picked up an abstract piece of a Standard Poodle. Early next spring I'm due to deliver a nice head study of a black Afghan Hound as well. I love the fact that dog people are so excited about having custom work done.

I've been itching to start a few paintings, open to whomever may fall in love with them. Imagine vibrant purple orchids against a soft yellow background. In another, mammoth red and yellow sunflowers, background to be determined later, LOL.

What I'm hoping for, is that time will allow me to contiue working on my projects, and that I wont have to lay down my paint brush in order to make a living. I have had such a great year, and I'm praying and staying possitive that I can make a living from my dream. I've come this far, I can't stop now!!

With that being said, I'm unveiling my new business name!! I'd like to introduce "Tamashii Arts". Tamashii is a japanesse term for Indomitable Spirit. I'm sure most of you will recognize the name from my abstract Arab painting. This term was introduced to me many years ago, and it's stuck in my mind ever since. I feel it's a great discription for me and my tenaciousness.

So here's to my continuing of hard work, commitments, and driving myself towards greater success!!

Cheers!