Influences

I just bought this cool game called Machinarium. It is about a little robot who has to find and rescue his robot girlfriend from robot bullies but that isn't the cool part. I LOVE the way this game looks! It is sketchy and the colors are muted but darn if that little robot isn't cute. Seems like lately, I have been finding all kinds of things that inspire me to paint and draw but no time to actually do it. I have big plans of spending time in the studio once I finish my yoga training course first of December. I still have a few projects in the works but like I said, little time to devote to them.

I am content with finding inspirational pieces where I can. Like the game and books on other artists. I have also been sent a few new web sites from my friends that spark the creative fires. Oh yeah, I am asking for a Wacom tablet for Christmas too and I am hoping that playing with it will produce some great work or at least something creative and different. Guess that's all a person can hope for.

Don't forget to take the time tomorrow to stop and give thanks for the gifts you have been given. Our health, happiness, family and friendships are valuable but often taken for granted.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Ho Hum

I feel like I should make an entry because it has been so long but I have nothing really important to say. I have taken things really slow since the show. It is nice to have the break and no pressing events.

I have painted a few more of my shopping totes, taken some work to hang in a used book store in Pierce City, and have a painting (Merkat Summit) hanging in the membership show in Joplin at Spiva Center for the Arts but other than that, not much going on here. I have a big yoga training coming up in a few weeks and have lots of studying that has to take place before that so I have mostly been reading. I have doodled a little and did a little work on a follow up painting to "Time and Time Again". It is titled "Time is Money" and will look very similar with the exception of its square format and different symbols.

I also have been buying art books on artists that are new to me or artists that I am interested in. I just bought an amazing book titled, "Pop Surrealism: The Rise of Underground Art". It is a photo book made up of artists associated with this movement. I really like the work these people are doing. Their work is unusual, some of it is mildly disturbing, but all of it has a unique subject matter. Their technique or "style" may not be cutting edge but what they do with it certainly is, in my opinion. They are a group of artists to be watched because I predict that they will be come the hot item and nationally recognized soon if they have not already. Some of the artists in this movement that you should check out or google would be Mark Ryden, Todd Schorr, Brandi Milne, and Shag. Ms. Milne is not found in this book but I think she should have been.

Broaden your horizons and looks at something new. Check out these artists and their work.