Sparta Show

Had a good time last night at the Sparta Art Reception. My painting one a honorable mention ribbon. Zac got a ribbon but new it was not a first place. He handed out a business card I had made for him and was a little gentle man. We all were very hot but had a good time. He seemed to like this too.

Photo Shot

Had a professional photo shot at the Green Frog Studio today. I was very nervous but it went very well. The also had use speak to a public relations specialist, Mary Ann Sabo. VSA staff was also present. So far this is very encouraging. Tonight I will go to the Artist reception in Sparta with Zac.
This is the third picture in the Art Prize Series.

Second Picture in Art Prize

Well its a new day and here is the second picture that will be involved in Art Prize. Tomorrow I will have professional shots of the pictures and also of myself. Never really thought of doing that before. Zack, My 4 year old Grandson and myself will be in an art show in Sparta Michigan. He's a great kid with a great imagination and already quite the photographer (see the picture of the cactus above that he put in the Sparta show). I get a kick out of him because he is always telling me he has put in pictures to the kids "Art Surprise" and he always wins because other people just put plain pieces of paper. He wants me to enter this contest too. He is really excited about the show in Sparta. The people there do not think he took the picture by himself because it was framed so nicely and looked so professional. I am making a photo book of his shots for him to show off at the show.

Daane Deboer

Daane Deboer was a 24 year old Marine who recently lost his live in Afghanistan. His father is my brothers boyhood friend. I painted this picture for the family in his memory. My heart goes out to his family and his friends.

Another Year of Art Prize

Well here we are in 2010 and Art Prize is getting close again. This year I won the Legacy Trust Award so I am receiving help with all the hard parts. I already have a venue, Civic Theatre in Center City. Maybe this year people will see my art. Last Year was discouraging because I don't think many people even new some of use were out there.

This year I have decided to go with a native American theme. It is a series of paintings of young American Male's dancing. I call it Dance Into Manhood. The regalia at the Pow-Wow was wonderful which I found my inspiration in.

The picture above is the first of six. I will write about the others another day. The flow of the regalia was wild. Painting this picture was also a flowing experience. It took me about three non-stop days. I then fell asleep for a full day. It was exhausting but fulfilling.

Awe and Wonder

I made it into The Art Prize Contest.  What a difficult Task.  There is a lot more politics than I thought there would be.

This is my picture.  I based it on the Wizard of Oz because that is what my life has felt like for the last 2 and 1/2 years.

Those who know me know that after surgery I thought I lost my brain.  I struggled with verbal  communication(aphasic).  It was a new world and a new life I was no longer in Kansas.

I  was afraid and angry and I withdrew into my art.  Here I found a hidden talent that I did not know I had.  I work with water color pencil on canvas and practice every day.  Although I have given away many more painting than I have ever sold I have faith that someday I will be able to earn a meager living at it and pass it on to my grandchildren.

Wizard of OZ

Just created some new Wizard of Oz watercolor pencil on canvas paintings. These are 11 by 5 and are all matted and in frames. These two will be entered in the Mary Freebed art show to take place some time in March.

I really got into the video again do to the emotional aspects of this recovery business. I titled the Scarecrow picture, "Not ME." and the Lion picture, " I found my courage."