Post-Punk Biker in Rural Ambience

Trodden Weed

Yesterday I gave a tour of the woods and took some pictures along the way, a select few can be found here.

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Totally Sabulous!

I updated my flickr with some fun Nature pics... well, maybe not that fun:/

Advice from an Art Slave

I found this entry at Eric Fortune's Blog and had to share it immediately. There is a constant struggle of disciplining myself to produce and I'm always hungry for advice. Hope you find some nourishment as well, enjoy!

The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.” – Henry David Thoreau

You know the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.” You marketed, you mailed, you contacted. Now you have all of these deadlines looming and you are overwhelmed. You get worried, you aren’t motivated, and ideas are not coming. So you work later and harder. Welcome to the world of an art slave.

This is not where you want to be as an artist. After all, one of the reasons we love being an artist is the freedom that we have. But, if you are not disciplined, an art career can be just like any other job: stressful, mindless, paycheck motivated!

Be an artist- not an art slave. Find a ritual that works for you. Stay connected to the river of ideas…your inner voice…your muse. Whatever you choose to call it, art is a spiritual process. If you aren’t cultivating a relationship to creativity, you probably won’t have one when you need it. Here are a few tips that work for many artists I know, including myself. The only problem is: you have to do them every day to make them work.

1. Get up happy. Say some affirmations. Get rid of the negative chatter in your head-that voice that says things like, “I’m not coming up with any good ideas. I’ll never make this deadline. I’ll never be good enough to do this job.” Instead, train that voice to say something positive. Reprogram yourself. “I am illustrating books that people love. I am happy with my art. My career is going great. I am a successful artist…” This might sound too simple, and you’ve probably heard it before from the self –help gurus. Have you ever actually tried it….consistently over a few months?

2. Exercise and stay healthy. This is not an option. When you feel healthy, you are more open and ideas come more quickly.

3. Sit quietly each day, do yoga, or meditate. Get calm and peaceful so that when the ideas come, you actually realize they are there. Worry, anger, fear, and other emotions actually block the ability to grasp those sparks of imagination.

4. Create a place and time to be at work. This is important if you are working at home. Your mind needs to understand, “I am now at work. I will now be creative.” So sharpen your pencils, put on music, sit before your drawing table and begin.

5. Don’t talk too much about your ideas; this depletes some of the magic. On a subconscious level, your wonderful idea has become a real thing in the world. It’s not real, and it won’t be, until you do it. So, instead of sharing your magnificent thoughts, go make the work happen.

6. Take time outs doing something you love. Go to a museum. Sit by a lake. Walk through the woods. You must replenish yourself. Fill the well. Don’t view this as goofing off…this time is very important.

7. Don’t be a workaholic. This is difficult, because you won’t know it, until it’s too late. Your friends and family will know it before you will. ONLY YOU CAN CONTROL THIS. Be the work police and set your own boundaries. Make a contract with yourself. “I do not wok on Tuesday and Sunday. I go on vacation without my work. I have lunch with a friend on Friday every week. I only work from 9am to 2pm.“ Put up a sign. Remind yourself that you are free to set your own schedule. Work as late or as little or as early as you want, but make sure you’re enjoying the pace.

Remember, somebody you know will be published before you or more often than you. They will be more successful. They will sell more books. They will get more speaking engagements. You think you will never make it. You won’t…unless you stop working so hard to catch up. Find your own pace. Find your own style. Do what works for you. Be patient. Change happens in incremental ways. When you consciously make these daily choices, you will see a big difference in your life over time…and you will be balanced enough to notice!

Valentine Deadline

Spartacus Rigsby is taking forever!

Picture of Post-Precipitation

Hemming Jewelers

After about 48 hrs of rain, Downtown Jacksonville was reflective and glowing.
So a SD300, vintage telescopic tripod, and a man dampened with excitement went on a mission.
Here is a survivor from the shoot.

Ping Pong Idea

Ping Pong Idea
11" x 7.5"
Watercolor, Rose Ink and Graphite on Rives BFK

229 N. Hogan = New Studio Space

A group of very talented Jacksonville artists acquired a space on the third floor of 229 N. Hogan Street, right above Hemming Jewelers. This 6,200 sq ft studio/gallery space is ideal for upcoming Art Walk shows and any other events we can imagine. Right now we have a open call for artists wanting to display their work on the November 4th Art Walk, so email me at scottallen777@gmail.com for more info.

Outside the building

(thanks Photo Schmoto!)

Seeking Toned Amelioration

Friday Night Lights (STA Profile)
graphite and white colored pencil in toned sketchbook
last friday, 2009

Experimenting with Black Intentions
watercolor and ink on watercolor paper
last march, 2009

First Human Skull in Google
graphite with white pastel in toned sketchbook
last saturday, 2009

June Marvene aka: Grandmother Commission

The Subject.
After receiving a choice of about 5 pictures, this one was the most interesting and revealing. Others were way too dated and/or flash on her glasses commanded a focal point, plus, this picture represents a current time that is familiar to her family.

As you can see, the painting was looking a little grim,
so I had to add some color, bring energy...

Speaking of energy, it's the neighborhood socialite, Tiger !
Thanks for stopping by friend:)

June Marvene
oil on canvas
2009

******* UPDATE *******

8/11/09 The client wrote me an email sharing her mom's reaction when she received the commission as a present, the response made my soul illuminate:)

[My mom's] reaction was unbelievable. Of course, she cried, but after that was all over, she was amazed at the detail you put into the piece. She commented on her ears (which were very unique) and a spot on her chin that you captured so realistically. She loved the fact that there is life and energy in the painting, which will be the perfect tribute to my grandmother. She basically sat and held it, staring at it for a long while, taking it all in. She's completely pleased.

The colors are also perfect for the interior of my mom's house. It's like you knew my grandmother and my mom's house!

Wonderful, wonderful job

Progress Report

***All Work depicted in Photos is unfinished and currently a work in Progress***

(left side of triptych)

Center = pic is too hot for the internet!

(portion of right side of triptych)

Photos courtesy of Scott Allen and the iphone.

See you later;)

Cure the Blind

Cure the Blind

As an artist, I'm constantly looking for inspiration from the internet, books, shows, word of mouth, etc, that highlight the works of our world's artists (past and present). Some of the information that I come across is definitely worth sharing, and that is what curetheblind.com is all about.
Ben and I have been working on this idea for awhile now and we finally launched today!
So check it out and let us know what you think, and if you find anything cool that you would like to share, submit it here

Cheers!

Grandfather Bluejay

Grandfather

Graphite in Sketchbook

Bluejay
Gouache on watercolor paper

April 1st Retrospect

Art Walk, Downtown Hayden Burns Library Basement, my contribution was among many local greats such as Mark Estlund, Clay Doran, Crystal Floyd, Dog and Pony and Dennis Ho....

...not to mention the incredible 74 Sound System..blew the breakers multiple times...

...and Happy Birthday to my niece Kayla!

Exploring Unknown Terrain

Floating Leaves 1958
Watercolor

Andrew Wyeth still amazes me. I came across these two beauties in Unknown Terrain: The landscapes of Andrew Wyeth, and was on the verge of writing to Betsy Wyeth to offer my soul for "Floating Leaves", but further research found out that the piece was donated to a museum. Anyway, I wanted to share these jewels and the way Wyeth deals with criticism :

"People only make you swerve. I won’t show anybody anything I’m working on. If they hate it, it’s a bad thing, and if they like it, it’s a bad thing. An artist has to be ingrown to be any good."

Untitled (Distant Thunder Study) 1961
Watercolor

Ace on the River

Another Louis Kulma Study
12.20" x 7.25"
Gouache on watercolor paper

Neo-Gouache Pops

Louis Kulma Study
9" x 7.65"
Gouache on watercolor paper

Swamp Benchmarks

The weather has been wonderful, almost nonexistent, so trekked to an appealing spot behind my neighborhood to give some new watercolors a test run. Alligators were present, but the best action was a rambunctious black dog.

On the way to the spot, I met eyes with the black dog, then suddenly he jumped in a pond and swam away. Above is a picture where we swapped attention on my way home. Rabies could be the culprit of his behavior or ADHD, whatever the case, his energy was exhilarating.

Swamp Benchmarks
7.75" x 11.25"
watercolor, smeared grass and dirt

Study at 31

"Study at 31"
12" x 9"
oil on canvas

We all know the "if your going to do something, do it right" proverb and since I have a show planned for later this year I'm going to give it my all. Game systems were sold, no television, weekly trips to the library, art books and dvds get more attention than my girlfriend, the works. So in addition to the preparation, I've been doing experiments in different mediums and materials to explore what is going to be best for certain pieces. "Study at 31" is a self portrait that took a couple of hours and is from life. A few future pieces will involve figures, so this is just a warmup of things to come.

Books in Progress

Visiting the Emprnt site inspired a post about my bookcase that constantly evolves.

Art books, reference materials, sketchbooks, yearbooks, it's ready to lose an afternoon with you.

The pictures speak for themselves, but I neglected to include a picture of a shelf that houses video game magazines from the early nineties. I just can't donate a nostalgic 16-bit love affair.


Take care:)

The Covers of OZ

After a wonderful post from ISO50, I came across some favorite OZ covers. Of course, we have our own american treasure Charles Manson (above), but see some hippie visual goodness for yourself. Link

another detailed source

Louisiana Style Short-Rib

Cadmium Kayla
10" x 8"
oil on canvas

My mothers birthday was in November and all she wanted was a piece done of my niece Kayla.
3 months later and Surprise!

Fecal Face DJ Entry

Fecal Face Free Fridayz DJ Submission.

Happy Birthday Dad

(envelope)

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(card)

Chipmunk Frenzies

Lately I have been very motivated (due to many positive reasons, i.e. obama, health) and I've been drawing and painting like never before. Above is a quick (under an hour) paint/color study of my girlfriend Erica.

Butters

Babes

Notice: If your in the area and want me to paint you, let me know. I'll make your stay as comforting as possible :)

Andrew Wyeth passed away

Christina's World

Braids

Farm Road

Lovers

The Carry

Wind from the Sea

Andrew Wyeth,
son of N.C. Wyeth and highly acclaimed painter,
has died Thursday in his sleep at 91,
he will be missed.

More..

and more..