grey

I was driving home from work today and the sky was such an awesome shade of grey.  The sky is usually grey in Rochester, but it had a certain glow around 4:52 pm.  I was on Goodman, the snow was falling and everything was white.  I was watching the houses and buildings along the road as I approached Monroe.  Crows were flying in circles above the street, black silhouettes, landing on the tips and peaks of the dated homes.  Some of the details remind me of castles,  cylinder shapes with pointed tops,  the iron rails outlining the rooftops and the balconies all against this grey lit sky.   A grey lit sky.  I guess it just seemed old and quiet and vibrant at the same time. 

JD Salinger

“The worst thing that being an artist could do to you would be that it would make you slightly unhappy constantly.” -- JD Salinger

What a great quote.

thanks for posting Lizz

painting

The other day in the studio I was asked why I paint.  I don't know how we came to this question, but there it was.  I hate that question.  I looked at Rachael and really didn't have an answer.  I said " because I like to."  As the conversation went on, I realized what a lame reason that is.  It is an easy answer.  Don't get me wrong, I do like to paint, I wouldn't still be doing it if I didn't like it.   But I guess I was annoyed with myself that I couldn't come up with a reason.  I thought about why other artists do what they do but was still drawing a blank.  I said I just paint random things together.  I should have known better then to talk to a teacher/professor that way.  Rachael just kept firing away and I just didn't know how to respond.  I went home and that is all I thought about.  Why am I painting what I paint and why.  It is not just random,  aesthetically I know what I am doing,  but what is it about.  I will work on that this year.  I will work on figuring out why I paint besides liking it.

I could just paint happy little trees!

it's on honor just to be.........

To my surprise I found out today that I have been nominated in the category "affordable art" of the handmade awards event, The Poppies.  The Poppies were created by Jan from Poppytalk to celebrate artists of the handmade community.  So if you have a moment and really, really like me, click on the above link and vote for Carving My Initials!  Special thank you goes to the someone who tossed my name in the hat!  THANKS!

the trouble maker we love

Jen and I have now been the proud owners of Gino for a little over a year now.  It has been a pretty crazy ride since he has entered our lives but I would not trade him for anything.  He has been causing some trouble lately which has created quite the reputation for him.  No matter how hard we try to defend him, people will have their opinions no matter what.  I didn't know so many people were so knowledgeable about dogs!  I think people jump to conclusions when the p-word is involved (pit) and it is unfair.  I realized today that there is no way I would give this handsome young man up.  I do believe Jen and I are right for Gino and he is right for us.  

Above at 3 months, below 1 year and 5 months.

Waiting for a carrot.

1 a month

I will complete one painting a month.  New years resolution? Not sure.  I will post them as I complete them.  Happy MLK day!

2 paintings in the works

Just really started to work on these.  I am pretty excited about them even though they have a long way to go. 

banksy

a little better

gotta love camera phone pics!

long way to go

It will get worse before it gets better.

live fom the studio

Starting to paint a bull and some red butterflies on a giant canvas.  May have been a bad idea,  was going to stop but am trying to stick with the original plan.  I can always paint over it right??

Backspacer

I can't think of anything to top this right now.  Art by Tom Tomorrow.

two zero one zero

I have been thinking lately about what my first post of the year would be about.  What should I write.  Here we are, 7 days into the new year.  All I could think about is listing what my plans are going to be for 2010.  To my disappointment,  I don't have any.  I could say to make a bunch of paintings, a shitload of drawings, promote myself more on etsy, get that website up, finish up the house and the list goes on.  I should be doing that no matter what.  I don't need to make a list.  I am a shit talker, I talk a lot of shit and I am done with that.  I waste my time talking shit and really, it's hard to say, I don't do shit.  So this year, it is time to go get that Twinkie, it is time to nut up or shut up. 

I actually started reading a book this year.  I only mention this because I never read.  It is a book about dogs called Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz.  I am halfway through which is quite a  feat for me.  So that is how I have started my new year. 

I could write more but I don't want to ramble to much and complain.  With that said, hope everyone has a great start to 2010!