Friday, December 27, 2013

What's New?

The word "new" means "not existing before".  A new year is just about to begin.  The year 2014 has never existed before.  Lots of "newness"  lies ahead for all of us.  Exciting!!  And I have something NEW to tell you...a NEW painting is now underway on my easel!  But no, I am not going to spill the beans and tell you what it is about.  That wouldn't be any fun.  But I will allow you to peak over my shoulder as the creating process unfolds to discover just what is emerging from the blank white nothingness.


I always enjoy the fresh start of a new work of art.  I feel like a cliff-diver poised over the raging waters far below.  It's exhilarating to make that first mark and JUST GET STARTED.  All I hope to convey in the painting is pulsing in my thoughts ready to be developed.  As I engage in the creative process, I am very aware that I am not really in control.  Ideas emerge and changes are made that seem to be above and beyond what I feel capable of or originally thought.  Sometimes when struggling with an aspect of a painting, an idea or solution will seem to emerge out of nowhere and I, amazed, think, "Where did that come from?"  Before beginning a new work, I do intentionally take time to think through what is the essence of my subject and how do I convey that to the viewers.  What is it about this subject that has grabbed my attention?  What is going on beneath the visual surface?  Is there something more than meets the eye that speaks to life?  And I would be remiss if I left out a critical element of preparation....I pray.  I ask God for help.  Like the great composer J.S. Bach who signed all his music "Solo Dei Gloria" (for the glory of God alone), I want my work to bring glory to Him.  If that is achieved, then the viewers of my work will also benefit from the work as well.

Happy NEW Year to you!  And I'll be back with NEW updates on the NEW painting!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Solo Exhibit at OrthoWest

Solo Exhibit At OrthoWest


Today begins the solo exhibit of seven pieces of my artwork at OrthoWest Hospital located at 2725   S. 144th St. #212 here in Omaha.  OrthoWest is Omaha's premiere orthopedic surgery clinic.  My work will be on display in their inner lobby all through the month of December.  The selected artworks are King of the Canyon; The Farrier; Under Watchful Care; Who’s There?; Boots, Broncs, and Britches; Winter Water; and Headgear.


Prints of these original works of art are available individually or most all are included in my 2014Calendar.  

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Can Art Change Your Life?

While attending an entrepreneur event this morning, the presenter made a statement that stuck with me.  He said that the endpoint of what we are endeavoring to do must be to really change the lives of people.  He followed that with this...that if you are not really changing people's lives, they don't really care.

                                "In the Mountains"
                                  Albert Bierstadt

 So....that lead me to wonder...how does making art change people's lives?  Does it really matter?  Or could they just as easily live without it. It doesn't supply tangible needs like food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, or transportation.  

I can see the entertainment value of performing arts.  And the literary value of words in a book has the power to entertain or inform, but how does or how can the visual arts play an active role in changing people's lives?  Are the visual arts a quiet, static optional function in life?  Or....does viewing a work of art intrinsically change something in a person's life for the better?  This is what I am wrestling with.  Has viewing a work of art ever had a life-changing impact for you?

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Everybody Needs A Calendar!

Have you been thinking about that hard-to-find gift item for a loved one this Christmas?  Give a gift that will last all year!  The calendar template is completely hand-illustrated.  Each month's picture is a print of one of my original works of art!

2014 Creation Calendar
(wall hanging dimensions - 11" x 17")
Example Image

Example of hand-illustrated monthly pages.
 
$16.00 + Taxes & Shipping

If you are desiring this purchase to be sent directly to someone as a gift, please include the recipient's shipping address.