Day After

Steaks, ground and back straps, oh my!
Fueling creativity

Yesterday's painting session knocked me out. I have not been able to do much of anything artistic today. The little that I did try was scrapped. I almost forgot how intense canvas painting is for me. It's a very different experience personally than sculpting or illustrating. I've never been able to figure out why it's so different.

I do have to watch on days like today though for on such days I will get fickle and go through all my art with an extraordinarily critical eye and trash pieces. I've been known to literally put them through the paper shredder if I find I dislike them. Once you shred, there's no going back. I've hidden all the plates from the Four Seasons illustrations I've never finished. I dislike them all GREATLY and dislike the fact that it has taken this long to come to some form of completion with them. Once the "post-canvas-painting storm" passes I'll pull them out from the attic.

Of course, on days like this some little thing always happens to boost my spirits. Today my father brought a bag full of venison for me. Im thrilled I can finally try some recipes in my venison cook book which was acquired many, many years ago. I've been waiting that long to try them out. Sometimes you have to be patient. All things come in good time.

And well, the day like today wouldn't be complete without seeing a major heart somewhere. Turned the venison packs over and the one had...yep, a heart. It's a frozen heart but none the less....a heart.

Ooh, a frozen heart.
Hmmpf....lol

"In The Field"
Graphite and watercolor on archival bristol

"In The Field II"
Graphite and watercolor on archival bristol

"Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in."

A Clown (I mean) Artist's Prayer

Further progress on two resins

This week is packed with studio work, family affairs and some meetings at my church. Being involved in several ministries can be draining and taxing to studio work, but it is also extremely fulfilling and inspirational. Today at a St. Vincent DePaul meeting (we help feed the homeless) our dearest and most beloved member of this ministry (who is also a part time clown on the weekends for parties and events) prayed a prayer which apparently all Christian clowns say before an event.

I was taken by the prayer I had to look it up online. I think that in place of the word "clown" the word "artist" could be easily added. Afterall, I think we also cheer people up and our art makes them happy. At least, that is what my brain tells me some of the time about being an artist. Anyway, I thought it was very beautiful and it's been occupying my mind ever since he read it. I thought I'd share it with you all. :)

Dear Lord,

Help me create more laughter than tears, disperse more happiness than gloom, spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me grow so big that I fail to see the wonder in the eyes of a child or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that I am a clown...that my work is to cheer people up, make them happy, and allow them to forget momentarily all the unpleasant things in their lives.

Never let me acquire financial success to the point where I will discontinue calling upon my Creator in the hour of my need or acknowledging Him in the hour of my Plenty.

- Amen