Commissioned Valentine Portrait 2014

Had a lot of fun with this one. As you can tell, the subjects were very multifaceted - a couple of suburban bikers! -, with a great sense of humor and a lot of love. What a great gift. I'm so glad I got to work with them.

I do still have a few slots open for Valentine's Day at the store. I don't know about you, but my family has a lot of birthdays in February, as well! 

It's the season of Love (and lots of ice and snow)!

a little News, a little Love

photo courtesy of Supersonic Electronic and James Charles

If you're visiting my blog, you probably already know that I've opened my store. For the first time in a few years, I have some time for commissions, as well, so there's that.

I like to eat croissants and drink gourmet espresso drinks, so a little change in my pocket would be nice. The best thing about it, though, is the sense of appreciation. I worry often that I'm not contributing to the world by making art. That my work is missing the mark in terms of emotional connection and meaningful content. But, as always, I'll leave that up to you to judge.

Turmoil

Photo courtesy of Abbey Watkins

Planning invites calamity. To stick to the plan requires the abortion of Now in the name of a non-existent future.

The common line is that planning is our human everything - the bread and butter of life. That planning is a safeguard. That planning encapsulates all that is able to be affected by our daily life, our decisions, our dreams. 

But, the one constant that runs through and around and beneath them all is change. It erodes the very foundation of immortality, of memory, of nostalgia and hope. Change creates and destroys at devilish speeds. It niggles into our emotions and impulses. Change is impersonal, and impervious. Change is all.

Disposing of thoughts fore and after awakens you to the thrilling danger of Now. It allows for immediate absorption of the joy of living. Investigating existence as it is means stepping through a doorway often shut by pangs for safety and satiation - desires like sink holes that will never be filled for long. Adaptation holds the only key to happiness.

The only caveat being, happiness is not forever.

Digital Dump

Digital sketches done over the past few months. The figure studies are from photographs, not my own. More after the jump. (NSFW)