Belief

Timing is everything. If we achieve something too quickly we can sometimes take it for granted. As an artist, I have worked at my craft for years to find my voice through my work. I've noticed that some artist have a certain style or a series of work. My eternal quest is to continue to reinvent myself and evolve as an artist, sometimes even from painting to painting. At my core I am a "creative", however, innovation and doing the new dopest freshest thing is my main goal. I've never painted for social or global causes other than the enrichment of humanity. I couldn't imagine the world without art. Art just makes the world better. Acquiring art from various artists in my opinion, shows that you yourself have understood the many levels of your own personality. The art you acquire tells your inward story. As artists, the art we create shares our souls. It's an honor when a client chooses to invest in a piece of work. The ability to give someone happiness in the form of my creativity provides me with a deep sense of satisfaction. Isn't it all about relationship anyway?

"Expressionist art is evolved from letting go of the paint brush and allowing your soul to complete the work." - Corey Mukes

Always have fun with it!

Traveling

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Saint Augustine

Took some time off from my artwork to go and see beautiful Honolulu. Hopefully from the many photos I've taken I can produce at least 5 new paintings expressing the warmth, rich culture and pure beauty of Hawaii. This world is a book full of many pages. I plan to read as many chapters as I can before my time is up. 

While in Hawaii, I had a thought about my work. I am extremely aware of social and economic issues in and out of this country but I have never been drawn to create work based around these topics. I think we all have a calling in this life and we are people of many talents. I've found that while most artist may use their art to depict or relay social issues, I just want to display beauty and use my artwork to make others feel better about life. As I write this, I hope that my work has touched, sparked thought or inspired you in some way. 

Until next time...

Newness

Looking at a new year is like looking at a blank canvas. You know the basic dimensions. There are 12 months and 365 days in a year. You know the size and depth of the canvas but the truth is what emerges. It is human nature to constantly look for ones purpose. It is an artists responsibility to search his or her soul and craft the purpose visually on canvas. Each new year should be full of hope, ideas and expectations. As we settle in to this years prolific constitution lets pray we enjoy life, seek balance and find purpose. CREATE!

Consistency

Consistency - steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc. 

 

So what does it mean to stay the course? Well to me it has meant that despite any immeasurable odds you must continue. Continue to drive, strive and have the relentless passion to pursue a goal to the end. In my art career, I've had some ups and downs as my work continues to take shape and develop. The "ups" consist of being able to successfully do business and sell my work. The "downs" have been remaining visible by finding new and inventive strategies to market and exhibit my work. In the past I didn't submit to juried exhibitions and shows. With the art world changing and moving away from the traditional gallery representation, the artist is now able to have his or her own voice and vision if they are savvy, consistent and dedicated enough to promote it and create the work. This year I've been extremely diligent in participating in something every month (art showings and writing for and online publication) while documenting my process. I guess I'm kind of creating a blueprint to follow year after year while making subtle changes to be more calculating, consistent and better. The process only works if you can learn and grow from it. It’s all about thinking and learning to solve problems.

  I spent my earlier years as a professional artist studying composition and color theory. In that color theory, I found shades and shadows which lead to innovation and my "thing". As I continue to find new ways to bend my creativity into a visual voice, I sometimes hit a wall. It's not often that I hit this imaginary wall but when I do I am quickly reminded that this is art, it's subjective, THERE ARE NO RULES and what I shape can be whatever I want it to be. I am the craftsman of each individual image and as long as I put a piece of myself in it I can sign it and call the image true. 

Remain CONSISTENT!

Capacity

  During the process of creating artwork an artist can reach a moment of epiphany where they truly understand that even though they've had accomplishments and sales they still may not have peaked. I've felt this recently. Although we can appear to have all the answers, when we radiate from within we find that our questions may out number our answers. This came true when I recently sold a painting and needed to pull 100 limited edition prints. In my effort to always give my customers quality work that they can collect and pass down, I had to thoroughly research the process of creating giclée prints, pronounced (Zhee-Clay). The print quality of these high resolution digital prints is seamless when looking at an original piece of work. As I continue to expand my body of work I will make these prints available for sale of some of my high interest volume pieces.

 
  I've also gotten involved in creating work using mixed media. It draws me to a story of famous art master, Henri Matisse. In Matisse' old age he was unable to go through the laborious task of painting and from his sick bed he continued to create by cutting out the images and affixing them to a canvas. Using this method he prolonged his art career and developed some of the most beautiful contemporary art pieces. Though the art world continues to evolve I've learned just like fashion all things, styles, designs and techniques come back around.


  I thank God for granting me with an immeasurable amount capacity to receive these blessings and still giving me the humbleness to continue LEARNing and PERFECTing my craft. ALWAYS REMAIN A STUDENT OF THE GAME!


  Special thanks and blessings to the women of Delta Sigma Theta Houston Alumnae Chapter (http://dsthoustonalumnae.org/) it was a pleasure to honor your organizational efforts.

Also thanks to Disembodied Text for including my interview and artwork in their online publication, Body 3: The Disembodied Artist. (http://disembodiedtext.com/2013/05/06/body-3-the-disembodied-artist/)

Process

One definition of the word "process" is a systematic series of actions directed to some end. Hmmm. This definition caused me to look up the word "journey" since we use that word so frequently when attempting to describe where we would like to go in our lives. I found, 1. a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time. 2. passage or progress from one stage to another. Based on those definitions I decided that "process" applies to me. Process spoke to me because it shows you have a sense of where you are going. You are a using a systematically directed approach to reach a goal or end result. In this case my goal is to become a well-established artist with a vast collection of meaningful artwork. I've sold several paintings throughout the years that have gone from my studio to the homes of others; however, there is a hunger for more. I feel that my art work should go on a journey while I work the process. Henry Ward Beecher said it best, "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." It's now time to share with the world that which was given freely by God and cultivated by man, ART. So far this month I have submitted a proposal for an artist residency in Houston and a group exhibition in New Orleans. Let the process begin!      

Initiation

Welcome to my blog. NEVER did I think that I would create a blog, but I am learning to never say NEVER. As I sit here on this Saturday, April 20th, I continue to feel the need to document the process of completing my art work and most of all my thoughts while creating it. I've searched my soul and decided to make a commitment to build a body of work that will one day be cataloged and remembered. I pray that the work I create will touch someone. I've been watching a lot of the "Flip This House" interior/exterior decorating shows that have a million viewers showing "how" the sausage is made. If these shows can change the life of a family and build a community, why can't the art we produce do the same? I feel that as artists we can be so secretive in the creative process, however, the true soul of the piece comes from within the artist. I feel that even if I show my tips or methods the internal thought that jumps from inside me is still uniquely mine. Although I do have a personal and professional Facebook page, a blog really allows you to get your thoughts out. Who knows, one day my memoirs may be placed in a book and given to my wife and son. Even if that is how far that it goes, I am more than satisfied because these words are directly from my own pen. It is my intent to leave a legacy of spiritual foundation, wisdom, love and wealth. If I continue to use my talents and voice I can one day as Erma Bombeck put it, "...stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me."  Below are images from the series of 5 paintings I am currently working on entitled, "Improvisation Quintet" inspired by Roy Hargove's, Strasbourg / St. Denis.

CAN'T FIND MY KEYS

BYRD

RUMBLE IN THE RHYTHM