Back to Work

16 x 20″ watercolor underway

The sketch hunter has delightful days of drifting about among people, in and out of the city, going anywhere, everywhere, stopping as long as he likes–no need to reach any point, moving in any direction following the call of interests. He moves through life as he finds it, not passing negligently the things he loves, but stopping to know them, and to note them down in the shorthand of his sketchbook, a box of oils with a few small panels, the fit of his pocket, or on his drawing pad. Like any hunter he hits or misses. He is looking for what he loves, he tries to capture it. It’s found anywhere, everywhere. Those who are not hunters do not see these things. The hunter is leaning to see and to understand–to enjoy.

There are memories of days of this sort, of wonderful driftings in and out of the crowd, of seeing and thinking. Where are the sketches that were made? Some of them are in dusty piles, some turned out to be so good they got frames, some became motives for big pictures, which were either better or worse than the sketches, but they, or rather the states of being and understandings we had at the time of doing them all, are sifting through and leaving their impress on our whole work and life.

Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

I open this blog, after a lengthy hiatus, with this soulful selection from Robert Henri, one of my heroes of art history. The man was truly a prophet, a visionary, capable of inspiring a circle of illustrators to become great artists, including one of my favorites, Edward Hopper. Throughout my life I have sought out role models, and what Henri has provided me as a template for life is this: the artist has value as teacher as well as creator. Throughout my decades of teaching in public schools and universities I often fretted that I lacked quality time for making art because of the teaching responsibilities. Now retired, I am discovering that teaching remains as important to life’s enrichment as creating. Now that Sandi and I own The Gallery at Redlands, I am surprised at the demand for art classes here in the gallery, and am loving every minute of these opportunities. I just finished a class yesterday in perspective drawing, and have a watercolor class filling up for tomorrow afternoon.

On top of all of this, I am still finding time to fulfill my dream as Henri’s “sketch hunter”–I have five new watercolors now in progress that have been cooking in my visual consciousness for weeks now as I’ve traveled about and spotted locations I wished to capture in sketchbooks and watercolor pads. Several completed watercolors are in storage, awaiting frames. Less successful ones are also in storage for future evaluation. Limited editions have also been processed, including my recent Clydesdale piece:

I’m proud that the first edition went out the door before I had a chance to make labels. These are now available in The Gallery at Redlands, measuring 11″(h) x 15″(w) and priced at $100 unframed.

The only reason for my recent blog hiatus has been demands in other areas preventing my sitting down to the computer. Our 85th annual Dogwood Art and Music Festival will descend upon Palestine March 17-18. Sandi has done ten times the amount of work I have in preparing for this. So have other members of the Dogwood Arts Council. We have reason to believe this will be our best festival yet, as we have a large tent covering the parking lot across the street from The Redlands Hotel that will feature 32 artists in their booths. This will be the first time I’ve opted out of being under the tent, keeping my art work in The Gallery at Redlands which will remain open for business throughout the festival. Thanks to artists and volunteers, I will be able to move back and forth from gallery to festival throughout the weekend and enjoy the company of all the artists coming into town.

Gallery at Redlands. My work area is always untidy

The watercolor started above will feature the Sacred Heart Church across the street. As I’ve blogged several times before, I enjoy waking up in our apartment upstairs to the sound of the 7:00 church bells, tolling nine times. I’ll never stop chuckling at that. I’m posting one of my earlier paintings of the church below. We’ll be painting this composition in tomorrow’s watercolor class.

Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

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Morning Sketches & Thoughts

Morning Sketch of Son House over Coffee

He was by far the most intense. If blues was an ocean distilled to a lake, to a pond, to a pool, to a tub, to a glass and ultimately to a drop, the essence, the very concentrate, this is Son House.

Dick Waterman

I started this day off better. Having resolved to shift priority #3 to #1, I began my morning over coffee by sketching in my sketchbook. Opening Billy Wyman’s Blues Odyssey: A Journey to Music’s Heart and Soul, I found this photograph of Son House and an accompanying article about Dick Waterman, who re-discovered Son House in his later years, living in a New York apartment, and in failing health. Waterman put Son House back into the blue’s limelight and he was able to enjoy success till his death. Waterman’s glowing tribute of Son House and how he represented the essence of blues music is a sublime piece of writing.

I’m happy now to return to sketching, and intend to be more disciplined and consistent with it. Now, it’s time for me to pick up my other two priorities and see if I can continue this excellent day.

Thanks for reading.

The Logos

Patches, my Pal

. . . and Paddington, my other Pal

            The pressure disappeared with the first word he put on paper.  He thought—while his hand moved rapidly—what a power there was in words; later, for those who heard them, but first for the one who found them; a healing power, a solution, like the breaking of a barrier.  He thought, perhaps the basic secret the scientists have never discovered, the first fount of life, is that which happens when a thought takes shape in words.

Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

The passage above describes newspaper mogul Gail Wynand gathering strength to write a rebuttal to a published editorial, to defend his public position. As a lover of the Greek language, I’ve been captivated by the logos, generally translated as “word” but oh, so much more. The philosopher Martin Heidegger wrote extensively about the Presocratic texts, and how their sense of logos involved the “gathering together.” The idea of cohesion lies at the foundation of this powerful word. We use words as harnesses, as fences, as cages, to encapsulate our ideas. And the word–whether spoken, heard, written, read–empowers us, liberates us, integrates us, brings clarity and meaning to our lives.

This is a personal moment for me. I’m sitting up in bed, late on a Sunday night, tapping these words out on the laptop, hoping to send out yet another blog post, another flag to send up the pole. Why do I do this? I’ve asked myself this question countless times throughout the years I’ve put out these blogs. Why do I do this?

Good-natured friends have chided me that I do this to convince the world of how great I am. I don’t take offense at that, and I have always felt that the barbs were in good fun. I hold my nose at the recollection of many blogs I’ve read that came across to me as “preachy”, that seemed designed to tell others what they should be doing to be successful, to be better. The superiority I sense behind those blogs is off-putting to me. And I constantly question whether or not my own writings come across that way to others. God, I hope not.

Why do I blog? Because I’m always reading, always journaling, always exploring ideas, always hoping to understand better and thus improve my own life. And as a retired teacher, I still have this urge to put something out to others that could give them a good feeling about themselves, a desire to improve their own lives and those that surround them. I try to stay away from the negativity that dogs me when I write, because I want someone to feel good when they read me, instead of insulted or angered.

I love words. I love their power, their integration, their restoration. And I hope every time I put out a blog post, that words sent out into the world will empower, integrate, and restore others.

Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

Sunday Morning Stirrings in the Gallery

Ancel E. Nunn’s Dream. 11 x 14″ framed watercolor. $250

That, precisely, is the deadliness of second-handers.  They have no concern for facts, ideas, work.  They’re concerned only with people.  They don’t ask: “Is this true?” They ask: “Is this what others think is true?” Not to judge, but to repeat.  Not to do, but to give the impression of doing.  Not creation, but show.  Not ability, but friendship.  Not merit, but pull.  What would happen to the world without those who do, think, work, produce?  Those are the egotists.  You don’t think through another’s brain and you don’t work through another’s hands.  When you suspend your faculty of independent judgment, you suspend consciousness.  To stop consciousness is to stop life.  Second-handers have no sense of reality.  Their reality is not within them, but somewhere in that space which divides one human body from another.  Not an entity, but a relation—anchored to nothing.  That’s the emptiness I couldn’t understand in people. 

Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

It’s rare to find me in The Gallery at Redlands on a Sunday morning. But we had an event last night in the Redlands Hotel that kept the gallery open late, so we decided to spend the night rather than journey two hours home at such a late hour.

Over coffee, I am re-reading portions of Ayn Rand’s Fountainhead, a book I’ve read twice in its entirety, and still go back to read highlighted and underlined texts as well as my marginal scribblings. In the passage above, our hero/architect/individualist Howard Roark is sounding off about his disdain for “second-handers”. I have other words for those kinds of folks, but I’ll keep those in my pocket.

I didn’t meditate and journal over the passage this morning for the purpose of ranting over the wasted energy of second-handers. Rather, I pointed the passage into my own heart, hoping to improve my life in areas that continue to lag. I’ve never felt like a second-hander. I’ve always tried to carve out my own niche, and usually know what I need to do. I’m always revising my priorities, and now believe I have three main areas that need consistency if I am going to develop as an artist rather than push out the same old products for the market.

My number one priority is unchanged, and I remain consistent in it: study, reflection and writing. I do this religiously every morning without fail. My years as a graduate student made me an addict for research and writing. So I never have to make myself open a book and journal, and set to work in the study. Usually I have this going over coffee seven mornings a week.

But priority number two is moderate, and number three is on life-support. Number two is consistency–making art DAILY. I just don’t do that as I could/should. I have the most beautiful Studio Eidolons in my home, more lovely than any studio I have ever occupied. There is no excuse that I’m not in there every single day (even if for the space of thirty minutes) to engage in making art. It just doesn’t happen. And I have no excuse. I’m fully retired, and I really do not have a demanding daily schedule, so I could and should enter that studio every single day and work on something, even if for a short time. Consistency matters. Because if I miss one day, next thing you know, a week has passed with no new work in progress. I am without excuse. I cannot use the Thursday-through-Saturday gallery schedule as an excuse either. A dear friend gave me a drafting table to keep in the gallery. And there is wonderful light that floods the space daily. So, The Gallery at Redlands is also a studio for me. No excuses. Every day, my dwelling includes a studio. And so, priority number two now has my attention.

And then, priority number three (and this is an embarrassment): sketching. I have a stack of partially used sketchbooks for drawing as well as watercolor. For years I’ve told myself that a “real” artist (vs. the second-hander) sketches every single day. The sketchbook should be carried everywhere I go (the journal does, but not the sketchbook). And I find myself going weeks, months, without one single, paltry sketch. It is in this area that I feel the ultimate embarrassment and hypocrisy. I am frequently asked by enthusiastic emerging artists: “What do I need to do to improve my work, to become more marketable?” And the first thing that enters my mind is the sketchbook, but it stays in my mind, never passes my lips, because I myself don’t do it, and I keep telling myself I believe in it. I wonder if I should make the sketchbook my NUMBER ONE priority? Hmmmm. Maybe that’s what it’s going to take.

OK, let’s put all the cards on the table: I’m writing today’s blog because two days ago a flash of inspiration jolted me and I scribbled it out in my journal to pursue this new idea. And now I am finally stopped long enough to blog it and meditate on it. The idea is reform, revival, renewal. I decided two days ago that I was going to up my game in the areas of blogging, sketching, and daily creation. So now I go public in this blog, no longer keeping it a secret. I intend to blog more consistently and thoughtfully, sketch every single day, and enter the studio to make art daily. And I’ve decided now that the priorities will be 1) sketching, 2) research & writing, and 3) daily creation in the studio.

Time to go to work on these matters. Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

Continued Thoughts on the New Byzantium

Newly-Opened Winery: Stone Trough in Cleburne, Texas

I think if I could be given a month of Antiquity and leave to spend it where I chose, I would spend it in Byzantium a little before Justinian opened St. Sophia and closed the Academy of Plato. . . . I think that in early Byzantium, maybe never before or since in recorded history, religious, aesthetic and practical life were one, that architect and artificers spoke to the multitude and to the few alike. The painter, the mosaic worker, the worker in gold and silver, the illuminator of sacred books, were almost impersonal, almost perhaps without the consciousness of individual design, absorbed in their subject-matter and that the vision of a whole people.

William Butler Yeats

New York itself was incredible, “really like a Byzantine city,” according to de Kooning, who was thinking of a city of contrasts and contradictions, a city where people from all over the world came together. The thought was seconded by Robert Motherwell, a young painter who had begun to exhibit in the 1940s and who explained to the poet Frank O’Hara that “New York City is a Constantinople, a great Bazaar.”

Jed Perl, New Art City: Manhattan at Mid-Century

Artists Beginning to Gather at Stone Trough

As I have written before, there is something creative in the air over East Texas. Artists, musicians, playwrights and poets are finding ways to network, to pour fresh ideas like cascades of spring water over the stagnant, tired diatribes often found on social media. My retired professor friends from Denton, Bob Stevens and Jim Linebarger, have been offering me encouragement as I seek to translate the recent East Texas art flourishing as having parallels with the culture of ancient Byzantium.

Last night Sandi and I traveled to Cleburne to attend the opening of a new winery where The Eyes of Texas Fine Art Gallery is opening a new show of work. I have a pair of watercolors in the show, and a number of our Gallery at Redlands artists are displaying there as well. Next week we will open our next show at Baron’s Creek Winery in Granbury, Texas. And Palestine will hold its next Art Walk the first Saturday of August. We are hearing murmurs of new art events and organizations forming in nearby Tyler as well. I promise to report on all of these things as they come to fruition in the weeks ahead. As I wrote earlier, there is something creative in the air, and we’re enthused to hear about these things.

Justin Bryant and editor Gloria Hood planning and strategizing . . .

The Eyes of Texas Fine Art Gallery magazine welcomes photographer/journalist Justin Bryant from the Palestine Herald Press. He was recently assigned to the art beat of our local newspaper, and immediately went far beyond publishing the events of our monthly art walk, news from the Dogwood Arts Council and general information from The Gallery at Redlands. With fresh vision, he is pouring new ideas into the next issue of our fine arts magazine, having caught the fever of the art interest recently flowing through East Texas. As I stood nearby and listened to the the enthusiasm coming from him as well as Gloria, Sandi, and the artists at the table nearby, I felt confirmed in my sentiments that a New Byzantium is underway and that we can expect remarkable things as we inch closer to the fall season.

Finally framed the aspens in an 11 x 14″ frame. $200

Another Colorado watercolor. 11 x 14″ frame. $150

We’re happy to be back in The Gallery at Redlands, and are enjoying the reunion with our Palestine friends we haven’t seen in over two weeks. I managed to frame two of the watercolors I experimented with while on the cabin deck in South Fork, Colorado. I have many more planned, so stay tuned . . .

S O L D !!!!!

We also returned from Colorado to the great news that my watercolor recently featured on the cover of our magazine had found a new home. I’m thrilled that the buyers live in Fort Worth and have just visited the Scat Jazz Lounge. Sandi and I have plans to visit the lounge some night soon with our editor along with Sabrina Franklin (also featured on the cover of the magazine) and whomever else wishes to join us for an evening of live jazz and good times.

Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

Art Rhapsody on a Sunday

Early Start in Studio Eidolons

Before we do any actual translating, he says, we must translate ourselves to what a fragment says, what it is thinking; we must first arrive on its foreign shores and, like Hermes on Ogygia, stop to contemplate before we can return with some fitting memento of it to the land of our own language.

David Farrell Krell, speaking of Martin Heidegger, in “The Anaximander Fragment”

I have tried for years to explain to anyone interested that most of my inspiration for making art comes from literature or philosophy; writers inspire me to paint just as much as other artists. Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell confessed that James Joyce, “the Shakespeare of modernism” (Motherwell’s words) inspired him to paint above most other influences. This morning’s reading from Heidegger’s lectures on Nietzsche inspired me to write in my journal and now to pass on these new ideas to you . . .

Breakfast at the Woodshed Smokehouse

The morning’s reading set the table for what I wanted to do in the studio today, but I first decided I needed a good breakfast. So . . . I journeyed to Fort Worth’s Woodshed Smokehouse and found a seat overlooking the Trinity River with the smoke of a wood fire blowing directly into my face (it was still cold and windy outside, so the smell and warmth of the fire was delicious). Waiting for breakfast also afforded me quality time to continue hammering out in my journal these ideas from Heidegger that were still incubating . . .

My opening quote above points out Heidegger’s views on the art of translation. This has stirred me for years, because I regard making art as translation–we are translating our sensations of the world enveloping us and trying to capture these sensations on a blank picture plane before us.

Years ago, I made friends with a couple who owned an old general store that they had transported to their ranch. They graciously gave me a key to the store (which has a residence attached to it) to use as a special hideaway anytime I needed to get away from the city and school teaching job that I had at the time. On their property was this covered chuck wagon stowed away in a barn. I took a number of pictures of the wagon and even painted a small plein air sketch of it during one of my stays at the old store.

Still on the Easel

Completed Sketch

I still remember how much I enjoyed the time spent staring at the congeries of cooking utenstils and food containers on the wagon and the attempt to capture them on paper. But I balked at the thought of translating this entire subject into a larger watercolor; I had never really experienced a chuck wagon meal or campsite. My friend Wayne White is a master “cowboy cook” and has used these kinds of utensils to cook for me while we’ve been out camping and fishing. But the actual chuck wagon experience has never been mine, and I felt inadequate to “translate” such a subject into a painting.

Watching 1883 on TV for the past couple of months has changed my perspective. Thanks to that film experience, I’ve found myself poring over old photographs published in books and on the Internet until finally I went back into my own archives and pulled out the dozen photos I took of this chuck wagon out on the ranch from years ago. And I decided: Now is the time. Just do it.

Nearing Completion of the Chuck Wagon Watercolor

This is my first real attempt. I’m certain others will follow. If viewers could experience even half the depth of joy and fulfilment I’ve known while staring at this subject and chipping away at its details, then I’ll say the experience has been worth the effort.

More later. Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

Sunny Saturday for Mardi Gras Weekend

Morning Sunlight out the window of our suite at The Redlands Hotel

Sacred Heart Church across street from The Gallery at Redlands

For the Greeks, phusis is the first and the essential name for beings themselves and as a whole. For them the being is what flourishes on its own, in no way compelled, what rises and comes forward, and what goes back into itself and passes away.

Martin Heidegger, Nietzsche

The church bells at Sacred Heart across the street tolled nine times this morning to let me know it was 7:00 a.m. I still laugh at that every morning while residing here in The Redlands Hotel, wondering if anyone has told those in charge that the morning toll is always wrong. The bells don’t ring throughout the night, allowing city folk to sleep in the quiet. But the first tolling occurs at seven, and it is nine bells. After that, the count is correct.

Looking out at the lovely Carnegie Library building, I felt enraptured to see the dynamics of the sun all over the facade of the structure. I felt the same way looking out the southeast window toward Sacred Heart. The bright sun is deceiving as it is 27 degrees outdoors. Mardi Gras is being celebrated today in the city of Palestine, and already folks are buzzing out about town.

“Executive Time” in The Gallery at Redlands

Descending the stairs to the first floor and entering The Gallery at Redlands, I felt warmed by the sun despite the frigid temperatures outdoors.

At my Desk in the Gallery

The Heidegger reading has me buzzed already. I love the idea of meshing with the natural world as it ebbs and flows, and trying to adjust to the flow of its rhythms. I’m ready to return to the Chuck Wagon watercolor and intend to have it finished and framed before closing the gallery tonight at 9:00.

Time to return to work on the Chuck Wagon Study

Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to disover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

The Next Chapter

Early Morning Planning Meeting with Publisher Gloria Hood

“News,” Gail Wynand told his staff, “is that which will create the greatest excitement among the greatest number. The thing that will knock them silly. The sillier the better, provided there’s enough of them.“

Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

I am glad we are still one month away from our Dogwood Art and Music Festival here in Palestine. The vibe is heating up despite the frigid winter temperatures of late. Sandi and I are making serious plans for our first anniversary Gallery at Redlands reception when the festival closes the night of March 19th. This weekend we have been working with Gloria Hood, publisher of The Eyes of Texas Fine Art Gallery magazine. The City of Palestine and local artists have responded enthusiastically, filling up several pages with ads for the next issue, and we cannot wait to see the publication. There will be 10,000 copies distributed across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, along with the surrounding communities, and we’re proud that Palestine is leading the way as the magazine expands into East Texas. For months, community organizers and artists have gathered in The Gallery at Redlands to discuss how we can raise the profile of this community and demonstrate our fine arts prowess. I truly believe we are finally moving in the right direction. Gloria has been a genuine enrichment to us over the past several days, meeting and sharing with us the ins and outs of magazine publication. We are so fortunate to find several news outlets now within reach so we can get our work out before the public.

Gloria and Sandi in The Galllery at Redlands

Watch for Palestine Art in the Next Issue!

My heart is always stirred by stories surrounding the success of bluesman Muddy Waters. Deciding to move on from life as a tractor driver for Stovall Farms in Mississippi, Muddy took the train to Chicago and worked in a box factory by day and played in juke joints by night until he managed to record for Chess Records. The distribution of his records is the amazing story: with Chicago being the hub for rail traffic across the U.S., negro porters would purchase boxes of Muddy’s records and take them on the trains to distribute to barber shops and taverns with juke boxes across the U.S. As we gathered with artists and businesspersons the past few days, we discussed all the networks we already have in play and how we could set up a creative distribution of this magazine once the next issue comes out. We really believe we can do this. Stay tuned.

Tonight I’m looking forward to teaming up with Kevin Harris for our monthly Gallery Talk at 7:00. We’re going to discuss the challenges of remaining prolific in our creations despite the constant demands of daily schedules and responsibilities. Kevin is a musician and song writer who manages to crank out new music on good days as well as bad. He knows full well what it means to push out new creations even when feeling that inspiration is running low. I can’t wait for us to start this discussion.

Musician Kevin Harris and Artist David Tripp

Thanks always for reading. We hope to have good news to report as Palestine prepares to celebrate Mardis Gras this weekend.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

Call Me Knish

Studio Eidolons

Joey Knish is a New York legend.

            He's been a rounder, earning his living at cards...

from the motion picture "Rounders"

I am not a poker player. but I love good movies about the card-playing lifestyle, and I have watched none better than "Rounders". John Turturro plays the role of Joey Knish, modeled after poker legend Joel "Bagels" Rosenberg, center of the New York poker world who died in 2014 at age 58. 

Joey Knish is labeled as a "grinder", making money by playing poker his entire life, never getting rich, but grinding it out through his many connections rather than gunning for the big score at some high-stakes poker tournament. 

I consider myself I grinder in the art circle. For twenty years I have managed to cobble together a plethora of revenue streams: galleries, art festivals, workshops, public demonstrations, private art lessons and commissions. The last seventeen years of my school teaching tenure were indeed grinding years, as I determined to carve out some kind of niche for myself in the art world. Working the art circuit in additon to teaching high school fulltime and college part-time indeed sharpened my consciousness of what it means to grind. 

In the movie "Rounders", Joey Knish is a mentor to other poker players trying to find their way, offering wise counsel on how to protect their winnings and how not to throw away their hard-earned money. And I like to consider myself a mentor to other artists seeking a path into the art world. I have no secrets and plenty of advice. Above all, I know to warn others about costly mistakes I've made over the years.

Life is no longer the same kind of grind as before. I'm happy to be retired and on a teacher's pension, and happier now to own a gallery where I feel I have a showroom for my art beyond my private home. Sandi and I divide our time weekly between our home where my studio remains and The Gallery at Redlands where we also have a residence to rent in The Redlands Hotel above the gallery. Teaching only six hours at the university is nowhere near the grind that I knew in fulltime high school teaching, so life is quieter now and deadlines are not as crushing. 

Today is Super Bowl Sunday and I have zero interest in the two teams playing for the trophy. With splendid light flooding Studio Eidolons, I am happy to divide my time between working on a pair of watercolors and finishing up my college obligations for tomorrow's class.

Working on the Chuck Wagon

The Lone Bison

Paddington, my Studio Companion

Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.

Center of Saturday

Morning Sketch of Neal Cassady

” . . . no guy . . . could ever find the center of Saturday night in America . . .”

Jack Kerouac, Visions of Cody

Friday morning in The Redlands Hotel finds my mind awake with memories still quickened by last evening’s events. Local Palestine musician Kevin Harris collaborated with other musicians in the lobby of the Redlands Hotel and delighted an audience with an intimate live performance of original tunes. The Gallery at Redlands was open, and Sandi and I enjoyed seeing our friends again after being snowed/iced out last weekend from this town’s events. Throughout the night we took turns occupying the gallery and stepping out into the lobby to hear the soul-stirring music. I read the words of Kerouac this morning about no one being able to find the center of Saturday night in America. Anyone stopping by the Redlands last night would certainly have found the center of Thursday night in America. I’m still vibrating from the event.

I am proud to announce that Kevin will team up with me next Friday night in The Gallery at Redlands to host a discussion sharing our personal perspectives about living a creative life in the midst of a busy and demanding environment. Kevin with his music and I with my art are always striving to carve out quality time to focus on our creative attempts while trying to satisfy the demands of day-to-day living. We think we will be able open up a live discussion and hope you will join us for the event. Next weekend Palestine has a host of Mardis Gras activities scheduled, and we’re delighted to be in the midst of it.

Kevin Harris performing live

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music–the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

Henry Miller

Henry Miller’s words rung true throughout last night and again throughout this morning. The patrons and friends who have entered the gallery this weekend have given me so much more to think about as we continue planning for our events ahead. In the Gallery, Deanna Pickett Frye’s work remains our focus as we continue to spotlight her through February.

Deanna Pickett Frye spotlighted through February

New work from Cecilia Bramhall

Local artist Cecilia Bramhall hung three of her new pieces in the gallery this morning. We appreciate our artists’ willingness to continue bringing in new creations and rotating them with the earlier pieces they’ve displayed. The rotation, along with the recent surge in sales, guarantees that people looking through the lobby windows will not see the same gallery display month after month.

Still chipping away at the Chuck Wagon

I hope to finish up this composition within a week. I have wanted to paint this chuck wagon since my friend first showed it to me on his property nearly five years ago. My binge-watching 1883 on television recently has gotten me in the mood to paint westward expansion subjects.

Last Night’s live music venue. Photo by Dave Shultz

Sandi and Me working in The Gallery at Redlands. Photo by Dave Shultz

Thanks for reading.

I make art in order to discover.

I journal when I feel alone.

I blog to remind myself I am not alone.