2010-03-17T00:54:37Z Jim Frederick jimfrederickstudios@yahoo.com Copyright 2010, Jim Frederick SPHPBLOG
The weather is turning, trees are budding, flowers are popping. This is one of my favorite times of year.

I had a "Me Weekend" spending time with friends, enjoying the sun and taking as tiny break from my schedule. I grilled some fish Saturday as well as muching on some of my thin mint girlscout cookies. I bought a case this year, should last me a week...ok, prolly less.

This is my friend Kent painting in my studio last night



Here's one of another good friend and artist, Mike, creating yesterday afternoon



I also sold a painting this weekend...12x12, Galaxy at a gallery I show in Artisans Collective



This week a lot of friends who are teacher are on Spring Break. I'm going to be doing some things with them this week, one of which is something called Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum...pollen crazy week here, but, well worth it.

Was told the snow holds nitrogen and that along with all the rain we've been getting, will help to make this springs floral show pretty amazing.

For now the house is open, doing laundry and cleaning house...The downsizing continues.

If you're gonna start sometime, why not now]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100315-153306 2010-03-15T00:00:00Z 2010-03-15T00:00:00Z Press Here

I usually don't talk politics on my blog, but, believe we as Americans need to speak our minds, Tea Party, Coffee Party, no matter what it is, get off your asses and do something other than complain about where we are right now. I believe each one us has a hand in our future, not the media, not the congress. Our government works for us...each one of us needs to remind them of that.

Kick off is this weekend. I think I'll be going to a local coffee shop.

If you're gonna start sometime, why not now]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100312-071117 2010-03-12T00:00:00Z 2010-03-12T00:00:00Z
Starting slowly to clean up the leaves from the planters outside.

This is what I found outside my back door!



Playing outside with Gracie is a blast and sliding on the mud is da bomb...of course this means shower later, before TCC rehearsal. Still trying to figure out how to incorporate the mud to a painting....cheaper than paint, right?

Friends, Lisa and Laura came by this weekend to help[ me size up the downsizing of what I have. The list is made. I start on Thursday!

Here is another sketch of the study I'm doing...



The man at the bottom is a 36x36 and he will be colored in vibrant colors. I want this canvas to show excitement. I'm hoping the man will almost jump off the canvas.

Finally, I continue to think about what's been hapening in my life. This I know.

I DON'T KNOW SHIT

Maybe Shakespeare had something when he said

To thine own self be true.
And it must follow as the night the day,
thou canst not then be false
to any man."
-- Shakespeare

If you're gonna start sometime, why not now

]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100309-123318 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z
I started several new paintings this weekend, a study in th male form...this is a 30x40 sketch, of one of those pieves.



When painted the form will have warm tones, presenting hopefully a peacefulness in the painting. This is the song that inspired this weekend and me getting up in the middle of the night to start on this project...

Press Here

I've been thinking this weekend about the things in my life...those "things" we're all supposed to have. When I first came back to Dallas I started over and still am. Only now, I have a better understanding, for me, oh what I need. I need my health, I need my energy and hope. I need my family and friends.

It's a work in progress, going through things. Not so much throwing away as letting go. What does a grown man need with 70+ Barbies? Yes, you heard me. I'm keeping 10 of them and selling the rest....why 10? Because, Barbies are like Lays potato chips for me, you can never have just one
There is much I want to do, I'd love to be able to live by myself again in a loft in Dallas...it's gonna happen.

Press Here

Finding myself again is proving to be a challenge, but, I'm getting there

More to come as I start the week!

If you're gona start sometime, why not now ]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100307-144345 2010-03-07T00:00:00Z 2010-03-07T00:00:00Z



Here is the start of Real Life, a 48x60 painting that is halfway there, I did most of it today while doing laundry. Note to self, never take out clothes from the dryer with wet painted hands, anyway...more on the premise of that soon. On to the idea!

_______________________________________________________________________

6am

Idea is started, the other great thing about working at home is crawling back into bed before the sun comes up...the coffee will keep, sweet dreams

If you're gonna start sometime, why not now]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100306-033901 2010-03-06T00:00:00Z 2010-03-06T00:00:00Z Press Here

Today marks the end of a very productive week...more to come. Just love this song, from one of my favorite musicals RENT.

Interview with a local news station





Taking art shows down, selling art



And making a good start to my Think Outside the Box Creative workshop at AIN, the clients are great!



This is the first level of an ongoing project, next week we do Saint
Pattys Day!



Continuing to downsize, 20 plus canvases are now hung throughout the house



Mom and Pop are home safe and sound from their winter escape...Life be good!

Contemplating my trip to Spain as well as getting back on the bike, "Bernice" as the weather starts to warm up.

The highlight of my week was the new Save A Lot store that just opened in my neighborhood. It's the little things that are the best...

Ok need to start my PT and paint! Today I'm working on several things including a new piece 48x60 called Real Life, will post soon.

Tonight is something a little different, DQ Dinner with Laura, my main Bean!

If you're gonna start sometime, why not now]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100305-082251 2010-03-05T00:00:00Z 2010-03-05T00:00:00Z Lunch at Sonny Brians...can never have too many ribs



A visit to my friends memorial at local resurant



A biillboard I pass every day, Rick is lookin out for me



A plunger I found on the floor at Walmart....made me think of Maggie.



Nothing special, just lot's of roaming around and taking pics. Taking it easy after not feeling week last week.

If you're gonna stat sometime, why not now
]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100228-114804 2010-02-28T00:00:00Z 2010-02-28T00:00:00Z
I sold a painting this weekend at Artisans Collective.

I'm Possible was one of the first big pieces I painted when I got back to Dallas. A 48x60 painting

This is a pic of the painting as it dried in my home last year.



Over 70 layers. The piece became a challenge, starting as Impossible, because painting something this big was more than a challenge, it was a bitch, falling into the canvas. Falling as I turned the canvas around. As I got closer to turning the corner on this piece, I saw the potential in new paintings and new techniques.

I hung in m home for 2 months before saying hello to the public and now it's found a new home. I couldn't be happier.

As an artist I paint so I can share. As I make piles this month, I make room for the next stage, the next chapter.

If you're going to start sometime, why not now ]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100221-095210 2010-02-21T00:00:00Z 2010-02-21T00:00:00Z
Press Here

The event started at 6pm and TCC ended the event at 11:30pm. I was in bed by 1am. The night was incredible, a great way to e\end a busy week.

Several projects on the burner, that will be started this weekend.

Stay tuned!
If you're gonna start sometime, why not now]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100220-091858 2010-02-20T00:00:00Z 2010-02-20T00:00:00Z
My Art reception at Urban Dog Coffee, was great! A mix of friends, new admirers, good wine and tasty pastries, made for a night, that reminded me of my artshows at my old place on Anita. Comfortable, Fun and Interesting.

The event was catered by, Samantha Rush...

Press Here

I provided my favorite wine and art and Urban Dog Coffee,provide a nice inviting venue.

By far the most popular painting was my 36x48, called Vogue



The colors pops out at you..many people would look at the piece, but, couldn't see the girls head until they focused on the lips and went outwards. Telling her story was fun. Me trying, to create something that exuded confidence. From the colors, to the mixed media approach. My new work centers around where I am right now.

Someone said they wished I had my willpower. I just shrugged and said you do. I'm no different than anyone else. We all have our stories. Each of us doesn't know what we can handle, until we get to that point. We each have a choice. We each do what we can do.

I understand the well meaning thoughts. I now want to move from where I was, to where I am. I don't have a problem anymore of asking for help when I need it. I understand the importance of good friends. I understand the meaning of taking care of myself.

Last night was the culmination of help from several friends. Just showing up as a person, as an artist, is an ongoing lesson for myself. With the remaining shows I have this year and the projects along the way will help create a continued balance in my life.

To everyone who continues to believe in me, Thank You

If you're going to start sometime, why not now]]> http://www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100219-101608 2010-02-19T00:00:00Z 2010-02-19T00:00:00Z