2pm

Ok, so we've been doing the first day of tutorials on the website this morning...breaking now for lunch...if you go to the art section you will find a test gallery.

8pm

I am having some gas issues here in Boston! Seth has just sprayed me with Fabreze and Lysol...I'm moist and not in a good way.

Anyway, I'm here. It's cold...seems like last weekend got me prepared for this weekend as far as the weather is concerned. But, I've got the layers goin and hat and scarg and gloves. The biggest thing is putting it all on and taking it off...how do you people in the colder climates do it?

Saw Pride and Prejudice today on the plane...didn't get a chance to see it when it came out. I liked it! Go Lizzy!

The trip in was pretty uneventful...smooth sailing. Always, love people watching on the subway..although, have to say that lugging that luggage up and down the stairs in the subway was not so much fun!

Saw Seth doing his thing today for a little while today...was very cool to watch.

Getting ready for Project Runway!

Not anything more right now. Will be starting on talking about the website tomorrow.

Talk with you then.
Dream Big, Dare to Fail

6pm

Well, all the errands are complete. Chocolate Secrets has another painting and all pieces have prices on them now.

Vino100 has 4 of my pieces, and might be getting a couple more before the end of the month. Americas confirmed that they liked the pieces and those will stay in that space.

I met with a potential buyer today. She is interested in smaller pieces.

Burt, the check is now deposited.

The commission pieces I'm working on for the Search Corporate Building are coming along nicely. The triptich will be finished by tonight...put the last layer and now waiting for it to dry so I can varnish. That leaves me with the 30x48 piece. I have the background started, but don't like it, so I'll probably paint over it when I return...waiting for an inspiration on that one.

It's a nice feeling to have the triptich under my belt...it really translates well to the larger size...I think they are going to be very happy!

Worked today some more on the show pieces...they are coming along nicely as well. Again, will be nice to step away from them so I can return refreshed and ready for the final stretch!

I'm negotiating a show in April as well as one in May...cross your fingers.

Starting to think about the Father/Son show II in June...hint hint Pop! Any ideas?

So tonight I'm doing laundry, packing and cleaning up my paint downstairs.

Gracie is at the kennel, she'll come back nice and fresh next week.

Mando is going to pick me up tomorrow morning to go out to the airport. Karen is coming back with me, so that works out well.

I think I have all of my winter clothes ready...not going to bring a lot...just sweaters, jeans, coat, another coat for underneath that and hats, gloves and scarves...I'm even going to wear underwear this weekend!

A weekend of wearing clothes...and underwear...ug.

Ok, tmi, whatever.

May write a little more before I go to bed, depends.

11pm
Just enough to say goodnight.

The commission piece is drying with it's final coat. It looks really good.

The downstairs is cleared and ready for the housekeeper to come thru and work her magic, so I can mess it all up again next week.

Most of the laundry is done.

All of the bills that needed to be paid are taken care of.

I'm packed.

I'm tired.

I'm ready to travel!

Thank you in advance for my wake up call Billy...not sure what happened to my alarm clock!

Looking forward to working on the website...not sure if you will see things right away...we'll be working behind the scenes...I think that is so cool...while you are looking at the site, we will be working behind the scenes before they go public. Wish there was an unveiling or something...you know, like a ribbon cutting ceremony, or champagne crashed against the website...THE WORLD PREMIERE! NOW SHOWING!

Hey...maybe I could do something like that...instead of a movie ad, a website ad!

Now Playing at a computer near you!

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

5pm
Remember to play after the storm.

I heard something today that made a lot of sense. When you are in the middle of a storm it's sometimes difficult to remember that it will not last forever. It's also important after the storm to play...all work, all the time, leaves a soul yearning for more.

That helps a lot with what I'm trying to develop with this current show Humanity.

The feelings that are coming up while I'm painting have made it difficult to not be totally drained after a session. It's a good feeling, because I know that the emotion I'm feeling will be translated to the canvas, but it's a totally different feel. Filled with contemplation, solitude, wandering.

The feel of some of the pieces are layered with lines, defining the emotion...others are layered with washes of whites and tans and salmons and give the feeling of starkness...the pieces that I'm still nervous about are the line drawings of the crowd scenes...simple is not my thing...but, this show has lot's of simple thoughts and minimalistic feelings. Trying to do that while giving the pieces depth, is proving to be a cool challenge.

All that said, it'll be nice to get away for a little bit. I really feel like I should almost be staying at home and continuing to work on the pieces...but, it will be nice to get away from the emotion and get into some mechanics with the website.

The show is going to absolutely ROCK. I have the picture of the show in my head, and it's overwhelming, but very, very promising.

You will see another side of me that you've not yet met!

My biggest challenge of the show is to show my fans of past work, that my diversity in medium, as well as my diversity in message is constantly changing.

My art is a lot like Texas weather...if you don't like it, stick around...it'll change!

Oh, and by the way...I'm looking for a bigger place. Any suggestions? I'm putting it out there Billy.

Brian, thank you for your interest today in the three paintings and congratulations on your bonus!

Robert, had a great lunch and it was good to talk and get things off my chest and reconnect with you.

BobCat! what a nice surprise, you stopping by and saying hello.

Now it's time for Karen to come by and then over to Billy's for some fabulous brisket and potatoes!!!

Then back here painting some more.

Tomorrow I start to pack and get things ready for the trip...YIKES

10:30pm
I've been painting on the pieces some more. The 19th layer is on the commission piece...it's really cool. I will try and stain and watermark it before I leave for the weekend.

I have the first of the solitude pieces complete...the varnish is drying. The painting I call Bowed Grace...(not sure if that is the final name) has the first layers...it needs something, but for now, it just needs to dry.

I've got a couple of more things to do tonight on the pieces and then heading to bed.

Billy, the brisket was pretty incredible, thanks for sharing. And Karen and Jack it was great to see you!
Dream Big, Dare to Fail
sleep tight

thoughts...

Right now you have available to you everything you need to take one step forward. Once you take that step, you will have even more available to you to keep going.

The more persistently you move forward, step by step, the more momentum you build. And it is a process that you can begin at any time.

Focus on the one step that you can take right now. Let go of all regrets and resentment about what has already happened.

Let go of all fears and anxieties about what may be yet to come. Put your energy into where you are, and use that energy to do what you can in this moment.

Though there may be noise and confusion all around, you can transcend all those distractions. Decide to focus on the task at hand, for that is what will move you forward.

Think of how great it feels to be moving in a positive, productive direction. Focus your energy right now and make it happen.

9:30pm

Long, cold, misty, day. Not to be confused with long, hot and steamy...totally different...and I have numbers;) just kidding...kinda.
Annnnyyyyywaaaayyy.
I had my first mixer with Artmixers today at Vino100. It was kind of slow when I was there, but it was a gross day and it was their first at that location...I think it'll be a good venue when spring get's here. And as always, Rebecca put on a great presentation of artists!

After Vino100, I went over to Billy's reception at Trinity River Arts Center. He said it was kinda slow there as well. But, hey...we did it.

Afterwards, Burt, Karen, Mando, Billy and I went to Uncle Julios...Mando wanted to go to Barfin Douche...or as he calls it, Baja Fresh. He got voted out! We all caught up on laughs, which was a very nice thing.

Highlights of the night...

Burt's new outfit, including his new girlboots!
Mando's new pants
Billy's cookies
My yeast...don't ask.
and Karen's crosses.

I'm almost halfway done with the triptich commission. I'm working on another layer tonight.

I have huge amounts of things to do to get ready for the show at the end of the month. I'm looking forward to also updating and starting the reformating process of the website with Seth in a couple of days.

Did I say it was freakin cold?

Gracie and I are hunkered down and waiting for the warm to come back to Dallas. This was a nice little winter moment...now it's time for shorts again...I'm putting that in the suggestion box tonight!

Have lot's to talk about, but will wait till I can wrap my mind around them alittle more...

Topics include...
Art and me
Dating
Creating
Reality
Meditating
Workingout

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

2pm
Had a really nice time last night going to AIDA. Anybody that says Art in Dallas is dead, doesn't get out much.

It's everywhere! Tonight going to an opening at Artworx Studio Spa, and tomorrow Billy has his reception at Trinity River Arts Center and I'm going to Vino 100 for mine.

No welding class this morning...too freakin cold.

Tim and I have been hanging out all day...it's been fun to have him around. He's taking a nap and I'm getting things ready to continue working on the commission pieces.

Back to AIDA...if you are in Dallas and get the opportunity to go to this production you should go. Friend of mine Gary Floyd, plays the lead and is incredible. The production is full of energy and very professional...very impressive.

The next production is Pageant, coming in April...I wanted to potentially try out for that, but too busy...and besides this way I'll be able to sit back and enjoy being in the audience.

That's about all for now. Did I say it was freezing? Makes it difficult to try and paint, when all you want to do is lay on the couch and watch lifetime!

10pm

Opted out of the show tonight. Hadn't heard from Billy and it was a nice excuse to stay in out of the cold and continue to take care of myself.

I'm working on the commission pieces...have 9th layer drying...will have another 6 layers by tomorrow night.

Made an apple pie tonight as well. The downstairs was smelling like paint and I thought it would be nice to get the house smelling like something besides acrylic and spray paint.

Was kind of a lonely night...not a lot of fun when you don't feel that well. But, I made the most of it and was pretty productive.

Tomorrow am going to Vino100 at 3pm, then hopefully to Billy's for a quick visit.

That's all for now. Stay warm...

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

7:30am

What an interesting last couple of days.

Picked up the artwork from Bill in Houston, with my friend Billy...that's a tongue twister!

I also, got an email from Lanor Maune, on wednesday. She called me last night and we talked on the phone for almost 3 hours.

Lanor was my first crush in grade school. We went to grade school, high school, and then the same college. The wild thing is that after grade school we were in different circles, so it was like we knew eachother was there, but that was about it.

The way she found me? She was eating a Dove Chocolate Valentines Day candy and on the heart it said, first crush...it made her think of me (which I thought was really sweet) and she thought what ever happened to me...went to the internet and looked up Jim Frederick...not sure if she googled or not. Anyway, there was a priest...not me, a forest ranger...i wish! and me. She took a chance that I was the one and sent me an email saying hello.

It was a great thing talking with her last night.

I was supposed to go to a gallery opening with a friend, but thought better of it while I was on the phone with Lanor. I was actually at the art venue while we were talking and never went in...instead took the car back home, and nestled in for a very interesting, thoughtprovoking conversation.

We talked about everything. 20 years is a long time to get caught up...of course it was mostly bullet points of our life so far...but, it was a great time.

Lanor works for Stanford University. She just moved from Kansas City to California and loves it.

There is more...but, I have to start the day...so more later.

By the way...it's freakin freezing today. Yesterday was in the mid 80's and today it will be lucky to hit 40 degrees.

Painting today!
Also, maybe going to the junk yard to find welding project ideas
Dream Big, Dare to Fail

8am
I made it out alive! Valentines Day is over!

Just kidding...kinda.

Still not feeling 100%, but hoping the doc will be calling before the end of the week.

Today is continuing on the commission piece, as well as some pieces for the show.

I deliver the 3 pieces to Vino as well as the other 3 to the resteraunte across the street.

I've got my new lite table...will try and continue to clean up the work area so I can make the rounds by friday on filling card orders.

That's all for now...gotta start the day

7pm
The day is officially over! Or at least the part where I have to think:)

It was a busy day...starting with me painting and on the commission piece, Gracie getting out of the backyard and giving me a little cardio. She got hers though, because she stayed in the kennel the entire day...bitch. All is well now, she's inside and laying next to me.

Then it was packing the car for the two installations. One at Vino 100 on McKinney and Allen, and the other at Americas which is literally right across the street on McKinney.

The artwork will stay there, hopefully till it sells, if nothing else, till spring.

I then had a small interview with a potential buyer and then coffee with Billy. Afterwards I exchanged a canvas for a larger size and did a little clothes shopping at the Gap.

I came home to find that I've sold a painting at FMPAT. GridWorks, 20x30! It's always nice to get news like that...it's almost like christmas with the little surprises out of no where!

Now, I'm making homemade lasagna and waiting patiently for project runway...yeah, I know, I'm a big queen...whatever.

Leaving for Houston tomorrow morning early.
Dream Big, Dare to Fail...
(and feel better)

Happy Valentines Day

7:30am
Couldn't sleep much.

Almost took last nights post off of the blog, but decided not to.

Everything I said last night is based out of fear. I don't agree with what he's doing. But, like I said last night, it's his life.

I'll always be here for him.

I think I'm going to try and go to Parkland this morning.

I have two paintings to drop off in Addison as well today, to replace the pieces that sold.

More later...
It's later...
10:30pm

Day of Doc! better known as club parkland...sauna, whirlpool, a quick lap around the pool and back home...a total me day.
Yeah...that's what it was.
Took tests to try and figure out what's up...won't know till later next week.

Took a big nap this afternoon that moved into this evening.

And it's time for bed again.

Urban Blossoms has two more pieces of my artwork, to replace the two that sold.

I have confirmation that I'll be placing 3 pieces of art in two new locations in Uptown. One is Vino, the other I'll get the name of tomorrow. I deliver the pieces for sale on the 15th.

Still hoping to feel good enough to pick up the artwork from Houston on Thursday. Going to leave out early and get there by lunch...hoping to be back home by dark, or even before rush hour, depending on if I go alone.

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

Did you ever feel like you were going to blow?
I mean literally kick some ass on something or someone?

One of my best friends...one of the oldest friends I have in Dallas is leaving again in less than two months. He's putting himself in harms way for a fucking war that doesn't make any sense.

And if you really want to throw the patriotic flag in front of me and tell me that it's our mission, I'm gonna have to tell you to kiss my ass.

It's our mission to not live in a FUCKING SHELL of DENIAL.

We are all looking for something. I feel like somehow I've not done my part as a friend to help him.

I know that everyone has choices. I know he's a grown-up and it's his life. But, I'm still scared beyond belief. Everytime I watched the news I was petrified that I would learn something about Roberts camp. Something I didn't want to hear.

Isn't there something a person could do here to help?

What is it that tears a person away from his friends and move into something that he is morally opposed to?

What?

I am so trying to be supportive. But, I've said goodbye to him so many times...I don't want to say goodbye anymore.

Please don't say it will all be ok. Please don't say everything happens for a reason.

I hope he finds what he's looking for in Iraq. I hope he finds that it was in him the whole time...

And Robert, if you are reading this, I'll be ok. I just miss you. I miss our talks, I miss your help naming my paintings, I just miss our time.

Be safe, and FUCKING STAY AWAY FROM HARM, as best you can. I swear, if something happens, when my time comes, I'm gonna hunt you down.
not up for dreamin tonight.

8am

The day went by pretty fast yesterday. Mando and I went to welding class and froze our asses off. It was cold, but we did it!

We continued working on the tree sculpture, welding, cutting, bending. We'll be arc welding next week and finishing up the tree, then it we will be starting on our project.

I'm working on a couple of ideas. One is a 5-6 foot freestanding cut-out plate, or a wire mesh that I can then put a canvas sleeve over. I've also been thinking about dicutting plates on the human race...the runners. We'll see.

After lunch with Billy and Mando, I went home for a quick change and met up with Silvia for our 7th and 8th artist studio revue. Judith and Mike who live on Moser are now a part of the tour! That gives us 8 artists confirmed. There are approximately 5 interested in talking more. Cross your fingers. I don't think it will be difficult to make 10, it would be great to get to 15 the first year.

After the revue, I went back home again and got things together to head over to Billy's.

We had dinner and watched several really interesting movies, along with a great dinner of pasta and italian bread.

I got home around 11:30am, and fell into bed...well ok, I actually painted on four smaller canvases. I'm hoping to complete them tomorrow so I can deliver them to Urban Blossoms.

Today I believe we are all getting together for Robert's birthday.

The plans this week are to go to Houston probably on thursday for a quick visit to pick up the paintings I have there. Continue to work on the show, as well as sketch and put first layers on the commission pieces.

I leave for Boston on the 22nd for a long weekend. It's not the best time to be leaving, but it'll be good to get a way.

I'm a little nervous about everything going on...pretty crazy, because just a month ago I was nervous about nothing going on. I know that's how I work, so again, just trying to enjoy the chaos.

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

11pm.
(note, the date reads feb.11th, but it's actually the 10th.)

Just got home from the opening night of Adventures in Love in FlowerMound.

I've got my artwork showing there as well.

Armando, Burt, Robert and myself went to dinner first and then to the theater.

So, the thing that I thought would happen...happened.

Robert is leaving again for Iraq. He leaves the first of April. He just found out today.


I hated hearing that. He really wants to go back...he feels like he still has unfinished business there. He says that he will be back in 6 months.

It's so tough to have friends you love and care about and want them to be safe, even close. I didn't like it when he left in the 90's for Germany, and I don't like it now.

I support him and miss him already. He and Jim are the oldest friends I have in Dallas. There is almost like a secruity blanket in having that for me. Who I am, who I was...they are a part of it all. Almost like a touchstone to my past.

It's not like Robert and I won't stay in touch. And part of being a good friend is letting go and letting be.

So, I'm sure it'll hit me later. I'm a little numb right now. I was just getting used to having him around again. We even talked about getting a house together down the road...

Can't say much more...just bummed. But, he's got to do this for himself. Doesn't matter if I understand...as long as Robert does...

Love ya buddy.
Dream Big, Dare to Fail

5am
Couldn't sleep.

I'm thinking about things that are going on in my life. Not bad or good, just things.

Well, ok, mostly good...but, also overwhelming.

I met a group of artists last night that are going to be a part of a project that I've decided to participate with as well. It's an 2007 art calendar.

It was very nice to be one of the youngest artists in attendance. Usually when I go to things like that, I am the oldest...not this time!

The dynamics of an older artist is different from a younger.
The air of confidence, as well as the mood of self preservation was thick. The protective shell of many, left a wierd taste in my mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I totally understand ego. And, I believe in many ways an artists ego is like that of a lawyer or doctor. That Godcomplex, helps doctors to open up another human being and fix them, or the confidence of a lawyer standing in front of a jury to convince them of their clients innocence. The same can be said for an artist. If you don't believe in your work, no one will. Creating something from nothing takes some confi Part of creating the buzz is the fine line of self-advertising, which we do whether we're in the arts or not.

Case in point...last night. Instead of wearing jeans and a cool shirt, I decided to wear a black turtle neck and dress slacks with nice shoes. Not sure why I decided this, but it's nice to change it up every now and again...well, when I got to the meeting with a little over 30 artists in the room, they were all mostly dressed like I was.

Everyone was asking "What's your medium" which of course means what do you work with as an artist? And most had a very concise statement about their work, usually beginning with, you can find my work at...

It gave me a little competitive energy in my head. I never said anything, but I'm sure like others, people were sizing eachother up.

I suddenly was flashing back to growing up and not feeling like I was good enough, and had to prove myself. Well, that wasn't true back then, and it isn't true now...but, it doesn't stop me from obscessing.

That artist ego can work both ways, and can build you up or tear you down.

That's the crazy thing about all of this, that is not unlike just being human...although many would debate that an artist is human:)

The crazy thing, is that we as artists need lot's of stimulation. I can't have a normal day. If I have many of them, like January...I go crazy.

To someone else, it's a nice break...to me, it's a void. And you know, sometimes voids are just meant to plop their butt's down right in the middle of your life...it's what you do with them that matters most.

So, I'm going to participate in this artists project. It's a 2007 calendar with over 70 pages in it. Each participating artist can do up to 5 color plate images for the calendar.
There will be a little over 12,000 calendars given to every household of Highland Park and University Park. The way the calendar paid for is thru advertising.

It's another way to get my work out there.

Today I continue cleaning the downstairs. It's supposed to get cold later today and a hard freeze tonight.

Robert, Burt, Mando and myself are going to the opening night of Adventures in Love at FMPAT.org.

Tomorrow morning I'll be freezing my ass off at welding class. Guess I can't complain too much, we've lucked out with the weather so far.

My light table has said bye, bye, so I need to go out and buy another lite table. I'm going to miss the one I have. Got it from Pop a while back...I know, it's just a lite table, but it's the table that helped me paint over 300,000 artcards.

I can hear Mom now...."It's still good...just keep it and we can fix it!"

You know, in the back of my head, thinking about that ego thing...I'm thinking I probably will keep it, so that way when the Jim Frederick Museum of Art, opens years from now, they'll have that as one of the displays;)

Hi Oprah!
(That was another ego thing...you never know who is reading!)
Dream Big, Dare to Fail

8pm

It looks like I might have sold 2 more paintings. I am going to confirm that later this week, but cross your fingers. I know that I've sold one. AHEM PREMA, now has a new home.

I got back into the swing today. After teaching and talking to the 5th and 6th graders yesterday, I was pumped with possibilities. It was a great reminder for me on what is important to me. Why I do what I do, and what I want to do next.

So today, I continued to clean up the downstairs studio space. The bookshelves that will be reorganized and some taken down. I have a lot of stuff. It's hard to let go, but it's happening. Have to make room for more paintings, and more paint!

I did a lot of maintenance work today. Margaret and Heather came over for the weekly cleaning of the house, and I cleaned out the fridge and restocked with food! I have things ready now for a quiche, lasagana, not to mention some of Pop's grilled romaine lettuce.

I now also have the triptich for the Office Lobby commmission. I will be sketching it out later this weekend.
Thanks Billy for picking it up for me!

I'm not physically feeling that great. If it continues, I'm going in to see the doc friday. I hate that...a whole day lost to waiting...but, I have to take care of myself.

Really hoping it all irons itself out by tomorrow.

Saw this also and had to put it on the blog

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain


Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle.

The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.

Ayn Rand
Russian-born American Author


And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

Anais Nin
American Author

8pm

Got home a while ago, after a long day.

It started with the second day of art talk at Lancaster Middle School. 6 more classes. 6 hours of different personalities, different reactions, and different ideas.

The second day of classes was a little easier to take, maybe because I knew a little more from the first day.

I worked into a routine. I focused on how I wanted to start to try and peak their interest, and then how to hold their interest.

In the whole process, I actually had a beginning, middle and an end.

I have to say that I was very proud of myself. I engaged the kids to the degree that they asked questions and had ideas that they wanted to share with me.

As I looked out in the classroom today, I imagined them as adults, down the road, doing whatever it was that they were going to be doing. I imagined them shaped, even just a little by what I had to say.

Everything happens for a reason. There was a reason that Ms. Caldwell found me. There was a reason why I said yes I would take time to do this. And because of all of that, there is a reason that I talked to the students that I talked with.

I may never know what the reason was...but, I firmly believe that there was a purpose.

So, after a very long and energy filled day with the kids, I got back home and changed for a studio tour with a new artist on the M Streets/Lakewood Artist Studio Tour. Welcome Dahlia Woods!

We now have 5 artists that have signed contracts with us, including myself and Silvia. We have 4 more artists that are waiting for their studio visit. One which will happen this coming Saturday.

I really believe that our goal of having 10 artists the first year, is almost a reality, and we still have 3 weeks before the deadline of March 1rst.

The artists that have confirmed that they would like to participate are good quality artists in several different mediums.

I'm really looking forward to getting the first year under our belt and moving into next year!

I'm now just taking a bit of a rest. Watching bad t.v. and letting my mind go dead for a little bit.

Tomorrow, it's back to work! I'm planning on picking up the canvases for the commission work, as well as cleaning up the second half of the studio space so I can position the table that I received from Tim in it's proper place.

Have several things in the works, but don't want to say a whole lot, until they become reality.

I made some obeservations today, both at school, and talking about the artist tour.

Our day is filled with a variety of possibilities. It's up to us to make the possibilities reality.

There are also countless obstacles that can get in our way...it's up to us to make sure we stay focused on what we want.

What we want, and what we get, may be two different things...but, as long as we try and we put our best foot forward...then nothing can be taken away from us, because at least we tried!

Here's to the dreams of the kids, and the dreams of the kid in us all.

We decide what is real and what isn't...not someone else! We decide what we can do, and what we can't...not someone else.
We decide what's impossible, and what is not.

WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT, YOU'll SEE IT!

Dream Big, Dare to Fail
Just Be.

8pm

My day was filled with talking about what inspires me as an artist. What makes an artist. What motivates me as an artist.

The day was spenting talking with some great 5th and 6th graders about being present and finding out more about themselves as people.

The day was spent talking about the process of art, creativity and just listening to your heart.

I disected the process as best I could. I'm exhausted, but it was really fulfilling for me. A reminder to myself about why I do what I do...

Today was also as much of a lesson for me on finding a focus. I think sometimes we all get in a routine that says this is who we are. This is what I do.

I asked the question today in each class of what is it that you really love to do? I asked them all to think about it, and keep it to themselves, but then asked them to ask if they are doing what they love, and if they're not, ask why again.

The biggest challenge for me was coming up with a way to relay to the students, and then repeating it 6 times.

It was 50 minutes, 6 times. But, each time I tried to make it intersting.

There were some really great questions. There were some really great input of ideas. It was a very cool thing.

Tomorrow is a whole second group of kids, another 6 times.

I'm so respectful of what teachers do on a daily basis. We all say it, but I lived it today. I'm exhausted and am going to bed very soon to get ready for tomorrow morning.

I am really blest to be able to do this. I hope I get the opportunity to do it somemore down the road.

Here's to creativity and thinking outside the box.
Here's to Ms. Caldwell and her 5th and 6th graders. Here's to dreaming!

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

8am
SuperBowl Sunday...
yawn.

Celebrating by going over to Mando and Cliffs for breakfast, then Jim, Robert along with Mando and Cliff are going to Canton First Mondays Fea Market. It's huge and probably will not be very crowded, becasue of the game later today.

Not sure what else is going on...

9:30pm
Finally, Football is over. Grey's Anatomy is almost on!
Had a good day today.
Went to Canton...it's changed so much...don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. Too bad, it used to be filled with cool junk...not like it is now...just junk.

I've been working on notes for tomorrow for Lancaster ISD. 250 5th and 6th graders in increments of 6 classes starting at 9am.

Am I ready? What the hell is creativity if you can't wing it...seems like that's what I've been doing most of my life! I've perfected the fine art of pretend!

And that is the premise of tomorrow's lesson on creativity. Don't let anyone tell you what it is...make it your own!

Day one tomorrow. Day two on tuesday.

Creating from within...listening to all those things that say you can't do anything, and pushing thru them all to create a masterpiece!

For me to be able to potentially touch all those minds, if even for a split second. It's another part of the dream coming true.

These 5th and 6th graders don't even know that I exsist right now...half of them, won't care that I do after I talk with them. But the other half will leave with something. And of those, there will be half that will do something with what I've said, and with those, maybe there will be half that will tell someone else what they heard and learned...and if out of 250 students I could reach one that has a dream to do something different with his/her life...than it was worth getting up and spending the day in a classroom talking about what I do...

The elements of what I do? I'm going to approach it with this in mind.
I listen to my heart.
I listen to my head.
One represents my dreams, the other represents my doubts.
I combine them both to make art.
But how do you make art?

The other element of art is emotion.
What do you feel when someone says something about art?
Does it excite you? Does it scare you? Does it bore you? WHY?
What do you do in your everyday life that is considered art?

That's the starting point. From there is up in the air.

Just like life, you're supposed to trust the process.

I trust the process.

Dream Big, Dare to Fail

10:30pm

Welding class went well today.

After lunch with the boys, went home for a brief nap and then Robert and his friend came over to visit. We had a really nice afternoon, which ended in seeing Kapote.

It was a great movie.

More on it later.

Dream Big, Dare to Fail