Blog

Welcome to my blog. You are here because you are an artist or are interested in art. This blog will talk about art from a practical point of view. Many art publications over complicate the techniques and processes involved. There are simple ways to enjoy art. There are practical ways to create art. Over the past 40 years I have learned many things and now I want to pass this information along to you as well as talk about art and artists. As a technology teacher one of the first things I learned was the KISS principle. No, not the band, the principle; Keep It Simple Stupid, though I do not like to call people stupid I prefer Keep it Simply Simple.
Art is a gift. A gift from GOD. In fact, GOD is the ultimate artist. HE created everything. We can never come close to GOD’s level of creativity. But those who are creative share something unique with HIM. Whenever I paint or draw or write I get immense joy and a unique sense of completeness. Imagine how GOD felt when HE made you. You are a wonderfully made creation of HIS hands. No matter what you do HE will always love you and sent HIS own son, JESUS, to die for you so that you can join HIM in heaven. No greater love has ever been given.
As an artist I feel closer to GOD. I have always known that I was an artist and I can go back to my earliest years and remember seeing things differently. My peers picked up that I was different. There WAS a difference. I didn’t know what it was then. In fact, no one at that time knew what made me and many other people different. Many people consider the difference a handicap but I have found that it is the one thing that has helped me the most as an artist.
Over the next posts I will try to help you be a better artist. I will try to help you tap into your creative energy. I make no promises of success as that takes work on your part. Hopefully I will help you work better.
In 2012 I was stricken with a staff infection.  I spent many weeks in the hospital and in rehab and lost the use of my leg.  The doctors had seen me but no one knew initially what was wrong with me,  I was not of sound mind.  When I was admitted to the ER they still could not determine the source of my problem.  As a last resort they placed me in a CAT scan machine head first.  No cause could be found.  One of the nurses however, had served in Afghanistan and had me placed feet first into the machine.  At this time I do not remember anything.  They found the staff infection above my left knee.  My knees where already bad from football and an injury at work years before.  I was rushed to the operating room.  The doctors worked on me for several hours removing infected muscle from my leg.  They told me later that I nearly did not make it out alive.  They said after that one of three things was going to happen when I went into the operating room;  I was going to be crippled for the rest of my life, lose my leg, or lose my life.  This scared me the most as I realized that during the progression of the infection I had lost all reasoning and would have died without reconciling with GOD.  My left leg doesn't function or bend, I cannot run and I will walk with a limp the rest of my life. 
But God works in mysterious ways.  This was the beginning of my full time art career.  I can no longer walk well or do tasks that healthy people perform.  Diabetes adds to the problem with my need for special attention to some physical needs.  My days are spent mostly at home now where I paint and take care of my needs in the privacy of my home. For forty years I had prayed that I could work as an artist full time instead of part time.  GOD answered that prayer.  My limp reminds me everyday that GOD loves me.  GOD made me an artist and now I can spend my remaining days sharing this gift with others.
If you are reading this and have gotten this far, thank you. I believe in GOD. I capitalize HIS name and related pronouns out of respect. GOD gives us all special gifts and talents. It is up to us to learn what they are and learn to use them.