Monday, May 24, 2010

Rest & Restless
























































I think I'm ready for a quick Va-Ca. That has been the realization this week. Usually I wait until September to go explore but I think this year, I will be making little trips instead of waiting for the big one.

This time of year when things start to slow down and a moment to come up for air is allowed is much needed. I've been fielding as much work as I can while I can but that has a burn out factor which I've finally come out of as of yesterday. Was exhausted and now finally feel rested. Funny how much that can affect your mood.

I was working my normal gigs. Then I wasn't. Then I was again with new appreciation and knowledge for what they really were - a choice to maintain my freedom so I could do what I want.

Too much work, not enough play can put you in a funk. The only thing that had been getting me out of it was water time. Paddling out to see two of the biggest sting rays I ever have did it for me last week. Painting with my oils again did it yesterday. Gotta mix things up from time to time. That means going to home depot to get a piece of wood to paint on. Was getting bored with my watercolors so I decided to jump back into oils. Found out I don't like painting on canvas, I like a $5 piece of oak.

What used to take me weeks to get motivated to try to draw now comes out effortlessly. Gessoed the board, drew out the design, knew the colors I wanted to use immediately. I think of the last few years it took to get to this point and now it just feels normal.

Printed out some stuff to package my new postcards I will sell. Forgot the last time I took cards into the Cottage store that packaging is an important marketing component. Used my photoshop skills quickly and produced something to put on a black fluer de lis box I found at Ross that fit the postcards perfectly. It was the only sized box that would work and that black mark on top of the box came out of a dream I had before I went to Spain. A confusing symbol that had woke me out of my sleep wondering what it was and now I know.

Getting antsy.

So many loose ends started this year that I think will come together this summer. Discovering the joys of photoshop and self-taught design but wanting more. Slowing down marketing for others so I can focus on my own stuff. Finding new ways to develop my art into whatever it will be. I need more exploration to push it all forward.

Funny how one thing leads into another. I got that feeling yesterday when I started to paint. All the things I'd been learning with my watercolors suddenly have new meaning in a different medium.

I have a feeling that will translate into other things in the upcoming months but right now I'm just wondering...What next?

All this pondering left me for a loop and a much needed bike ride to the post office. Riding past the Parrot, I see a bunch of half naked people crossing the street. Wha??? Oh yeah, it's the Re-cycle bike parade with all the town's locals converging at one point.

Go into the post office to check my mailbox. A soothing silence was interrupted by the loudest burp I had ever heard. Think it was the echo factor in that building. The dude continued as he opened up his box and found something he didn't like and the sounds continued.

Nice looks like the vacation is starting early. No tourists to coddle just some quality time with my half naked burping locals.





Thursday, May 20, 2010

Law & Order Has Been Cancelled

Law & Order has been cancelled this past week, literally. And I don't just mean that NBC show that's been on for the last 20 years or so.

Can't believe what's going on with this whole oil mess. Been scouring the news feeds for any information on what's being done but there's little to no info and if you do find some it's just PR spin.

The government and BP are fighting scientists who want to measure the damage which seems insane but not really when you look at all the crap that's been going on the last few years. Oh no, not actual facts that's scary!

Hell, even on a show like Law & Order they wouldn't let the suspect be in charge of the crime scene and that's a fictional show. We are all officially riding on the short bus.

All kinds of people have been coming up with solutions but BP won't have any of it. Personally, I'd feel much safer with these guys in charge.


Bring on the overalls!!

I can't believe I'd ever say this but I wish I had voted for Palin. At least I would have gotten a side of comic relief with our retarded disasters and at the very least some good Tina Fey skits. It makes me sick to see all the things we might be destroying. The water is an amazing place and has so many beautiful creatures that everyone can enjoy but because of some greedy bastards that's now threatened.

With this latest American crisis, I started thinking about all the shit I'm sick of:

Giant SUVs with "Perserve Wildlife" personalized license plates.

That there's more media coverage on the fashion stylings of Michelle Obama than actual news about the oil slick. It really doesn't amaze me that she can pair a JCrew sweater with something that's from a designer collection, tell me about the underwater oil plumes.

That fisherman who have lost their livelihoods are getting sick cleaning up this mess.

That mass media doesn't inform anymore they just create hysteria and shock TV.

The chain letter responses from my Senate and House representatives telling me they care and are on top of it. I don't give a shit if you care, just do something productive.

and finally...Oprah

I don't know what's going to happen but am glad to live in a place like Key West where its citizens are organizing like mad to help out. So many people deeply care about the water and environment down here so I have no doubt we'll manage the best way we can.

That independent spirit so rampant in these parts will ultimately be what saves us. I guess it's official... Bring back the Conch Republic.