Alan Streets

I watched a documentary last night, that opened my eyes and my heart. If you have a chance, please watch 'My Name Is Alan and I Paint Pictures'. For the artist in me, this was unbelievably inspiring and for the human in me, well, the same, just inspiring and touching. His work reveals the beauty in subjects riddled with flaws and highlights the unquestionable natural physique of the world around him. He paints on the streets of New York every single day of his life, which is amazing. He paints to cope with a condition he has, paranoid schizophrenia. He has been off medications for quite some time and the painting helps him to get his thoughts out. His demeanor is beautiful and original and lives his life the best he knows how. I encourage everyone to watch his documentary and even become a collector of his artwork. Please check out his website http://www.alanstreets.com/index.php.

That feeling is coming back

I am in full mode to begin an art project. I haven't painted in quite some time and I'm overdo for to release some artistic flow. Seeing as it is a three day weekend and all, that is exactly how I will be spending my Monday. I'm heading out this weekend in search of supplies, any suggestions? I'm looking for quality products at a low low price, I know that sounds like a car ad. My inspiration will be life in general, it's ins and outs and ups and downs, I'll focus mostly on the ins and ups though. I like to stay in a positive frame. Hopefully next week, I will have some photos of the work I am attempting. Monday I will make a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine, put some Aretha on and then squeeze the paint out. After that, I will hopefully create a masterpiece and this blog will be taken to the next level. However you spend your weekend, remember to add some color!

this is probably one of my favorite pieces of art that i own. this was given to me by a very close friend and talented artist, david bluesky. he gave this to me shortly before tim and i moved to denver to mark the occasion. i like it messy. it says alot about being confused about things but somehow coming together with something beautiful. this image is actually not turned right side up, it should be hung lengthwise, but another great thing about art is: its yours and you can do what you want with it. but just to let you know, i generally like to keep the painting right side up for respect of the artist's vision and this piece has been returned to it's rightful position. i love color and i love tranquil caos and this piece offers both to me.

Bag, Bags and More Bags

One of my favorite things to buy are purses, pocketbooks and bags. I love them! The different colors, fabrics, designs and straps and oh! the many different ways the pockets are put together. This one in particular has been produced by a friend's sister, her name is Delight. Delight has a silk company out of Los Angeles by the name of Hyena. She also dabbles in Christmas stockings, aprons and has some of the best silk products. Not only has Delight taken something from the earth and respected it with the care it deserves, but she has created this beautiful, elegant evening bag in the process. Thanks Delight for making me want more of your bags, bags and more bags! If you would like a bag, please go to http://www.hyenaproductions.com/.

Day Dreamin

I'm not sure if anyone has checked out a little website by the name of Etsy lately, but it has become my new favorite place to browse the aisle and perhaps even make a purchase. This shown piece in particular is quite magical, if I must say so. Immediately the song "Black Bird" comes to mind (only my favorite Beatles song). The carry over of music into the painting world is always a bonus, sort of like double whammy if you will. I would even go further to say this is a triple deluxe due to the nature involved in this piece. While pulling my heart towards it's decaying earthy feel, I can't avoid the sadness that overcomes me. Quite possibly, this sadness comes from the bottom of the painting presenting the key words banish and scheme. These words are of a darker matter just as the brown tone is; however, once the eyes move up again a brighter side arises. The lighter shade of blue allows a more optimistic view of the birds life, again producing words of hope such as dream and team. And of course, all in all, music surrounds both days of dark and those of new.

*This particular piece was created by NancysView.

Art is EveryWhere Around You!

Traditionally when I think art, I think Pablo or DaVinci, but that is a mere segment of what art stands for. Art can be in the form of a novel, a dress, a meal, a face or a math problem. It is in everything that surrounds you, even the keyboard I'm typing on is a form of art. Maybe the keyboard is not the funnest art form out there, but nevertheless it is art. With this blog, I hope to discover all art forms (I'll try to stay on the adventurous side of that realm) and maybe advance my own technique in the process! Here we go! How about we start with my favorite thing...FOOD!

I'll take from a place that I know and miss all to well. Downtown Grill stands, for me, as the best restaurant in Macon for one reason...a beautiful basted filet mignon that has embraced a filling of stilton blue cheese. Oh, I can feel it melting in my mouth right now. The beauty remains not only in the combination of the bast and cheese, but the preparation of the meat as well. I myself prefer medium rare and that is always how Carlos prepares it...perfect (unless he is mad at me). Next we'll talk about what is surrounding this majestic piece of meat. A pile of garlic mashed potatoes paired with steamed broccoli. I honestly don't think it gets any better than that (well unless you follow it with a molten chocolate cake-that will definitely be another piece of blog art). The combination of the these items and the love and thought that go in to creating this are beyond my kitchen skills. One can not overlook the task that has gone into sculpting this perfection.