Here's my latest work!

Beautiful isn't she.

Chloe Elizabeth, 8lbs8oz x 20.5", 9-3-09

Well, I just received my copy of the August/September 2009 edition of SchoolArts magazine! This is significant because it's my first time to be published! I wrote one of the articles in this edition and did an illustration for an article by another art teacher! I know, I know...it's a little nerdy, but I'm excited about it. I hope to do more of this in the near future. My personal goal is to be published at least once each year (in SchoolArts, BOAA, and/or hopefully some others). If you get a chance, check out the Aug/Sept ed. of SchoolArts!!! It's got some great ideas for art educators of all grade levels.

Fudog, tattoo design, Aug. 6, 2009
This was done on request while inquiring about tattoos and their relevance today. The fudog is a guardian of high officials or royalty in Chinese culture. The one on the left is a female holding a playful pup, and the one on the right is a male holding a sphere. The number of rings or curls in the hair represent the "importance" of the person or family being guarded. The more rings, the higher the rank or importance of the person/family.

Well, today I finished uploading some images of some paintings to Best of Artists & Artisans. Their website is Bestofartists.com. They contacted me a couple of weeks ago and asked for two of my paintings displayed here on my blog (Iris and Fancy Meeting You Here), and for some additional works (New Generation and False Signs) to print in their upcoming book, Best of America Watermedia Artists Volume II. I just finished False Signs this morning and completed New Generation last Sunday afternoon. I don't think I've ever painted more diligently in my life! These two paintings are big and it took me painting 10 - 12 hours a day for the last week and a half to complete them by the deadline (which is this Friday). So, now I can breathe a little and hopefully soon I'll get to see the fruit of my labor. I'll post when the book is out and where you can find it, as soon as I hear back from BOAA.
I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to brag. I'm just excited because this type of thing has never happened to me before. I mean, I've never really had a break or opportunity to advance my art career outside of teaching. I sold a painting a few weeks ago for the first time in years and I was in an art show this summer, and I've been invited to a couple of others coming up in the next 6 months, and now a publisher wants to give me a page or two in an upcoming book! I just can't believe how God's blessed me this way! I had honestly given up on the whole artist thing, but a good friend (Todd Ford @ fordsart.blogspot.com) and my wife kept bugging me to keep trying. Another little blessing from the Lord...my wife and I are having our second child this September! Her name is Chloe and she is due to arrive by Sept. 23.
Thanks for looking! I hope you check back again to see what's new.

False Signs
Acrylic on Canvas, 30" x 40", July 22, 2009

Price: $500

New Generation
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 48", July 19, 2009

Price: $750

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything new on the blog, but I am working on a few new ideas and projects for upcoming shows and my own art health. I'm a little slow in most production because I'm a perfectionist. When I come up with an idea or get inspiration for something new, I plan it out extensively. Every aspect has to be just right before I even begin the work. What size, color, media, and orientation best communicate the idea? Most importantly, what is it that I want the piece to communicate?
These are just some of the ideas I'm working on:
-being a diabetic and how that influences/affects my work
-construction environments
-exploration of tattoos and their social relevance today(don't worry Mom...it's not for personal application)
-how do I communicate faith and belief in my art