A Fine Beginning to 2010

"Conception," the painting I threatened to keep and only finished two weeks ago or thereabouts, is gone but its owners have granted me visitation rights. The sale and my warm feelings for this particular painting sparked one of those artist gab sessions between Elaine Brady Smith and me. I want to share it. Elaine is an artist/colleague/friend I turn to when I feel stuck on a piece. By the way, she was the first I turned to for feedback on "Conception" because it features collage elements and Elaine does collage better than any artist on the planet. Linda Billet was also on the consult list. Like Elaine, her personal and professional advice always causes me to think. I value Linda's eyes, her soul, her artistic gifts ... and she makes me laugh. She's positively effervescent most days.

Anyway, I am sharing our chat because Elaine said something that I know to be true and she said it in such a lovely way. Without further ado:

Me: Elaine - I think I have finally found my palette. But then again, I've gone totally "cool" with the metallic blue and purple on the funky flower piece.

Overall, there is something about earthy and warm that makes neat stuff come out of me. I am sure you understand this when I say that the warm quinacridones, raw umber and green gold cause me to feel almost magical. I watch my hands put stuff on the canvas and wonder where the heck it came from... know what I mean? Of course you do!


Elaine Brady Smith: "Oh...I just love that feeling... those moments when you look at what you have created and wonder who am I really? Those moments when you get a glimps of your own soul and it feels familiar yet so surprising. Really love being in that place!"


By the way, here's a fair rendering of "Conception" as installed in a home in Mechanicsburg, PA today.

Power is Within YOU!

This morning, as I watched the snow fall, I read an email on the subject of health and fitness. Within that email, was tucked this little gem "it all starts in the mind, and if the mind is not ready to make it happen, it's not going to happen!"

While this is certainly true of fitness, it is also true of so much more. Relationships, business ... art making and selling.

Any of us who has set a goal and worked hard to achieve it knows this to be true. Without positive perceptions and thoughts, without work, we do not achieve. The problem is that the little gem is easy to forget when it seems like the world is conspiring against us.

I am resolved to continue on my path, knowing in my deepest self that to make something come to fruition, I must believe and I must work toward the goal(s) no matter what.

Innovation Philadelphia

Just sharing an observation I have found to be true:


Creativity is essential because it is at the heart of innovation, and innovation is the growth driver and, therefore, a business imperative.”

Harold G, McGraw III

Chairman, President and CEO

The McGraw-Hill Companies

Some of the best science originated in THE ARTS

Many of us know that artmaking is about problem-solving. We know that creativity and innovation are vital to success. Here is an interesting article that attests to this.

Abstract Photography?

Okay, put down a rule and I just have to work the various angles of that rule to test its AHEM expandability ... Anyway, breaking rules happens when I pick up art materials and equipment and I am fairly happy with the latest in my abstract photography collection.

These, by the way, were made in camera, not through digital manipulation.

Your feedback is always welcome.