BRANDED! So here we are, still in the middle of the Corona virus lockdown. People are getting antsy now, wanting to get out and restart their lives and businesses before they are swallowed up in time, ruined financially, and forgotten. Artists certainly are no...

FINDING PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL Here we are in April of 2020 in the midst of a world-wide Coronavirus pandemic. It seems the world has gone crazy with fear, panic, and hoarding. Our country and our economy have come to a virtual standstill. Only those businesses...

 FEAR OR CONFIDENCE?             It’s March, 2020, and time for my favorite art show, the Rappahannock River Waterfowl Show in White Stone VA. I love it because it’s in my home county where I grew up. It...

I haven’t blogged in a long time, and that’s one of my mistakes. There have been plenty of reasons why, but no excuses.  It’s a big mistake bloggers shouldn’t make. It has made me feel like a failure.  Have you ever been in that situation?  Where there...

This is one of my latest paintings of what I saw on the beach while vacationing in North Carolina at Corolla, Outer Banks ( OBX ). My goal is to paint in such a way that it's "Art That Takes You There."

WHAT'S YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE?   Last month I wrote about forming a group to brainstorm and mentor artists who want to turn their non-musical gifts into a ministry.  I believe this is indeed necessary, but I am no longer sure I am the person to organize and...

GROUP THINK! We've all heard that two heads are better than one, right?  But art is a lonely profession.  Any kind of art.  Any medium.  You (the artist) alone can think it, visualize it, plan it, create it.  Often, having others around impedes the process.  It's all...

KEEPING IT REAL This has been a busy and interesting week.  Seems like I have accomplished a lot, even though I haven't gone anywhere, although I will tomorrow.  So, what did I do?  Mostly, it concerned behind-the-scenes work. First, for a couple of weeks I have been...

DARING TO TRUST Here in the mountains of Virginia where I live, the timber, or canebrake rattlesnake is often found.  It is a shy snake, preferring to be left alone, and would rather remain hidden or slither quietly away than fight, unless forced to.  But, would you...

LIVING ON THE EDGE Centuries ago, mankind used to believe that the world was flat, and one could sail off the edge into the Great Abyss if one weren't careful and got too far from land.  Most mariners dared not venture too far out to sea, but found ways to operate...

WHAT KIND OF LEGACY ARE WE LEAVING? Have you ever thought about that?  Have you wondered what, if anything, anyone will remember you for after you're gone?  Even your family members?  I know my kids won't give a rip that the clothes in my closet were arranged in the...

WASTED BREATH This isn't the usual type of post I write, but for the last few days, as I've considered Sarah's story while I've been going through the editing process, I felt compelled to share what I intend to become the "CONCLUSION" of my book.  As a matter of fact,...

DITCH THE GPS -- YOU NEED A MAP! Everybody knows when they go on road trips, if they are venturing into unknown territory, they need directions.  Most people today rely on GPS.  GPS is great, and I love it!  Why would I, or anyone else, need a map?  Because a map...

HOOK THAT "KILLER" TITLE! Anybody out there like to fish?  I sure do!  I know that once a fish takes your bait, it has two options:  it can let the bait go, or bite too hard and catch the hook.  But you might not know which it is, so if you want to make sure you catch...

WHY I'M USING THIS AS THE FRONTISPIECE FOR MY BOOK I can hear it now... "What in the heck is a frontispiece?"  I can explain.  It is an illustration facing the title page or first page of a book.  There, that wasn't so bad, was it?  Many of us have now learned a new...

IN THE BEGINNING…CARTOONS?? PROBLEM – How do you get that perfect design pattern on your art paper without ruining it? AMPLIFY – I think, as beginning artists, we all go through situations similar to this:  You want to paint that perfect figure, or scenic composition,...