Why Blogger?

So, it's been ALONG while since I posted anything. I'm sure everyone, especially artists, think to them self "why bother?" I went through a bit of a funk over the summer months, and didn't do much visual art at all. I started out pretty strong in May shortly after Summer break began, and then tapered off tremendously due to various reasons. For one, it's difficult to devote much time to something when you have two small children, who I love more than I ever thought imaginable. Secondly, I have been playing bass with a band, which takes much of the artistic mojo for itself, which is also a lifelong aspiration of mine that I receive immense pleasure and fulfillment from. 

    Anyway, back in the saddle again, and truly loving it again. Ever since social media became part of daily life, I told myself that I would use this resource to promote my art. Myspace was first, now facebook, my own webpage, or however I could get the images out to other humans. It has never, not even once drummed up any potential customers, opportunities, or anything remotely close to generating cash flow or notoriety in any way. So the question is "why bother?" Because I have to. I have to make art, be it music, visual art, or whatever else I fancy at the time. I don't care if I play and sing to an empty room, or make art for my own pleasure for the rest of my life (that's not true). Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate anyone's comments regarding my work, and I love hearing or reading them. It means a great deal when someone takes the time to say "cool", or hits the "like" button. I would welcome a critique from my peers as well. A stroke of the old ego never hurts, I suppose. Be we artists have to do what we do. It's a blessing, a curse, a purpose, a distraction, a getaway, a punch in the throat to all the horror and insanity that goes outside of the studio. So I will continue to post things on here, even if it's just for me.   

So these are the most recent pieces, all my favorite medium to work with, inks on illustration board. The angel just sort of happened, I've been listening to a great deal of chant lately, just letting go, trying not to think too much. The other two were started with automatic drawing, which I define as just starting with some marks and building the image. If a narrative pops up that's ok, if not I'll just enjoy the process. Usually.

March entry, inspiration and things

 So, it's been awhile since I posted anything on here. However, I have been very busy with various things. That's the problem, and the blessing I suppose. I chose the name "Misterlanious" long ago for a variety of things, but it definitely fits my life; Definition of MISCELLANEOUS

1: consisting of diverse things or members : heterogeneous

2:a : having various traits
  b : dealing with or interested in diverse subjects
     I have for most of my life, especially in my adult life, been torn between the pursuit of visual art and playing music. I have pretty much always found great escape, pleasure and much pain in both of them, always trying to succeed in some form or fashion in one or the other. 
I was a music/jazz major at the University of Memphis for a couple of 
years, then changed to Illustration at the Memphis College of Art, after
coming to the realization that I didn't care to spend all my time and 
money learning to play other people's music. Particularly a kind of music; (jazz)
that I don't live out each day. This isn't the 1950's, and I'm not cool enough to be Miles Davis, and not dumb enough to do heroin and play in jazz clubs all night and lose my soul for that kind of life.
So, I pretty much play in bands with or write only original music, and I love playing bass and a little guitar with all of my heart. I could easily do it for a living, if given half the chance. I would never choose it over my present life with my family though.  My boys need a father more than I need that for sure. If I could have it all I would...Anyone...anyone...
     The main reason I chose art as a degree and profession, is that it's something I can do on my own without a drummer, guitarists, and all the other fickle, ego-driven, situations/people that develop in the pursuit of music. I am my only nemises in this lonely pursuit. My own fragile, prideful, stubborn, insecure, obsessive, behaviors are my strengths and weaknesses. They only hinder or help me, not others. I suppose art is SUCH a part of me because I started the pursuit of this at a much younger age than I started playing music. Long before I believed I couldn't do it. Comic books, children's books, Frazetta album covers, Riggs album covers (Iron Maiden),KISS posters, and too many more to name, inspired a lifelong pursuit of creating art that will never cease in my lifetime. I am inspired  to do art by anything from books, movies, a song, a phrase, a face, a mood or just about anything. Sometimes even food. I also enjoy teaching this to children in my day job, because I can relate to the kids who feel the same way, and it's actually something I can do pretty well. I love being a voice that says "you can", and "this IS important" to them. Don't ask me to do anything practical though. I won't even fix a lawnmower. I do some things though, I am middle-aged now. : ) 
     At the moment I just finished the Elvis above piece for a friend. I believe it will be in an auction for Southwest Community College. I wanted to do something fun, that would easily sell in Memphis, and there is some history of Elvis with the person I made it for. A ceramic Elvis bust comes to mind...Anyway I enjoyed doing it, and I hope she likes it. The other piece is one that I've continued to tweek since the last post. I added more contrast, a little more color, and I have to force myself to stop, or it may never be finished. I'm not sure what the next art project is. Maybe the other Elvis...?
      The exciting news in my life right now, is that I joined The Mike Dees Band. I love his music, and he has been a good friend of mine for a while, and I also was able to round up another friend/fantastic drummer, Brad Davis to play with us. The bass parts are challenging and melodic and the songs are accessible to anyone with a good ear for music. I am happy as a pig in... Here is a picture of yours truly and one of my basses, a Warwick 5 string. I also have a Warwick 4 string frettless, if someone wants to get a little slippery...

    Anyway, that's what's up with me right now. Teaching, Daddying, playing music, doing art, sometime too many things at once. By the way, I am always open for commissions. Let me paint something for you, I don't want to kill your weeds. I am not that miscellaneous.

What's going on

Good evening to you, if you're reading this (or morning, or day). Just finishing up a good weekend of seeing friends, doing some music related activities and finishing this painting. This a large painting; 30" x 40 "canvas, India ink and acrylic. I began to think about imagery similar to this on the the way to work one morning while preparing for a show I had in December. This is a little different than the original vision I had for this. Originally there were three boys, each painting their tree of leaves, without any assistance from  animals. I originally drew all of them in, but after much consideration and gesso, I decided to scratch the two other boys, and add animals that I associate with Autumn. For now I will title this "First of Autumn". Fall has a fair amount of magic of it's own; with the other worldly colors, stripping of the foliage, and just the feeling I seem to get during the season. I enjoy working like this, using white, black, and just a small amount of blocked in colors. I have five new canvases to start on, so I think I will continue with this combination for a while. During my first inspiration for this I was listening to the Beatles, "Magical Mystery Tour", so I may try that again to see if it will trigger any new images. But I realize their are no magic formulas, but I love that album anyway. Thanks for taking a moment to look at this post. Cheers

Happy after New Year/ Spanish Angel

 Pardon the glare on these photos, still using poor lighting and a crappy old camera. This is the finished product of a piece/gift I did for a first grader at my school who lost his father in a fire. The piece is called "Padre, Heroe", to honor the man who sacrificed his own life saving his family in the blaze. Jose, his son immediately began to draw a male angel with three crosses, and called the drawing his father. I wanted to do something for the family, so the teacher told me that an angel would be a good idea for a card/drawing. The boy has remained a joy to be around, and it was a true blessing to see he and his family's smiles upon receiving the drawing today. I aspired to keep the drawing very child-friendly, almost Dora inspired, but I ended up going with more of a comic book style only slightly stylizing the angel to keep it cartoon-like and a little less realistic. My wife wrote a few verses from Psalm 91 in Spanish, that was appropriate for this piece;

Psalms 91:9 ^ Because you have said, I am in the hands of the Lord, the Most High is my safe resting-place.

Psalms 91:10 ^ No evil will come on you, and no disease will come near your tent.

Psalms 91:11 ^ For he will give you into the care of his angels to keep you wherever you go.

Psalms 91:12 ^ In their hands they will keep you up, so that your foot may not be crushed against a stone.

I really enjoy doing art for reasons like this. Now I'll go back to staring at this other canvas and see what happens...