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.