what is going on...

05/12/05: I haven't written in awhile but i felt compelled to talk about this for a second. I just got home from one my good friend's art class in high school. I had gone up before and spoke to her class and it was fun then too. But today left me feeling very inspired and charged about what I am doing. Talking to the students today made me feel like I am doing the right thing with my art and my intentions with it. The kids in her class are so cool and really smart. And it felt good to give them something I didn't have when I was in high school. I didn't have artsits to come and talk to me. I didn't have anyone to tell me that there was business for what you do artistically. We were always taught that artists tend to starve. And that's just simply not true. They really liked my work and they were really into the technique and the thought behind it. I realized that they gravitate towards the stuff that has more symbolic meanings. Like the paintings that had hiddend meanings in the numbers or symbols. They seemed to want to earn their connection with the pieces. And I like to see that they like to think about their art like that. That's it for now. Carry on as you were. Later.

03/22/05: I am back from my big trip. I went to Singapore and Bali for about 10 days. The flight was long and whooped up on me going and coming back. I am finally started to feel a sense of normalcy again. Jetlag is a something else. I have never felt so out of it for a couple of days in my life. The trip was amazing. I took tons of photos which I will make an album for on this site. Here is a quick rundown.

Singapore: Very cool, super clean city. But it is just that - a big city. Lots of buildings- shopping malls on every corner, (as I was staying in the main part of the city) and people everywhere. It's hot- and humid. The subway system was nice- can I stress how clean everything was? The homemade food was delicious. I definately had a few dishes I was totally unfamiliar with. The people are really nice and friendly. I enjoyed it, but I was really looking forward to the Bali leg of the trip.

Bali: Now this place is great. Some of the most beautiful land I have ever seen. The people are super talented, as they make just about everything we use for decor it seems. All the furniture villages, jewelry villages, clothing villages... essentially each village has their specialty. We took a couple of day trips around the island. East Bali is great and that is where I took most of the pics. The island is small enough to get around it in a copule of days. Dependingon where you are, things are really cheap. The people here are super nice and friendly. They are very welcoming. They had a holiday the last day I was there so I got to see them carry out some of the religous rituals. They are really beautiful. It is really interesting to be in a plcae where over 95% of the people believe in the exact same thing. The symbolism around the island was cool too. They have a tons of temples and many many symbols to represent their belief. It is also nice to have a religoous people not impose their belief but share them. I did a few water things that I have never done before- I know this sounds stupid or lame- But I had never ridden a jetski. I loved it! I want my own little pond that I can go nuts on. I also did a Parasailing session which was great. I got couple of great massages, and lounged by and in the pools a bit. We stayed in this really nice beachfront hotel. I don't feel guilty about "resorting" it, 'cause let's be real- how often do you get to enjoy the top notch accommodations, right? I drank plenty of the local beer- which I tend to do when I travel. I love to drink the local brew majority of the trip. And it was potent- at least I felt like it was. I never lasted too long awake after a couple... well stay tuned for the photo album. Later.

02/22/05 part 2: I have finally loaded a few other things into the Random section. And now that I have it in- I am hooked. It looks really good- so I am gonna start piling in some of the fun things I have been working to get this filled out. I promise! So keep checking. For now check out #2,3 & 4.

02/22/05: Okay, I was snubbed. Hell, all the artists were snubbed. I thought we would get a good 5 secs of interview time or something- But hey- I had an awesome opportunity to be a part of something so cool. And I at least got a few shots to prove it. Thanks to all that tuned to watch it because of me. (call up ABC or write the hell out then asking about that artist with the painting above the stove... let's get some buzz going people. I can't do it from my address cause that would a bit obvious now wouldn't it?) Sorry for the hype and no face time to back it up- We'll get 'em next time.

02/21/05: Well the first part of the show EMHE aired last night. I saw two of the four paintings in the house. I also saw it on the front page of today's Living section in the AJC. The picture was dark- but since I knew what I was looking for it was still kind of a thrill. Tonite I hope to get more presence. Below is the shot of "Something Always Happens" in the kitchen and "Random Moment" the guest bedroom. Only a small piece can be seen in the bedroom shot. So keep your fingers crossed for tonite. Still I want to say thanks to all the people who have shared my excitement and moreso about this opportunity. I truly have some amazing people in my life. One day I hope to return the favor. So I am looking for the opportunity to.

01/28/05: Got some really exciting news to share. Just last weekend I taped an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I know it sounds like it's all about me put that way- but this is my site-so yep it is! But for real. I was one of a few selected artists to have their work displayed and used to decorate the house that was madeover in Atlanta. Well, Lake City. Same but different. But I had a really good interview with Mike Maloney and had a chance to meet a coupleof the other designers on the show. The response to my work was very good. I am proud though I was nervous for a few days beforehand. There were a total of 4 paintings used and 3 of them are on this site. One I painted specifically to take with me there. ( 'Random Moment', 'Self Actualize', and 'Inquire Within' will all be used in addition to 'Something Always Happens') I am not sure when the air date is gonna be,but I was told that my interview was definatley gonna be used in the behind the scenes show "How'd they do that." So keep in tuned to find out the air date. It's supposed to air during sweeps week. Feel free spread the word.

01/18/05: I just got back from a weekend in Boston visiting a friend. I had a really good time and really, really like the city. I got to visit some of the coolest antique shops. They feel different up there because there is so history around you that it is hard to have real antiques. One place I went to had found a book that was signed by JFK- it was his first book he had written in college. A first edition print. He had written a note inside to one of his friends who evidently lied to him about reading the book. He was found out through some query. But that the type of thing that seems to be found there. I enjoyed that part of the trip it seems the most. I got lots of good reference for some new work I want to start working on. That type of inspiration is what makes braving 8 inches of snow worth trips like that. But damn! 8 inches?!! So i am home and very excited to get going on some new stuff. My camera is becoming my new best friend. Being that my memory sucks at times- this is becoming my photographic memory. I shoot pictures to remind me of things thatinspire me. Sort of a photographic sketchbook. I know I keep saying i m gonna post some pics on the Random section- and I am still gonna do it. I think I get it. My roommate is such a good photographer- I feel stupid posting pictures. But I have been inspired by these terribly composed pictures I take and maybe someone else will too. SOON I tell you- SOON!

01/03/05: I want to say thanks to all the people that have been sending me all the wonderful emails. I am really glad that my work is reaching so many. I am putting ina section on all the Features and Write-ups. No features yet-and only a couple write-ups, but they are coming right? Someone hear me? So if you are so inclined spread the word. It will not go unnoticed. Thanks, and check out the links- it is some great stuff in there.

01/02/05: Well the '05 is under way. I had a great NYE party at my place. Lots of familiar faces and lots of new ones. It was fun. It is already shaping to be a good start for the year. Good friends- new friends. I woke up smiling the next day. That in itself is a great start. I apologize if you didn't get an invite- it was last minute- but the turnout didn't look like it.

12/25: Happy ChristmaHannaKwaanzakah! You know me, I like to be all inclusive. I didn't make that up though. I saw it on tv- I thought it was hilarious. Well I am hanging out with my Mom + Brother and we are going to my Stepmoms to see my younger sibs. We are really just one big happy "not your average Mom hates StepMom, so the young kids suffer" kinda family. It's kinda cool. Well whatever you celebrating or not- make it good.

12/17: Okay, I have a bunch of new work soon to be added and rotated in the Featured Gallery. Most of this new work is inspired by my trip to Costa Rica which is cool. I have looking for new ways to acheive a more natural looking age. I kept seeing sign on the Pan American hwy everyday on the way to my daily expeditions. I kept trying with everything in me to catcha picture of the sign just for reference. To no avail, the sigh kept eluding it's capture in pixels. I decided it was necessary to take very good notes about what I was seeing that moved me about this sign. It has this really smooth, naturally oily, smudgey look. Well one night when I was working, it was late and I was alone. I did it. If you have ever seen a victory lap with hands in the air and fists punching the sky- you have a clear picture of how I felt and exactly what I was doing. It is great when you let experiences really teach you something new. I have been watching my paintings grow in front of me. These are obvious changes to me, but maybe not so apparent to the viewer. But I am right there in it- I know what I am doing differently and it is making me happy. Look for a piece called "More green lights 2". I also collected a few labels and graphic items from Costa Rica that have made themselves into my work. Art imitating Art...

12/15: I had a really cool talk with a friend of mine not too long ago while we were watching a movie. Great movie by the way, ( O Brother, Where Art Thou?- I had seen it some years ago, but the imagery is hitting me in a new way now. So is the dialogue) But anyway- we were talking about her finding her 'Thing'. And how right now she doesn't know what that is- so we went through some of the things that she enjoys and want to do. She mentioned the fact that she loved to write. Stories kinda, fake journals almost. And how she is obsessed with these old photos of her family. Like how she sits at home with them spread all over the floor- staying up late looking, sorting, making up stories. And it hit me- sometimes the obsession is the gift. That thing that you can't get off your mind- that thing that you always seems to find fascination with. I have that with Old signs, labels, type, just the destroyed and existed. My roommate has it with Photography- He is up early thinking of shoots, and how to step them up and say something. When I thought later of all my friends that are in that place- they all have an obsession about something. And I realize that obsession is not so much the negative word that it has come to mean. Keep a look out, this lesson may manifest itself in one of my pieces. As I never paint a lesson I have not myself learned or experienced. So the day I become a know it all is the day the lessons stop. And I got a sneaky suspicion that the teachers of the world have a thick ass book of lesson plans!

12/10: It is that time of year again. Christmas parties and shopping. Which I tend to forget about until I am stuck in traffic trying to make what seems to me, a routine purchase. There is never parking available. And I find myself believing I have the magic parking spot that "noone parks there". Then I get there and just as sho'-Full. Who leaked my spot?! So now I am devising tactics of getting in out of places like a bank robber. Or that kid that sneaks into his girlfriend's window at night. In and Out jack! You never seen it coming. ( This ramble has been brought to you in part by WORK- I am bored to tears right now....)

11/11: I am safely back home from Costa Rica- but not after a flight scare on the way. Everyone in Atlanta is aware that the city was extremely foggy tonite. Well couple that with a plane that doesn't have autoland and a limited amount of fuel. After a 3 hour delay in getting on the plane- I had to land in Columbia, SC. But I am alive-The best part of the story. Costa Rica was amazing. I had so much fun just being away by myself. I suggest everyone do it at least once. I met some very cool people from all over the world. Saw some beautiful greenscapes, mountain, animals and women. There is no shortage of any of the aforementioned. I did some really cool touristy stuff- but I had some days where I just did what the Ticos do. Hop on the bus and ride all over the country. Soon there will be pictures posted in the Giggles section. I have some images of the mountains and the beaches. Not alot- cause you know how some of the pictures may suck. I haven't gone throught them yet. So stay tuned.

10/25: I gotta say thanks to all the people that came to my reception on the 22nd. That was one the biggest night of my life- next to that Kindergarten Spice sale where I was the biggest seller in the school. I won a Brand new B/W tv that night. And I could not have done it with out momma. Ironically- guess who was there on the second biggest night- You guessed it! My principal! Okay, Not hardly. But my Momma was there smiling proud. The night was big success. The response to the work was phenomenal, and the good energy was plentiful. I was totally overwhelmed by the support I recieved from family and friends and more so the strangers that came to see my work. It was amazing. I had to take a moment to soak it all in afterwards. Thanks again- now I am off to another real vacation. I am going to Costa Rica now. I will be down there for a week and I am travelling alone. This should make for a very interesting adventure.

10/15: It has been a very intersting month for me thus far. My birthday was good- despite the fact that i have to pay for my tag. And since I don't get that dollar for every year I have been alive anymore from my mom's friend, I have to eat that expense entirely. October is always the most expensive month of the year for me- strangely all my bills that tend to be larger ones show up with the birthday cards. So thaniks to all that wished me a Happy Birthday this year. It is truly a special one this year and I glad all that could be a part of it was.

10/11: I am giving a shout out to all the Libras out there. We get a bad rap! My birthday is tomorrow! Send me some electronic love- an email or something- some money- for ol' times sake. If you see me out, buy me a drink or just give me a hug- that will last longer with me. I have been trying to find this old friend of mine from like elementary school- high school. Her birthday is on the 16th. Every year until I graduated we would tell each other Happy Birthday. Well I still remember but have the hardest time trying to find her- I want to tell her Happy Birthday so bad! So if somehow she comes across my site- or if someone knows her- Her name is Marianne K. Pinion. Tell her I said HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

10/08: Saul Williams has released his new cd. Dude for real is from another planet. This album, though different from the first is another trip into the undon with some tributes to the have been done. Lyrically he continues to climb. I got another CD recently that I am in love with. I bought Naomi on iTunes Music Store. This cd is great. The music is beautiful at times and bangin at others. I have really been enjoying the gift of sound latley. I saw Blonde Redhead in concert on the 5th at the Echo Lounge. That is a great venue for music-I am hard of hearing and it sounds great to me there. Very clear and crisp too- unless the band sucks. Then it's not the venue's fault- except for booking them. A rarity in itself.

9/24: I had dinner last night with a friend of mine. It was a very pleasant and open conversation- one of those where you learn new things about yourself and others around you. You get to realize some very special moments in your life that you were present in. And I mean really "present". Being there- noticing the details, how they affected you- good and bad. I painted a piece recently that speaks to that- but it such an important notion I may rearticulate it. Check out "Best Present" in the featured gallery. Another great thing about that dinner in particular is being able to see how people change, evolve and become more of themselves without dependence on things outside of self for that feel good element. Seeing how they find new light- or new eyes to see the light that was always there. (and I am aware that I always seem to express serious sentiments in this little section- but i promise I will put a joke in here one day!! And you will pop a vein cause it will be so funny!)

9/03: I have been back now from Jamaica for the week now, and I gotta say the trip was awesome. Life outside the U.S. is very different. And I am sure the rest of the world knew that already. I have a different outlook on some things (Relationships, Friendships, and Self Realizations) since being back- so a little growth was made on that trip. I got to see the real parts of Jamaica and not the "resorty" parts only. Talking to my roommate, he thought it sounded alot like Brazil. Well I met some very cool people there that I think will become a part of my friendship cirlce as it took us to be in another country to meet each other and we all lived in the same city for years. I had the opportunity to attend a wedding like one I have never seen before. It was a combination of two religious backgrounds- it was Jewish/Hindi. It was beautiful you know. with all the traditions and customs that are so strong in their respective backgrounds. The colors were amazing. The bride's dress was unbelievable- the detail, colors. I was glad I had the chance to see it. Congratulations again to Jeremy and Mala Arieh on your new marriage. Thanks for welcoming me and never having met me a day before in your life.

9/02: I am excited to be getting ready for this showing on Fri the 10th. I have a tons of new work to show that isn't on the website. Unfortunatley, I have sold alot of stuff that never even got to be seen by people. Random visitors and impromptu showings led to alot of those sales. But I will soon be putting those into the sold gallery, and after the next show I will have the Featured and For Sale Galleries updated. So please check back in the next few weeks and see what is happening there. There are lots of evolution that I am proud of and I am glad to see some growth. Thanks to those that bought pieces and those that showed interest in others!

8/20: Okay! Been a while since I last put anythig on here. Lots have been going on (will get into all that later). I am leaving this weekend for my first real out the country trip. I am gonna be in Negril for a week! Funny that this will be my first real vacation as a grown up. It's kinda sad, but exciting just the same. I have a hard time learning how to relax. I get so used to working hard and that becomes your routine. So when you are not busy doing something you feel like you should be. That can't be healthy. So I am trying to enjoy some tiny things that take me away at times.This is gonna sound stupid... But I am learning how to walk around barefoot and enjoy it, sit by the pool, go see a silly thoughtless movie (hopefully funny at least). But I am learning that we are taught so well how to be efficient and productive- but we never learn to relax. We even feel guilty doing so. We gotta get back to that. Recreational living- or is just me that is the workaholic? Well anyway- Negril awaits me, and no workis gonna get done there. But I am working on some thoughts for paintings around these notions. So they should be interesting. It's all about escapism. Images and statements that remind us that life is about living. This felt kinda good - this blog thing is relaxing too...online journaling. Notice how when you get somethings off your chest you feel better? Expression of thoughts can be a getaway of it's own.

7/02: Great news! I am now showing in 2 new galleries. One is Taylor Kinzel Gallery (www.taylorkinzel.com) in Roswell and the other is Claret Arts (www.claretarts.com) in Atlanta. Two great places to give me some good exposure and representation. I am really excited about that. I keep things posted about any showings that arise from all this.

6/28: Now that the website is up and running (major point of pride for myself), I can begin some of the other legs of my projects. Some which include Limited Edition (signed and numbered) Poetry books that include a new series of paintings interlaced with the poems they came from. This should be a pretty cool and extensive project. Ican't wait to get that out to the public. Also, soon to be available will be Limited Edition (signed and numbered) greeting cards sets and and Moment™ books (books I like to use to write random and fleeting thoughts at the moment they occur, I make them so the fit in regular pockets)

6/22: I have been reading these two books from Sabrina Ward Harrison recently, Spilling Out and Brave on the Rocks. I just got introduced to her work from being over at a friends house. I love her wide open honesty and the visual style of her writing. If you can check these out, this is a great and quick read ( and i read slow). Women will find this especially cool because she deals with and tackles alot of female insecurities. (and i am a guy and i deal with majority of the same) She references Sark alot. I will check this out and post my super excited response to her stuff too cause I am sure it's great.

6/15: This is not a new book as its been out for a while, but notheless it needs to be mentioned. Said the Shotgun to the Head: a poem by Saul Williams. This dude is not from this planet. I swear. He is from Saturn. His ship has been out of commision for some years now and he has been stuck here on earth delivering wordplay that only those who dream to be from saturn can begin to understand. This man is awesome. I had a chance to meet him and sit with him at his house in los angeles a couple of years ago and shoot the shit for a few hours as he he broke down one of my favorite pieces. He's really down to earth (that's funny since i believe he's from saturn). but the book is great. Check out his site at www.saulwilliams.com. He has a new album coming out soon too. Can't wait for that. If you have or haven't heard amethyst rock star- it is a must have.