PEELING OFF THE BOTTOM
Photograph
I am fascinated with worn out paint and rusting metal. I find the colors and textures that are left behind over time to be so beautiful. One time I spent the day walking around Hartford taking these kinds of pictures. So, when we were down in Tybee, GA it was only natural that I found the bottoms of these boats to be just the shot I was searching for that day.
DIE WITH YOU
Photograph
“If you’re still hanging onto a dead dream of yesterday, laying flowers on its grave by the hour, you cannot be planting the seeds for a new dream to grow today” ~Joyce Chapman
NEW HEIGHTS
24″ x 48″ Mixed Media on Wood
When I first came up with the idea to climb this tree I was like oh sure, I can do that. Then I started. The beginning was easy. There were plenty of branches to grab onto and move up on. As I got further along it felt really good. So I climbed and climbed and climbed. I got passed the mid-section of the tree. Now I’m just beyond halfway and the top seems like a reality, but man this tree is big! I know that if I keep climbing I’ll get there. I just can’t wait to be looking down at all the branches that helped get me to the top…
MAKE THE CONNECTION
10″ x 10″ Mixed Media on Paper
This one started with a spray painted background on paper. Then I took these color samples (for matte board) and stuck them down onto the page. Next, I sat in the living room drawing, writing and watching TV with my wife, my brother Matt & our friend Joe. While we were hanging out I would ask what is the first thing that comes to mind when I say light blue? What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say toaster? And so on and so on until I thought it was finished. This is a mash up of their trains of thought. Do you follow them or do you think of something else?
BLEED FOR YOU (GIFTED)
8″ x 10″ Mixed Media on Board
“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” ~Bob Marley
JAH WORK
12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Board
Tell me do you really know your brother man? Cause a heart speaks louder than a color can and why would you even shake a man’s hand if you’re not going to help him stand?
Jah work… Jah work… Jah work is never done…
Every man’s actions belong to he. If prepared for thereafter to each his destiny. Some people believe and some people know. Some people deceive and some people show.
Jah work… Jah work… Jah work is never done…
You must do the heaviest, so many shall do none. You have got to stand firm, so many shall run. Some they rest their head at night, some get no sleep at all. If you listen close to what you see you will hear the call.
Jah work… Jah work… Jah work is never done… ~Ben Harper
BURNT TOAST IN BED
10″ x 10″ Mixed Media on Paper
Our friend Joe was back home from London, England for a bit and came over to visit. I was working on the project as usual and thought I’d get him in on it. I did a little version of the Rorschach test on him, but only for this one image. “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you look at this?” Burnt Toast in Bed was born. Do you see what Joe sees or is there some other image in your mind?
FROM WITHIN
36″ x 48″ Mixed Media on Wood
JUST mijumi
24″ x 48″ Mixed Media on Wood
When I fall down, I need a helping hand. And when I lose my head, it’s cause it’s always buried in the sand. When I get stuck on myself, feelin’ sorry for myself. Will you help me grab a hold and please don’t patronize my soul. When I start to lose control, when I get irrational, when I start to get too high, you see me come floating by, I say… Touch me in the morning sun, when I feel impossible. Touch me in the morning sun, show me what is possible. Touch me in the morning sun when I feel impossible, show me what is possible. ~Michael Franti
RASQUARE DRIPS
18″ x 24″ x 2″ Mixed Media on Wood
This is the nick-nack holder I bought at the Mansfield Flea Market. The one that I used to help make Rasta Marbled. It was just this old looking thing that someone was trying to get rid of. Al, the guy I bought it from, was a very cool & laid back person. He was having a good time selling goods and chatting people up. He gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse and now his old nick-nack holder has a new image. Thanks Al!
PRESSURE
11″ x 15″ Pen & Marker on Watercolor Paper
If you change yourself you will change your world. If you change how you think then you will change how you feel and what actions you take. And so the world around you will change. Not only because you are now viewing your environment through new lenses of thoughts and emotions but also because the change within can allow you to take action in ways you wouldn’t have – or maybe even have thought about – while stuck in your old thought patterns. ~Gandhi
MAGENTA DREAMS (SOLD)
18″ x 18″ Mixed Media on Wood
What do artists dream of, when they take a little artist snooze? Do they dream of paint on canvas, or Jackson Pollock drinkin’ booze?. Don’t you worry your crazy haired head, we’re gonna get you back to creatin’ in your cozy studio shed. And then we’re gonna find our new canvas and then we’re gonna paint them and make a mess. Art, Art, Oh, Art Artie Artie Art Art. But if you sleep through alarm clock speakers, well then we’re s**t out of luck. ~my take on Stu’s Song
COCK-A-DOODLE DOODLE
11″ x 15″ Pen & Marker on Watercolor Paper
Rise up this mornin’. Yawn with the rising sun. There is a bird, that’s in my mind set. Singin’ sweet songs, to me to get me out of bed. And get images into my head, head, head… Singin’ start drawing… everything. Cuz everything you draw… is gonna be just right. Singin’ start drawing… everything. Cuz everything you draw… is gonna be just right. Rise up this mornin’. I got a pen in hand. I got some paper and markers too. I’m gonna draw now, draw now for all of you, you, you… Singin’ start drawing… everything. Cuz everything you draw… is gonna be just right. Singin’ start drawing… everything. Cuz everything you draw… is gonna be just right. ~my take on Three Little Birds
LOVE GROWS (SOLD)
24″ x 36″ Mixed on Wood
We couldn’t tell the precise moment when our love was formed. Seeds had been planted a long time ago. Rain came to water them every day. Drop by drop by drop. Sun shined down to give it strength. Making the roots burst through our souls and reach out intertwining to form a love so strong. A love that will spread new seeds to grow. A love that will last. A love that I love. Drip-drop, drip-drop, drip…
RASTA MARBLED
24″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Board
I didn’t think this was going to come out the way it did. I bought this nick-nack holder with a bunch of slots at the Mansfield Flea Market. When I got home I filled up each slot with paint and was going to let it dry and leave it that way, but I didn’t. I grabbed a 24×24 board and put it on the ground. Then I took the holder with paint and did the only thing that made sense… I flipped it over on to the board. Rasta Marbled was born.