oPeN FiReD oN

AMBUSHED

10″ x 10″ Mixed Media on Paper

 

See them fighting for power. But they know not the hour. So they bribing with their guns, spare-parts and money. Trying to belittle our integrity now. They say what we know is just what they teach us. And we’re so ignorant ’cause every time they can reach us. Through political strategy. They keep us hungry. And when you gonna get some food, your brother got to be your enemy.
Well, what we know Is not what they tell us. We’re not ignorant, I mean it and they just cannot touch us. Through the powers of the Most-High, we keep on surfacin’. Thru the powers of the Most-High, we keep on survivin’.
Yeah, this ambush in the night, planned by society. Ambush in the night. They tryin’ to conquer me. Ambush in the night. Anything money can bring. Ambush in the night, planned by society… Ambush In the Night – Bob Marley & The Wailers

THiS WiLL Be My WoRLD

 

WORLD OF IDEAS

12″ x 13″ Mixed Media on Canvas

 

If you want this you are going to have to take it. You cannot sit back in the shadows with your arms folded and just hope you’re going to make it. There’s a world of ideas out there waiting to be grabbed. Step out of line, get your head straight and grab your bags. Fill it up to overflow, grab the good ones and don’t let go. 50,001 thoughts every single day pass through my brain like the raindrops coming down. They bring me to my knees and have me pounding on the ground. I cannot take the voices, I can’t listen to the sounds. It’s getting closer to the end and it’s coming back around. More thoughts, more ideas, more art is flowing now. My world to create… my world for the taking. Welcome to a world of ideas… these are… the ones… I’m making.

SyMBoL oF THe aBSoLuTe

OM WITH ME

12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Omega Bond

 

“The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at and which men desire when they lead the life of continence… is Om. This syllable, Om, is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma.”

~ Katha Upanishad I

STaY oFF THe DRuGS

FREAKS ON ACID

12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on PVC

 

Hovering mini-vans like boards in Back to the Future slide around in the snow so slippery. Patterns of X-mas tablecloths dance under dim lit dining room lighting. We have to get out of here. Vine patterned couches hold you in their grips. I think we should leave. Whose car are we in? Getting advice from one of the Wise Men at church in the middle of winter. Snow never felt so warm. Shubba-lubba-lubba. Don’t worry, the sirens weren’t for you. Shubba-lubba-lubba. Broken cigarettes in Dallas Cowboys Starter jacket pockets put back together without effort. It’s so quiet when the rest of the town is asleep. Am I asleep? Is this real? What did the Wise Man say? Shhhh…

WoRDS To LiVe By

 

DON’T WORRY

24″ x 36″ Mixed Media on Wood

 

When life gets me down I put it on and play it loud… Don’t Worry.  When my niece gets nervous, to calm her down she sings your song to lose her frown… Don’t Worry.  When my brother is bummed cause the sun is not out, he puts it on and clears the clouds… Don’t Worry.  If you are feeling sad, if you’ve got the blues, just put it on and he’ll sing to you… Don’t worry, about a thing. Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright…

~ Three Little Birds, Bob Marley & The Wailers

A huge thanks goes out to Christian Gallego for letting me “steal” his idea. His Bob Marley caricature is the inspiration behind my painting.  You can see his caricature and more of his art at:  http://christiangallego.blogspot.com/p/2d-characters.html

Thank you again so much!!!

YouR GoD

HOLY TRINITY

18″ x 18″ Mixed Media on Wood

 

There is something out there and we can’t figure it out. Some people believe and some filled with doubt? Is it the father, the son, holy ghost? Or monkeys up there putting on a show? Hard to keep faith with questions unanswered. Family and friends taken by sickness and cancers. The poor and the hungry, the lost and the hurt. How will the meek inherit the earth? Asked to believe without any proof. Seek for yourself and you’ll find your truth. The god you pray to will be there for you. The god you pray to will be your truth. Let go of your doubts give in to your faith. One day she’ll call and you’ll be wide awake. When it’s your turn you’ll get the answers you’re after. Your heart will be filled with joy and laughter. But until then just patiently wait. Believe in your god, believe in your faith.

GiVe iT

HEART

18″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Oak Tag

 

Give it to the one you love. Give it to a friend. Give it to someone in need. Give it till the end. Give it to your brothers and sisters too. Give it to the people who won’t give it back to you. Love is all we need. Love will set us free. Love is what I’ll give you. Please give it back to me.

aM i aLL THaT You DReaMeD?

VISIONS OF ME

12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Omega Bond

 

Am I pretty enough? Am I everything you dreamed I would be? Am I living up to all of your visions of me? Do you still like the way that I smile? Do you still want to sit and chat about nothing for a while? Do you want to linger in my company? Do I live up to your visions of me? Are you hurting deep down inside crying there on the floor? Are you fed up? Are you ready to walk out that door? Did I shatter your image of what you thought I would be? Did I shatter all of your expectations and visions of me? I hope not. I Hope that I didn’t. I hope that you’ll see. That I have lived up to all of your visions of me.

SoMeTHING iN THe WaY

PRETTY WHEN YOU SMOKE

24″ x 48″ Mixed Media on Wood

 

See you on the corner, just came off the bus. Usually pass right by without making a fuss. Something in the way the smoke swirls around your face could change the whole feeling of this place. Or maybe it’s the way you talk ending sentences with laughter. Or maybe it’s a mystery that will be solved after. Not really sure at all, it seems like it’s a joke. But there’s something that makes you pretty when you smoke.

MiDNiGHT MoViN’

NIGHT DANCER

12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Omega Bond

 

Chains break in the darkness of the midnight hour. Held down no more, running for freedom, running for life. Hidden in the bush from firefly lights and cricket wing fights. Cold ground was her bed last night and rock stone was her pillow too. Dreams of better days made mosquito bites feel like soothing back rubs. High tide and sun rays breathe fresh life into the new day. Wake up and live, wake up and dance today. And when you dance in the air of the gift from tonight don’t ever forget what your yesterdays were like.

 

GoTTa GeT aWaY

SEPARATE

12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Wood

 

Gotta break free, gotta get away, gotta separate. News, media, violence on TV, too much hate. Kill in the name of your god and say that it’s fine. Car bomb, school shooting, what will it be next time? Two people in love can’t get married cause they are gay. Who are we to judge love and say what’s okay? Social media everyday all up in your face. No really thanks I don’t care what you ate today. Soldiers sent to protect this land for the government. Come back home, one less leg, on unemployment. Politician grants a favor looking in your eyes. Turn around take your money, spend it on his lies. Is this really what is meant by being civilized? If it is, then… you can count me out… No one hears our cries… Separate.

PoWeReD By THe SuN

SUNFLOWER

24″ x 48″ Mixed Media on Wood

Sunflower power flower powered by the sun. Do a little dance and have a lot of fun. Wave your arms from side to side, wave your arms way up high.  Get your head out in the sky, move your body cuz it’s time. Flower dance now everyone. Flower dance now for the sun. Feel the rays touch you on your feet. Get you up out of your seat. Move your body to the beat. People dancin’ in the street. The time is here, the time is now. Tell the people in your town. Have some fun in the sun. Cuz this summer is almost done.

THe WaY

 

PEACE LOVE RASTA

11″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Wood

Take a piece of this peace. Spread a piece of this love. Learn the way of the rasta. Learn the way of above. Not all about dreadlocks ‘n’ smokin’ weed. More about brotherhood ‘n’  livin’ in harmony. Lend a hand when you can to help out your fellow man. It’s a part of the plan and with Jah we will stand. Lift me up hold me high keep my head up in the sky. Feel the love from above and guide me with his light. Give me strength give me life help me always to do right. Walk with me by my side he is there he’s a guide. Give a piece of this peace to share with the world. Take a piece of this love for every boy and girl. This is us we are here we can’t do this all alone. Take this peace and this love and spread it so they know. Rastaman vibration taking hold of my soul. Got this peace and this love and I won’t let go. Give a piece of this peace to you and a friend. Give a piece of this love spread it till the world’s end. Peace Love Rasta again and again…

LiKe BLooD

POSSE

12″ x 24″ Mixed Media on Omega Bond

Always got my back, always got yours. No questions asked, that’s how it formed. Thicker than water, close like blood. Pull you out the mud or the deepest flood. Runnin’ through the forest, can’t see through the trees. Help you find the light, get you off your knees. Call me up bro in the middle of the night. I’ll listen to your words, I’ll give you some advice. When times are tough, seems like there’s no end. Always got your back, always be your friend. Really don’t matter if many days pass. You are like blood, this was meant to last. Always got your back… No questions asked.

CoSTa RiCa DReaMS

PALM AT DAWN

24″ x 48″ Mixed Media on Wood

Wake up look out the window, see some palm trees. Start the stove, heat the water I need to make my coffee. Grab a book as the sun comes up, turn the page of a new day. Listen to the sweet songs the birds sing and what they say. Head out the door with a board under my arm. Hope that the waves don’t cause too much harm. Sun on my back wind in my hair. Seems like yesterday that we were up in the air. Hot patacones y gallo pinto. Banana mango smoothie with ice to go. Travel through the hills in the north country. Taking in the sites that were there to see. Miss the lazy days that we got to share. Can’t believe it’s been two years since we were there. Atlantic to Pacific all in one day. I know we’ll meet up again in some way.