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

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.

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

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…

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.