abstract, the great North, pheasant in the yard

Ahhhh... Saturdays. 

Don't you love them?

Especially rainy Saturdays.

I try my hand at abstract now and then

but it almost always ends up looking like something.

Usually flowers...

sigh.

Always so meditative though. 

I saw this quote the other day

and loved it:

Modern art = I could do that + Yeah, but you didn't

(Craig Damrauer)

Then it was time for a National Geographic portrait,

and this guy begged my attention,

for whatever reason.

the tattoo?

the lovely hair?

the gun?

Nah...

 it's the feeling of FREEDOM. 

Sitting in a canoe in a wide open space.

My kinda guy.

;-) 

Acrylic paint on sheet music...

although there's very little music on this one.

a bit more detail...

And voilà.

I was obviously tired by the end of this one.

Check out the claw hands... ;-)

oh well.

It is what it is.

a little visitor in our yard this morning...

always so beautiful.

Life is all about balance, isn't it?

We find time for work,

for family,

for chores,

for friends,

for Facebook

for entertainment,

for appointments,

for making meals,

and preparing lunch boxes...

and yet,

 why is it still so difficult for so many of us

who are artists at heart

to make time to practice our art?

Do we consider it frivolous?

Do we consider it less important

than real work

like doing the dishes

or cutting the lawn

or putting in a wash load?

Really?

I'm quite comfortable

with dirty dishes in the sink.

They'll get done eventually.

But i am not comfortable

with going days without making art.

I believe it is so important as artists

to give ourselves at least a bit of time each day

to practice our art.

Putting paint to canvas.

Creating a melody.

Writing a poem.

Developing a dance.

Making a sculpture...

The world needs more right brained people.

Really - it does.

What if your painting

is the one who inspires someone else

to become a full fledged artist?

What if the song you write

touches someone and

makes them want to pursue the passionate life

of a musician or a songwriter?

So in reality, you're not only creating your art,

but you're creating opportunities

for other little art hearts out there.

Leave it to me to give your art purpose,

dammit. ;-)

How we spend our days is, of course,

how we spend our lives.

(Annie Dillard)