Miserable Milton

So true, I haven't been around in a while. True, I have neglected this blog. But at the same time, I have been reeling in adventure and fun and all sorts of creative activity! That said, I'd like to introduce you all to Milton... Miserable Milton to be exact. You can check him out at http://www.miserablemilton.com

Time to send 'er in!

It's been said before... progress, not perfection!

I've shaded about as much as I can shade and I've drawn and redrawn as much as I can. Time to let it go.

These are all the pieces for this next-to-last assignment. I want to publicly thank everyone who has commented on my progress, especially those who encouraged the dream.

And I lift up a prayer to all those who don't believe in dreams, don't believe in the passions of the heart directed towards God above. May we always be what we are, and be it well!

Lord, if this is the talent you have given me and want me to use, then may that always be enough of an excuse for me to plow ahead and do it. Deo Gratias!

30-Minute Dash.

I am so glad to be posting regularly on my blog again. I have made a non-blood pact with Roma to draw SOMETHING for 30 minutes each day. For those who saw my earlier posts, I am in the home stretch of finishing my Art Instruction School (AIS) program but have bee procrastinating big time. This morning discipline may be the only way I can get the course finished before my time runs out in February 2009 (on the course that is. I don't think I have any terminal illness).

Life gets in the way and no matter how good or bad it may be going, something will ALWAYS get in the way... if you let it. So for the past week or so, I have been making 30 minutes of art work my second priority each morning. Interesting how easy it is to surf the Internet for 30 minutes or stare into space for 30 minutes. Yet how crazy is it to not take part in your passion for a measly 30 minutes. Time is the one resource you use that you NEVER get back. 'Tis a shame to waste it... no?

So drunk with success on my art work, I'm now working with another buddy to write for 30 minutes each day. It's amazing how much more committed (to the Funny Farm!) you get when you know someone is checking up on you. And even though I get frustrated that I'm not making more progress, I can now say that I put in 30 minutes of writing EVERY day as opposed to the zero I was doing previously.

Amazing how it can take years and years to come to see the truth applied to one's life. The answers are always simple... the doing is the hard part.

Of course, if someone sends me some chocolate, I might write and draw even longer (or I might just end up sitting in a corner stuffing my face full of chocolate!).

Cheers!

Mark

P.S. Wondering how to work in 30 minutes of photography in each day...

Moleskin junket

I carry around a small moleskin sketching book in my man bag and got brave enough to do some sketching in front of people. The first sketch was a bunch of warm up followed by an interesting resemblence to a viola case. Voila! or should I say... Viola!

Next, it was time to pick up my boys from school. Some poor mother or caretaker just couldn't resist the chance to snatch a few zzzzzz's. Harmless subject, yes? So I scratched out her likeness before she started to snore or drool. Some lady was sitting next to me and when I finished, she asked me if I drew for a living. I told her that I was a photographer, artist, writer. Should have said that I was DaVinci reincarnated, by why cause trouble when everything was so peaceful?

Until tomorrow (or hasta later)...

Unknown face

Well, spent a couple hours working on a portrait for my son's 7th birthday, and came up with this drawing. Only problem is... it doesn't look like him! Very frustrating but I chalk it up to practice. I was hoping to give it to him for his birthday, but I'd rather it look like him than some boy I've never met.