Journals29
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ChChChChanges
2 min read
2014 was an auspicious year ; I got to see Katy Perry LIVE in concert the month of June and three months later , September , Disney phased out our Theme Department and sent the artists and carpenters there packing . I spent the remainder of 2014 and the following year 2015 bouncing from one freelance gig to another struggling to make ends meet .
In 2016 I was faced with certain eviction and the needs of a mother in her twilight years and
so I retired the drawing board and became a live-in caregiver . Mom passed peacefully in 2017
and at the behest of my brother and sister-in-law moved from sunny North Fort Myers to grey and dismal Cincinnati - my ol' hometown ; about two blocks from their place .
Toyed around with the possibility of returning to the art career but the burnout was too much . As Dame Fortune would have it I eventually came around full circle and got a job as a mold maker for the successor to the company I worked for straight out of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - back in 1981 it was Ral Partha Enterprises and now it's Ironwind Metals . The more life changes the more it remains the same .
Sometimes I think about returning to the drawing board . Sometimes I actually do .
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Two Thousand Thirteen
2 min read
So the END of the WORLD was kind of a letdown . . . I had been anticipating this for two decades . Rather than let disappointment win , I decided I would continue on . I spent the month of December working overtime at Disney and sneeking in spare moments towards my Snarky the Elf 2012 Christmas Story where I could .
I chose to broaden my Snarky Universe this year , creating ALL NEW sets to tell the story , add NEW CHARACTERS and in general let my inspiration lead me where it wished . What ensued was beyond my wildest imagination - it was cathartic artistically .
During the month of December I built THREE sets - Santa's Living room , the Entrance to his Home , and the Workshop . The " Snarky Christmas story I wrote ended up requiring 84 panels ( about 16 pages ) that were shot and lettered in FIVE days . I was in " the zone " . The story was met with universal ( if miniscule ) applause .
The reception was such , that I decided that to keep Snarky to myself and my " inner circle " was unfair to Snarky the Elf , I would need to make her MORE accessible . To that end I have commenced work on the OFFICIAL Snarky the Elf website .
It promises to be an interesting NEW YEAR !!
I chose to broaden my Snarky Universe this year , creating ALL NEW sets to tell the story , add NEW CHARACTERS and in general let my inspiration lead me where it wished . What ensued was beyond my wildest imagination - it was cathartic artistically .
During the month of December I built THREE sets - Santa's Living room , the Entrance to his Home , and the Workshop . The " Snarky Christmas story I wrote ended up requiring 84 panels ( about 16 pages ) that were shot and lettered in FIVE days . I was in " the zone " . The story was met with universal ( if miniscule ) applause .
The reception was such , that I decided that to keep Snarky to myself and my " inner circle " was unfair to Snarky the Elf , I would need to make her MORE accessible . To that end I have commenced work on the OFFICIAL Snarky the Elf website .
It promises to be an interesting NEW YEAR !!
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Perception VS Art
2 min read
It is always interesting to me to get feedback from my audience , as an artist
it allows me to understand how others see my work . Sometimes they see
less than what I intend , othertimes they see more . On rare occasions they
see something COMPLETELY differently .
The work is the same to all who view it - yet with each individual the perception
changes . They see it from an entirely new viewpoint that I don't possess .
There are times when that individual POV is so contrary to what I see as an
artist that I question not only THEIR idea of reality , but mine as well .
As artists we do visualize our reality far differently than others , and perhaps
it is that search for a " common perception " that drives us to work at our art .
I'm lucky in that I work with artists with quite varied viewpoints to our shared
reality - the actuality NEVER changes , but the reality is ever-changing . The
benefit I receive from this is learning how to accept others' reaction to " my "
reality and I to theirs . It is not always an easy thing to do .
The pratfall we must endeavor to avoid is antagonism . We must not allow
ourselves to be so self-absorbed in our own perceptions to feel the need to
force them onto another - nor should we allow our own ideas to be squelched
by someone who doesn't see our work as we want them to . Our visions are
our own , true to ourselves if not to anyone else , and that is important to
keep in mind . The reward to this devotion to our individuality is discovering
others who share our visions and see what we see , as well as the
quiescence we receive at holding true to what we believe rather than giving
in , giving up to what others would have us see with eyes and perceptions
that are not our own .
it allows me to understand how others see my work . Sometimes they see
less than what I intend , othertimes they see more . On rare occasions they
see something COMPLETELY differently .
The work is the same to all who view it - yet with each individual the perception
changes . They see it from an entirely new viewpoint that I don't possess .
There are times when that individual POV is so contrary to what I see as an
artist that I question not only THEIR idea of reality , but mine as well .
As artists we do visualize our reality far differently than others , and perhaps
it is that search for a " common perception " that drives us to work at our art .
I'm lucky in that I work with artists with quite varied viewpoints to our shared
reality - the actuality NEVER changes , but the reality is ever-changing . The
benefit I receive from this is learning how to accept others' reaction to " my "
reality and I to theirs . It is not always an easy thing to do .
The pratfall we must endeavor to avoid is antagonism . We must not allow
ourselves to be so self-absorbed in our own perceptions to feel the need to
force them onto another - nor should we allow our own ideas to be squelched
by someone who doesn't see our work as we want them to . Our visions are
our own , true to ourselves if not to anyone else , and that is important to
keep in mind . The reward to this devotion to our individuality is discovering
others who share our visions and see what we see , as well as the
quiescence we receive at holding true to what we believe rather than giving
in , giving up to what others would have us see with eyes and perceptions
that are not our own .
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I Don't Surf Negative Waves
2 min read
One thing that sometimes occurs during the pursuit of dreams is those encounters
with individuals who consider it their mission to extinguish positive emotions . I'm
not sure why they feel this compulsion , perhaps it is envy that makes them resent
if someone appears to be having a better time on the ride of life than they .
I suppose for some it is easier to allow themselves to be miserable and curse
against their lives rather than put forth the effort to appreciate what gifts they
have and rejoice in what they have achieved . It is possible that they have not
been able to see their worth because no one in their lives ever took the time to
point it out to them .
It is as though they have made a choice to write a suicide note in the book of
life rather than leave a message of hope and inspiration for those who follow them .
It's tempting to leave these folks to their misery and distance yourself in order to
insure their bad behavior doesnt rub off on you , sort of like leaving a drowning
person to the waves rather than reaching out to them at the risk of being pulled to
your death as well . It's a rather selfish attitude .
The decision to make a commitment at providing a positive statement in your life
has to include those who don't appear to want to hear it . If you choose to keep
your mouth shut then no one benefits and if you make the choice to speak , even
if it means repeating yourself again and again - you might gain a listener and make
a difference .
with individuals who consider it their mission to extinguish positive emotions . I'm
not sure why they feel this compulsion , perhaps it is envy that makes them resent
if someone appears to be having a better time on the ride of life than they .
I suppose for some it is easier to allow themselves to be miserable and curse
against their lives rather than put forth the effort to appreciate what gifts they
have and rejoice in what they have achieved . It is possible that they have not
been able to see their worth because no one in their lives ever took the time to
point it out to them .
It is as though they have made a choice to write a suicide note in the book of
life rather than leave a message of hope and inspiration for those who follow them .
It's tempting to leave these folks to their misery and distance yourself in order to
insure their bad behavior doesnt rub off on you , sort of like leaving a drowning
person to the waves rather than reaching out to them at the risk of being pulled to
your death as well . It's a rather selfish attitude .
The decision to make a commitment at providing a positive statement in your life
has to include those who don't appear to want to hear it . If you choose to keep
your mouth shut then no one benefits and if you make the choice to speak , even
if it means repeating yourself again and again - you might gain a listener and make
a difference .
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My stepfather passed away last week , after a freak accident . I use the term " freak " because it was one of those situations that
ordinarily you would not think twice about - he lost his balance and fell .
He had just returned from a routine health check up - all green , which was a relief since he had been having some issues of late , nothing to worry about said the doctor - he was healthy . So God took him , it must have been his time .
My stepfather trained pilots in WWII - he served as a test subject for the effects of radiation after a nuclear explosion , he was a
teacher and a mentor . He never allowed a moment to help someone less fortunate pass him by . He was very much a hero .
During the past few months , as I have set about reconstructing my life after a couple years of setbacks I have been heavily
focused on my mortality and just what sort of legacy I'll be leaving behind me when it's time for me to depart Compared to
the life led by my stepfather I found my own course sadly lacking . I decided that it was time I stopped looking and started
living .
We all have routine inconveniences to deal with , the whole nature of life these days are petty distractions that serve to keep us
from paying attention to the important things in life . I've dealt with them my whole life and pretty much let them keep me
distracted . When I saw that my life was about to get a jumpstart two years ago as a contract artist for Disney I began to feel
hope again , and then I discovered pop singer Katy Perry via her inspirational hit " Firework " and my entire world got a giant
boost of enthusiasm . I had not actually realized working retail liquor for 10 years that at that time my " spark for life " had
become pretty much extinguished . Letting your dreams go is devastating - I just hadn't comprehended the gravity of that .
It has all come to a head within the past couple of months - as I passed thru my probationary period at Disney and became a
" real " Disney artist , got a copy of Katy Perry's initial gospel album when she was still Katy Hudson and was experiencing the
harsh realities of life for a creative spirit . I could relate . That's something I clued in on when I first heard her music - she was writing songs and singing about MY life . She always has - and that's why I find her to be such an inspirational muse - in the
same way that I found my stepfather to be a muse . So I have started out on a new journey of action , of living my life with a
passion and pursuing my art with that same fire .
I've joined a couple social action networks - CAUSES and Amnesty international and have begun to make MY voice heard along
with others . I take time to interact positively in my community in order to help others that haven't had the luck or blessings
that I have recieved and am trying in my own meager way to make a difference on a grand scope . I am having the time of my
life .
ordinarily you would not think twice about - he lost his balance and fell .
He had just returned from a routine health check up - all green , which was a relief since he had been having some issues of late , nothing to worry about said the doctor - he was healthy . So God took him , it must have been his time .
My stepfather trained pilots in WWII - he served as a test subject for the effects of radiation after a nuclear explosion , he was a
teacher and a mentor . He never allowed a moment to help someone less fortunate pass him by . He was very much a hero .
During the past few months , as I have set about reconstructing my life after a couple years of setbacks I have been heavily
focused on my mortality and just what sort of legacy I'll be leaving behind me when it's time for me to depart Compared to
the life led by my stepfather I found my own course sadly lacking . I decided that it was time I stopped looking and started
living .
We all have routine inconveniences to deal with , the whole nature of life these days are petty distractions that serve to keep us
from paying attention to the important things in life . I've dealt with them my whole life and pretty much let them keep me
distracted . When I saw that my life was about to get a jumpstart two years ago as a contract artist for Disney I began to feel
hope again , and then I discovered pop singer Katy Perry via her inspirational hit " Firework " and my entire world got a giant
boost of enthusiasm . I had not actually realized working retail liquor for 10 years that at that time my " spark for life " had
become pretty much extinguished . Letting your dreams go is devastating - I just hadn't comprehended the gravity of that .
It has all come to a head within the past couple of months - as I passed thru my probationary period at Disney and became a
" real " Disney artist , got a copy of Katy Perry's initial gospel album when she was still Katy Hudson and was experiencing the
harsh realities of life for a creative spirit . I could relate . That's something I clued in on when I first heard her music - she was writing songs and singing about MY life . She always has - and that's why I find her to be such an inspirational muse - in the
same way that I found my stepfather to be a muse . So I have started out on a new journey of action , of living my life with a
passion and pursuing my art with that same fire .
I've joined a couple social action networks - CAUSES and Amnesty international and have begun to make MY voice heard along
with others . I take time to interact positively in my community in order to help others that haven't had the luck or blessings
that I have recieved and am trying in my own meager way to make a difference on a grand scope . I am having the time of my
life .
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