Coral

I love drawing - I think we've all established that. I also love the ocean and most of the things that come from it... well ok, I may be scared of really large fishes, but you know what I mean.

Coral is so very cool. These tiny once living things fascinate me; full of character and depth and intricate things I cannot even see. I enjoy their mystery and structure and I love to sit there and squint my eyes with a tiny piece and wonder what else I am missing. But then I also have to let go and realise that I am not meant to see everything.

Linezscape

I had some lovely card I was saving for something special.You can't get this stuff in Grenada much to my chagrin so it's like gold!
This is part of a new series I will be developing (yes yet another one), that will have landscapes in them, or in this case, linescapes.

Head Heart Continues

This series will probably continue for a while, but I need to get that out as it comes. I'm slowly developing this body of work that resonates deeply within the parts of myself that need healing, that need to move on.

Music Monday: Very awesome things

I've decided to be productive and structure my blog little by little. I don't know what the rest of the week will look like, but I figure music is a great way to start. I'll just be highlighting things of note, inspirational songs and things.

I discovered Rufus Wainwright many years ago, probably from the first Shrek movie soundtrack or this song - a lovely remake of the Beatles' - Across the Universe. It's still one of my favourite songs, with a really cool video.

Spirit day was last Friday and I was so busy I only had a chance to repost my purpleicious post in honour of the fallen, the bullied and the scared. There's so much more to say here, but I'll keep it light. A twitter conversation last night with @globewriter led me to some emo moments and a quick look at his amazing amazing blog that highlights LGBT issues. This guy's awesome. Thanks V - you are doing absolutely wonderful work. I would truly like to contribute to the It Gets Better project but I may not have the time... but I'll keep it on my burgeoning white board's list of projects to do. Of course, because I love giving myself more work.

I'm not sure why this is here, but I also quite like Jeff Buckley's soulful version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Rufus also did a cover of this too and I wasn't sure which to post, so I chose it with Nicola in mind. Nicola is my Italian buddy who is a huge Buckley fan. He plays his guitar and sings for me, so that's always a bucket of awesome. Grazie mille!

Of particular interest, and how I started my morning is with my friend Detnator's music. My day is really going well especially since this is the choice for the week! This is an awesome jam session! Thanks much Dawi! You give me the energy I need to continue working.

Rule Of Thumb by detnator

Heart Split

“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes.” - Walt Whitman - Song of Myself

2010, Black Heart 4, pen on mat board, 2.5" x 5.5"

Having been out of the workplace (office/cubicle/hell) for almost a year, I find myself plunged into a project that requires hours I despise - daytime. Working at home has its charms, and despite all of the ass-kicking that entrepreneurship provides, it's got to be one of the best things in the world - well if you're single, kid-less and pet-less of course. Excuse me while I throw confetti around. Being disciplined is only one part of this lifestyle, but it helps to love it.


Being creative and self-employed means you get to have the excuse to mold your life just the way that it suits your personality and sleep cycles. It also means balancing your life to conform to the rest of the world. Grocery shopping, banking and business calls (and many humans) are the bane of my existence. Apparently this is normal, being a paradox and all. That leads me to people and the good and crappy relationships I have.


I'm still trying to find an article I found a while back, explaining to "others" how creative folks like me work. It's not the easiest thing for family and friends. I feel and have always felt very separated from my family and in doing so my spaces, my environment and thus my country, but that's for another post.


It's easy for friends, mostly, because I surround myself with love, with understanding, supportive people - most of the time anyway. It is because of pure love that we are able to share our lives together. They deal with my shortcomings well and because we know we all have issues, it has become an easy task. 


Family always remains an issue however. I do love my family, whole-heartedly and I am grateful for their ongoing love and support, even when it seems they will kill me with worry. It breaks me apart in ways I cannot describe, but still I must do what I must, if it means defiance, if it means I disappoint. I know it's only fear that drives them to say things or think about me in a certain way. Being afraid is easy and it's what we all have to deal with. I'm dealing with myself and others in my own time. 


My fears? Well I'm actually too busy for fear most of the time. I suppose for the most part I fear time, I fear that things will not get done on time, when I want, and how I want, and I feel I am missing out and I need to catch up with the last 10 creative years of my life - all of it gone forever, and I cannot work fast enough. I am out of breath, overwhelmed and simply not doing the work I would like to do. I want two clones.


That's complete nonsense of course but getting my mind wrapped around the idea that time does not exist, is really really hard, especially with deadlines looming, and being missed all the time. I am months behind on getting my store done (i.e. making money), so that's irritating me to no end, and of course I could be doing that instead of writing a blog post. And so that cycle goes.


But you know what, it will be done, at some time, somewhere along the line. I really can't be bothered anymore with fighting, or drama, or peer pressure. There are too many other things to do. It's enough. I also have to sleep else my brain will explode.


I was talking to Holly earlier, and I told her that I have been doubting myself, my work, and I keep writing things and never posting them. I then got a terrific boost of blogging energy from this wonderful lady! Thank you!

Small Things

2010, Heart Strung 2, Little Things, 2" x 3.5", ballpoint pen, ink, thread on paper

2010, Heart Strung 9, Little Things, 2" x 3.5", ink, marker, thread on paper

2010, Bound 1, Little Things, 2" x 3.5", ballpoint pen and thread on paper

2010, Ecstasy 4, Little Things, 2" x 3.5" ballpoint pen on paper

2010, Bees Knees 2, Little Things, 2" x 3.5", ballpoint pen and  thread on paper

2010, Puppet 1, Little Things, 2" x 3.5", ballpoint pen and thread on paper

It's been a blurry three weeks but that's surely a good thing!

Since the work is out of the gallery, you can check out the entire set below. Leave your comments - I'd like to get your feedback.

Little Things is a series of 58 works (83 individual pieces) using recycled business cards and split into 11 sub-series. They were created with various media: ballpoint pen, marker, thread, and various pens.

I had a bunch of old business cards that were going to be thrown away. Being the pack-rat and recycle hippie that I am, I finally got a chance to put them to good use. I never knew what they would become, or knew they would end up in an exhibition. My initial intention was to simply put them online for sale - this worked out better.

They are still all for sale, mounted on black mat board (except for Heart Strung 9 - the second image posted here). The single cards are mounted on a 5.5" x 5.5" mat board, and the diptychs and triptychs are various sizes. All of the info should be on the flickr set (link above). Just click on the individual photo for more information.

If it's not there feel free to drop me a line and especially if you're interested in purchasing.

Many thanks again to Erik Johnson and Meg Conlon of Caribbean Art Project (CAp), who have been so wonderful, and made this show happen. There is much love here. They are both steadfast in their support of art in Grenada (it's a whole other animal than Trinidad's), and the energy (and Erik's regular fluffy scolding) helps me stay focused at times when I think otherwise. This project is only the beginning of a series of things that we wish will stir people's imaginations, and encourage participation. It's quite exciting actually and very much like watching a wee plant grow.

Purplelicious

2010, Royal Line 1, Pen on Cardstock, 11" x 4.25"

2010, Royal Line II, Pen on Cardstock, 11" x 4.25"

2010, Royal Line III, Pen on Cardstock, 11" x 8.5"

I do apologize for the shoddy editing and colour correction. This is a rich eggplant board with gold pen. Shiny! Who wants em to decorate the walls? Mmm? Order 'em! I'll even mail em all protected like. Email me for pricing if you so desire them. Serious inquiries only.

I'm also still tired and have not even edited half of the show pics. Gah! One more week to go till I will post all of the pieces for the show! I of course require serious coherency.

Dear new visitors, feel free to leave comments or write me an email! I'd love to know you're visiting!