"A Place for Secrets Shared"

Hey everyone! Here's a new painting I finally finished earlier this week. I started it quite a while ago, and just piddled with it here and there. I didn't know what to name it, so I asked some friends on facebook and twitter. All though I was really tempted to do the most popular "Nuts About You", I think I'm going to go with "A Place for Secrets Shared" suggested by Bryan Collins.

12"x16"

acrylic on canvas

I almost forgot that it's Halloween! I really don't get into this holiday much. Don't get me wrong, I love to dress up and think of costumes, but just for random reasons. Ha! I am looking forward to next Friday though.  My band is playing the annual Halloween show here in Butler. My son's brand new band, Stone the Messenger is also playing! It's their very first show, so we're very excited. I'm still not sure what I will dress up as. I guess it all depends on what pieces of the outfit I find between now and then, and how lazy I am.

Anyway, Happy Halloween! Have an awesome weekend!

A poem.

I came across this poem today, and instantly thought of my painting "Another Failed Attempt". A lot of times I'll paint from an idea, but don't exactly have words for it. Then later I'll stumble upon the perfect fit. 
Read and ponder.

She's empty: hark, she sounds: there's nothing there
    But noise to fill thy ear;
Thy vain enquiry can at length but find
    A blast of murmuring wind:
It is a cask, that seems as full as fair
    But merely tunned with air:
Fond youth, go build thy hopes on better grounds:
    The soul that vainly founds
Her joys upon this world but feeds on empty sounds.

She's empty: hark, she sounds: there's nothing in't
    The spark-engendering flint
Shall sooner melt, and hardest raunce shall first
    Dissolve and quench they thirst;
Ere this false world shall still they stormy breast
    With smooth-faced calms of rest:
Thou mayst as well expect Meridian light
    From shades of black-mouthed night
As in this empty world to find a full delight.


She's empty: hark, she sounds; 'tis void and vast
    What if some flattering blast
Of flatuous honor should perchance be there,
    And whisper in thine ear:
It is but wind, and blows but where it list,
    And vanishes like a mist:
Poor honor earth can give! What generous mind
    Would be so base to bind
Her Heaven-bred soul a slave to serve a blast of wind?

She's empty: hark, she sounds; 'tis but a ball
    For fools to play withal:
The painted film but of a stronger bubble,
    That's lined with silken trouble:
It is a world, whose work and recreation 
    Is vanity and vexation? 
A hag, repaired with vice-complexion, paint,
    A quest-house of complaint:
It is a saint, a fiend, worse fiend, when most a saint.

Francis Quarles (1592-1644)

And the winner is...

And the winner is, penguinelk #19!

This is SO funny because I just won one of her blog giveaways a couple weeks ago! She has an amazing blog called Penny Pinching Penguin that is loaded with links to coupons, free samples and money saving tips! Awesome! Congratulations Audra! 

States Filling Plates

Check out this art show fundraiser that will be going on in Ft. Collins, Colorado starting this Friday! States Filling Plates, organized by my friend Bryan Collins, consists of artists from around the USA offering work to raise money for the hungry and heartbroken. Check out the flyer below for a full listing of artists and events.

New print - Unfortunate Reality

I almost forgot to mention, yet again I have another new print available!

Unfortunate Reality - 8"x10" art print available in my Etsy Shop.

Weekend happenings

Hi all! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! My band had a big show with Dignan and The Rocketboys! Both bands are so talented and played excellent shows. I especially love The Rocketboys. We discovered them at Cornerstone this year, and I've been listening non-stop ever since.

Christa got us some wax lips and moustaches...too much fun!

Can you believe that I never had wax lips before Saturday? What a shame!

Anyway, here's a video I took of The Rocketboys. The lighting is awful but the music is delightful, so give it a listen!

For the show I wanted something new to wear, so I decided to make a zipper rosette necklace. Of course I know you have all seen these floating around the intro-net, so it's nothing new. I've been wanting to make one of these for a while, but couldn't find the right kind of zippers anywhere! My friend Stephanie gave me a HUGE bin of fabric, and these zippers just happened to be inside!

It actually was quite easy! Just swirl the zippers around to look like a flower, and stitch the back together as you go! I just found an old necklace chain and literally stitched the rosette to the chain. Very simple. Try it!

Through all business and fun, I actually haven't been feeling too hot. Headaches almost every day and terrible allergies! So, I'm going to go get to bed before my head pops. Good night! 

Glorious Autumn Giveaway!

Welcome to my very first blog giveaway! I thought this would be a nice way to celebrate my favorite season of the year! Yay autumn!!

Here's your change to win a one of a kind print, postcard pack, and pocket mirror. The above 8"x10" art print entitled "Glorious Autumn" is not available in my Etsy Shop, and is one of a kind! You'll also receive six postcards and a pocket mirror featuring a snippit of my painting "Defiant Beauty."

How to enter:
Simply leave a comment at the end of this post revealing your favorite item from my Etsy Shop. Please let me know why it is your favorite as well! It would be no fun if you didn't!

For a second entry - blog, twitter or facebook about this giveaway with a link back to my blog. Then return back with your second comment and tell me about it. 

Please post these comments separately, or they will only count as one entry. Also, make sure you enter your email address so I know how to get in touch with you. 

On Friday, October 23rd around noon I will use random.org to generate the winning number!

Thanks and have a glorious autumn!

Nectar of the Heart 8x10 Art Print

For you! Available in my Etsy Shop.

New painting...Mothmallows!

mothmallows

8x10"

acryic on canvas board

My lil (big) brother named this one. While I was sketching this he walked past and said "Oh! Mothmallows!"

^_^

Not sure what I'm going to do with this one yet, if anything. Probably put it for sale on my Etsy? We'll see!

Oh Myriad, how do I love thee...

Last night I went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh to see one of my favorite indie rock bands, The Myriad. I think last night was the fifth time I've seen them, but whose counting? ^_^

April 28, 2006 @ Northway Christian Community - Cranberry, PA

Cornerstone Festival 2006 - Bushnell, IL

April 24, 2008 @ Stratus Night Club - Pittsburgh, PA

Cornerstone Festival 2008 - Bushnesll, IL

October 9, 2009 @ The Hard Rock Cafe - Pittsburgh


I know I saw them at Cornerstone 2007 as well, but that was the year I was crazy hooping with my LED hoop and totally neglected my camera! They were unable to come to Cornerstone this year because their drummer, Randy Miller had a bout with cancer! He's still under treatment but is doing so well the Dr. gave him the ok to tour! It was so amazing to see him well, and looking so healthy! I was a little surprised when they showed up yesterday as a three piece, instead of their usual five. They had not mentioned it online at all, and did not give an actual explanation at the show. Either way they sounded AMAZING. I can't help but mention that the sound in general at the Hard Rock was exceptionally great. Wow! Good times! Here's a video I shot last night of their song "A Clean Shot." Enjoy!

Rooted in Love 8x10 Art Print

Another new print in my Etsy Shop!

Rooted in Love - 8"x10"

Last year was such a boring autumn, because all the leaves just turned brown and fell off. What a drag! It's all right though, because it has made this seem all the more glorious!

Jeff Claassen

I've decided to start blogging about artist that I love and inspire me, at least once a week. I have to admit that it's hard for me to even write in paragraph form. I'm sure you've noticed that my blog has less than perfect grammar and is probably full of misspellings, but that's just me. When I "read" blogs I mostly look at the pictures. I'm a visual person. Being a bit bashful about starting to do this, I received a little encouragement from a fellow artist, Jeff Claassen. He basically told me to just do it and be myself! Sometimes it takes something simple like that to help kick my butt into gear. So I'm going to give it a shot. I honestly don't know how much I'll actually write for each person, but know they are all a huge inspiration to me.

Since Jeff was such an encouragement to me I thought I'd start out with him! I've actually been an admirer of his work for quite some time, and have a few goodies from his Etsy Shop. Here's what I got!

I just love color, and he takes full advantage of the spectrum. Fun and light-hearted, yet meaningful and thought provoking. Love it. What else can I say? Told you I'm not a writer.

Just check out his stuff for yourself and you'll see.

www.JeffClaassen.com

I love packaging!

I'm such a nerd. Packaging is so awesome. I really appreciate when I receive an Etsy item that has been put together with a little extra TLC. So because of this, I just made the cutest packages for my pocket mirrors! I couldn't help but post them. I'm having way too much fun...

Autumn is by far my favorite time of year. The weather is perfect, and the colors are glorious. The trees are changing nicely this year, so I'm going to take full advantage and snap pictures each time I'm out walking with Neko. Here's my first installment.

Haha!!! I couldn't help it!

a cute puppy...

...often makes it very difficult to paint!

pocket mirrors!

Yay! The pocket mirrors are finally here!

I have twelve designs available and they are a nice price.

Check them out in my Etsy Shop!

creeper

Yesterday my band went into the studio and recorded three new songs for our full length. So much fun. I was blown away by how much easier it was compared to the last time we recorded almost two years ago. Not sayin it was a total breeze or anything, but I think we've really grown as a band. We still have to do mixing, but hopefully they will be ready real soon. If you're not familiar with my band, Hand Drawn Mountains, check us out on Myspace or Facebook!

Enjoy this amazing picture I took of Jon being a total creeper.

Don't you think this should be on PhotoBomb?
See the rest of my recording pix here.