The Evolution of a Dream That Starts With Crayons

We all started with crayons, or perhaps finger painting. In time, we graduated to more complicated methods of creating something. Each new experience opens up a new door to new methods, new materials, new ways of seeing things, and new ways of creating a product in the physical world that we can clearly envision in our mind's eye. It is such a natural process that we are not necessarily aware of it until much of the learning experience has passed.

When Do The Ideas Stop Arriving?

When does it stop, When do creative ideas stop showing themselves to us? When will I just go to bed and fall asleep without having to get up to do a quick idea sketch that has just arrived in my brain. Not that I'm unthankful that it keeps happening, I'm just starting to wonder if it will ever stop or even slow down.

A Fondness For Art Books

Art books, about great artists, lavishly illustrated, are one of my weaknesses. I decided to spend an hour last Sunday re-organizing the library, and over four and a half hours later, it still was not finished. Trying to make some space by getting rid of some art books was in the plan, but there were none that could be disposed of, in fact, I need more.
Good art books are sure to be on many Christmas lists this year, and you can find some great ones at our Art Books Store.

A Summer Like No Other

It's the first Summer that I've finally had some free time, because I no longer work in the retail trade. Many projects have been completed, but it's difficult to stay motivated. Even when I have work, it's too easy to avoid it. It's either too hot, or too rainy, or I'm tired. Now, with the winding down of Summer, work is starting to pile up, and I look forward to some order during the weekdays so they don't just blend into each other. Work is life, or as Elbert Hubbard said, "Blessed is the man who has found his work!"

Famous and Semi-famous People That I Have met

Along the way, we meet people. Some famous, some everyday people. They influence us, guide us by example. We become like those that we admire. Of course, today the most widely admired people are celebrities, sports figures, and musicians. Unfortunately most of their lives are not as rosy as they may seem, and attempts to be like them often end in pain.
I have been very fortunate along the way to run into, or meet some famous people that I admire, and some that I don't. In this posting, I will attempt to list them. Later postings will give insights into each meeting.

J. Millard Tawes
Hubert Horatio Humphrey
Robert White
Joetta Kramm
Blaze Starr
John Waters
William R. Hall
E. Ward Russell
Sir Frank Whittle
Loretta Swit
Parris Glendening
Robert Erlich
Andrew Wyeth
Charles A. Murray

Big Changes in Store

As one life style is ending, and another beginning, there are lots of changes coming. Old doors are being closed, and lots of new opportunities are opening up. No more being married to a retail location and hours, but a new feeling of freedom. Saturdays will be mine once again after working on Saturdays for the last 25 years. Some time will be spent going to school to learn some new things. Some time will be spent in the garden.
Good-bye old life, hello new.

Again I am an Early Riser

For some reason, it is now difficult to sleep past about 5:30. So much going on, so many changes. Creative visions fill the mind, and cloud other realities. This is the world in which I am most happy, when creative thoughts outweigh all the mundane ones. Sometimes I wish I could be like other people, going to work, coming home, staring at the idiot box through the evening, and sleeping a third of my life away. But there is always so much to do. And now, at age 56, there is an urgent need to get more done. I most likely have plenty of time left to work on projects, but now they are inventing themselves in my mind exponentially.