November 20, 2008
“To restrict the artist is a crime. It is to murder germinating life.” -Egon Schiele
Skadoodle
I haven’t been painting for a few days. Can’t seem to get the nerve to go in my studio. I’ve got to snap out of whatever is holding me back, but in the meantime I’ve been filling my moleskin with words, doodles, and sketches. My good friend has invited me to illustrate some of his writing (very flattering, thank you Sir Harvey) so I am enjoying the pen and ink doodling. If this idea comes to fruition it will have been the long awaited result of a conversation over 12 years ago about collaborating on such a project. It’s not our original idea, but a collaboration nonetheless. We both are talented procrastinators however, so this could be a 12 year long project. 2020 sounds about right!
Handful of life
November 19, 2008
My Lignum vitae tree is pregnant with yellow seed pods, many of them popping their crimson seeds onto the ground. Lignum vitae, literally translated in Latin means “wood of life.” It’s also referred to as the Tree of Life. It’s one of my favorite native trees down here. I gathered up some seeds and dispersed them all over the yard, hoping for seedlings to show up one day.
Photobooth and boredom
November 17, 2008
This is what happens when boredom and Photo Booth mix. My evil twin appears.
How have I not heard this before?
I can’t believe I’ve gone my entire life not knowing what a phenomenal musician Woody Guthrie was. I got an entire collection of Guthrie music and I am hooked. It’s such simple and pure music. Unadorned, uncomplicated. His music makes me want to open the windows, or sit outside under the moon. I’m not good with communicating with words so I can’t accurately describe what I feel when listening to his tunes. But it’s calming and peaceful. Woody Guthrie rocks.
Is it just me or does he not look like Dylan from 90210 (the original 90210)?
8 more days…
October 28, 2008
Yippee. I voted yesterday. Very satisfying feeling. These next 8 days seem like an eternity. This election seems to have lasted a lifetime. Honestly, I’m ready for it to be over and move on to whatever is next. Get out there and vote everyone!
2009 around the corner, already?
It just hit me that November is almost here and the year is almost over. It flew by so quickly. I think I might take some time out today to assess the year’s events rather than wait till December 30th. Kind of see where I’m at and maybe check off some more boxes on my list of things that I wish I had accomplished. There are still 2 months left to make a final push, right? One of the things on my list was a “room of one’s own.” Check. I always had my small studio space but I expanded it to the entire loft and now have my futon couch upstairs (I’ll always love futons. I know they’re college-y, but hey, college was a good time), my books, plenty of wall space to sit and analyze my paintings. It’s my little retreat. I have a place to read and a place to be quiet. Not a huge accomplishment by most people’s standards but I’m sure Ms. Virginia Woolfe would approve.
October 19, 2008
Another weekend, come and gone. Back to work tomorrow. Last Monday I took a long walk through Old Town and hung out in Hemingway’s yard for part of the afternoon. What a great way to spend the day. There are still parts of Key West that I haven’t discovered. It’s such an amazing little city. Let’s hope it can hold on to what’s left of its’ charm character amidst all the pressure from outside builders and corporations. Today I saw another sign “50% off, store closing” as I drove down US 1. Every time I see those sorts of signs my heart breaks a little. I know the struggle of owning a small business and it must be extremely painful to have to pack up and shut down something you’ve built and poured your everything into. Let’s hope things start to improve and people can reopen or start up new businesses again. Anyway, in support of independently owned businesses, check out www.goindependent.blogspot.com.