Crows. I like putting some whimsy in mine. I don't like 'em too creepy. In this piece, Four in the Power, the crows are at an old church window. They want to see what's going on inside. Crows are very inquisitive. What things do they see? 

   There's something about old churches. There's a unique beauty there. The stained-glass windows, the lovely old-styled woodwork, the attention to detail in the building process. The feel we get when we get in a church, a still and peaceful vibe, the smell of the old wood and hymn books, the mix of calm and a bit of melancholy. It's a unique place. It's a good place to think.

   Perhaps the crows find solace there too, in their way, when they decide to peer into an old church window. Maybe they can see spirits, very old souls, willing to teach secrets of wisdom. Maybe the ghosts can teach us things we need to learn. Maybe the crows shall be four in the power.

   This painting, Good Man, Strong Man, flowed out in it's own way, as if it and HE, took over the painting. I like that. It feels REAL. It's like it lives and breathes, like a good ghost that likes to visit.

   Here's how one guy described the man in the painting:

   "So much strength from it. Not just physical, but mental, and confidence, and like nothing and no one can f*** with this person. He is bold and unmoveable, but also gentle and calm and patient. I WOULDN'T wanna mess with him or his family."

   What kind of man are you going to be, a coward, a douchbag, a filthy womanizer, a thief, a liar, a bad father, a bad husband, one who cheats on your wife and ruins your family? Don't be a piece of shit, be a man of character. And remember, Trump sucks!  X...
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   I created this painting depicting Greta Thunberg because I like her resilience, toughness and dedication. The clowns of the world can't stand her and they criticize her.   They don't want to hear the truth. They're afraid of her, of the influence she has. They should be.

   My muse and wife, Misty Rae, was inspired to write this poem based on Greta and the painting:

Facing Truth

Sometimes the truth is hard to bear,
inconvenient,
unwelcome.
The fly in the ointment 
noone wants to see.
We shield our eyes,
determined,
defiant,
blocking the nasty unpleasantness
from ruining our fun.
Yet see, we must
Because 
As the party continues...
it also ends
                                                                                                                  ​And if I'm the only one that sees,
                                                                                                          That speaks up,
                                                                                                         A lone voice on the water,
                                                                                                       Well,
                                                                                                        So be it.
                                                                                Just know,
                                                                                                                            you HAVE been warned.


It's fun when two forms of art come together.  If you enjoy her poetry, I encourage you to check her out under her pen name, Melissa Rae here:

https://www.amazon.com/Heartsongs-Poems-About-Love-Life/dp/1726295958/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=melissa+rae+heartsongs&qid=1583079019&sr=8-1

   It's winter where I am, as in, REAL winter, cold, snowy, and generally quite sucky. So, I felt like painting a whole different story.

   My fave season is fall. The temps, colours, smells and feel is awesome. You walk in the woods and it really captures you. You feel the peace of it all. You breathe in the great air. It proves to be a splendid day.

   This piece, Autumn Energy, tells a special story, one of days spent in sublime energy, energies that only fall can bring. See you next autumn...X

   Ever been with a toxic jerk? Most of us have, except for maybe some Buddhists and a few very wise and careful folks. Anyway, I've been with a few. Yeah, women can be jerks too, Alas, we live and learn - HOPEFULLY.

   In this painting, Emancipation Cafe, we have a newly empowered woman. She just left a real ass. Maybe he was abusive, or maybe he was generally a pain in the ass. Who knows. Whatever the case, SHE LEFT. That's where the power comes in.

   When you stay and stay in a bad relationship, it never gets better. Bad is bad, negative is negative is negative, or boring is just...BORING!

   The next time you find yourself sitting around watching some bad TV, and you're like, "Hey, I'm unhappy in this relationship!", get the bloody hell out. You'll emancipate yourself. There's no greater feeling than that. You can trust me on that. XO.

My muse and wife, Misty, is a gifted poet. This painting inspired her to write this poem.

Emancipation Cafe

The road's been twelve long years
and maybe ten more miles.
A short stop couldn't hurt,
I tell myself, pulling over.
My over-laden Civic, grateful for the rest.
I drag my weary body inside,
plopping with a loud thud
into a booth, exhausted and drained.
Yet somehow, slightly buoyant,
The initial taste of freedom
barely tickles my tongue.
"Dumped the jerk, did ya?"
The waitress grinned,
her heavily lined brown eyes shone 
in a knowing solidarity.
"Coffee?"
I nod, hardly surprised.
My outer bruises have healed
But the inner ones, they're still with me,
on my face,
in my heart
like badges of honour,
war wounds from an unknown battle
"Slice - a - cake, on the house,"
The waitress returned,
"Strength for the journey."
I gratefully accept,
pay for the coffee, 
and continue down the road
to my new life.

   Sometimes I wake up very early, like at three in the morning. That happened with this painting. The urge took me and I finished the piece in the following hours. There's something strange and wonderful about being up late at night. It feels like you're the only one around. The night is velvet black and maybe there are spirits about, pushing you on to do your best work. Whatever the case, I'll keep on riding the energies of the blackest nights. 

   You think, "Wow, look what's happened to the world. The young people are on meth and crack. They hang on the corner, listening to horrible music and possessing a bad attitude. Now, hold on, there IS hope. 

   When I was a teenager, I was no angel. I wasn't too bad, but I could act up a little. Thank God my father was quite strict, or I may have turned out to be a real sociopath. Now, flash forward to present day. Yeah, a lot of the youth really suck. Many ARE on these new-fangled drugs, they go to heinous parties, and act like retarded monkeys. However, the glimmer of hope is found in the handful of young people that give a shit. Take Greta Thunberg, for example. She really stands out as a youngin' that is doing stuff! Take, say, Justin Beiber. Well, that's a whole different ball of wax. Being ungrateful comes to mind. Nuff said.

   Youth of today, you don't have to necessarily go out and volunteer at a homeless shelter or travel to a third world country and help out, but how about putting down the cell phone for a bit and do SOMETHING. When I'm trying to walk down a sidewalk, how about showing a little common respect and decency by pocketing your phone so you don't run into me. How about not acting like you're entitled? None of us are entitled to anything, but should strive to contribute. Food for thought. X.

   Art. The mere sound of the word sends confusion to the uninformed mind. Artists and art can seem daunting, strange, and to some, something that doesn't really come to mind. Some call it a luxury item. Perhaps it is, but I can't imagine a world without it. Could you imagine a world without art, music or literature? Yikes!

   So, we have this piece, Don't Listen to the Mirror. Pretty crazy-looking painting, isn't it? At first glance, yes, but on closer observation, there's a lifetime of flow and painting. That's what it takes to create genuine work. The years of experiences flow into the work and then that flows back out to the world by how the artist translates everything. True art-lovers and collectors understand this. They can read this in the work. 

   With this painting, I wanted to demonstrate how a young woman can be hacked on by bullshit. Such as, the media, like fashion mags and rags. Pht! Girls, do you REALLY think all females should look the same??? Don't listen to the media. Listen to your own self-worth. Be intelligent and have faith in yourself and your abilities. Contribute something that helps and inspires others to do the same. Be classy. You have so much to offer in your own way. We all come in various shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, and energy levels. Follow YOUR gut, your guidance system. It'll never let you down. 

   So, when you look into the mirror, see the true you, somebody that does not come with a price.

   If your mother was like mine, she tried to downplay your gifts. Girls chased my bum off and guys hated me. I would pick them up off the ground by their underwear, one-handed style, extra pain was involved. You get the point, I was pretty and by God, nobody was gonna take it away from me. That's what self-esteem is all about, folks. I'm older now, but not a hideous beast, I reckon. ;)  Well, I'm a beast of sorts, I have a big mouth, am a little nuts, and make strange pictures. Heh-heh-heh...


Now, you can't be me. I'm me, there's only one me, and I like it that way. However, you can be like me. What I mean is, if you have self-esteem probs, you can cast them aside. Take a bath, get smellin'  nice, put on a decent outfit (not sweatpants), brush your teeth, get some book-learnin' (so you can have a conversation with someone), PUT ON DEODORANT!), and don't act like a total dumbass. You might just meet someone who can put up with you. You see, it's about self-worth, but also about being cool for that other person. 

   Next time, someone, even your mom, gets on you and is tearin' at your good you's n' what-nots, say, "Heyyyyyyy, climb off, I'm fabulous!"  You'll have taken your power back. You'll feel better. X.

​   

This is my fiance. Yeah, she's damned hot! It's okay to say that, even in the present watered-down, bullcrap landscape we currently live in.  ;)

Please, don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful. Tee-hee...

   Sorry that I'm hot...just kidding, I'm not sorry! Ba-bam!

   I wanted a second blog post for this painting. A painting should be more than just a painting, or mine should be, anyway. I'd like to actually say something while I'm down here in this meat suit. ;)

   A few years ago, I did a short stint being single. That was rare due to me being a Goddamned sucky baby and always needing someone around. It gave me a chance to do A LOT of deep thinking. I would walk a lot and just think. I would think about the shit I've done and not done. I would think about the people I may have hurt and the people I may have helped. I would think about the traumas I went through from childhood, the horrors, the great things, and everything in between. I even considered becoming a Buddhist. Alas, I decided against being a Buddhist. I knew myself all too well, I liked the pitfalls of the sensual delights, the rich food, the experience of acting like a big, silly, talking monkey. Anyway, I came to a rather simple conclusion, we likely are just talking monkeys. 

   At the end of the day, you may as well enjoy that cup of coffee, looking at that gorgeous sunset, enjoy the peace of watching a cow eat grass, enjoy eating a piece of the cow, having a beer, telling some rude asshole to go fuck themselves, or just generally being the silly ape you are. I mean, do you really think some dude in the sky is watching you? You don't REALLY believe that, not REALLY. 

   As for me, I'll just be me, that painting clown who does whatever the hell I want. Is there anything else??? I think not...