A challenge overcome

I am looking forward to mounting my canvas tomorrow at ACK! I have been given the green light to drill in the wall, I'm so happy about that! Didn't know how that one would go over, didn't think they would be up for it but I was wrong.They are totally going to let me ad help me mount it as well. Good friends are priceless!
Oh man, this Artprize process has been very interesting this far. It's very real but all so surreal at the same time.And let's not forget ArtPeers...so many great opportunities all at once! It's all so strange, exciting and God-given. I never know what's going to happen one day to the next but I definitely am beginning to understand the benevolence and divinity of God.

The Clipse at All City Kicks

What a perfect ending to a great day; quiet time with the Lord this morning, great day at Baxter, good times with friends and great shots of the Clipse at All City Kicks!

Even though I am right in the middle of creating my Artprize piece there are other projects always on the table. This one was particularly fun!

Artprize Voting

Anyone 16 years of age or older who registers in person at the
ArtPrize event can vote. You cannot vote without registering at the event. There will be no charge for voter registration.

How to register
* Attendees will be required to present a valid government issued ID in person at a registration station
* ID can be drivers license, other state ID or passport
* Pre-register on artprize.org (coming Sept 14) and save time activating your voter status at the event
* There will be voter registration stations throughout the city September 23-October 7

Rules
* Week 1 Voting - All Artists Voting begins 6:00pm, September 23, 2009
* You can vote on more than one work
* You cannot vote more than once for the same work
* Live results can be viewed online
* Week 1 voting ends 11:59pm, September 30
* Top 10 finalists will be announced evening, October 1

Week 2 Voting - Top 10, ONE vote
* Voting begins after announcement of the Top 10, October 1
* You have only ONE vote during Week 2
* You may only vote among the Top 10
* You may change your vote until voting ends
* Results are concealed during Week 2
* Week 2 voting ends 11:59pm, October 7
* Winners will be announced at a gala event October 8

How to vote
Voting is entirely electronic (Instructions coming soon)
* Vote online at artprize.org
* Vote by text message (SMS) from your mobile phone
* Vote by iPhone app
* Vote by mobile browser

A challenge presents itself

First of all, I'm tired as all get out. I come home to mushrooms the size of softballs sprouting all about my front yard! Eeeww! Do I dare handle these things? Heck no! I scooped them up with a broom and dustpan and tossed them. Oh they gave me the willies! The plight of the new homeowner...why the heck they grow so fast is what I want to know?!

This time of day is tough for me because my body wants to rest but my mind is too busy to let it. Good news is that my panels in the garage survived the rain and are still standing.My challenge is figuring out how to mount them in ACK.MMmmm...Will J.Stew (venue owner) let me drill holes in his lovely brick wall to hang my panels? That's a long shot. However this is part of the process that makes it creative.I have to figure out a way to mount my very large boards without damaging anything and in a way they won't fall off the wall! I'm glad to be having this problem, it could be worse.Some artists didn't even get a venue; I had 4 to choose from.Complaining will not be a part of this.Just have to do some out of the box thinking.

Ouch...my shoulder hurts...when we win this thing I'm hiring a masseuse...what do you think Scottie?

Temporary studio space...

I recently purchased my first home (yay!) and have real studio space for the first time. However, until I finish pulling up the carpet in my basement and paint the floor I will be painting in the garage. Despite the company a few spiders and cobwebs it's alright! This took me back to my time painting with Paul Collins, who also paints in his garage during warmer months.I felt the familiar spirit of connecting with the canvas and envisioning the images before I can actually see them.It was a great moment to prime the boards in my own studio space! True freedom indeed!



Great to have help! Thanks Cal, you stir primer like no other! You can see more of this guy at Pacinotv.com...master film maker in training!

I'm so not used to being on this side of the camera.Deer in headlights seriously!

I need my stinkin' badge!!

I was so excited to see this! I don't know why I didn't feel like it was official until I saw this stinkin' badge!
I figured the badge could use a little tweaking and it's a good way to promote my venue as well myself. For those who are like 'What's ACK?', first of all shame on you, but I will not judge u for not knowing:) All City Kicks (ACK) is the venue where my mural will be displayed; located at 139 S.Division (corner of Division and Cherry).

The Beginning

I can hardly call the start of my Artprize project the beginning of my artistic work;my journey as an artist began at my conception, even before that I think.The seeds of my parents were planted in me long before I was even born; my destiny was determined before my first step. Which is fine with me because the question of "what do I want to be when I grow up?" was never a part of my adolescent years. I always knew I was an artist.
This is a dreary day to start my Artprize project. However, I have never looked at the rain as a negative characteristic of nature; we all know it's necessary for growth and renewal. Renewal is definitely an appropriate word for the creative process of this particular work. After an impressive night's sleep (a full 12 hours!) I'm ready to begin the mural. I'll begin by giving myself the freedom of doing whatever the hell I want to do without limitations! No rules or requirements, no hesitations or worries, just expression at it's best.A few sketches...lunch with my brother, sister and nephew...a trip to Home Depot or Lowes to price supplies...quiet time with God...dinner with Granny..and my day is pretty much summed up! A great "beginning" in my book.