So I did one of the things I said I was going to do. It's been a while! I even made a good go of a second thing based on the works of ~bKokoska. I didn't look at any of his work immediately prior to starting the painting. Hell, I wasn't even going to try even though I had the thought in my head, but when I started to paint, it all just went that way. I thought it was looking pretty well until I stopped painting for the night and looked at his work. I have to get a good deal more complex if it's to be a faithful mimicry. It's hard to tell what specific mediums he uses in his work, but mine will be gouache and Carandache crayons. I stopped painting when I felt like I was rushing myself and making mistakes. I tend to get impatient while painting some of the time. I think it's because I'm used to finishing a something in one round. I don't take any breaks when I draw or paint, so I can only go for so long in one session. I try to stretch it as far as I can, because who knows when I'll want to paint again. I've been in the mood to work on things lately though. I'm not completely sure why, but it's a welcome return for me.

I am now antsy to mess around with Illustrator again.


*** So I sent a note to ~bKokoska about the little project I'm working on to see if he would be okay with it. He isn't. So I won't be completing the painting nor posting it. I suppose this idea strikes a little too close to "ripoff" for some people. I don't feel the same way though. Perhaps I didn't explain properly. Isn't there value in an exploration of styles? That quote about no true originality except for hiding your sources comes to mind. It's like all those paintings that use squares and rectangles. I've seen tons of people using that idea.

Well anyway. is there anybody that thinks this was a bad idea from the start? I could just as easily do my own stuff.

...it can take the form of what it comes into contact with.

I did this with Blinky a while ago. [link]

I'd like to try it with others.

I think it is the exact opposite of being original, though I've heard quotes from people stating it's the only way to be original. I don't want to do it because of that, but because
I'm fascinated with the things that people create. I want to see how their shoes fit on me, and what they feel like. I can tell you that Blinky's shoes are a great amount of fun.

It's hard to start good habits and keep them going, but I'll make a new months resolution to keep in an artistic frame of mind. In that movie "Three Kings" with Clooney, Cube and Wahlberg, there's a part where Wahlberg gets shot through the lung (or something) and has a little valve put on him to release air. When he does it you can hear the little "ssssssss' sound, and he starts breathing again. Art for me is like that. I'm not sure what exactly I'm releasing, but I know that without turning that valve, I'm kind of a zombie. And not the good kind. The only thing about personal art though, is that sometimes the valve migrates to that itchy part of your back that you can't reach.

That's about it. I need wind rain and fallen leaves.

and you don't know where I'm going.


just one of those strange sentences that crosses my mind now and again. Occasionally even inspiring something else out of me.

It's been a long while since I've written any kind of official journal. Well, what's really official anyway. But I read some of the old ones and I can see reasons why it might be a good idea to.

I haven't done much by way of art this year, but I'm starting to feel those tingles again. It's so nice to just go. I remember many times when I was little, asking my parents what I should draw. They usually didn't offer any such idea, but I think that's because they knew I wouldn't be interested in their ideas. But there were so many times like that. I always wanted an idea of what to draw. It's rarely like that these days. When I paint, I try to just go.

For my last painting, I actually took the paper and clipped it to my big clipboard and set it on my desktop in front of my monitor. I've never felt the urge to do that. I always kept the paper across my lap while working. I think I may have picked this up from one of my painting classes. It's nice to have it there right side up in front of you, even if you do have to sit up straight. But that feels good too.

My time has been occupied mostly just with hanging out with friends or family, playing the internets, working, a bit of reading, and some weekly writing. One of my managers at work has a website called "Normality Restored" [link] which I now write for on a "sometimes-weekly" basis. I write under the pen-name "D. Composition" if anyone's interested in checking it out.

Thanks all you guys who checked out my most recent painting.

I painted today. It's still a w.i.p. but I'll post pics later today (wed).