Words of wisdom by, Donald Woods Winnicott

The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost

American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell February 28 through May 26, 2014

I'm a big Norman Rockwell fan, so I couldn't miss the show at the Newark Museum which ends May 26th..

Cemetery Angel in Charcoal

I'm not quite finished with this drawing yet, but I thought I'd post a little bit of the process, as you can see I've been using a multitude of brushes and erasers to manipulate the charcoal.

Looseness and use of shading

These are some practice drawings I did this weekend, from other artists work that I admire. I'm drawn to their style because of their looseness and use of shading, and I would love to be able to incorporate these techniques into my original work. I still feel you can learn a lot about technique from copying from the masters, in this case modern masters.

Drawing practice.

  I finally got a couple days off work so, I cleaned up the art room and tried to get back into a little sorely needed drawing practice. 

Strathmore 300 Series Drawing Paper Pads

I finally found a paper that I really like, " Strathmore 300 Series Drawing Paper Pads" medium surface 70 lbs. 11' by 14'  This paper just feels good, I have better control with charcoal shading and erasing, its tough so you don't have to worry about tearing it if you erase to hard.

Fun in between 2013

I’ve been putting in so many hours and weekends at work that I haven’t had any time to post the fun in between. I did some kayaking one weekend this summer out in Round Valley which was peaceful, then to chip away at my bucket list I finely went skydiving ! There’s no feeling like it in the world, can’t imagine how I’m going to top that.

My art has taken a hit......

I’ve watched the sun go down night after late night at work and I realize my art has taken a hit for it, Now that I’m working with my hands all day “and enjoying it I should add”, I don’t seem to have the mental or physical energy to pick up the brushes like I use to, nor do I have the time. I’m hoping now that the weather is getting colder I’ll start hibernating in my off time and get back into it. As for the last several months its mostly been all work and no play but I have decided that with the limited down time I have that I’m going to make the most of it.

“Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.”

I was looking to paint the complex emotion of regret when I stumbled across an interesting quote by Arthur Miller,

 “Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.”

I think this means that its important to learn and grow from them, those are the right regrets - the ones we can learn from and move on, as for all the rest of our regrets? Well, those are simply the ones we just have to let go.

Holding on to Pain

I had an idea for a painting, that I thought would capture a multitude of raw emotions, but I needed a good reference photo to work with.

 So early  yesterday morning, I went out to my garage, where I keep a gym rope that I use for cross-fit training. 

It was far to bright in the garage for the cast shadows I was looking for, so I stapled large green trash bags over all the windows to block out the sun light, I set up my camera on an old tool cart and used a single automotive drop light for my lighting. 

I took several shots of myself hanging from this rope, hoping to capture the feeling I was looking for. 

This painting is titled "Holding on to Pain"

It depicts a man that refuses to let go of the sadness, the loneliness and the bitterness of life, it has sculpted him into a rock and he carries this weight with him where ever he goes, heedless to what he has become and totally unaware that some day the rope will break. 

Caged Emotions

With the primitive concept of  caged emotions in mind, I aggressively tore thin strips of canvas and gessoed them to a custom stretched  25 ½” x 33" x 1 ½”  canvas. After this dried, I Worked  quickly with a pallet knife building up thick layers of oil paint, scumbling layer over layer covering the entire canvas to represent a depth of anguish. 

I then go onto blackening the thin strips of canvas with a large round brush, recreating the mental bars we forge in our minds to suppress our emotions

The yellow glob of paint on the upper left is the spirit, although faint as it may be, it relentlessly struggles to pry open the bars,.to let it all the hell out.

"Loveless"

Well..... the new jobs keeping me busy, won’t have time for those figure drawing classes this year. Haven’t had any luck  getting people to come over my house and pose naked either....only other option is to drop my draws ,snap a few shots and work with what I got. 

I titled this painting "Loveless"

as it represents the feeling you get the moment you realize that the one person in the world you think about all the time, dream about falling in love with, and simply can’t go on without.......doesn't feel the same way towards you.

Its time for a change

I often struggle with the concept of what to paint, what subject matter will be worthy of devoting my time to, what expresses who I am, how I feel and what I want to say in my work.. 

Up until now I've spent countless hours exploring the learning process by painting still life's and copying from the masters, though I realize this is necessary for development,  I cant help but feel that my overall body of work remains somewhat hollow and far from a true reflection of what I want to say as an artist.

Its time for a change

From this point on, I will begin a new chapter in my life as an artist. I've dammed up a tremendous amount emotions in my 48 years, and what I really need to do now is open the flood gates and spill that all into my work. 

I’m sure its common for many artists to think that their work is not good enough and believe me I’m no exception, I have my insecurities but from this point on I don’t care anymore , I don’t care if I make mistakes and I don’t care if I think its not good enough. I’ll leave that for others to decide.  

The only way I can see myself growing as an artist is to dive with reckless abandon into my deepest inner emotions, rip my heart and soul out and throw it at the canvas. 

I want my work to say that I have lived, loved, laughed and cried with every God forsaken emotion in between...... as we all have. 

Warning !!! What you are about to see from here on may not be pretty, but it will definitely be me. 

Twenty Nine Ways To Stay Creative

Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

Asheville Chamber of Commerce 

36 Montford Avenue  Asheville, NC 28801

828.258.6114 

Our first stop was the Asheville chamber of commerce and visitor center which has tons of free literature, brochures and maps. We grabbed two bags full then hopped on the Gray line Historic trolley for a very informative tour of Asheville. "I did this when I was in Rome and found it to be the best way to see a city".

There is free parking at the visitors center so you can leave your car there with no worries and hop on the trolley.  I don’t think we could have figured out Asheville in our short stay without taking this tour so I highly recommend it for first time visitors.

What days do the tours operate?

Tours operate daily, seven days a week. March though December except Easter, Thanksgiving, Asheville Holiday Parade (November 23rd, 2013), Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Day and during Bele Chere Festival (July 26th - 28th, 2013).

How long does the tour last?
The tour (one complete loop) lasts approximately 1.5 to 1.75 hours.
There is an additional 15 minute stop at Asheville's new 'second to none' Visitor Center.
Or, take advantage of the hop-on/hop-off privileges, and make a day of it!

What does the tour cost?
Adults $21; Children (5-11 years) $10; children under the age of 5 ride free.
AAA and AARP members save $2 per adult fare.  Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.  Family Special (2 Adults + 2 Children) $46 total.

How and where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets are available at the Asheville Visitor Center, most tour stops, and at the front desk of many area hotels, inns and B&Bs.

NO TICKET?  NO PROBLEM.  BOARD THE TROLLEY AT ANY STOP AND PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS DURING THE TOUR.

Tickets may be purchased with cash or traveler's checks at all ticket locations.  Credit cards (American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover) are accepted at the Asheville Visitor Center and most, but not all other ticket locations.

Where can I catch the tour?
You can catch the tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you are driving to catch the tour however, the Asheville Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at exit 4C, is the best place.  Free Parking and restrooms are available.

What does unlimited hop-on hop-off privileges mean?
You are welcome to ride the tour all the way through as a traditional bus type tour, or take advantage of the 10 different stops to explore and learn about the city.  Our RED trolleys come around to each stop at regular intervals outlined in the schedule, depending on the season.

Is the ticket good for two days?
Yes.  For one low price you can take full advantage of our hop-on hop-off feature by using the
RED trolley to tour the city for two consecutive days.  The pass is non-transferable.

Why is this tour Asheville's most popular?
For many reasons!  We offer a second day free, expanded departure schedule (seasonal),
risk-free money-back guarantee ~ but really our customers say it best.  See for yourself!

Additional Information:
AAA and AARP member discounts apply to adult fare passengers, and only upon presentation of a valid membership card for the Historic Tour.  Not valid in combination with any other discounts.

It may, under certain circumstances, be necessary to cancel a tour or change the tour route, stops and/or schedule of service,
without the benefit of prior notice.  Every effort will be made to minimize such occurrences.

The way to Asheville, NC

So this is the way we went ,Google, Maps says 10 hours but it took a little bit longer, I guess I drive slow. My dad wanted to take 95 down but Rt 81 South was a better choice because I think its more scenic plus there was absolutely no traffic. And yes we did run into some rain !!!


1.Take the Interstate 287 N ramp to Morristown/Mahwah
0.3 mi
2. Merge onto I-287 N
19.4 mi
3. Take exit 21B on the left toward I-78 W/Easton Pa
1.5 mi
4. Merge onto I-78 W
Partial toll road
Entering Pennsylvania
106 mi
5. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 81/Harrisburg and merge onto I-81 S
Passing through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia
Entering Tennessee
470 mi
6.Take exit 57A to merge onto I-26 E/US-23 S toward Asheville/Johnson City
Entering North Carolina

73.5 mi
7. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Downtown/Patton Avenue and merge onto Patton Ave
1.1 mi
8. Turn right onto Broadway
39 ft
9.. Take the 1st left onto N Pack Square
79 ft

Asheville, NC

Road trip to Asheville North Carolina.

Fast forward to last week,

I figure if I plan on retiring in a few years then I’d better start looking for another place to call home. Nothing personal but I don’t really like living in New Jersey. To many people, to much pollution and I should probably stop it there before I get carried away.

Anyway........ I’m into the great out doors; I love hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and more then anything I can really appreciate breathing fresh air, and I just cant get enough of that stuff here in the so called “Garden State” So the first chance I get, I’m out.

I've been looking around for cool places to live and North Carolina, Tennessee and New Hampshire have all caught my interest, So I plan on using my vacation time for road trips out to these states to see what they have to offer.

So the jeeps ready, new engine, new tire, just gassed her up and she’s ready to go. My first road trip will be to Asheville North Carolina.

The New Job

I f these blogs seem a little out of order that’s because they are, the new job gives me little free time to blog or anything else for that matter, so I’m trying to play catch up. 

Let me rewind back to April............

I’m loving the new job !! Way less stress then working behind a desk all day, “which I think is no life for a man”. Men were meant to roam the earth , hunt and build things......... not to sit inside all day pecking at a computer.....its just not natural. I didn't realize just how unhappy I was until I started working with my hands again.