Now You See Them

I just love this band! They're home base is Asheville, NC, but I saw them at the Sentinent Bean in Savannah, GA. I hope they come back! Otherwise I might have to go to Asheville for another concert. What wonderful, happy music!

Coming to a t-shirt near you!

The time has come-- Mr. Chicken is now on t-shirts! (courtesy of zazzle.com :) I am starting with a few images, but will definitely add more! I'm thinking baby onesies as well, and perhaps some doggie clothes!


make custom gifts at Zazzle

That Which Keeps me Afloat Prevents Me From Learning To Swim

Originally uploaded by mjohnso

So lately I've been a major phase of transformation...Making various changes and coming to certain realizations. I had a rather symbolic dream relating to this, and am considering creating a work of art based on it.

In the dream I was in a contraption similar to the kid in this picture. I had both an inner tube and waterwings, and was trying to swim forward. Progress was slow though, and it occured to me I might be able to swim a bit more freely and naturally, and successfully if I didn't have the "extra help" of the floatation devices.

When I woke up it seemed pretty obvious-- I need to "learn to swim" on my own...we will see how it goes...

Things That Changed Other Things: Molly :)

This is another image I created for The Sketchbook Project. It's an homage to Molly, my former dog :) She is still alive and well, but lives with my former roommate as she belonged to him first. Anyway...having a dog definitely changed things, and for the better. People often say having a dog is like having a kid. I have no kids, so I have no idea if this is true, but I enjoyed caring for her...Also, it did up the level of responsibility a bit, which I didn't mind at all-- and in fact, kind of liked. I think the best thing about having a dog is/was unconditional love. She is a sweet and, loving girl, and always happy to see people. It's too bad humans aren't more like that...

Chicken Impaled With a Pearl Earring...

I've always liked this masterwork by Vermeer...thought the chicken should give him props! :) I just love the starkness of it, and the gaze...there's something to be said about a certain type of gaze. Perhaps this is why artist's like portraits so much ;)

Dirty Chickens!!!!!

Rumor has it not only did she carry a watermelon, she is also a fowl dancer... ;) Here is the latest chicken painting! This one was done in gouache and measures 5 by 7 inches. I've always been very fond of "Dirty Dancing," so making a chicken painting of a scene from the movie seemed appropriate. In fact, I may do more than one...we will see!

Another Page from The Sketchbook Project :)

OH man, I just realized I have to put this sketchbook in the mail in less than a month! Uh oh...I think I need to make less detailed sketches at this point so I can actually finish it on time. Wait, have I done one about procrastination yet?!?! I think I need to...

Anyway, back to the theme of the sketchbook: "things that change other things"...this sketch is about moving into my own apartment. I haven't really had my own place in 3.5 years, so getting a "room of my own" so to speak has definitely changed things....I wasn't sure how it would work out, what I would find-- hence the question mark, keys, clouds, etc....but my gut instinct told me it was the right thing to do :)

And sure enough it has changed other things-- doing more art, reading more, I started swimming again (I'm only 5 minutes from the YMCA)!, and generally focusing on what I need to do. I think moving out of the city has really helped with that. It is peaceful out here with lots of trees! It's interesting how a geographic switch can make all the difference.