A Pastel Painter's Journey

January and the Chill of Snowy White Boards

2012-01-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

How are you all today? Yesterday I went to the art store and did what I should have done a very long time ago. I purchased much needed gesso and prepared the boards for this month's paintings, both for fine art and for selling.

In February, I am starting my next major painting (God Willing). I am excited about it and I want to just have fun more than anything. I have been perfecting the under painting process. When I started the under paintings years back I was faced with the dilemma of having the under paintings looking rough and coarse.; However with the advent of new techniques and tools, the under painting has become one of the most refined stages in my work. That has been the motto for me since I was a kid; whatever it is I am having trouble with, make it a strength through hard work and perseverance.

I am finishing a couple of commissioned portraits this month. They have been instrumental in getting me back into shape artistically. Speaking of shape, I have been going to the gym since late September and the process of getting into shape is spilling over into my work. Maybe I should look for pastels with heavy weights attached? :)

God Bless.

Tim

Monday and trying to grab a few hours in the studio for art's sake

2011-11-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Today was Monday. My 9-5 was alright. It gives me lots of time to think about the direction of my life and my career. I am a visual person so the sights of the gray skies and the women dressed n earth colors are still in my mind from my walk. Each day, on my lunch break, I walk and pray, listening to the NIV version of the Bible on my iPad. Its my quiet time with God. Its a lunch date I never want to break.

Seeking God's will for my life is my biggest question each afternoon. Something God will whisper parts of His plan for me, in that still small voice. If you think I am crazy, then try and spend time with God, meditating on His Word. You will find out as well.

I am a painter and my hands are like a thoroughbred horse stuck in the stable. My hands are made to create and when they are not...they cramp up. I cramp up spiritually. I am not special. We all have our spiritual gifts that are bestowed upon us , undeservedly. Some of us can cook the most exquisite meals while others may have the gift of music; still others are talented film makers. Maybe these gifts are God's way of helping us get through the storms of life? Before I go to bed this evening, I am going to do something that feeds the gift that God has given. I hope you do as well.

Here is a beautiful song by one of today's most talented song writers, Matraca Berg.

Portrait Commissions and New Painting

2011-11-13T05:55:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
Today is Sunday. I have two portrait commissions and I am looking for a model for the "Ruth" painting. Its so difficult to find the right person. Also its scary asking new people because most are weary of accepting, and rightfully so!
For the past year I have been stuck in survival mode. Its been a year of getting my head on straight and learning to live with the adverse circumstances of life. It is so difficult to stay creative and reach for lofty artistic goals when I was just trying to get out of bed each morning. In the past year, I did learn something valuable: That I am strong enough , with God; that I am not alone in the world. Many, many of us have been through such difficult, painful, and lonely times. Some of us are going through those times right now!
Inspirational is found in the mother who continues to love after the death of her son, or the gentleman in his late 50s, who was laid off and looks for work each day in faith without giving up. Maybe I have not painted that much in the past year but God, has taught me, through the valley of trials, what inspiration is; Its faith, long suffering, loyalty, kindness, and perseverance.
I am reading a great book by the pro football quarterback, Drew Brees, "Coming Back Stronger". He too early in his career wondered if it was all over before it started but He found the secret, honor God in all you do and leave the results up to God.
Have a Blessed Day everyone,
Tim

40 Galleries in 40 Days on Hold, for now

2011-01-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

With great passion comes wonderfully strong characteristics like faith, perserverance, high energy and enthusiasm; however that same passion can bring impatience, confusion, and despair. I am struggling with those elements but my walk with God is making it possible to even write this blog entry. The Bible says, Sorrow lasts through the evening but joy comes in the morning!

Its been a rough stretch for me these past few weeks. With lots of prayer and courage that comes from a quiet walk with God, and truly wonderful people that have encouraged me, I am able to stand up (even though my knees get weak now and then).

I don't see the morning but by faith I will endure and wait for the dawn to break during this season.
I am still painting as much as I can, this is a work in progress called " Currency #4" Psalms 49:7 , Pastel on Canvas 24x30". There is still lots to be done.

Day 22 40 Galleries in 40Days

2010-11-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days I have sent my work to three major galleries in Miami, Florida. Its a little tougher to keep this going as time goes on. I heard something that really hit home to me over the weekend. It was, "Do what is right even when it feels wrong." In the past I would have stopped at one or two galleries. It feels better to relax and not extend one's self in anything; whether it be a relationship, professional or just to take a chance.
I will keep going. It is not the best feeling to push myself and see what happens. This experiment is not just for myself but for everyone that reads this. I will believe in myself because I want you all to believe in yourselves as well, to have faith in something bigger than our insecutities and fears.
Please let me know if this blog has encouraged you to step forward, to do the right thing, even though it feels wrong.
In my life, my feelings have gotten in the way of my success. I am not saying that feelings are wrong, we need them; What I am saying is that we have to move on something more stable and stronger than just feelings.
I hope this day is filled with all kinds of blessings for you all.
God Bless,
Tim

Day 17 (40 Galleries in 40 days)

2010-10-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

Today I am working on my latest "Currency" painting. Its inspired by the verse from Psalms 49:7 CEV "You can not buy back your life or pay off God". The Currency series is very personal to me but I feel that the message is universal; that money is a tool (an important tool!) but just something that needs to be seen in God's perspective. None us get through the tough times alone. Maybe, in a small way, my paintings would help some us remember that we are not alone.
I am now at 17 galleries in 17 days. I will be looking at three more galleries by tomorrow, since the weekends have other concerns that need to be attendend to. The gallery show comes down this weekend. Thank you for all whom attended and gave so many well wishes.It was a wonderful experience.
Next week I am teaching my first online art class.Let me know if you would be interested.
God Bless,
Timothy

Day 10 "40 Galleries in 40 Days"

2010-10-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

I took a few days to relax and take it easy with the galleries. I did apply to a gallery in Jersey City, New Jersey today. Its a local gallery and it would be nice to have representation there. That make 15 galleries in 10 days.

I am working on a small portrait. Its of the same model and lighting as the pose in the large Currency painting I am beginning to draw out on the canvas. This helps me familiarize myself with the pose and the colors. I always tell my students, the more you know about the subject of your painting, before you begin, the better.
There is a great deal of things going on in my life right now and it could derail my goals and aspirations. Through prayer and patience, I am going to follow through with the 40 galleries in 40 days.
Take Care and God Bless,
Tim

"Maya Mystery" Pastel on Canson

Day Six "40 Galleries in 40 Days"

2010-10-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Day 6 was a Sunday and I made sure that I went to church. Giving one day a week to God is important to me. I always thank him for everything. It was very inspiring and felt refreshed spiritually afterward. God is my priority. I am working on that.

I have been working on polishing technique a little bit. Like a prize fighter, I make sure that I am always in training. I like to push my ability to create realistic imagery to the next level. Today I practiced using Venetian red for under painting. If we don't strive to get better and better the work will remain unchanged. For me, linear change is crucial for me technically and also progressing in my expression on major themes within my work.

I sent two galleries in Maryland, my portfolio. One is the The McBride Gallery and the other The Neptune Gallery. The first looked like my work would fit nicely. That makes14 galleries in the first six days. Its Sunday night and I hope you all had a great weekend. I pray your week is an amazing one.

Take Care and God Bless,

Tim

Day 5 "40 Galleries in 40 Days".

2010-10-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

Its day 5 in the “40 Galleries in 40 Days”. I received my first rejection letter. I was not bummed but happy; I am happy because to be rejected, I have to expand my circle. I will not be denied this opportunity to send my work to galleries that otherwise would not see my work, if I was not conducting this experiment.

I went into Manhattan today and had seen a show in a high profile gallery. I was happy to be there. I did see the work of an artist that sold their piece for 20,000 dollars. I know that my work is as technically sound and I feel I can match up with this artist as well as the others that show at this gallery. If this sounds cocky, I hope that it doesn't. That is not the intent of the statement. We all should recognize our hard work and talent, even when many may not. That is OK, because Colonel Sanders , after realizing that he could not live on Social Security, started offering his secret recipe to restaurants. He received over 1000 “NO”s before he received a yes. The rest is history. We can only sell what we believe in.

This evening I sent my work to two galleries in St. Louis. Its a great city and has a very large culture minded population. As always, I am straight forward in my emails and let them know I would like to represented by their galleries.

Believe in yourselves and share your dreams to your confidants!

God Bless,

Tim

Day Four, 40 Galleries in 40 days

2010-10-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hi There,
Day Four in the 40 Galleries in 40 Days, and I am plugging away regardless of my own negative thoughts that try to creep into my mind. Through faith, I say why not me?, when I think why me? When I hear myself think, I am not prepared, I say to myself, now is the time.
I called three galleries and they wanted me to email my website to them. There were two in Boston and the third is in Los Angeles, CA. The three today makes ten galleries in the first four days.
I woke up this morning and I was able to work on a portrait painting in pastel. I enjoy the process of painting so much. Its the love of creating that is the draw for me. I am realizing that I have to find the balance of doing the work and getting it out there. Each will feed off one another. The business of art is not taboo, its important.
I hope that this blog is helping others out there to reach those goals that were always thought as unattainable. I hope you all have a blessed weekend.
God Bless,
Tim

DAY 3 40 Galleries in 40 Days

2010-10-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Today is Thursday, day three of 40 Galleries in 40 Days. I sent my work to two of the most famous galleries in New York City. The first was to The Mary Boone Gallery; they had shown artists such as Basquiat and Warhol.I will not be intimidated and will go forward.
I also sent my work to The Marlboro Gallery in NYC. One of the most high profile galleries in the world. I have worked hard my whole life to be ready and I am recognizing that fact. Faith in God is believing of what is yet unseen!
I hope this inspires some of you to go ahead and walk by faith and not by sight. Anything is possible and I feel this blog "40 Galleries in 40 Days" will be proof positive.
Please let me know what you think?

God Bless,
Timothy

40 Galleries in 40 Days! Day 2

2010-10-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
Today is day 2, in the 40 Galleries in 40 days. I am working hard to get that number so I am sending out more than one each day. Today I sent my work to a Gallery in New York City http://www.meiselgallery.com/ and two in Boston,http://www.chaseyounggallery.com and http://www.ardengallery.com/

Normally I would say to myself that I am not ready but today, now I will take this leap of faith.That makes 5 major galleries, that shows work similar to mine, that I have sent my website to. I have also stayed up unto 2 AM last night updating and making my website look better, http://www.paintedglyphs.com/

Thank you everyone for encouraging me and being on this journey with me. I definitely will keep you up to date as to any news from the galleries. Stay Creative everyone.
God Bless,
Tim

Day One, 40 Galleries in 40 days

2010-10-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

Day One
In the spirit of the 40 Galleries in 40 days I went ahead and sent my portfolio, which is on my website http://www.paintedglyphs.com/ to two high end galleries. The first is on the east coast... http://www.galleryhenoch.com/
which is located in New York City and I sent my portfolio to a west coast gallery in San Francisco... http://www.freynorris.com/
I feel that I would normally shy away from sending my work to these type of high end galleries but I am going to leap by faith and not by what I see.It is time to move outside of my comfort zone and expand my circle. If I don't reach the top, how could I pull the good people up with me? How can I be a blessing to those who have been a blessing to me all of my life?
Thank you for coming along on my journey of expanding my horizons and trusting in God for all good things.

God Bless,
Tim

40 Galleries in 40 Days!

2010-10-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone that has been extremely and supportive lately. The show preparation was stressful and everything was finished under the gun Thank God!!!
The portrait of Jani was finished at 11 AM just before I left for the gallery. I had to get a hair cut, buy and cut fruit as well as deliver everything before 4. The labels were printed the night before and applied just minutes before the gate opened to the gallery at 6PM.
There were a larger number of visitors than I had imagined and the turn out made me feel very very good. It was an honor to show with Margie Resto-Smith, PSA amd David Buckbinder.
There are many pictures of the show and the wonderful friends and family that attended, as well as many wonderful new friends that had come to see our work.
I have not fully spread my wings yet as to going for a more financially successful career in my art.
I am going to use this wonderful and encouraging experience to do an online experiment. I will be documenting a 40 Galleries in 40 Days". This means I will approach 40 art galleries for representation in just 40 days. With the great feelings of confidence, I am going to strike out and share the experience with you all. Please let me know what you think?
Take care and Stay Creative,
Timothy

Today is the Opening! Aaaaaaa!!!

2010-10-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

HI All,
Today is the opening and I am finally finished with the final painting of the show. We still have lots to do such as print the labels and then get ready. There are so many things that could over shadow this day but , as being a man of faith, I know that God has this day in the palm of his hand.
Thank you in advance for all whom are coming to the opening. Its truly an honor that you would travel to see my work. I am touched. I enjoy painting and drawing more than any endeavor and I would do it even if I have never made a penny on it.
Where do we go from here after the show is over? I think I will work hard to create more pieces that are geared to touch as many people as possible. I will work more closely to perfect my techniques as well as procure new ones. I will be posting pictures and a video of the opening this week for all those you were unable to make it.
Once again, thank you everyone for all your support, encouraging words and friendship.
God Bless,
Tim

The Hanging of the Show is Today!

2010-10-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

This morning the rain was beating on the windows of the studio. There were half framed paintings strewn about and I came to the realization that there is no way I could go to work this morning and still be prepared for the hanging! I am very happy with my "Front Seven" paintings. These are the works that I have done in the last year.

As all artists, as time passes, we like the older work less and less. We have to get the food ready for tomorrow and make sure everything is set up before the opening at 6 PM on Saturday.

There are artists that have more acclaim that belong to galleries where they do all the work and the artist just needs to grace the gallery with their presence at the opening. I personally enjoy the process of hanging and help prepare the event for the opening night. Like each painting and drawing, its the process that is the pay off and keeps me coming back for more, to do better next time.

There will be approx. 15-20 paintings of mine in the show. Some paintings people will like and some people won't; however when the work is honest it can not always be pleasing. When I was in a college creative writing class, my freshman year, I had this amazing teacher, Ms. Calendril. She told me about my poetry, "When you work more and more a variety of emotions and points of view will present themselves." She is so correct about my poetry and this applies to my art as well. Thanks for letting me ramble on.

Stay Creative,
Timothy

PS: The show had gotten some press today!

Two Days to Opening

2010-09-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Each day I get up in the morning and go to my customer service job (one hour commute each way). This is where I make my money to pay bills. Its for 8.5 hours a day. I try and make sure that I am able to work somewhere that I can forget about it about 15 seconds after I punch out. This is what Einstein said to do. It works. I am able to paint freely without financial concerns that creep into my art commercially. My philosophy is to paint like the painting on the easel will be your only expression about who you are and what you are about. Its then that you are forced to be more profound.
Art for art's sake, I do not believe it. I feel art is is about sharing life with another, much like a message in a bottle from a deserted island. Art is an act born out of a need to connect. When it is honest, humble, kind and down to earth, it connects with a multitude. Too many artists today feel entitled (and you know who you are) .
Do I want to be free to paint without a full time job? Of course I do. If that happens I will be very happy. Does being a fulltime artist mean I am a successful artist? Not at all. It will make being a successful artist, much more difficult because success is a test. Success is a test to see that being truthful and humble while struggling financially is easy but while financially and critically applauded is most difficult.
Thanks for letting me ramble on. Having a body of work up on the walls for all to see is like being a naked for all to see.

Take Care and Keep Creating,
Tim

Unscheduled break yesterday

2010-09-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was under the weather. Work, artwork, preparation for the show, all caught up with me. I did not do much except work a little work on a portrait. We are framing the remaining pieces and getting ready for the hanging on Friday. The "time out" was good yesterday. It helped me to regain my perspective that its: God first, then family and then my art. The other stuff is window dressing. That's not to say that window dressing is not important.
When I was a kid my Mom would always say to me, "You can not paint these beautiful pictures and put them against the wall of your bedroom. You need to get them out in the world where people can see them." There was also a time period in my life, 10 years to be exact, that I stopped painting seriously. I had gotten into gardening, karate, computer building to name a few distractions. One day, I was showing off a huge radish that I had grown in the garden ; My Dad said, "You should be painting." I was so mad, but you know what, he was 100 percent right. There are many, many factors in my life that make me feel good and fulfilled, but I am not right until I am painting. Painting is not the most important part of the puzzle but its a huge piece.

So, this show, this weekend, is a summary of the last few years of my life; The ups and the downs the triumphs and failures. The paintings are real and that is what this show is about. Its about the huge piece of the puzzle. I am doing what I should and thus I don't grow anymore radishes :).
I am painting and the paintings are no longer against the walls of my studio but out in the world. Thanks Mom and Dad.

A 15 day Video Blog in the works.

2010-09-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of doing a 15 day video blog or VLOG of my life during this crazy two weeks. I have a full-time job, a gallery opening and creating artwork at the easel. I think it will be interesting to those who are struggling with wearing lots of hats in their life.

Just a few days to the opening!

2010-09-27T06:55:00.001-07:00

Spent the weekend getting frames and wires and cups and arranging paintings of the show with Margie. Its a great deal of work but a great deal of fun. We are looking forward to this Saturday, October 2nd. Yesterday I spoke with Carmine Pelosi, the gallery director and everything is in order. We even have some publicity on the radio this weekend. I bought 400 cups for the wine.