First Commissioned Portrait and Fabulous Blog Award

Great Blog Party (March 8) and so many thanks for those that attended. Back to work and time to get serious.....just kidding.

I've just started out with portraits. My only serious ones were of Adebanji, Ana, and my sister. Adebanji thought his was good, but I added a few years to his age. Ana won't let her portrait out of her sight. In fact she was so happy with hers that she....never mind. I wasn't happy with my sister's but she was. Course she's so nice and agreeable, she would say it's lovely if I made her look like Fidel Castro.

A friend of my associate, Jim, came to me and wanted a portrait of his wife, Mariella. So I took a few pictures, and showed em to him, but he said he wanted her hair down, not tied back like the photos. Next time she was in, I went to take photos, but my camera wouldn't cooperate. So I just looked at her and made a big production of moving her head around fluffing her hair around, so I could get "the feel" of the mood (yeh, right ;-)

Anyway, the finished project is shown above, along with the reference photo. I say finished, but I went back and detailed her right hand and a few minor touch-ups. He has seen it and loves it. I have no idea how much he'll pay me cause I'm leaving it up to him...I'll let ya know...it's a 12 x 16 acrylic on canvas. My associate, Jim, commented that my female subjects were certainly well endowed, and asked if I was a dirty old man. Well...yes.





I was surprised and delighted when I got a message that I had been chosen for the "Fabulous Blog Award". R. Garriott was the bestower, and I am honored. I've admired R's work for its crispness, attention to detail and professional quality. If you haven't been to R's blog just click. The guidelines are that I am to list my 5 favorite addictions and then pass the award to 5 other recipients. So.....

My 5 Favorite addictions, aside from painting, are:

(1) Humor... To see a person smile and enjoy the moment means so much to me. There is, and always has been, serious things, sad things, and tragedy in this human life of ours. But we should never let those things blind us to the wondrous joys and delight around us. I try to be humorous in my blogs, and sometimes go overboard. So sue me. :-)

(2) Music... From DeBussy to Rush, Enya to ColdPlay, Enigma to Alan Parsons, Tangerine Dream to Yanni. I love music. Most kinds, but I mentioned in an earlier blog, Rap is only appropriate when I'm constipated. Far and above all others is The Moody Blues..they are masters. The music is great, but the words are sheer wisdom and poetry. Those that don't have music in their lives, just aren't in tune with the Universe, in my book.

(2 and a half) Reading...speaking of books, I make it a point to read at least one book a week. I'm currently rereading Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael" and "My Ishmael" ...if you ever wondered how we came to be the way we are, read them. And then Ken Follett is my all time favorite...I gotta meet him someday. And I can't forget Ted Dekker (The Circle Trilogy) ...the Stephen King of Christian writers.

(3) Nature... the world is full of wonders. Every day I wake up, I'm like a child, eyes wide open in expectation for what new and marvelous thing may come my way. I grow old, but I'll never grow up.

(4) My Family and Friends... as much as I love Central America, I'm too far away from my family. I have friends all over the place...they are truly cherished...worth more than all the treasures in the cosmos.

(5) My Faith...I put Faith and Family last, but they're first. Paul said "to pray without ceasing". In a way, I try to do that...some times I get so caught up in "The World" that I stray from "Father"...but I know He's never strayed from me.

Now...My 5 choices for THE FABULOUS BLOG AWARD (envelope, please)

OOH LA LA Design Studio

Daily Paintings by Jane Hunt

Quadrawphenia

DoodlePalooza

Artist Victoria O'Neill

Once again, thanks for the visits and great comments on the March 8 Blog Party. Pokey and TacoBelle got a doggie treat for each comment. Tomorrow they go on a diet. If you know someone who needs a smile send him over to March 8 .

Party On, Doods and Doodies

I partied too hearty. But there's plenty of coffee and coconuts left, so go back to the March 8 Blog Party and invite your friends. I'll be back on Thursday with a super "Fabulous Blog Award" bestowed upon me by the multi-talented and world-renowned R.Garriott. Also, some Bruno minis and my first commissioned portrait. Party on and send a smile to a friend who needs one. Your buddy in the rain forest....James

FUNNY FOTOS Blog 1 , March 8

Welcome to my blog party. Most of the time I am a serious artist. Well, most of the time I am an artist. OK, make that most of the time I try to be an artist. But I like to have fun. If I can bring a smile to someone or brighten their day, it's better than selling a painting. Really.

This party blog consists of 5 (five) posts and an intermission. I hope you'll check em all out...including and particularly the intermission. I probably spent more time on this than Henri Matisse spent painting that painting of his that just went for 31 million. But he's gone on to higher canvasses and I'm still here with mine, so that's neat. So grab some popcorn and, hopefully, get a smile or two.. If ya like it, blog your buddies and tell em to come visit and LEAVE COMMENTS...that warms the cockles of my heart (and everyone needs their cockles warmed, I guess). Got plenty of great Costa Rican coffee, bananas and galletas, so sit back and enjoy.

Rare Photo of Karin Jurick after posting DSFDF submissions for the week

Really Bad Timing for an April Fool Joke

Mine's the red one with the two wheels

The very sad thing about this photo is that the gentleman in white is a Karate master who is in an incredibly terrible mood.

You saw it here first! Obama's secret plan to finance the next war we stumble into.

NOTICE!!! The following are N rated...Naughty but
not too naughty.

I'm guilty...arrest me, frisk me!!! One reason our jails are overcrowded.

No caption Necessary

Boys will be boys...thankfully.

For some reason, maybe it's the expression, but this is one of my all time favorite funny fotos. I can just hear dat big ole seal, cwying bout losing hims bucket.

Coming Up Next....Dogs and Cats and Grins

DOGS AND CATS AND GRINS Blog2 March 8

There's been 12,428 blogs posted lately of dog and cat paintings, so I'll just bet this appeals to a lot of you all. What a sad world this would be without our furry little friends.

"You gonna eat all dat pizza?"

Better Homes & Gardens LAST choice for perfect pet of the month

Got my jacket. Got my stogie. Got my Shades. Got my "Hog". Got my Bruce Springsteen. Now if my durn paws only reached the pedals.

An intimate glimpse into the private life of Boots, the cat.

"What the....I thought you two were supposed to be at the movies!!!!"

Where the pooches go after having their portraits done

"Honey...did you buy a new white towel, today?"

"Ebony..and Ivory..live together in perfect harmony....."

"OK, Richard Simmons...you call me flabby one more time, and I'll claw your prissy little face off!"

Coming Up Next....You Won't Believe

YOU WON'T BELIEVE Blog3, March 8

The following Pics are some really neat photos...almost unbelievable

Pretty nifty...a guy boxing

Closer Look

Oh, Wow...that's photos. I think this took place in Amsterdam, but not sure. If anyone's seen this and knows, leave me a comment...betcha this took all afternoon

Australia's Ayers Rock (Uhuru)...Awesome

This photo just enthralls me. Anybody know where it is...I've got to visit it. For now, I think I'll paint it.

There are stairways and there are stairways. Now THIS is a stairway.

That white thing is the front of a boat. The little yellowish thingies in the water aren't Nabisco crackers. That's one big bunch of sting rays migrating over to my blog party.

The Chinese gentleman that owned this tree mansion had a little too much wine one evening and used the front door instead of the rear stairwell. May he rest in peace.

I think this is on the road to Machu Pichu, but what do I know? Could be a "before" photo for the Great Wall of China

Hidden images...can you find the lady dressed in blue?

Bridge Building...one job I'm glad I passed on.

The blue building at the lower right is a very popular bar. The structure up top is the bathroom.
,

One perfect example why I don't surf. I'll leave that to my dear friend and blogalog from Panama...JuJu. Click on her name for some great surfing pictures and info.

Up Next, After Intermission.....Art of Bruno Torf and Military WOW

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR Blog 3.5

Your Host is Pokey, the WonderDog

This Blog Party and Presentation is being brought to you by the wonderful people of Windows to the Words. Those wonderful people are you. Somebody suggested that it was my Master Buddy's project...my Masterbuddy is James Parker (but me and TacoBelle call him "Stinkyfeet"). WTTW is your project. And you ARE wonderful people..at least Stinkyfeet thinks you are.


The submissions so far are superb, but not very plentiful. This delights Stinkyfeet, but also makes him beat his head against the wall. When he does that, I worry. When I worry, I grouch at TacoBelle. When TacoBelle gets grouched at, she gets mean. And, I warn you, she has very sharp teeth and can almost reach your ankles.


Now, come on Hoomans, dontcha know any cute kids you can take a picture of and submit it to WTTW Photo? Are ALL the kids on your block snotty-nosed little demons? You too cheap to buy a camera? You got the "Shutter Shudders"? And writers...y'all must have writers blog. Stinkyfeet keeps telling me and TacoBelle what creative folks you are out there. I bark him, "Show Me". I'm still waiting.


So Click the Links and check it out. Taco and I get a doggie treat for each submission.

Windows to the Words

Windows to the Words ART

Windows to the Words PHOTO

Windows to the Words WRITING

UP NEXT....BRUNO'S ART AND MILITARY WOWS

THE ART OF BRUNO TORF Post 4, March 8

Enjoy the Magnificent sculptures of Bruno Torf's amid the beautiful rain forests of Australia. Then read the rest of the story at the bottom of this blog

Bruno Torf is a super talented craftsman that created a wonderland of enchanting and breath-takingly beautiful sculptures and nestled them in the lush splendor of the Australian rainforest just outside Marysville...a picturesque Victorian village of 400.
It's gone. The Australian wildfires of early February swept through and completely destroyed Marysville, killing most of its townspeople. Those fires heartlessly claimed the rain forest, too. And over 300 exquisite art sculptures by Bruno. Bruno, his family and a few close friends, managed to escape. When most would simply give up, Bruno has set out to rebuild. Read more of his inspiring story by clicking Bruno's Art.

Part 5 Coming UP...Military WOW's