Interesting or not, depending on how often this happens to me. I found that, after drying, Fluidity #3 has not evolved into the piece I thought it would. Much too dark and the colours that represent spring and early summer do not pop. The dilemma I now face is; do I leave it or do I change the piece to something different and not part of the series, or, after letting things settle and I take a few days to think, I can still do a series of 12 paintings but have nothing like the “season concept” attached to it as I originally had planned. I believe option 3 is the road for me. Why limit myself to four seasons when the actual “concept”is Fluidity. I would put #3 up but I am still trying to find a good way to photograph it. Like I said, it is a bit dark and hard to see some of the colours.
I was surprised this week by the nomination of the Liebster and now I am even more surprised by the Versatile Blogger award. Not by one but by two of these bloggers: Thirty Years Of Growing Pain(s) & The Cosmic Carousel two incredible bloggers in their own right, that deserve the nomination they have so graciously bestowed upon me. I was curious about this award so I had to take a peek and see what it is all about before I actually agreed to the terms set down by the whole thing. Seven facts about myself? Really? I can offer you up some tidbits that will perhaps allow me to add a few more posts over the next few weeks. Introspection does that for me. For now, I am off to work and will finish this in the evening. Sadly, holidays are over and bills need to be paid.
Now to share 7 things about myself;
1. I am an addict and an alcoholic that has been clean and sober for about 8.5 years. I first started using shortly after my 12 birthday which seemed to coincide with the death of my mother.
2. I am the one that helped my mother get into the vehicle the day she died. I begged her at first not to go but when she fell in the snow and her boot came off, I helped her to the car and slipped her boot back on. I watched as drove away and never came back.
3. I love football and Nascar. A by product of my having lived in the USA from 2 – 13.
4. I find cutting grass and shoveling snow, both of which are in abundance here, very zen like and I enjoy both as long as it isn’t too crazy.
5. I have an a genius level IQ despite years of LSD and other substances used to escape everything
6. I play a wicked blues harmonica, self taught.
7. Photography is my first creative love and holds a special place in my artistic heart.
This post has taken a considerable amount of time to write. Not because I had t make decisions on what to share or who to nominate (it won’t be 15 or 20). It was a lack of motivation lately. Back to work and all that. Life settles in and holiday laziness takes over, then WHAM! Back in the stress and all the stuff I thought I had time for, well, I didn’t make time for. My bad. Because I believe there is time for everything if I want it.
Now, the nominees for the Versatile Blogger Award are:
tonij or The Barefoot Baroness
That’s all I have for you. I am not handing out kudos willy nilly just for the sake of filling an imposed quota. If that loses me a nomination for this award, so be it. I know what I like and what is deserving and falls within the parameters set down by the mysterious “Them”. Some of you have already been nomintaed and I would not expect you to go through the same process over again. Those of you that haven’t been nominated, I truly believe your blogs to be a worthwhile read. Just calling it the way I sees it.
Peace to you all
Pretty amazing stuff.
Congratulations on sobering up and remaining sober, I’ve heard it’s one of the hardest things to do in life. You must have amazig will power! I can relate to that a bit since I started smoking when I was thirteen and (with the exception of a year) have yet to quit. Think about it, I’ve been a smoker for longer in my life, than a non-smoker.
Your mother. Memories and guilt we load upon ourselves can really pull us down. Until recently, I thought I watched my mother drown and didn’t do anything to help her (of course, like you, not that I would have known better), turns out she’d been dead when I found her (or so the coroner’s report says). It touched me reading that fact, especially because you state it as a fact. My guess is, the back story is less factual. Or maybe it is and that would be a good thing. Thank you for sharing that part of your story.
So you’re a creative genius? That’s awesome! Must make life rough at times (ignorance is bliss!). What I like most about those facts is that you own them (most people would ammend them, underrating themselves etc)! Seriously!
Thank you for the nomination. Recognition is generally quite nice and a bit flattering, but it’s especially grand, because you (like me) were pretty selective. – Give me a couple of days to come up with something.
Oh and btw, nominating less bloggers than the rule requieres doesn’t tarnish your awards. They are basically a mixture between a chainletter and a girl-scout-badge (in your case boy-scout) anyways.
As far as I’m concerned: Stick it to your blog and rever in it! you are totally deserving!
Thanks again and please excuse the early morning ramblings,
K.
Early morning ramblings are awesome!
Yeah – I had a bit of spear time today (or rather some files I couldn#t be bothered with) so the posts up now, if you want to check it out – Also the 7 x 7 Link award is yours for the taking should you chose to accept the challenge
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Great post. I agree for what it’s worth. #3. We need to be not so rigid in our art forms, so that we can let the mediums guide the way, as our hands guide the mediums, And the two shall meet.That is what your series title “Fluidity” says to me. Without seeing an image of the next piece.
I get starting out with a concept, a plan, and then being derailed some, or a lot. Happens to me every time i am creative.
Thank you for sharing those things abut yourself we did not now. I sensed the sobriety in other posts, and I am sorry about your mom’s death. I know that the little boy in you still feels responsible, but quite honestly no matter what the situation was I doubt very much that you as a child could have ever stopped or prevented your mom’s tragic accident. We as adults, no matter what, make our own choices. I was in the car with my mom and my little brother one evening when she was driving very erratically, weaving purposefully in and out of traffic, all the while shouting that she was going to “crack the whole damn car up” I was 9. My brother was 4. There was no way in hell that I had any control of my mother’s alcoholic rage. Had we wrecked that day I always wonder if I’d have felt anything for the being the one who kept calling the tavern asking her to come get us, and to take us home. I think you answered my question. Kids take on things they have no business taking on. Not because we know to, or not to, but because we as children feel responsible for everything around us. And it sounds as if you were quite accustomed to being the one who take of your mom. Painful.
Your recovery is to applauded big time Michael. It’s no easy feat and takes day to day maintenance. Sometimes minute to minute. I know. I have been co-alcoholic most of my life. I am honestly touched by your sharing of such personal things. And I appreciate your openness and honesty.
Thank you Michael for the lovely sentiment attached with this award. I know that you put thought into the nominations and for that reason I am touched. And I accept. Recognition by others is a needed in life. Recognition from a writer, an artist, a musician, and photographer, just to name a few of your creative outlets is empowering for me.
To have more like minded souls connecting and encouraging one another is what makes living on this planet more than doable. I am grateful you are letting second timeers of the hook of following the rules of the game. Been there, done that.
Keep on doing what you are doing. It is working for you. I can see in your words and in your works. You keep posting. I keep reading.
I’m glad you got life together, or as much as it can be considering the way life is……looking forward to seeing more art!
2012 is off to a fabulous start, yes? Just goes to show you that 1) your soul-work is recognized, 2) there are other freaks out there who get what you’re about, and 3) there is life after death. And trust me, I know about the many kinds of death out there–most of which have nothing to do with the grave. Congratulations, Michael. Blessed Be.
Thank you for this award. Having recently been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award also I too will be bending my response to the award – at least its process, not its spirit.
The chain letter aspect of it I like, the pyramid nature of it I do not.
It would be better in my view if we each nominated just one other blogger – like passing on a ribbon or baton from one cherished blogger to the next. Perhaps I should start my own blog award!
What impresses me most about this award though is that you yourself selected me for it.
I do also like about it that we are asked to share seven things about ourselves. I appreciated very much what you shared about yourself.
So I will pass this award on but pass on it for a while, whilst I am still finding my way around the blogosphere and getting to know new blogs and bloggers.
On a more prosaic note there seems to be a problem with the link for katomckracken.
It is a valid concept that “Fluidity” can find a new channel.
Kudos on the awards and nominations. I’m afraid I am so new to the blogging world that much of this is lost on me but… seeing my blog mentioned by you is not and I thank you… sincerely!
You nominated me for something again! Way to keep my self-esteem up! I really really appreciate all the exposure you’ve given me and the kind comments I get from you. You’re definitely deserving of the Versatile award. And the amazing award. I love reading your posts. Also, I think you should post photos of some of your art, once you figure out a way to photograph it. I’m interested in this fluidity series! I’d love to see some of it if you’re willing to share.
Also, congrats on overcoming so much. Your past shapes who you are, no matter how grim it may have been. I feel if you’re happy where you are in life now, there’s no need to regret anything. Because if you could go back and change something, you wouldn’t come back the same way you are.