An Artists View of Social Networking and Spreading Your Color to the World

 I will make every effort to spread my world of color to you....

    To be a Visual Artist in in our modern technological era has given us a bounty of opportunity to spread our talents and art to the far reaches of the planet. Never before has an artist had such a platform to get ones work seen. In days past, One had to get published in a periodical, book or poster to get your art to the masses. If you where lucky enough to get in a gallery, you where still confined to the folks who attend. Artist had to work hard, very hard to get noticed. This is still true today, you must work very hard to get noticed but we have great new tools at our disposal so we can spend more time creating and less time marketing our work. All Hail the dawn of Social Networking!......What can we do to get the most out of these wonderful tools?

I am by far no expert on this subject, there are a million blog posts about this very subject. I learned a few tricks, I have done a few experiments. I went from 0 "likes" (When I started my artist page on Oct. 2011) to 600 "likes" and about 600 "other page likes" (other artists pages that are not in the usual "like" count) from all around the world. I am more popular, as an artist, in places like Australia or  Europe than even in my home city. I have sold paintings to these far off lands and they continue to be my biggest supporters. This was achieved by a lot of work with social networking. I will share a few tips with you (Some are pretty much common knowledge but you may not have looked at it in this way).......

-Spread your page by enjoying others: Like anything else it is who you know more than what you know....Go seek out and "like" as many other artist pages as possible and interact with them as much as possible (with your artist page not your personal profile). Not just the type of art you enjoy but all artists. Spend time each day looking at your news feed and commenting and "liking" the things you enjoy. Get involved. Every time you do it posts that hyperlink to your page, thus increasing your visibility. I don't know how may fans I have made by commenting on a post and one of their fans seeing it and checking out my page. Remember this is community building....

-Put Some Time into It: Try and dedicate time each and every day to "working" your page. Do not make this the same time every day. We are on a global platform and time zones make a huge difference. When I put up a post at 5:30pm it is like 10:30 in the morning the next day in Australia. Learn to vary your when you post, cause it makes all the difference. Learn to know when to post let say a photo of a new work to get the maximum exposure. Remember there are powerful algorithms at work that can be your friend or your enemy. Learn and research these to put them to work for you. It takes some time and a clear understanding of the "insights" that are provided on your facebook page to get a hold on this. This is your work you are trying to share with the world so the more time you work it the better chance you have of growing your fan base...as they say It is all up to you....work smarter, not harder!

-Do not Over-Post or Under-Post: They amount of posts you do in each day will make a world of difference. To many post and people become complacent and may tend to overlook it and thus not interact with it. To little posts and folks will also not react, cause they may forget about why they liked you in the first place. In order to be seen you must find the fine line...This also plays a very large role in how facebook will put ones posts in order on fans timeline. The most relevant posts, to that fan, get posted higher on their news feed. If you overdo or under-do this will effect where facebook puts your posts. This takes some time to learn but can make the world of difference.

-Make your Interactions\Posts Work for You: When someone takes the time to comment on your posts or a share make sure that you interact with them. A quick thank you or conversation goes a long way. People are inherently predisposed to acknowledgement and will gravitate to places that fill this need. They more they feel like you are a friend, the more they will interact. (Remember every time they interact with you it is published in their timeline...increasing your visibility...if their friends see cool interaction they become curious and may become your next fan?).

-Post Relevant and Interesting Material: This is a pretty wide subject....Make a big deal out of your posting of a new work...I will write a blog about it first, debuting the painting there first....posting the link a few times on facebook...letting the folks know.....then a few days later, after I have seen the drop in views on my blog, I will post the painting to my facebook. It has worked well. I also make an photo album of certain paintings that I will post pictures of my work in progress....after each painting session I take a photo of my progress and post it to this album. It acts as a sort of a "Serial" like in the days when an author would publish only one chapter of a larger work, each week in a periodical....the cliffhanger....How is going to turn out?....it gets them involved in the finish. Spread it out over a few days or weeks (depending on the type of work). It also opens the door for interactions with other artists about technique and workflow....... I do this with some of my work, just enough to keep it interesting. It is also a big rush for your fans when you post something new without any previous viewing. The goal is to spread your Love of  form, color, value and movement to as many people as possible....make it fun for them!

-Have Fun!!!!!: One of the small reasons we become artists is to enjoy life and have fun with the beauty of the world. We express this love through creation of visual candy for others eyes. We can create emotion and wonder with basic materials. We can light up a room with color. We can get images from our minds eye to a medium that others can enjoy and hopefully relate to on some level.....Do not take yourself to serious if you do it will show.....Kid around with your page....have fun in meeting new people and learn about what they are all about. It will help you grow as an artist....

Thank You for taking some time today to read a few of my thoughts and things I have learned. If I can say one thing that will change your page into a "hit" .......The more you interact with the world the more folks will interact with your page! Be smart and make lots of mistakes.....We learn by doing!!!! If you have any other questions or thoughts on the subject or any subject..... please do not hesitate to come over to my page and drop me a line....I would love to hear from you.....We can all help each-other....this is not a contest but a team sport to spread Color and love to everyone......Peace and Love to you all

https://www.facebook.com/LanceJeschketheArtist =If you have not yet....Please "like" my page hehehehe

I would Love to hear your thoughts on this subject.....Please share some of your ideas and tricks! 

*Note* I am a visual artist....not so much a writer....I try?....So ignore any grammatical errors, run on sentences or paragraph construction errors.......I write like I talk....fast and crazy LOL.....again Peace and love to you.

"The Monarch Princess" A Painting created with Love

THE MONARCH PRINCESS

24in x 48in (60cm x 122cm)

Oil on Canvas

Metamorphosis is one of natures wonders. The metamorphosis of insects has always triggered wonder into my thoughts. The morph of the Butterfly (and Moths) is amazing no matter how you look at it. Egg to Larvae, which grows into Caterpillar for about 2 weeks, then creates a chrysalis.....to emerge a beautiful, beautiful Butterfly. The wonders of nature....

So as many of you know I have been in the process of creating  large paintings of insects. I am working real hard to create an entire show with my minds eye view of some of the earths most beautiful creatures. I call this series "My Bug Collection" As a child, as with almost everyone, I was so interested with the creatures that lived in my backyard. I would collect, observe and yes, dissect a few. I love bugs, even the ones that are a pain in the butt ("I am Just a House Fly"). They all have so much beauty even if the are like mean, mini Jet Fighters ("Wasp the YellowJacket). My thought was to create very large detailed paintings of these cool creatures. Show some but not all detail, try and make a "feel" more than a picture. I do not want any real background stated in the piece. I did not want them to be anywhere but in a space. Just them....as I see them. They are my focal point throughout my series. Subtle colors grace and envelope the image. They are alone to be just what they are. 

My Bug Collection is far from complete. To date I have 3 completed. A House Fly, Wasp, and now the Monarch Caterpillar. I am in process with 2 others as we speak....A Monarch Butterfly (to compliment this piece ("The Monarch")) and a Grasshopper ("The Grasshopper"). I have a few other bugs in the pipeline to get created soon. 

You can see the step by step photo album of "The Monarch Princess" and all the painting in the series at my facebook artist page Click here to see the view... 

The Creation....and the Love that went into this Piece

Life is beautiful.....

   This year will be one I will never forget. Not only have I worked real hard and completed some of my best work to date it also brings my greatest creation ever.....My Masterpiece!!! I will be soon blessed with my first child. (July 30th is the due date) We know she is a girl and her name shall be Sparrow.............

   When we had confirmation that everything was 100% on the cool with the pregnancy I set out to display my emotions through the one way I know how, start a painting! I wanted to capture a few of my thoughts with my oil paints. This painting is the result of my feelings so far....

    I could not get her out of my mind......I would imagine millions of things as I was putting brush to canvas, what she will look like, her smile, her inner energy, her first boyfriend etc. etc, etc. It was the feeling of pure joy coupled by stints of pure worry. Every brush stroke I took the thought of her seeing this painting with her own eyes someday would bring tears to my eyes. The thought of, in the years ahead she will be sitting watching me paint and me watching her. Yes, many episodes of watery eyes as I painted thinking of my Sparrow....

   When I paint, it is the time of my day that I truly can step into another world. I equate it to meditation or yoga or the artistic. This is the time I Dream!........Now the process has changed much like the Caterpillar will...... I have changed...and will change even more...I have a new role as a Dad.....and this painting is my first step into learning that role, at least on an artistic level. My paintings will change....I now know that Sparrow will have all of my work that I keep as an Artist Collection. If I should leave this earth, she will have a very large part of my being that lives in my paintings. She can always visit me by just taking a look. Yes that will change how you work as an artist......

   As you can probably figure....This painting will not be up for sale...Actually It no longer belongs to me! I created it with her in my thoughts....... and it now belongs to Sparrow. It shall be hers forever......The painting Daddy created when he found out he was going have a Princess of his own....My first gift of Love to my little Sparrow....

   Don't worry.....I will show it in the coming years. Place it in shows, let it hang in a few Galleries....get it out there so folks can see it for sure....it is so beautiful that I want to share it with the world. Matter of fact the painting will debut publicly for the upcoming Artist Against Hunger  Show. I will be showing..along with 80 of the regions best and talented artists to raise some cash for Feeding America...to feed the Hungry here in South Dakota USA on June 1st and 2nd....There is also some other Gallery shows that are in her near future (more info on that in due time)....In essence, It is special and will become more special....the more people that see it the more Love that enters it......and now it is hers!!

A Raw photo of her outside...

Follow the Step by Step photo journal of how I created this painting

Step by Step of "The Monarch Princess"

Thank you for taking the time to check this quick blog post out....Please Please feel free to leave some comments....I would love to hear your thoughts...here or on any of my social media stuff (you can find all those links in my side bar --->

Peace and Love to you on this....and everyday!!

My Home Land South Dakota...a quick tour

 

A Beautiful South Dakota scene...A proud Bison on the rolling prairie.

The place you choose to call your home is a direct reflection on who you are as an artist. The view of your world around you and the beauty to be found is inspiration at its most pure state. I have been asked many times, from friends and fans all around the world to show what inspires some of my work. I thought I would take some time and show you some of the highlights of  the beauty of the place I live and the inspiration question can be answered....First of all, Where is South Dakota you ask?

South Dakota is located on the Great Plains of the United States.

"The Sioux Empire"

Once it was the land of the Oyate\Sioux Indians One of the greatest 

American Indian Civilizations to ever be.

....I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota USA, The largest city in South Dakota  (metro population of 250,000). It is a beautiful city with the Sioux Falls as its namesake landmark and tourist attraction.  It is located on the far east side of the state a few miles from the border with Minnesota. The Black hills, Badlands and other wonders are located on the far west side of the state. (about a 5 hour drive from me)

 The Skyline of Sioux Falls SD, Downtown Area 

with a view of the Big Sioux River flowing through on its way to the Falls.

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The Falls of the Big Sioux River

located a stones throw from downtown Sioux Falls SD

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The Heritage of the Area

This was once the proud, bountiful land of the Oyate\Sioux Indians. The land was stolen by the US Government in the 1800's to fulfill the greed and Manifest Destiny of the United States, Thus resulting in the Great Indian wars of that time. Gold found in the Black Hills (a sacred and spiritual place) sealed the fate of the Sioux and many other tribes. You may have seen many movies and pictures based on these times...It is a hard thing for me to speak on because of my heritage. My family, on my mothers side is Sisseton Wapeton Oyate Dakota Sioux. My Great Grandparents and Mother lived on a reservation on the Missouri River known as Crow Creek and Standing Rock (North Dakota). They where controlled by the government and had hard times within that control. This all is a very Sad chapter in American History. Here are a few images I found to show a quick view of some of these beautiful people and their way of life during the time of the takeover from the US.

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Some Images of South Dakota's Beauty

The landscape of South Dakota is awe inspiring....Lots of beautiful visions of wide open plains, the Black Hills and the Badlands are treasures to anyone who sees them. A land of wildlife and history. 

Black Hills at Custer State park

Black Hills

The Black Hills where named for the view you get from 

afar....they are covered with the "Black Hills Spruce Trees" 

and appear Black from a distance.

The Badlands in Western South Dakota

A drive into Beauty....Badlands

Views of beauty in South Dakota

The South Dakota Prairie

A typical plains view....I can see this within a 15 minute drive

There are millions of beautiful images of South Dakota I could show you. I just wanted to give you a quick overview of the land that is around me. The Black Hills and Badlands are on the other side of the state but I frequent that area very often...it is like a part of me....Please take some time to Google some other photos of this wonderful place on earth....I will now post a few pics of some of the famous sculptures in my state....The best one, In my opinion, is the yet unfinished CRAZY HORSE Monument. It is an image of one of the greatest Sioux Chiefs, a warrior and a proud Sioux. He was part of the group that kicked Custer's Ass at the battle of Little Big Horn. This sculpture once completed with be the largest sculpture on earth. Mt Rushmore could fit into the head of Crazy Horse. this thing is huge and beautiful....It is taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza....I don't know if I will live to see it complete?

Crazy Horse Monument and model of what it will look like finished

To give a little size perspective..... Crazy Horse

Mt. Rushmore....the shrine of Democracy 

and reminder that the US government has all the power to steal 

or do what they want...This is on sacred Indian land! Read your history books

on what this sculpture really means!!!

Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum a racist man with strong ties to the Ku Klux Klan!

Shamless!

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I hope this gives you a perspective on the land in which I choose to call home. There is a lot of history and beauty to be found right in my own back yard. Living here, I sometimes forget how wonderful it is to be living in this part of the world.  If you are planning a vacation this year or next, take a look at coming to South Dakota. If you get to Sioux Falls let me know we can have lunch and I can show you some wonderful gems. You can also get a chance to see some of my work in person. There is so much to see, I have not even broken the surface of beauty here.....Look up some of the things I have mentioned...also search for Deadwood, Custer State Park, Missouri River or just South Dakota in general......It is a great place to live with a strong artistic history....Search Harvey Dunn, Oscar Howe, Terry Redlin or many other world famous artists. I hope you enjoyed your quick tour of my homeland.....Peace and love to you

Please leave your thoughts and comments....I would love to hear from you

INSPIRATION a few thoughts on the subject

 I can find inspiration to paint a whole painting by just seeing this...

Inspiration....We all know the feeling in many aspects of our lives. In many ways it is what drives us to do the things we do. Whether it be for our family, faith, personal satisfaction or our creative side it is a very powerful feeling. Something deep inside our minds throws a switch and we are compelled to act in one way or another.....the proper definition can be found in many dictionaries but they all lack the "Pizazz" of what the word means.   

 in·spi·ra·tion

n.

1.

a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.

b. The condition of being so stimulated.

2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.

3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.

4. The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.

5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

6. The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

Today in this little blog post I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on the subject with you. As an artist, this word comes up in my everyday life very very often (along with the verb..inspire). I don't know how many times I get asked "What is your inspiration for your work?" or "What artists inspire you?" and lately "What ever inspired you to paint a huge House Fly?"...the list can go on and on. The version of the word that means the most to me, the one I strive for is the "Seeing your work inspires me to paint" or "I used to paint but gave it up but after seeing your work I am inspired to get some supplies and start again."..... That to me is the ultimate compliment. When one can move someone enough to even get them to think about being creative is the best currency life has to offer. 

Last Thursday I had my first art show, a small affair, but a grand one also! As I was hanging out visiting with patrons of the show, I noticed someone walk in the door that I had not seen for over 20 years. I smiled. and walked over with open arms to embrace a friend of mine I had known since 6th grade. We where part of the art nerds throughout our schooling. You know, the kids who practically lived in the art room. We had lost touch since our graduation in 1989 and in the past year or so found each other on the facebook machine. He had been following my artist page, but never really commented or "like buttoned" anything. All of a sudden he is standing in front of me at my show after making the 1 hour drive. We caught up a bit, and he said to me "I had to come see your work with my own eyes, since seeing your art on facebook it has inspired me to start painting again." "So I went out and bought some materials and am in the process of re-discovering something that used to be so important to me...Thank you Lance!" Needless to say I about cried!.....That to me is why I do what I do!!! In that same show...an hour or so later another childhood\family friend walked through the door. One, who I just lately,  have had the chance to spend a little time with. He was never an artist but has thoughts and ideas that he wants to learn to paint....He has stated to me many times that seeing my work and knowing me has inspired him to learn a whole new hobby. I told both of them that my studio and talent is available for them at anytime. I will teach, mentor or do whatever it takes to help out someone who wants to create! It humbles me to do something that inspires other to release their creative side. It brings a joyful tear to my eyes to know that what I do can move people! it is the best feeling in the world. 

I find my inspiration by accident most of the time. A Wasp buzzing around my back door and me thinking. "What a beautiful creature, I want to capture that in oils." or something as simple as me walking into my studio and looking at my paint collection and seeing the color on a tube of paint. Looking at other artists work online will provoke my mind to go paint in a very strong way and it is like a drug! The voice inside my head trying to feed its addiction to creating something with simple tools. If I catch the scent of linseed oil, my mind hits overdrive. I can be at an art store next to the oils and if I smell linseed oil floating through the air....I have to go home and paint! I will sit some nights and page through my big BLICK catalog, staring at each companies paint swatches and it drives me....I can plan whole paintings by just seeing one color. 

Inspiration feeds inspiration...that is one lesson that I have learned. The more I give in to it the more it feeds me. If I dwell on it for a while, ponder it with out taking action right away, it grows! It will only subside when I start to create the piece that feed from that particular inspiration. So I have layers and layers of inspired visions in my mind and can only move on with them as I finish each painting.  It is like a huge pile on bookwork sitting on you desk at work that you know you need to do but can only do so much at a time. You have your boss (inspiration in this case) screaming at you to get it all done. The pile never is never ending. Once you get one done 3 more folders get thrown on your desk. It can be maddening. It can drive you crazy! As an artist though, You never want that pile to go away. You want fresh work to do forever! I get frustrated sometimes cause I have so many ideas and plans that I feel I dont have the time to complete them all. They are all screaming at me to become reality. They haunt me in my sleep and most of my waking hours. I am fine with that for sure! It is a small price to pay for sharing color and life with others.

On the topic of inspiration and who inspired and inspires me to this day I would like to mention some of the folks who have had a huge impact on my artistic life. It would not be complete with out mentioning my Mother who is an artist and has pushed me every day of my life to create. My Great Grandfather Peter Yback who guides my hand from the spirit world and was the first to really show me how wonderful creation of art can be. Two teachers from my youth...Cal Schultz, my Jr. High art teacher and Don Durfee, my High School art teacher. They gave me the chance to express myself and helped guide me and many others to find a love for art and the creation of art. Good teachers can change you in ways that will last a lifetime. Mr. Durfee (or Durf as everyone calls him) taught me the skills and the early training to be able to do what I do today. He inspired so many folks to be whatever they wanted in life through his teaching style and cool attitude and personality. He always made this nerdy, skinny kid feel special and I will never forget that! Thanks Durf!!!! 

Thanks for reading my thoughts today....I could go on forever about inspiration and such. I just wanted to get some things out of my mind to make room for more painting ideas....hehehehe Please take some time and leave me some comments about inspiration and what may inspire you.....I really want to know!!!!

Peace and Love to you all........not get off your computer and go paint!!! 

  

Double Header w\Lynn and Jeschke..My first Show.. Soon!

The Future Scene of the Crime...

Life is full of "Firsts"......Your first steps, Your first kiss, Your first Love and on an on.......But how many times in your life do you get to have your very first Art show?......As an Artist this is your big day! Something you will always remember...a milestone in your adventure to share color and light. A chance for others to see your work up close and live within its presence....On Thursday March 22nd 2012 I get to take that adventure.......Thanks to the fine folks at the Madison Area Arts Council and The BrickHouse Community Arts Center In Madison South Dakota USA. 

The show is what they call a Double Header...2 artists...1 night! This is a monthly event sponsored by the Madison Area Arts Council to showcase some of the areas finest artists. A reception and show focusing on Art in your Community awareness. A time where 2 artists with completely different styles and grooves can come together to create a feast for the eyes. On March 22nd, Artist Kari Lynn and I will be bringing out the goods...

Double Header with Lynn and Jeschke is the event you have all been waiting for....

For many years I have painted in private, not sharing much of my work with the world...I was a musician focusing my creativity to a sonic audience...that was where I showed myself to the world....about 8 months ago I decided to take a chance on life and focus on what really moves me...with a canvas, paints and some simple tools I could create visions to share with the world. It was always my real dream....but RocknRoll has a grip that is not easily removed. She is a hard girl to let go.....but I needed to move on...I had done all I had ever dreamed with her and she now was boring to me. All I could think about was the smell of linseed oil and the feel of paint going on a canvas....and sharing that with the world. I now have my first chance to do that in person....I am excited!!!

I have been "making a list and checking it twice" on what paintings will be included in the show....I have my "big hitters" (the few paintings that I consider my best work) that I know I will be showing....The issue comes into play on what of my other works I want to bring out. This has been a adventure...going back and forth on what to show....I think every artist can feel my pain?.....I decided to pretty much load up everything and decide when I get to the venue....problem solved for now!! The piece I am most excited for eyes to see is my "I am Just A House Fly".....I cant wait to hear the reviews on this piece in particular... 3ft x 4ft of oily fly....

"I am Just a House Fly" 

36x48in Oil on Canvas

Bring your Fly Swatters!!! This guy will "bug" you all night long at the show

I will be sharing the wall of the Brick House with a talented artist from Watertown South Dakota...none other than Kari Lynn....This is an honor for me. I cannot wait to see her work at the show as I have not had the chance to see it in person with my own eyes....but from the images I have seen I get excited to have that chance and to be showing with her..... The mood she creates with her work takes my mind to a place it wants to be. The movement and flow is beautiful.  Here are a few samples I stole from her hehehehe

Artist Kari Lynn

Title: Mardi Gras
Medium: Pen and ink, watercolor
11x15

(Image property of Kari Lynn all rights reserved)

Title: Severance
Medium: Acrylic
30x48 on Canvas

(Image property of Kari Lynn all rights reserved)

 What do you think about that?.....Need I say Wow!.....The excitement builds for the night....the night we shall come together and with any luck...blow the minds of all those who enter the show on this wonderful night in March.....

On Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 in Madison South Dakota USA....this is the view you better be seeing as you enter......I know most of you who are reading are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from Madison SD....If I could just ask that you send us your Love and be there in Spirit.....It is a big night for me in my art career....Nerves will be tested...butterflies will be floating around in a stomach or two....but it is all part of the excitement of doing something you have always dreamed of......Please go over to the event page Double Header with Lynn and Jeschke and check it out....leave us a comment or two.....also make sure that you go over and check out Madison Area Arts Council and "like" the page...they are great....Thank you all so much for taking some time to read this little post about my first show....I will be taking lots of photos and will share it all with you after the event.....I hope to see you all there!!!!! Peace and Love to you

Please feel free to share this link....I can always use he help to make this big ...thanks

Would like to thank the Madison Area Arts Council and Kari Lynn for the use of some of the photos in this blog post.....

A look into the SUN FIGURE Series...and a new painting

Life on planet Earth is a beautiful thing...Millions of species of animals, bacteria, plants etc. call this little blue planet earth. Some species are very clever and have developed complex systems of retaining their life and the world around them. Humans among the most clever....We build great monuments to our humanity, move about the planet in vehicles made of minerals, and communicate through machines also built with minerals and elements we think we have power over. Is this a fluke? Are we riding on the only body in the vast space around us that gives life?....I Think Not....

My Sun Figure series takes a look at one possible species that also shares the Universe with us. Here is a little bit about these fascinating beings....

The Sun Figures are a creation that thrives in the hostile environment of a Star or Sun. Hydrogen and Helium plasma feed their life-force. The magnetic field gives them power and communication. Their bodies are not carbon based, as most other life we know is, but concentrated light elements derived from the molecules around them. They need vehicles made of heavy elements we do know yet know exist to move around. The spheres give them mobility and are with them forever, almost a part of them. They are controlled by the Sun Figures thoughts, movements and arms (as we would call them). They thrive in the gravitational pressure and heat. The larger the star, the more powerful the Figures. They do not know death or any concept of it. They are pure light. To them the path to Heaven is achieved when the star they live on reaches it most powerful phase, Supernova! Heaven is entered only when the star becomes what we call a Black Hole, the most dense object we know of in the universe. This is where they meet God. 

The Sun Figures mission is to nurture the delicate balance of  the stars life. It is their garden to sow and love. The keep the balance of life energy flowing. With out them stars would not live....without stars...no other life would exist! The are vital to the clock work of everything....... They did not create life, but only help to maintain it........... They are Sun Angels of God.

The Paintings in the Series so far:

"Figures on the Sun"

24x36in Oil on Canvas

Dec. 2004 

"Figures on the Sun" was the first one in the series that brought my vision to light..... It was done in one session. It captures a group of beings congregated together for fellowship. It is bold in its movement and color. I knew once complete, the theory had to be examined more. This brought to me the vision to do the next one....almost the next day!

"SUN FIGURE #1"  

24x48in Oil on Canvas

Dec. 2004 

"Sun Figure #1"   My personal favorite...After completing "Figures on the Sun" I got excited and wanted to create a closer more detailed view of these beautiful beings...The colors are vibrant and flow by one another with a strong force in themselves. It also is the only painting so far with a view of their knowledge of humanity.... A hidden image showing a female human....proof that everything is connected....all life revolves in one large circle....

"Sun Figure #0"

16x20in Oil on Canvas

2005 (completed 2011)

"Sun Figure #0" This painting was lost at one point in time...I had painted the figure one night in 2005...playing around with the Sun Figure image....I put it aside and at it ended up in a box with a bunch of my other older works and when I had moved it was unknowingly stored in my basement and forgotten!! A few months ago I was digging in some boxes and found it.....it was a good find....I then wanted to have some fun with color and finished the background last Nov.

"Sun Figure #2"

24x48in Oil on Canvas

Sept. 2011

"Sun Figure #2" was my first painting last year....I wanted to play around with the color and feel of the Sun Figure...This painting is bright and a wonderful play on color....The Blue and Yellow create a sharp contrast in this work....and the flow of the background bring life to the piece.......It is the only painting in this series that is presently for sale..Sun Figure #2 for sale here and will only be up for sale at this price for another month or two....then it will become part of my personal collection (and get expensive)

-The DEBUT of a New Painting to the Series-

"Sun Figure #3"

18x24in Oil on Canvas

Feb.2012

"Sun Figure #3"....This painting was just completed this last weekend... It started as a fluke of sorts...I had set out to create a non-subject abstract painting for fun...You know just go play with some color and not take it as a serious thing....So I took my palette knife and some oil paints that I wanted to use up (partial tubes of paints that I may have lots of tubes of that color) and I just started to make a mess....well soon I saw a partial face on the canvas and proceeded to exploit it and worked it to being what it is today...This painting was done in 2 sessions and was done with about 90% palette knife...the only real brushing was to smooth out some of the face after my cat Winston had decided that he wanted to step on it (I had laid it down on my work table and got distracted hehehe Cats will be cats)...The paint on this one is very thick and the texture is wonderful.......I tried to get in a little closer to the being than the other in the series....I was just having fun and it came to life.....

 Thank you all for spending some time to take a closer look into a few of my paintings....Yes my mind is filled with crazy stuff....I am so happy that I can get some of that stuff onto a format that other folks can also enjoy and think about....I am sure that these are not the last in this series....I like to come back to it from time to time.....I would love to hear your thoughts on these pieces.....(the comments below are not set to be signed up....anyone can comment) Please also "share" the link to this story with your friends....Peace and Love to you I hope you enjoyed this latest blog post

 

 

"A SIOUX MUSTANGS SPIRIT"

"A Sioux Mustangs Spirit"

16x20in Acrylic on Canvas

02/02/12

He is the strength and grace....the keeper of heart and soul of a whole people...He lives in every Mustang that lives side by side with the Sioux Nation. He is wise and fearless with a heart that knows War and turmoil but also knows Peace and Love. A gift from Mother Earth. A keeper of the 4 directions...He helps provide for the beautiful people that worship him as natures master of the plains...He is light....He is darkness

His Eyes are blank with energy as he sees things with his life-force and heart. A cold stare of Respect, Love and Duty....His sight is within......He knows everything and nothing

He attracts the light...and it reflects from him like silver....In the moonlight he stands still with the world moving on around him. His mane is sharp with glitter and movement...He lives in the Light...He is Light!

His Nation is that of the Oyate, also know as the Sioux. His people lived on and cherished the upper Midwest of the United States...The Sioux Empire (as it is still known today) is where his light is shown...He is a buffalo hunter...He is a warrior. 

I painted this beautiful painting as a tribute to the heritage of my mothers...I am Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux\Oyate. My mother people lived on this land and thrived for many many moons. I wanted to capture a feeling of the power of the Mustang in my culture. The Spirit of a people who looked upon these majestic animals as equals. The Mustang gave them a whole world of prosperity...They where the means of the hunts and the wars. They allowed the Sioux to partner with them in life as a friend, a companion, and a bringer of life....I wanted to try and capture just a hint of that...

The background to this piece is a thick Impasto style...hints of red and violet share the sky with some of the darkness....This is a high gloss piece with texture and feel...in person it just sings!!! I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do....Last night as I worked on some finishing detail, excitement washed over me many times. I love it when it all just comes together with Peace and Love.....

This beautiful painting is up for sale on my Etsy...Click Purchase Here

 This would look great in your world...Frame it and enjoy it forever!

Thank you everyone for taking a look at my latest work,,,Please feel free to share this work...pin-it if you please....and Please leave a comment below (anyone can comment, you do not need to be signed up) 

Also remember I Love you all....I am so blessed to have so many wonderful folks interested in my humble work.....