The Freedom to Create

Just think of all that we are missing out on when we keep our focus on worldly affairs and how they're going to " infect " (aka affect) our lives. Wow! that's like watching paint dry which is what I am doing this morning as I prepare a piece for painting. I caught my muse this morning while putting Jaime on the bus. I looked at the heavens and there it was. This beautiful morning sunrise filled with pinks and purples against a light blue backdrop. Emerging from the Georgia pines was a huge ball of fire all ablaze in it's glory. I couldn't get in the house fast enough. I so wanted to capture what my eyes fell upon this morning. I had unloaded some scrap wood from the car the day before. I selected a crescent shaped piece of lumber, grabbed my sandpaper to clean and smooth it out. I drilled holes in the back for hanging. Now, I am waiting for the first coat of gesso to dry. While I am waiting, I drew out a rough sketch. Nothing elaborate. Simply to note p...

This is a second sketch of a series I am exploring called "Master/Student". Changed Perspective My original sketch contained to many elements so I did away with it. My objective  in this study is to represent a "visual" message. That upon viewing the painting the "viewer" will be able to see themselves as either the "giver" or "receiver" within the painting. The visual message of this painting is to represent the "viewer" as "Christ-like" touching someone in need. Or the "viewer" on the steps "in-need" being touched by Christ Jesus. The application of acrylic paints in this step was created using layers of acrylics to define the background. The first layer was to paint the wall. The wall is the first primary level. After the application of acrylics I used a matte finish just over the entire drawing. By applying the matte finish this prevents any further application of paint to blend i...

This foot was made for walkin'...and that's just what it'll do....one of these days this foot is gonna walk all over you. Singing to Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots are made for Walkin'" while painting my foot. Adding color, trying to control a realistic feel of this foot. I am still not satisfied with the toenails but I am satisfied with the overall appearance.  ' In the picture above there is a vein that I think is too large, so I will add a bit of flesh tone to narrow it out a bit. Overall, I don't think it's to bad for a first timer. Next, I'll be constructing a hand.  Stay tuned! I would love to hear  some feedback as to any suggestions. Please feel free to post and comment.

This post is a continuation of " The measure of a Foot ". The final goal is that this clay model represent the life-like quality of a human foot. After allowing the clay to air dry. I began applying gesso as a primer before applying acrylic paint.  The above picture shows the application of 3 coats of gesso. The picture below shows the application of acrylic paints. Human flesh is comprised of several shades. The color is not one single color. I mixed some red, some blue, some sienna brown, along with a touch of yellow. All in varying degrees adding gesso to the paint as I did not want the transparency of the pure paint. I used a papertowel dipped with a touch of water to smooth over the surface. I think this foot is developing nicely . I hope to see it walk off the table by itself. I see that I still have the toenails and maybe another over all thin coating of color. I will post the completed piece in a final entry on this project. Hope you'll follow along.

Julinka is from Jumar the planet of the Green Moons.  I had created a sample character drawing awhile back. The drawing sat in my stack of papers for some time. I thought it was time to bring out the character and do something with it. I then created "Julinka". I gave her a jeweled nose and pads on her hands to imitate jewels. The background for Julinka was computer generated. I thought it would be neat to have a jeweled appearance as well. Now it's time to create a story around "Julinka from Jumar-the planet of the Green Moons".

What is the measure of a foot? Oh.......I know.........12 inches. Did you get your chuckle on?  This is a project I've had an itch on for some time. I am fascinated with the structural quality of hands and feet. I had posted the first slumping over at SandnShovel . Since I am continuing with refining the cast, I am posting the rest of the project here at Bongo Creative. The clay being used is raw Georgia clay. I just wanted to get my "feet wet" as I hadn't worked with clay for some time. This is day one:   Achieving the basic shape of the foot and some contouring of the heal, bones on top of the foot, and toes. I did play "This little piggy went to market". Continually wetting the clay with my fingers and massaging the clay as you would a foot massage. When I was finished for the day, I apply a wet towel over the top so that I can return to it another day. The wet towel keeps it just wet enough to continue manipulating and moving the clay. Day 2:...

Hold His hand. Let us walk together. Every breath filled with sweet perfume. Each step is pillowed by the soft brown earth. Your hand gently moves the lavish green curtains to unveil yet another turn. Beams of sunlight gently guide you, lead you. Breezes carry joyful music sung by the choir of birds. Close your eyes. Experience a feeling of completeness as you slowly immerse yourself with the surroundings.

Where would my mom and her co-workers have been without that 38 button call directory? Growing up that's all my sister and I heard, repeatedly. What is it you might ask? It's a switchboard. Thank goodness for God allowing the human mind to go beyond the limits and to stretch the imagination through the use of technology.  I, myself, was technologically challenged when I bought my first computer and mainstreamed with an internet connection. The door was wide open and so much to explore and learn. There still is, in fact even more now than before. Things are changing by the second. In traveling with the Divine Creative Spirit one has to be as creative in marketing as they are with their individual talent. I saw on Elance.com that I could submit a video about my artworks to post on my profile page. It displays a bit more professionalism for those who are looking at your work and that is exactly what I am trying to convey: Professionalism. There are so many creative ways to ...

Tukie? Could this be a Tukie? I'm not sure but it was fun trying to come up with something original for a freelance job. The weather here in Georgia has just been plain old "hot". Too hot to work in the garden-no rain and lots of weeds. Trying to just keep the plants watered in getting past this hot spell. I've joined every freelance site I could find . Elance.com , ifreelance.com , and guru.com . I've created a store at zazzle.com . Zazzle is fun and I love the new products for the signature phone covers and ipads, skateboards too. Wished I had done that when my boys were into skateb oarding years ago. These are the things I've done to keep myself being creative on a daily level. Then I go on to think what more can I do? Well, as this blog is titled "Bongo Creative-Traveling with the Divine Creative Spirit", now it's time to allow the Spirit to move within me. Allow the Spirit to stir it up. To surrender, to release my control of how ev...

I thought I would take some time to learn animation and this is what I came up with. This is a little short of a bunny doing his thing. It took all day long and still not quite right but I was exhausted to go any further. A while back I had searched for alternative editing programs and found Sqirlz Morph . It had been sitting in my computer downloads for sometime as I had been busy with other things and qu ite frankly, wasn't ready to learn any new technical material. Yesterday, while my daughter Jaime was at a birthday party, I opened up the program and gave it a go. I like the hands on and dive in approach rather than read tutorials. That's probably why it took me all day.  I used two illustrations that were almost identical. Then I  picked control points in each of the illustrations. It was difficult at first to find the relationship between each illustration and their corresponding control points but with a little maneuvering I began to see it. Now it was starting to...

Fine Wine Here is the finished piece " Fine Wine ". I told you that's what I was going to call it. I titled this " Fine Wine " because it took awhile to achieve the affects I wanted to capture. The flavor of realism with a hint of impressionism makes for a sweet bouquet of some mighty " Fine Wine " . There were several hurdles to jump over while creating this piece. #1) The size of the prepared panel. It measures 7.5 x 6.5 and appeared a little intimidating. I haven't worked on something that small for some time. #2) I continually kept getting caught by what "my eye" saw. And that was the photograph of the four pears. Once I could let go of what my eye was seeing and sense the pears by that I mean to touch them, taste them, smell them in my mind's eye I was able to free myself to continue.  The thought I had before beginning this painting was ........."Oh-piece of cake. I can do this in a matter of a few days." . T...

      The stage is set for a grand production. Camera, lights, action. "Wow!", you're thinking. Y ou take a seat front and center, lights dim, actors in place. A hush falling over the entire theater as the curtain slowly goes up. Undetected by anyone, the faucet drips. Draining all the excitement and enthusiasm from yo ur body. It's left pooling on the floor beside your chair. You attempt to pick it up so no one else slips and falls like you just did.       That's the sort of feeling I get when I make attempts to create something I think is so grand and wonderful in my mind. You set the stage, all the right tools in place, the finished piece in your mind. Filled with excitement and fervent energy waiting to bust loose. All of a sudden "nothing"- it's gone. A voice swept across my mind like a north wind saying "you can't do that", "you're not good enough".      Remember your first experience with being taught "col...

.........are thoughts and words of gratitude. Sipping h ot coffee as I look out the kitchen window, "Good morning Creative Spirit. How are we going to play?" The weather conditions are not my ideal but I know the Creative Spirit will undoubtedly find a way to dissolve the clouds and rain away.  It's rainy, windy and cold so I'll put on my thick green garden boots and my green fishing cap to brave the elements. Remember the colorform boards where we would dress the boy or girl creating a scene with that plastic that stuck to the board? That was fun! I think I will be one of those. Have to go out and feed my herd of goat (nope didn't forget the "s"- I only have one and she is precious). This is Molly  Hey Creative Spirit, we had such fun drawing "Elsie the Cow". I went on to select another project. This one I am not having as much fun with. It has to much "me" in it. What would You like to do with it? If it were left up to me ...

Elsie says "MOOOOOO-rning". It is such a gorgeous day she's decided to jump off the table and go out to pasture to play with Molly. Keep your pencil sharp. I brought out the #6 pencil to deepen the dark shades using short strokes for hair on her body, face and nose. Deepened the dark areas on the crown, ears and eyes also. She was fun to play with and now it's time for her to go play. On to another project. Bye!

This little bovine is becoming more real as I work on the hair detailing above the eyes and ears and adding the little freckles on her nose. Keep your pencil sharp. I had used an eraser to lighten some areas giving depth to the overall look. She is a glamor girl for sure. Well time for her to head into the barn. Tomorrow we may finish her up. Hope you've enjoyed Elsie today as much as I have. Look forward to hearing from you. 

Elsie says "MOOOOOO-rning!" as we get started on today. No Elsie didn't need milking. She's enjoying the bright sunny gorgeous day while sitting on the kitchen table. Keep your pencil sharp. To start I am using a #4 pencil to increase the shaded area. In the photograph her picture was taken on a  sunshiney day so there are a lot of different tonal areas on her. I see by this posting her left ear looks natural with the different shades even though the light source is coming from the right, that right ear doesn't look as natural. But she is a "work in progress" so I'm not to concerned. I am happy with the shading under her chin on the left side it is appearing to have more of a "hair" texture to it along with her belly shading with the natural dimples. I love her nose and it feels as though I can pet her.  I know she is enjoying all this attention. Woops! Molly the goat outside is getting jealous. Hope you follow along today. I would...

Hi I'm back with stage 3 of playing with Elsie. Still using a #2 pencil. I thought I should attach her head to something. So I set in some of her body. Layering the dark areas, enhancing her eyes and putting in more shading. Keep your pencil sharp. I think I will stick her back in the barn for today. Tomorrow I will move on to a #4 pencil to emphasize the darker midtones.

Ok I am back. This is the second layering on "Elsie". I think she is progressing. This girl has a lot of shading. So far I am only using a #2 pencil. Always keep your pencil sharpened. On this layering I worked primarily on the bridge and nose. I work all around as to see some contrast in the shading. I want her nose to "pop" out at you. Also added the reflective areas on the eyes and enhanced her gorgeous eyelashes a bit. Now this gal has some cornrolls don't you think? I think this will be all for today. I will try to come back tomorrow. Sometimes when I put it away for awhile I can come back with a fresh set of eyes. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have. I look forward to your comments. See you tomorrow.

Today it is cold and raining. What a great time for painting.  I saw a picture of a cow in a magazine. Sh e looked so sweet I knew I just had to paint her. Rounding up my materials to spread across the kitchen table, I hav e my paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser and the photograph of "Elsie" from the magazine. This is the first stage of "Elsie". Taking a step back I can see that I usually put to much in ( to much detailing). So I need to relax and not be so tight. I am aiming for realism and a sweet expression.  Time for a break. Hope you will follow along and please feel free to post your comments. I would love to hear what you think. 

The porter shou ted "Metter. Next stop". The air sweet with honeysuckle and cedar pine. Stepping off the train my heart was home. The depot, once alive with chatter and bustling people, is silent. The only activity one can witness are the mowers whirring as the caretakers tend the grounds. Now the train sits lifeless, ghostlike. Where have they all gone? It was 10:30pm when we arrived in Metter. Pitch dark and feeling lost and exhausted after our 900 mile trip. The car was packed tight as a drum with all our belongings, 2 dogs and a cat. No where to lay our head. Finally something broke and we were able to rest. I tried hard not to let my daughter hear me sobbing from exhaustion. She reached over and said "it will be fine in the morning". "Yes it will" I replied. Waking the next morning, the sun was out, the air was sweet and my heart was home. Filled with the anticipation of adventure we couldn't wait to discover new territory. We piled in the c...

"Hey, sounds like you need a girls day out. I'll be right over." Twenty minutes or so passed when there was a knock at the door. There was Sarah all decked out in her riding apparel. "Sarah, why did you ride your bike over? You know I can't ride that and our car is in the shop." "No sweat, I brought an extra helmet. Do you have someone to watch the kids?" "Yeah, Sam is home. He'll watch them." "Hop on. Let's roll!" "Where to?"                               "Thought we'd head down to the river. It's an absolutely awesome day." Sarah tossed me the helmet that was strapped to the bike, revved up the hog and we're off! That's what I love about Sarah. She's always filled with excitement and enthusiasm. Ready to take on whatever the day has in store. She always has a smile on no matter what. And never takes "NO" for an answer. The ride was fantastic! Feeling the wind...

We found a stick today (actually it was yesterday). Th e sun was shining, a gorgeous near 60 degree day. Jaime and I decided to take a stroll through our surrounding woods with the camera to see what we could find of interest. There is always something happening in the woods. We saw that the dried up creek beds were filling with the winter thaw of the ground. That was fun for Jaime as she had just gotten some high fashion water galoshes to go splashing around in. Give her a mud hole and she's a happy camper. The bed of the woods is covered with fallen leaves from fall. We have been raking and making trails to refurbish our woods. We also came on broken limbs from trees that were clean as a whistle, cleaned of all their bark. Jaime and I have been collecting these for later uses. As we strolled through nature we came upon this enormous tree which was still firmly anchored in the ground. Must be nearing 30ft. tall. The amazing thing with this one is that it was cleaned right up to t...

OK-that was then.........NOW WHAT? Yesterday was totally frustrating as I tried to re-establish connections to old art sites. Trying to upload work and getting no where. Wait a minute........that's one of the things I left behind when we traveled to this location. Try, try, try.............trying to hard. Finally I had to shut this off and tell myself........All will be done in His time. I turned this computer off and took my kitchen compost out to the garden. That is where I love to be....outside no matter what the weather is. I dug my hands into the compost and sprinkled it onto the soil, grabbed my pitchfork and gave a good mixing. Looked up to the heavens and said "OK Lord, let it rain" and so He did. A whole day of it. Ummmmmmmmm Good! Since coming here to Metter a year ago, it has been very peaceful and quiet. Leaving everything behind to start over. Including most of my finished art pieces. Gaining a fresh perspective, allowing Spirit to speak. Technologies are goo...

This is the day the Lord has given me. The first thing when I wake I begin each day with a Big "Thank you Father-Mother God for all your wonderful blessings." Once I get started I don't stop. Sipping on my first cup of steaming hot coffee I continue with my gratitudes and all the things I am thankful for. And so the Divine Creative Spirit that God has blessed me with begins here-this day. Thank you dear Lord. Let's sing the song together: Row-row-row your boat gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is But a Dream Thank you dear Lord for bringing me out of bondage into my land of milk and honey. That I am finally in the Zone with You, dear Lord. How wonderful it truely is. That for the first time in my life I am not in want of anything. I know that You, dear Lord are my Source and Supply providing me with everything, daily. "The Dream" (your dream, my dream) can be anything you choose. Isn't that truely exciting? How can we not b...