Solo Art Show!

Rocky Landscape in Blue & Gray

I'm having my first solo art show tomorrow night (Friday, Sept. 5th) at Higher Ground Cafe & Sushi Bar on Cumberland St. in Lebanon, PA. These are two new pieces that will be shown.

Roses

I Am Not Fiction, But My Stories Are.

It never fails. After a new story posts, I receive numerous emails from readers who mistake my fiction for a true story. I have learned to take it as a compliment. If I write well enough that readers think it's real, then I am doing my job as a writer.

I have to laugh at the illusion that my stories are true. What would I be if they were true? I'd be a gay male/ lesbian/ straight and bisexual female who is an artist, nurse, car salesman, slave, and secretary who works third shift and day shift. I'd have a foot fetish or not and in a serious relationship or not. And, those are only a fraction of the characters.

So, when enjoying my stories, just remember that they are fiction. Some were completely my own creation. Some were written by request from readers.

Sometimes, I get comments or email from people who are confused about why I write for so many different categories. That's easy to explain. The website that posts my stories hosts a Survivor contest every year. The goal of the Survivor contest is to write as many stories as you can in as many different categories as you can. Therefore, I try my hand at as many different categories as I can.

Poetry

Yesterday, I started a 30 in 30 challenge in a poetry forum. Yes, a challenge to write 30 poems in 30 days! I kicked off the challenge with this as my first day's poem:

Self-image

Reflection stuck
replaying early wrongs-
mistakes of innocence,
dusty images of humanity.
Polish clears the image
until streaks remind me
of imperfections.
Darkness assigned
to beige experience-
a sense of “less than”


A new poem of mine posted on Literotica:
Summons to Growth

It's a terzanalle.. which varies from my favorite form, the villanelle. If you read this poem and one of my villanelles, such as "A Dream from Grandpa," you'll see the difference in the rhyme and repetition.

Still Life with Wine & Fruit

This is a painting I made a few months ago. It's simply called "Still Life with Wine & Fruit." It's in my living room now. It will probably be included in my next art show.

I used it for a background for an illustrated poem that has been submitted to Literotica. It's a rather serious poem called "Discrimination." I hope you enjoy it.

I shut my eyes in order to see."

-Paul Gauguin

Recovery

Here's what I painted today. It's called "Recovery." I don't currently have a digital camera right now. The picture is from my cell phone, so it isn't the best quality.

The painting is a 24"x36" oil painting. It will not be included in my upcoming art shows due to the size. Since it is an oil painting, it will take a few months until it is ready to show anyway.

Attending University of Phoenix

As many of you know, I am taking classes online at the University of Phoenix. I'm finishing up my bachelor's of science in psychology. I don't intend to seek employment in that field any more. At this point, I just want to finish my degree before my daughter gets her degree.

If you ever consider getting your degree online, you should be aware that there is a lot of writing involved. I have an individual or team research paper due every week beginning with the very first week of each class.

Overall, I think the classes are easy. My final grade for my last class was 99%. There really isn't a valid excuse any more to not have a degree or at least be working towards one.

Kelsey,

I'm telling your dad! Is he hot? LOL

-Sheila

Art Show

My next art show is this Friday, April 4th, 5:00-8:00 at Cafe Beracah in Lebanon.
I hope to see you there!

Landscape at Dusk--
Here's a cropped image of the largest oil painting that I've done. Again, I apologize for the quality of the photo. I'll need to work on that.
In this painting, I played with color a bit.. and I do mean played. This painting was a lot of fun to do. First, I underpainted the entire canvas in blue.. the same as the sky. When doing the grass and flowers, I allowed some of the blue to remain visible.What would I change? There are more orange tones than I would like. I may go back and adjust that. But, that's merely a personal judgement of the final result.
Should I be concerned about what my painting looks like in the end? Not so much. That may surprise you. After all, isn't the goal of art to end up with a work of art that is everything you want it to be? I don't think so. I think that the process of creating is much more important. Art keeps me sane. It's not the paintings hanging on my walls that soothes my soul, although it is nice to be surrounded by art. What's important to me is to take the time to allow myself to create- whether it be in the form of a painting, poetry, or a story. When I create, I am free.. free to purge my thoughts and feelings on paper, canvas, or the computer screen. If I am focused on the end result, I'll be censoring my efforts through the entire creative process, which would not be helpful at all.
Freeing yourself to create without boundaries or expectations is a way of accepting yourself without judgment.

Abstract Self-Portrait

I realize that I haven't previously posted any of my artwork, which is a real shame. This painting is my abstract self-portrait. This picture is slightly dark. (I never claim to be a photographer, although I have worked as one.) The painting is somewhat lighter. This acrylic painting is an image that reflects on my struggle with bipolar disorder. I treasure it, and it is currently hanging above my bed. Basically, it is an abstract blue flower flowing on lava. It's much different than my usual works.. which lean towards post impressionism. I'll be posting some more of my paintings and theory on art soon.

Johnson & Johnson Sues the American Red Cross

Did you hear that Johnson & Johnson is suing the American Red Cross for using the red cross symbol?
Johnson & Johnson Files Lawsuit Against the American Red Cross

After I read that news, I wondered if Johnson & Johnson or the Red Cross used the red cross symbol first. My suspicion that the Red Cross was first is actually correct.

The symbol was he Official ICRC (International Commitee of the Red Cross) symbol since 1864.
Geneva convention concerning the Red Cross ratified by the US in 1882.
Johnson & Johnson trademark in the US since 1905, which it should never have been.

I hope the Red Cross files a countersuit against Johnson & Johnson and wins.

I smell a boycott. I absolutely refuse to buy any Johnson & Johnson product from this day forward. They've really gone out off the way to show their heartless nature.

Oh, Mike Vick...

As a diehard Falcons fan, I feel the need to briefly discuss Vick's indictment for dog-fighting. First of all, I wholeheartedly support the team's careful consideration of their options at this time. I am glad that they did not act hastily to either end.

Here is the link to a letter to fans regarding the matter:
Letter from Arthur Blank

I encourage all Falcons fans to try to be patient. I know that with only 17 more days until the first pre-season game, patience is not an easily-obtainable virtue.
Remember that the Atlanta Falcons do not equal Vick. Vick is only one player, albeit an important one. Even if Vick will not be playing this season, do not give up hope of rallying to become Superbowl contenders. If there is one thing that the Falcons have been known to do, it is to rally from a disadvantage and take the world by surprise!

Friend's New Website

A dear friend of mine has a new website:
http://ask-josh.com

Please take a moment to check it out. He offers his down-to-earth advice to anyone in need. He is also a very talented free-verse poet. My two favorite poems of his are featured on his website.

"When you buy your first tube of paint, it comes with an artist's license that says that you can do anything that makes you happy."
-Bob Ross

Having Fun With Poetry

The clerihew is a whimsical form of poetry. It is biographical, with the first line consisting of the name of the person who the poem is about. The following 3 lines are of varied lengths. The first two lines rhyme, as do the second two lines.

Vincent van Gogh
Cut off his ear, as you know
His vibrant colors and thick strokes
are lesser known to the folks.

They are fun and easy. Try to write one!

Disturbing Headline

LEVITTOWN, Pa. -- Animal control officers caught an alligator in a Bucks County creek over the weekend, just days after netting a 5-foot gator in the same area. The second alligator, caught Sunday afternoon near Bryn Athyn, is about 2 feet long.

Alligators in Pennsylvania? wtf?
Do you think some idiot had a couple pet alligators and released them? It's quite likely. Think public safety and the ecosystem, people!

Sometimes, people just don't realize the impact that their actions have on others and the world around them. Many ecosystems around the world have been upset by animals that people have introduced to the area. Now, commonly, exotic species are introduced into bays by way of ballast water from ships. This accidential displacement of organisms from one country to another is the price we pay for international trade. You would think that by now someone would have designed a filter system or something to prevent this from happening. Maybe there already is such a device being used.. I don't know.

But, the introduction of exotic pets in areas where they just don't belong by careless or apathetic owners is just not right. When someone buys an exotic pet, they should be prepared to take on the responsibilty for that animal.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Thank You!

I just want to take a minute to thank everyone for taking the time to read and vote on my stories. I appreciate all the feedback that I have received. And for those of you who are rushing me to write more stories... There are more on the way!

New Story!

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Live With Enthusiasm

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