"Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, 

"It made a difference for that one." 

― Loren Eiseley

Rise Above...Worry

Day 4 Rise Above....Worry

I mean honestly, think back to all the things you have worried over.  Ask yourself did you really worry your best about it? Be honest, did you give that situation you could not control a 100% effort of worry? If not then maybe if you HAD worried more or with more diligence you might have been able to change the outcome, I just don't know for sure. What I do know for sure is this: If I worry about something- I go all in.  B2TW, No holding back, 1000% of my worrying ability is spent well...worrying about it. It's genetic, Big Ken, My Daddio is like a world champion worrier. I am just naturally good at worrying. Even still- with all my mad worry skills I have never been able to change anything by worrying.  It's crazy. It's almost like...oh I don't know, worrying doesn't help AT ALL...weird.

I suppose it's good to be reminded: worrying is a dreadful use of your imagination. (See what I did there?) I recently learned paper lanterns, often used in ceremonies and celebrations in Asian cultures, were actually the first hot air balloons. Cool right? Now get THIS- in Thailand people write their worries on a paper lantern. Then light the lantern and symbolically release the concerns. Smile. I love that. So much. This painting is for sale. Contact me for info.

Rise Above Day 3 "You Can't Keep A Good Dog Down"

"Rise Above.....You Can't Keep A Good Dog Down"

For Bailey-really soon things will be lookin' up!

Rise Above...Realities. Happy Birthday Dr Seuss

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
― Dr. Seuss

"Rise Above....Realities"

Happy Birthday Dr Seuss!

It's day one of a brand new 31 Day Project! Something new this time, a theme. (I do love a theme) but typical projects have been "whatever I decide when I get up-hap hazard-whimsy-oh I think I'll paint one of those  cause I saw it and never have" kinda projects. And honestly I love that. I mean that is a fair overview of my art philosophy in general. I like to paint and draw so I draw and paint what I like. Of course you followers know this and to anyone new...well...uh HI! Welcome! I pretty much paint and draw whatever I like and sometimes I blog about it. Now that we got the formalities out of the way.....Let's do Day 1.

"Anything Is Possible" 

Rise above......doubt 

And since I'm committed to being real about things I will say my biggest doubter is.....me. Day 1 could also easily be titled  "believe in your dreams" but the blog project has a THUH-EEEM-AH this year (haven't you been listening???) so...yes silly dreams, plans, hopes and ambitions, wishes and goals. Don't allow doubt, even self doubt, to hold you down. RISE ABOVE! 

Sweet Caroline's Upgrade

A little over 4 year ago I had the privilege to paint the nursery of Sweet Caroline.  I was so excited when The Red Hot Momma (Cindy for those of you reading this crazy art blog for the first time) asked if I could create something new for a newly decorated "big girl" room.  Best part about THIS project??? (besides the obvious-chair buying friends of mine who hired me) I got to paint a HEDGEHOG of all things!!!! How fun is that????   Thanks so much for your continued friendship and support of my art habit! I love you all. PS Hedge Hogs really are not that stingy.

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"Stick Yo Neck Out" or "Waterfalls"

"If I had a big giraffe he'd have to take a real long bath and that's why waterfalls are really neat" Dwight Yoakam

A few months ago as I sat with a guest creating a painting of some polka dot/stripey/zig zaggy coated giraffe onto a small canvas I was asked a question. I do believe the question was harmless and not intended to hurt my feelings yet...for a while now, 6 months exactly today...it kinda stung. Don't mistake my notation of the date as a deeper emotional blow, I am after all "rain man" and certain dates and things just stick out. I can't help it kids- it's who I am! Speaking of that.... The question was not intended to insult my very being or as imposed judgment on my artistic ability it was a practical question about something that isn't really practical at all...My art work.  So it went like this: I finished the last stripe or dot or whatever on the giraffe and proudly displayed my canvas to my guest "Tadaaa!" I said (I am 7 years old you know) "Neat" says the guest...."who would buy that?"  errrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkk....... record scratch... I'm sorry-what? Did you, a math guy-evidence finder-logical self proclaimed stats nerd, just imply my art work is not worth purchasing?????  I didn't say that because to be real honest I couldn't catch my breath and my face was burning hot and my eyes were stinging so I just sat there breathing in and out and slowly turned back to my supply box to start cleaning up. All the while thinking "seriously tho...who WOULD buy this? it's stupid...I don't even know why I drew or painted these giraffes like this..I mean brightly colored and with the coat of other animals (one was leopard print I remember), What good does it do anyone?  I think I muttered something like "people who want to support what I get to do in Kenya mostly buy my little canvases. Next month I will do a new canvas every day and people have blindly reserved their dates."  Feeling a bit self righteous  I then mumbled..."some very smart people buy things like this." 

It's true. I create quirky and non sensical things and some times people buy them.. And sometimes...people see the little creations and actually commission bigger versions and you know what else? Sometimes people don't. It's also true that people who want to support my orphans in Kenya buy my work and smart people buy my work. Good- we got all that settled. Only took 6 months to get to  this "Does it matter who buys it? Does it matter if anyone buys it at all? Is it any less art? Are you any less "you"? The answer to all of those questions is a resounding "NO".  It's the very essence of the series  I call U.B.U.  Be the best you-you can be. Don't worry about others and don't try to fit in or measure up. Be YOU!  Uhh...good idea AK I think I will. Good! Thank you! You're most welcome. Good night! 

And now, the song that started all this giraffe painting anyway. Take it away Mr. Yoakam