Another Year of Adventure

It's officially the last day of the year, a wonderful time to think about what we did over the year and what's next. There is a beautiful sunrise peering over the horizon, this is a time of new beginnings and experiences. Every new opportunity is potential waiting to be explored.

I learned a lot from the projects I took on in 2017 and look forward to many more. This year I worked on video game creation, video editing / creation, graphic design, audio dramas, photography, painting and drawing;  and probably some more stuff I left out as well. It has been a wonderful adventure and I feel like it's just beginning.

Life is a wondrous adventure meant to be experienced and crafted by a creative heart. There is no end to new experiences when you are a source of  creation. Our humanity is the meaning we seek, it is the measure of all things including ourselves individually.

There are so many new endeavors and creations to be had in the coming year. Those in the way of progress are getting brushed aside for a bit, the coming year promises to be prosperous. To squander the coming year or any other for that fact is shameful but it's not too late for a new beginning.

I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year!

The Little Drummer Boy

"The Little Drummer Boy" has always been my favorite Christmas song. Although this is a very simple song it holds a lot of meaning. It is symbolic of our potential relationship with the Lord.

In the song a very poor young boy is asked to join the magi to see the new born King. Realizing he had no gift for the King he asked if he could play his drum. He played his drum with all his heart and as the song goes Jesus smiles.

This song really illustrates the least is greatest. Do you think any gift that the magi brought made the lord smile? They were men of the world living by a worldly perspective after all.

So what would be the greatest gift to please the Lord? Use what he gave you. We all have what we need to make Jesus smile, we don't need to search the world for gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Play your own drum, look within to find what you need, seeking an outside source will only leave you empty handed.

The Viking Way

I'm fascinated by Norse mythology and how it inspires Art and Fiction to this day. Comics, Movies, Television, Art, and Fiction have all been influenced by this mythology. Something within the Mythos rings true for it to last this long.

After watching the show "Vikings" I got to thinking about what inspired these people to go out and conquer and take what did not belong to them in the name of glory. I realize this show is a work of fiction, but a lot of insight can be learned from fiction that does not lie.

After giving it a lot of thought I've come to the conclusion that these people believed wholeheartedly in a lie that was told to them by "gods". This lie was a perverted truth and very convincing because of it. Anyone who has read the Book of Enoch knows who these "gods" were. 

The Truth that I mentioned is that this life is about proving yourself worthy but not through the conquering of others, but by using your talents and seeking glory not in your own name but in the name of the Father. If we prove ourselves worthy our seat at the table in Valhalla (The Kingdom of Heaven) will be waiting for us. Eventually this world will fall to ash and a new one will be built, God can do it alone but wouldn't it mean so much more if he had help?

This is an ink drawing I did inspired by the show "Vikings".

"Lagertha"

Inspiring Ink

I've have always loved black and white ink illustrations such as those in comics or older children's books. Now that I am creating my own ink drawings I am thrilled. We like what we like, and there is no better joy than creating something from our inspiration.

The contrast of ink on white paper makes for amazing values and brooding shadows. The darker gritty comics such as "Batman", "Spawn", and "Constantine" are a few that come to mind that use contrasting shadows to great effect. The subject matter doesn't have to be dark to use ink to great effect though, the possibilities are endless.

There are many inking techniques that I enjoy experimenting with and many I have incorporated as part of my personal style. Hatching and crosshatching are one of my favorites, I really like how these methods create large values that are made from many smaller lines. There is something that is aesthetically pleasing to me in the patterns created from hatching.

Fall always reminds me of my love for ink but it's kept in my heart year round. To me there seems to be something spiritual in contrast, the battle of light and dark creates the values that we are trying to communicate. From the shadows a spark of light reveals a universe, what lives in this universe is up to us we just have to bring it forth from the shadows.


Here are some examples of my ink work.

Festival Of Life

If the sinister were removed from the world life would be a celebration instead of a drudgery. There would be no need for jobs just to keep the masses busy. There would be no need for money, bills, or needs in general.

If everyone used their talents to the fullest and we existed not for the needs but for celebration, life would have real meaning. Each day would be full of wonder, the boring would be removed. Silly notions such as cost will be replaced with the common question, "Why not?"

Everyone would be a performer in one way or another, we would be motivated by our inspiration to create, laugh and love. We would not have to search for an audience, people would no longer be busy in the rat race and would have time to enjoy creation. The best of the old world will be renewed and the worst will be forgotten.

As things are this all seems like a fairy tale, but doesn't everything good start with a dream? If life was a festival showcasing creation would you have a place in it? The choice is personal, nobody can make it for you, you are either part of the new world or not there is no in between.

Over The Top

As a kid I was thrilled by what I now consider silly and over the top. I still enjoy comics and anime, but now my tastes are refined. Characters must have depth and prove themselves human in order to be endearing to me.

Instead of completely discarding what is "childish" I try to embrace the essence of what inspired me in the first place. Heroes and villains set the standard, pushing the limits can turn into cheap thrills if the human factor is forgotten. When the excess gets in the way it destroys the purity of a creation leaving an empty shell.

The unabashed violence of comics and anime seem like too much on the surface but when we look at it from a spiritual point of view it seems appropriate. Good vs evil is all or nothing, to pull any punches would mean failure.  The uncompromising determination of a hero who stands strong in the face of evil will always inspire me.

It is not required that heroes posses extravagant powers or villains be all powerful for a story to be inspiring. Over the top is better than lukewarm by far but both fall short in the end. Finding that pure inspiration and shaping something refined out of it is the pinnacle of creation and something I constantly strive for.

Doing Our Best

When we have done our best there is nothing left to be asked from us, falling short is never the case. Every dream and idea is pure potential but pointless without action. When we live up to our potential we become an unstoppable force.

Doing our best is caring enough to create while others sit idle, it is standing tall when dark forces are attempting to drag us down. To do our best is to channel from the inside out creating something of our self. Some will expect more than our best, my advice is to ignore them as their demands are only for their own gain.

All that we do we should do with all our heart otherwise our efforts are in vain. To have done anything not to our fullest is failure. Those who settle for good enough will always have the emptiness of knowing their potential was never realized.

The future is uncertain, but if we do our best then we will have solace in knowing we gave it our all. When we truly have done our best we become a source of  inspiration that sets an example that will grow with each inspired heart. To give anything less than our best would be to compromise our very humanity.

Growth of an Artist

One thing that brings me joy is comparing older work to my current, I love seeing how technical skills improve with time. Improving our skills is a simple as doing, time spent on developing new techniques is never time wasted. The joy of art comes with experiencing another fully enjoying your thoughts and feeling.

Technical skill does not change what we are trying to express but it does make it more clear to the observer. Every idea is clear to us personally but to express it to another is where the challenge begins. To bring the abstract into focus and make a connection takes practice as well as passion.

Wherever our talents bring us in our creative endeavors we will always have the challenge and pleasure of bringing our ideas to life so that they make be understood and experienced. An artist may use light to tell a story, or a writer may use a number of perspectives to detail a scene. We must be able to reach another observer or else our thoughts and feelings stay in the ether.

In all mediums it takes skill to be able to articulate our thoughts and feelings so they may be understood by our audience. Nothing is ever better for being more complex, time spent needlessly in translation will ensure parts of the whole will be lost. Making things universal is a goal I strive for, the human element is what makes art worthwhile, humanity is the measure of all things after all.

A World With Replicators

Imagine if the technology of our world was up to par with that of Star Trek and our basic needs were taken care of by default. Imagine a world where we didn't have to work for food or shelter and the health and well being of each individual was taken care of by technology. The body would be taken care of so that the mind and spirit may thrive.

What would you do in a world where your motivations were never based on survival? Would you languish in boredom or would you use your talents to create something new? Without the grind of survival inspiration would be the fuel of those who care, the many would become restless without their systems.

In a perfect world it would be easy to find and use your talents but our current world isn't perfect. Despite the world some do create even with the obstacles that were placed in our way, perfect is a motivation but never a state of being. Humanity was give a choice and most chose poorly but fortunately the choice is personal and with the individual.

The world is difficult because of the many but the world still works because of the few. It is within this balance that we may find ourselves so that we may thrive when the many are removed so that the few may make the world anew. This is the endgame, it's up to each and every one of us to decide if we are the few or the many.

Hope

There is hope left in the world for humanity despite the grind and oppressive dark forces. If hope was lost the last apocalypse would have already come to fruition. The few are the hope for the many but never the opposite has been true.

False hope is the currency of the wicked, they use it to buy the confused and lost so that they may do their bidding. The many are lead astray by the glittering gold of vanity and led as lambs to the slaughter. The trivial is valued over the everlasting spiritual in a hopeless game of numbers.

True hope for humanity is within our own potential, do not believe any outside force can provide you a way out of the systems. We have to make a stand and break out of the arbitrary box that was conveniently provided for us. There is hope left in every person who cares enough to be more than the sum of their parts.

I say to you that there is hope left and the hope is with every shining light that finds The Way. The Way was demonstrated all we have to do is open our heart and listen to our guide. Hope will endure as long as friendship and love lives in the heart of man.

"gods" of the World

There is only one true God and his kingdom is not of this world, but there are many false gods who are among us. Everywhere we look the residual imprints of the old are present in the new. So much has changed but so much more has stayed the same.

What we worship becomes us, we become absorbed into another's creation instead of becoming our own person. Each "god" is a system that is maintained in order to keep us distracted. Take the fiat currency system for example, countless lives have been spent in an endless grind in the name of wealth that truly has no value, sounds demonic to me.

The many "gods" of old still have a say in the fate of men only because they allow them dominion. The "god" of war incites anger in the hearts of men, the "god" of wisdom turns men away from creation and fuels their lust for knowledge in turn leaving their hearts cold. The "god" of vanity is a favorite among the masses, feeding narcissism whispering into the ears of those who would take credit for the fruits of others labor.

This world is indeed ruled by many "gods" but we have the choice whether or not to be a subject of the world. Realize we have dominion over these distractions and cast aside the rules of this world, seek from within and have the eyes to see that this world has nothing to offer us. Break free of the clutches of the "gods" of old and become a light of this world, only then will our heart be truly satisfied.

Echoes of the Past

Ever get the feeling that all this "new" technology and "modern" conveniences are all just fragments of what used to be? That feeling of familiarity that accompanies human advancements is not a random fabrication. We are not the first advanced civilization to walk this earth, there is a lot of physical evidence of this but all I require is the feeling that we are rebuilding what once was.

We are getting close to the level where we were before the flood but we still have a lot to overcome in terms of tribalism and other such needless setbacks. Demonic propaganda and distractions keep the confused and lost wearing the chains of this world. Those who are lost must be shown The Way so that they may make a choice, the choice of freedom or death, Love or destruction.

Of course we have to rebuild everything from the ground up with only slivers of distant memories to remind us of our former glory. Those who care enough to break their bonds will lay the foundations of a new world. Those who stand in the way of progress will fall and crumble, without the Love of creation they have no real power.

Imagine a world where everyone did what they loved, people didn't need a mindless job to keep them out of trouble, and everyone was given an opportunity to thrive by their own efforts. No corners would be cut in the name of greed and human life would once again be valued over all. When will this day come? That is entirely up to each and every one of us.

Breaking Our Chains

Quitting your day job to follow a passion is a intimidating concept for most and unthinkable for many. There are many self imposed rules and lifestyle choices that add to the difficulty of becoming free of the grind. Most would rather compromise in the name of comfort and security.

The chains we forge in life are the direct result of seeking more from the outside and less from ourselves. There are many systems in place to keep us running in circles, all of which appeal to the desire for worldly comfort and pleasure. Denying ourselves is the only sure-fire way of becoming free of these systems. 

When we free ourselves from the world we can finally start to become our own person. We must become self-sufficient and live within our means if we are to thrive on our own. Once we are able to provide our basic needs such as food and shelter with our passion we can start to move away from the meaningless grind.

There are no realistic ways to "get rich quick" without hard work and determination, it takes self-sacrifice and perseverance in order to reach our goal of financial independence. Adaption is key when finding a way to profit from our work. I'm currently laying the foundation for my own shot at freedom, I don't know if I'll be successful but I rather die trying than live as a slave.  

Keeping It Simple

So much in our lives is unnecessarily complex due to our own actions. We build elaborate networks of walls and self-imposed rules that in the end prove arbitrary. Few question why, while many would rather toil endlessly in the grind than have their world called into question.

What are we left with when we realize wealth is just a means to an end ? What fulfillment awaits those who only live by the numbers? Lies are always complex just like chains we forge in life, the truth is never complicated and is never subject to opinion.

We strive for more , some seek the treasures of the world but never are satisfied when any are obtained.  Few find what they are looking for as they bury themselves within the systems of the world. The greatest secret hidden in plain sight is not found by pulling the outside in but from creating from the inside out.

Freedom can be found, we just have to deny ourselves and only listen to our inner voice. Many will never believe the truth is so simple, most expect some complex explanation for the meaning of life. I can tell you that which we seek is within us from the beginning

Finding Your Voice

Take a moment and turn off all distractions, close your eyes, quiet your mind and focus on your breathing. Don't think about anything that you should be doing or anything from the outside world, simply let go of the world. Let only your own pure thoughts and feelings form within untouched by any other influence. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? Where does your mind take you?

We all have an inner voice that is meant to guide us on our journey, it is the true self waiting to come out and sing. Over time the voice is muffled by the world if we do not listen to it. Cynicism and compromise weaken and batter our otherwise strong and wonderful voice. 

Each voice is different but can sing in harmony with others. If we refuse to listen to our voice and let the world shape who we are we wither on the vine and never really become who we were meant to be. If we listen to our true self and become that person of our own making then there are no limits. 

We were born into this world but were not meant to be shaped by it, we are instead meant to bring new creations into the world from within. Believe only what rings true within, only when we are true to ourselves can we really break free of the chains of this world. Our talents are the manifestation of our spiritual being attempting to spread our wings and fly. Why limit ourselves to dust and water?

Being Connected

There are over seven billion people on Earth, we now have the ability to connect and inspire each and every one of them. Many are confused by the rhetoric of the masters of this world, if only they knew the Truth. Some are lost if we do not show them The Way, some are lost regardless by their own choice but all are pure potential.  

Being connected to one another should not be handicap, this world should be an amazing place all it would take is for everyone to care enough to use their talents. Just think about a world where each person lived up to their own potential, there would be no such thing as a grind. Every city would be a wonderful display of creation, no corners would be cut and we would all celebrate and rejoice in what we create.

Everything that is relevant is human, there is only mechanical nature without us. We were given gifts that we were expected to use to create endlessly with. We each have our own abilities and now we can share them with the world in an instant!

The forces of evil would rather we be isolated and continue to wither on the vine. They instead turn our connections to outlets of propaganda so that divisions can be made. Don't be fooled by those who would sever our connections, follow your heart and become a light in an otherwise dim world.

Prince of Darkness

The notion of Lucifer being a red pitchfork wielding half goat demon with horns is quite far from the truth. The light-bringer was created with the grace of God any who would look upon him would be memorized by his being. His face is much like that of Jesus but without the beard, kind eyes, and "imperfections".

Another false notion is the idea of a "satanic bible"; Satan wishes to be acknowledged as The Way and will stop at nothing to fool humanity into believing he is the true Lord of Spirits. He will indeed use the Word of God as his own, those who mindlessly memorize scripture will be his puppets.

It's important that we know the truth about humanity's greatest enemy because many will and already have fallen for his lies. There are many systems setup to keep us occupied and ignorant to the grand deception that is playing out. Lucifer delights in keeping us in the grind so that we may not know the Truth.

Lucifer was meant to be shining light of God's creation but in the end fell short because of his own vain choices. We all have the same choice, it's up to us to decide which path to follow. It all comes  down to a belief in The Truth or a lie, The Way as either love, harmony, and creation or pride, power, and destruction.



This is a side by side of two paintings, on the left is "Prince of Peace" by Akiane Kramarik and on the right is my painting "Prince of Darkness".

Adopting What's Cool

One thing I like to take to heart is the process of using what is cool and discarding what is lack luster. There is no end to cool creations to choose from it's all about what inspires us at our core. The whole does not have to be used, if only a portion does not fall short it does not have to be all discarded.

The US is a prime example of this principle in action, we take what we consider cool from any culture and use it as our own. Food, clothing, entertainment, and much more is imported and shared inspiring many. Thanks to the technology of today we are connected globally and can find all sorts of cool creations from around the world.

With my art I try to capture what I love about anime and super hero comics without any of the "cartoony" proportions of the east or western cliches that don't appeal to me. There is so much to influence our tastes so we have to be discerning and true to ourselves. Sure we develop our own style, but it's certainly influenced by what we love.

Being creative isn't about being original, it's all about expressing ourselves and making something we love. Absorbing what we find cool and reusing it in our own creations is an act of love and should never be anything else. Consuming all these wonderful things and never using them is a waste just think about all the cool things you can do with what you love!

The Least is Greatest

So much is life reflects the truth that the least is greatest and the greatest is least. The knowledge and power that so many seek result in the least reward. Those who live in love know the greatest reward with the least worldly cost.

The least of things with a meaning is worth far more than the greatest of things without. The pursuit of money for instance is an example of something that is supposedly great but is just a means to an end. The pursuit of love and spiritual fulfillment on the other hand is something with great meaning but takes the least to get started since we already have what we need within.

The love of creation starts as an inspirational spark within and builds as we express and creates a chain reaction that inspires others. The least is the seed that grows into a fruitful tree with infinite branches. The greatest is the fulfillment and love that we experience from creation.

Remember it is the small acts of kindness that keep great darkness at bay. Our path may seem the least to us but in the end it can have the greatest effect. When choosing to drink from the cup of life make the choice from the heart instead of from knowledge and power and you will soon realize you were meant for greater things.

Momma's Boy

A mother's love is one of the greatest feelings in the world, the bond formed between mother and child should never be broken. The first instance of love known to us should never be forgotten and should never fade. A mother's love is a reflection of God's love.

As a son I strive to never let my mom down, always make her proud, and do my very best to make her life better. I feel guilty when my busy schedule leaves little time for me to visit, but she never makes a fuss over it. As a son I have to try my best and hope for the best following my heart along the way.

My mom believes in me and always has, she would brag about my achievements when I thought little of them. My mom protected me from literal serpents as a toddler, we lived in an area teaming with snakes and would make sure my curiosity did not lead me to the edge of the water where the moccasins would swim. My mom made sure I always had plenty when there was little, usually at a sacrifice to herself, she was always be there to comfort me and wash away the anxieties of life.

Now that I'm older it's my turn to protect her from the serpents of the world. To provide a better life for my mom would fill my heart with great content, she certainly deserves it. No matter the future, good or bad, I will always be Momma's boy.

Conquering Self-Doubt

Self-doubt can be a real obstacle when you are trying to move forward toward your dream. It takes a lot of willpower to overcome what has been taught to us by conditioning throughout the years. For a good portion of my life I had lots of self-doubt and self-esteem issues but worked through them when I realized there was a problem.

When my creative passion grew to the point where I wanted to explore visual art I was full of self-doubt thinking I didn't have the talent. The funny thing about passion is that even in the face of self-doubt I couldn't give up. I bought my first sketch book and started drawing, ever since I have been using every free moment I have to create, regardless if I think the results are good enough or not I can't stop.

There are many ways to overcome self-doubt, you can focus on the positive for instance everyone has strengths and weaknesses we have to know ourselves in order to grow. Realizing that every skill has to be developed is essential, talents have to be used and sharpened. Not many people are good at something on their first try and only those who keep trying succeed.

Having supportive friends is a good way to build confidence and destroy self-doubt. Avoid toxic people, don't rely on validation, and gracefully accept constructive criticism so that you may learn from it. Trust in your heart so that your self-doubt does not steal your dreams from you, know the difference between love and pride.

Dedication

Our lives are dedicated to something, our dreams, our passions, our family; there is no exception even in not doing the dedication is to evil. Dedication is the drive to step forward towards our goals in an uncertain world. Dedication is also the commitment to defining who we are and the expression of our true-selves.

I often hear the old question asked "What is the meaning of life?" well I'll let you in on a secret we decide our own fate, as in what we dedicate ourselves to is our meaning. For example if money becomes our idol our meaning becomes to serve that master, or if we dedicate ourselves to love it defines everything we do. 

To be dedicated means to make a choice and never compromise, the lukewarm will never succeed. To be defined is to know ourselves, to be alive is to free ourselves. The worst thing we can do is wait for someone else to define our lives for us, we are meant to be free as a person of our own making never as a puppet.

What we create leaves a legacy, the meaning of our lives can be found in the effects on others. Did we inspire others? Did we make things better? Did we live in regret and fear, or did we live in accomplishment and love? In the end it makes all the difference because the end is indeed the beginning. 

Forward Always

The future is uncertain but we always have an opportunity to make it better. Sometimes progress is slow, and sometimes it happens faster than we can keep up. The important thing is that we never grind to a halt.

Often it can be frustrating if the unexpected takes the time we have for our passions but there is no reason we can't be creative in what is at hand. There are always new skills to learn, new ways of doing things, and experiences to be had. I learned in business thinking outside the box is crucial to surviving.

Having patience does not mean being idle, it means using what you got to make the most of what's to come. Being anxious only leads to hasty mistakes, with adaptation and determination we can overcome delays. Sometimes we find a more efficient path in our attempts to make up for lost time.

There are always new doors to open, new things to try, and new adventures to be had. Progress means not looking back but learning, loving, and creating along the way. Forget what's gone, appreciate what remains, and look forward to what's coming next.

Resurrection

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has inspired so many to become more than the sum of their parts. Many creative hearts were touched by Jesus, art, music, literature and many other aspects of life changed after the resurrection. It's hard to think about something more inspiring than a man fighting for pure Love.

The life of Jesus proved the Way, the Father of Man became a Son of Man. The Son of Man became a man of his own making, he proved that Love was the way to salvation. We were showed that love meant putting everything on the line to fight against the oppression of others. Even in the face of death love should never be compromised. 

The resurrection of Jesus proved the Truth, he lived without sin but was tempted as a Son of Man. Not only was he tempted but he put himself to the test in all things and as his own man he put himself aside to defeat all temptations. Humanity was doomed without the resurrection, but the Truth was demonstrated so that none should perish should they find the way. 

The resurrection of Jesus proved the Life, he showed us a life that was fulfilled and full of love. Whether we believe or not we can not deny that Jesus changed the world for the better, no one before him had more effect on the hearts of humanity. We all have the potential to make the same kind of change, if we use our talents and become a person of our own making even death can be defeated.

The Joy of Being Alive

There is no greater feeling than being truly alive, being free to create, to love, and to be fulfilled. Knowing the meaning of life isn't as complicated as many would have us believe. There is so much more than the natural cycle of dust to dust, so much under the surface waiting to be free.

I've heard it said that most people die at 25 and are buried at 75. Think about that for a minute, most people give up on their dreams by 25 and live mundane lives. Compromise dims the fires of the soul leading to despair but there is always a chance for revival.

Fulfillment does not come from worldly things such as materialism and pleasure, it comes only from love. Love in all things, love for one another, love for what we create, and love for life itself. There is no substitute for pure love, the lies told to ourselves only leave us cold and empty in the end.

Pursuit of a dream that never comes true is better than a life of never trying. Many will tell you to accept less but true dedication requires the conviction to live free or die. The true joy of being alive comes from realizing you had all you needed all along.

A Time Of Renewal

Spring is in the air I can feel the new energy of change and growth. Our nature reminds us we are from the dust and water, the blood runs hot as we seek out new challenges. Survival of the fittest is the default but does not have to be who we are.

As the days grow longer we can reflect on our blessings and plan our next adventures. Knowledge of our strengths and weaknesses is important in deciding what's next. If we are not true to ourselves then we will be an aimless wanderer blind and deaf.

The idea of spring cleaning reflects our spiritual growth and desire of letting go of the old to make room for the new. Success depends on optimizing based on experience of what worked in the past and letting go of dead weight. To build something lasting we have to lay a solid foundation.

Perpetual spring would be close to how I envision Eden would have been . As things are the heavens are out of alignment but we can still reap what we sow. The challenge is overcoming the cycle putting our creative gifts to use reaching new levels of wellness, happiness, and achievement.

Never as Planned

One thing that has remained consistent in my endeavors is that the end result is never as I had originally planned. I delight in the surprise of the results of letting go and letting things flow as intuition driven by imagination takes the reigns. To know when to change direction is all about trusting yourself.

If everything always went according to plan this would indeed be a very boring world. Challenges are there to be overcome and some mistakes can become "happy accidents".  What we are anxious about today may be the laughter of tomorrow.

It does help to have a plan but when things change it's imperative to be able to adapt. For instance, when I start a new art project I start with an emotion to set the scene. As I go forward if that emotion no longer fits I cast it aside, it's never an arbitrary decision the trick is to be true to yourself and your creation.

I never planned to fall in love, I never planned to find wonderful and supportive friends, and I never planned to have a creative passion. Now that this is all so I could never imagine living without these truths. To be at ease when things do not go according to plan is a challenge but one worth the effort when the end result is revealed.

This is a cover I did for T.K. Wade's novel "A Wolf in My Bedroom". His stories can be found at www.smashwords.com and www.tkwade.com I highly recommend all his great works. 

Temptation vs Opportunity

Without proper discernment temptation can be confused with opportunity. The nature of things leads us to believe we have to be a wolf among sheep in order to get ahead. Many sell their soul for what they think is a legitimate opportunity that turns out to be a deception.

Temptation is always at the expense of others, we may not see the effects at first but those who we care about will suffer most in the end. Temptation is an easy way out the short-cut that seems like a sure thing. Temptation leads to a dead end always, it is an instant gratification that is unsustainable.

Opportunity is the ability to go to the next level, to do more, and reach our goals. Many make the mistake of waiting for opportunity to knock, but I can tell you from my experience opportunities are made from hard work and diligence. We make our opportunities, there is a such thing as the right place and right time but it is a direct result of being on the right path.

On the path to success many will try to deceive us in an attempt to lead us to an impasse. They will see us as an opportunity to better themselves at our expense. It is up to us to be wise enough to resist temptation and deception, opportunities will come to those who walk the path.

Many Hats

In life we wear many different hats in order to be successful, the greater the responsibilities we take on the more hats we gain. The roles we play are determined by our talents and how much we care. Those who we love depend on us to play our roles to the fullest, they suffer the most when we fall.

Some roles are bigger than others, but anything we do should be done with all our heart. Some roles we don't choose, but opting out is a cowardly move and often selfish. Some roles should be fulfilled by those who are more qualified if they are willing, there is a fine line between helping and controlling.

It is often said "Jack of all trades, master of none" but I prefer the alternative "Jack of all trades, master of none is oftentimes better than master of one". I rather give something my all than sit idle waiting for a master to show up to do it for me. Being self-sufficient means being adaptive, and can be the difference between success or failure.

I wear many hats from day to day, husband, son, brother, friend, artist, business owner, engineer, technician, mechanic, secretary, accountant,  and many others but never sit idle when a role needs to be fulfilled. Being multi-disciplined is a challenge but a labor of love when working towards your dream. I can't wait to see what roles I can play in the future, not for pride but out of pure love and joy.

The Abstract

Everything I have ever created has always started with a thought or feeling that only I could really understand due to the abstract nature. Bringing the abstract into focus has always been the real challenge as well as a real passion. To convey what I see in my mind without words comes naturally as there are no words to be found.

The abstract can be an idea in it's simplest form that later blossoms into something more complex and focused or it can stay just as it is. That's the beauty of the abstract it is whatever we want it to be, it's all about expression of our thoughts and feelings. We decide what path to take to fulfill our vision for better or worse.

The greatest part about the abstract is the fact that it's pure potential, a simple idea can turn into a world changing invention or business plan for example. It just takes imagination and drive to go from abstract to tangible. A thought or feeling not expressed is wasted potential.

As an artist one of the greatest things we can accomplish is to cause someone else to feel and understand your own abstract thoughts and feelings without explanation. You are sharing your soul with another, the ability to connect on that level goes beyond any language barrier.  To fully understand one another is a step towards love for one another.

The Fire Inside

The fire within is the undeterred passion to pursue our dream, it is our strength to move forward in the face of obstacles. We are all born with an inner flame that drives us but most choose to ignore it. It is this fire that makes up who we really are and all we have the potential to become.

The fire inside us will grow if we feed it, when it consumes us we will become our passion. It takes courage to listen to that inner desire to be free to express our true self. It takes gumption to take the first steps to find your path in the darkness.

Never let your fire fade, ignore those who say you will fail or that your dream is out of reach. Mistakes are not failure unless you let them cease your progress. Always move forward even if you have to crawl, keep moving.

There is so much more to life than mere survival, dare to dream and be a shining light for those who are lost. Live your life on your terms but never at anyone's expense. Let your fire grow, never settle for less when you know you are capable of so much more.

Risk and Reward

It is often said that the greater the risk the greater the reward, if you think about it in terms of life it rings absolutely true.  If we live for a purpose greater than ourselves success will be eternal. To risk it all for the sake of our dreams is to risk our very soul.

There are no instructions to guide us on our journey only our intuition, mistakes will be made but know that falling short is never by accident. Waiting for opportunities to come our way is a sure way to never succeed. Persistence is the only way to find the path to your success.

Our motivations drive us to success, it's up to you to decide what is truly valuable in life. Wealth and power may appeal to some but in the end are a fleeting fool's gold. Our love and passion determine if our dreams are within reach.

In the end the biggest risk is accomplishing nothing in life, the biggest reward is fulfilling a dream and going to the next level. Fear and doubt are symptoms of selfish dreams. The courage to take the ultimate risk can be found in a willingness to change the world for the better.

The Chaotic Good

For as long as I can remember I've been inspired by chaotic good heroes of fiction. The most inspiring to me have always been the selfless hero who does what they know is right regardless of the law. The hero doesn't have to have super powers to inspire all that is required is a willingness to take action.

Often the chaotic good hero is a drifter who witnesses sinister actions but cares enough to take a stand and not look the other way. John Nada from the movie They Live or Dr. David Banner from The Incredible Hulk TV series are both examples of fictional heroes that cared enough to put themselves aside and take action.

The chaotic good hero does have a personal moral compass that they never go against. Take for instance the difference between Daredevil and The Punisher, both fight to protect the innocent but at their core they embody two very different aspects. Daredevil believes so greatly in redemption that it guides him to never take a life, Punisher on the other hand believes a bad apple should be disposed of.

What inspires us about a hero can teach us about who we are. It is never what a hero believes that makes them a hero, it is their actions that determine if they are righteous and ultimately who they are. Can you look the other way when the sinister strike? Will you be a bystander or a hero? To compromise who we are is to lose our soul.

"Not even in the face of Armageddon. Never compromise."

- Rorschach Watchmen

Slaying Dragons

Good and Evil are very real, anyone who tries to tell you that it's all subjective is either trying to deceive you or are deceived themselves. The truth is in the spirit of things, if we break down our actions to the very basic motives we can see the true nature of things. Actions done for love can of themselves never be evil.

The tales of great men who have slain dragons and giants throughout history were not fiction. All of us as humans have the potential to stand against the greatest of enemies and triumph. We only fail when we put ourselves in a box and play by the rules.

With the knowledge of Good and Evil comes the responsibility to take action and rise for better or worse. Realizing how buried you are in the current system of control is the first step in finding the loophole needed to break free and turn the system on itself. It only takes one individual to show us the loose gear in the machine or missing scale in the dragon's belly.

The spirit is the key to winning the fight, never compromise who you are and stay true to your heart. David defeated Goliath and Saint George overcame the dragon because they had strength of spirit and they decided to take action putting their self aside for the sake of love. Overcome your demons and stand unflinching in the face of evil, become a dragon slayer!

What's Next

One question that's constantly on my mind is "what's next?". With infinite possibilities one can have a hard time deciding where to go next, but with understanding ourselves we can choose the path of greatest fulfillment. The boundaries of our own imagination are like our ever expanding universe, creation without limits.

Our talents lay the foundation of our advancement, we can only grow by leaving our comfort zone. Experience is the wisdom and understanding that will guide us to our next venture. Hard work and persistence will always be the tools of the trade.

Having a large dream to work towards is essential in moving forward, as our path forks we can't let the vision of our destination fade. Knowing when to diversify and when to stay focused is as simple as following your heart. There are no wrong answers to what's next if you stay true to yourself and your dream.

A new talent can branch from an old and shape our next project. A digital artist can also become a photographer, a blogger can become a novelist and any other creative mediums can branch into many other endeavors. Don't ever think you are limited in any way, always think about what's next.

A New Beginning

As our Nation changes direction new opportunities will arise, systems will fall, and power will be taken from the select few. Real progress will be made, those content with the status quo will have to adapt or be left behind. Burdens will be lifted to provide those under the weight a fighting chance.

Responsibility remains as always with the individual to stand on their own two feet and become their own person. Those who have the gumption to work at developing new skills will see the fruits of their labor. If we can not find our way then we need to forge a new path.

The new beginning will be an opportunity for unity and love, the divide can be healed but hatred will have to be cast aside. Fairness is a sophistry touted by those on top who only wish to divide us, if we ignore our problems we can never overcome them. Violence and hateful rhetoric are destructive forces, real change comes from the creation of something new.

Pride and ego only lead to a dead end, only with compassion and love can we create something worthwhile. Changing the world for the better is done through self-realization but can never be done for one's self. Our success will inspire others to action in a chain reaction that will create a new beginning.

The Creative Entrepreneur

When I'm creating the last thing I think about is making money but unfortunately if we want to have more time to create we have to be able to support ourselves with creation full-time. For those who wish to take that next step towards full-time creation the path will be full of obstacles like with any business venture. I'm in the process of moving towards having the ability to become a creative entrepreneur but I have owned my own business for over five years now and offer my experience to any who wish to hear it.

Always think bigger than your resources allow, by this I mean think about what's next. By limiting ourselves to what we currently have the means to create we only slow our progress. Knowing when to take a leap and when to hold your course comes with experience and intuition.

Diversify, don't put all your eggs in one basket thinking you have a sure thing. Creation is never limited, so why should we limit ourselves to one type of product? Competition is fierce and building an audience can be a daunting task in this current environment but with persistence and quality we can reach many.

Never expect anyone to do anything for you, but at the same time be grateful for the unexpected opportunities that are given to you. Finding your niche means a lot of hours spent working for free but look at the time spent as an investment not a loss. Learn to say no to those who wish to use you for their own personal gain but cherish those who trust in you to create something wonderful.

Treat every moment of the day as an opportunity to advance. Being your own person is hard work but has infinite rewards. All that we do we should do with all our heart, our passion will be our guide. 

Divine Birthright

Within all of us is the greatest gift ever given, the gift of infinite potential. To willingly discard this gift is the greatest tragedy. We have to wake up and get out of this matrix style reality if we wish to become all we were meant to be.

As a son of man my love for Humanity is unconditional and absolute. I weep when I see potential wasted and rejoice when I see potential awaken. Throw aside all the poison that has been fed to us from ungrateful masters and become your own person, not at the expense of others but for the love of one another.

The forbidden fruit was not an apple, it was the knowledge of all creation a "cheat sheet" of sorts. God was angered that Adam chose to throw aside his own potential to allow hidden knowledge not from himself become his guide. That's right Adam gained the knowledge of the universe and it gained him only death.

I have a part to play in building the foundation of the coming golden age, for no reason other than my love for Humanity. My Art will play a small part but it is only an expression of my true-self awakening. I will do all that I can to save those who are lost, but the choice still remains for each of us to realize our potential and inherit our Divine Birthright.






This is a painting I did for Shawn O'Toole's ( http://yellowplasma.deviantart.com/ ) Prehistory story "Protogenesis". I realized after I was finished this should be read from right to left in chronological order, it tells the story of the two civilizations before Genesis, Tiamat and Mars. Both civilizations fell short of their potential leaving Earth as the last remaining Genesis. There is a message of love as well as a warning within.

More of my work can be found at http://zellphrie.deviantart.com/


This is the finished cover, Shawn O'Toole designed the original font and cover format.
http://yellowplasma.deviantart.com/art/Protogenesis-cover-655584530

The Power of Positive

The power of positive thinking is nothing to take for granted, many successful people will attest to the strength they found in being positive. Our success really is up to us, all we have to do is focus our energy and ignore all doubt. The first obstacle we have to overcome is ourselves, or more specifically our negative selves.

I personally have found success in removing all cynicism or self-sabotaging negative thoughts. Everything I have set my mind to has or is in the process of becoming a reality simply because I thought I could. Worry, doubt, and fear are all destructive forces, in order to build a better life we should live with the creative forces of love, dreams, and imagination.

Positive thinking doesn't mean you force yourself to be perpetually happy, it means removing all the useless negativity. Staying positive can be difficult with the current state of the World but there are a few things you can do to shutout the negative influences. Instead of watching or reading negative news try to read or watch something uplifting and inspirational, avoid toxic people, and most of all realize you are capable of anything.

As this is the first day of the New Year it is especially important that we set our goals and think about how we are going to achieve them. Dream big but start with small steps, always working toward that larger dream. Clear your mind of all negativity, focus on your goal and all will fall into place when your focused energy is unleashed through your actions.