Wordless Wednesday - World Gym

I am a rock.

I heard this classic Simon & Garfunkel song on the radio before work today.
It seemed appropriate for my current mood.


"A winter's dayIn a deep and dark December;I am alone,Gazing from my window to the streets belowOn a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.I am a rock,I am an island.
I've built walls, A fortress deep and mighty,That none may penetrate.I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.I am a rock,I am an island.
Don't talk of love,But I've heard the words before;It's sleeping in my memory.I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.If I never loved I never would have cried.I am a rock,I am an island.
I have my booksAnd my poetry to protect me;I am shielded in my armor,Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.I touch no one and no one touches me.I am a rock,I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;And an island never cries."

Two!

It kind of took on a life of its own.

I watched it slowly grow....evolving into something MORE.

What was originally supposed to be an online gallery for my artwork, turned into a haven to express my thoughts, creativity, and fears along the way.

I'm talking about my blog of course and today it turns two-years-old!

Two doodle!

There were many times where I felt stuck in life and wanted to delete this blog but am glad I never did. For I soon learned it's a powerful tool for becoming unstuck.

With that said, I'm anxious and nervous and excited to see what develops as my blog continues to get older.

Only time will tell!

Happy Birthday, Exploding Doughnut!!

Wordless Wednesday - Jones.....

Black appreciation.

When I attended art college (it'll be 12 years ago this summer--ugh!) we were taught that black is a non-color. One teacher even told us there was no such thing as black in nature! Ha!

We were forbidden from using it in our paintings. Instead, the students were instructed to make their own darks by mixing blues, purples, and browns.

I still adhere to the "no-black-paint-rule" for my traditional still lifes and floral paintings but have broken it on occasion.

So these rules and ideas always pop into my head when I come across a predominantly black object.

Case in point, while walking to work the other day, I saw this familiar staircase just off Wacker Drive.....

Ooooooh!

Normally it's a solid, rich ebony but the recent snowfall left a white salt residue behind.

Now there was a wonderful textured effect on the main pillar and railings....bringing the black to life!

Looks like an abstract painting, no?

Such wonderful little details. I couldn't stop staring at that huge black pole! (OMG, that came out wrong!)

Isn't it wonderful what nature can produce? I wonder what my old teachers would say now. Ha!

A witness to love.

I found it on the shelves at work today and it made me smile. A little greeting card somebody forgot and left behind.

My heart warmed at the card's interior which read,

"I love you.

and miss you

X

See you soon-

me"

And then I wondered if someone will ever give me love notes. Sweet little messages letting me know they care.

I'm not sure why but I took the card home. Perhaps that's the closest I'll get to receiving one of my own.

Will I always just experience it vicariously through others? When will I meet someone and be romanced and courted firsthand?

*deep sigh*

Maybe all I'll ever be is a witness to love.

(The original message inside the card).

And grace will lead me home.

There was a romantic, almost melancholy quality to his voice, where every song he sang had a hint of lovely sadness underneath.

While walking down my train terminal the other day, I heard this particular busker singing and playing Amazing Grace on his guitar.

I was in a hurry so the only line I heard was, "And grace will lead me home."

"And grace will lead me home."

Markers and ink pens in Moleskine journal - (NFS)

In the previous Crazy Journal entry, a fellow blogger suggested I do another piece, this time with my burdens placed within the cross because Christ died and suffered for us.

This is what came from that idea.

Close-up detail

Offering up words I'm all too familiar with--in hopes His grace will show me the way.....

"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now I'm found,

Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come.

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far

And grace will lead me home."

See you in the mail!

I turn the tiny key with anticipation. Childlike excitement when getting something in the mail washes over me. From my opened P.O. Box I peer inside.

Sadly it's empty most of the time.

*sigh*

That needs to change. NOW!

I'm starting an open Mail Art call to anyone that wants to join in.

My Mail Art collection is at its infant stage and I want it to grow....with a little help from my blogging friends!

My tiny Mail Art collection so far!

Feed my P.O. Box with magic and wonder!

Please send all correspondence to:

Dean Grey

P.O. Box 804602

Chicago, IL. 60680-4602

And I realize not everyone is artistically-inclined so anything creative will do.

Send me Mail Art, a handwritten letter, a poem, a photo, an ACEO, an x-rated pic (kidding!) and you just might get something in return!

Show me what YOU can do!

See you in the mail!