Journal of a Harem Nights Artist

Vendetta Book Video

2012-01-27T01:25:00.000-08:00

Where I've Been

2011-07-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I was last here. I have been so busy, trying to get life in order after being out of work for over three years now. I decided since I couldn't find a job (even the local restaurants are "overstaffed") that I would http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giffocuhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs on my writing. I'm proud to say that I have several books out on Amazon Kindle, and even in my Lulu Storefront. When a way is not made, once must find a way to make their own way...

If you would like to take a look at some of my current books you can find more in the following places:

Capri Montgomery Amazon Kindle Author Page

Newest Release: http://www.amazon.com/Watch-Over-Me-ebook/dp/B005D5IWSO/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310978981&sr=1-10

goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/caprimontgomery

You can access my writing blog and find out about upcoming releases and contests via the Amazon Author Page and the GoodReads site. I'm accepting reader questions for my other blog as well so if you have a topic you would like to see discussed, or questions please let me know?

Thanks all :).

Art Show

2010-06-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

Two of my modern art abstract pieces will be in the June 12, 2010 show. Most of you probably know I don't generally work on abstracts and modern art. I like nature and landscapes, etc., but this show was about abstract art at a modern art gallery. Since I had some work in the genre I submitted and got a space. So, that's a good thing. I'll be at the opening reception this weekend and then I'll have to be sure to keep working on my art while trying to find a gallery that features the type of work I am most passionate about doing.

2010-06-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

I dropped my work off at the gallery today. I guess I can officially tell you all my work is going to be in an upcoming show. It's a couple pieces of the abstract/modern art. I like nature better, but these were fun to work with and one of the pieces I really love so it's great to see them up in a gallery for others to view.

I'll post more details later.

2010-05-15T15:18:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted a blog here. There's a lot going on...much that I can't talk about right now, but with hopes can post some information on soon. I can say that I am still working on my art. I'm off shooting projects this upcoming week. Things are finally starting to get a little exciting and I can't wait to see where everything leads.

2010-02-13T18:06:00.000-08:00

New site and new blog now up. www.freelancer21.webs.com which focuses on my freelance writing. It's still under construction, but I hope to add some samples of my work soon. Then there is violincellist.wordpress.com which is a blog about my violin and cello playing.

It

2010-01-28T03:26:00.001-08:00

Some people do it everyday while others are left to want, but never to partake. I wonder how it is then that some people do it, while others only dream it.

You can insert whatever you like for the ambigious "it" as I believe anything would fit there. Some people find love, some people find success, some people find happiness...the list can go on. If you don't have it, and you only dream it, then "it" fits.

I thought of the "it" factor when I realized that people always say if you work hard enough, if you're a good person, then you'll get "it." That implies if you never get "it" then you either one, didn't work hard enough, or two, weren't a good enough person. That's more depressing than just telling people they may never get "it." It has nothing to do with how good of a person they are, or how hard they work. Sometimes some things just don't happen. Perhaps if children could grow up knowing that truth they wouldn't feel like complete failures as human beings when they don't get "it."

Hypertension

2010-01-24T04:35:00.001-08:00

Interested in high blood pressure information? New article published: http://generalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/high_blood_pressure_a_silent_killer.

Stay happy and healthy everybody :).

Anemia Article Published

2010-01-22T02:25:00.001-08:00

I know, two post in one day I must be wide awake this morning :).

Anyway, my article on anemia is published and if you want you can read it here: http://generalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/anemia_serious_or_minor_illness.

You can also still read the article on IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer) as well: http://cancer.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_inflammatory_breast_cancer

On to the next article.

Do They Have Drugs for That?

2010-01-22T02:01:00.000-08:00

Confidence in my work has never been my forte. I don't think they have any drugs to fix that, although I'm sure somebody might try to come up with one someday. At any rate, when it comes to my art I'm always nervous when I show pieces, or enter contests. It's no wonder that I'm really nervous about this next submission. It's the human form as landscape. That's broad, in that every artist will interpret that differently. Not that I think broad is bad, it just makes things a little more difficult sometimes. Still, I have a few ideas, and if I can get everything set up and shot before the deadline I think I'll go for it. This isn't a sudden burst of confidence so much as it is more of a self speech that I'm giving myself; "you want this, get off your butt and go for it." It may never happen for me the way I want it to. It may never happen at all. But I am an artist, whether I sell a thousand pieces or none, and sometimes I just need to remember that.

Not a Chance

2010-01-18T03:15:00.001-08:00

SA sent me the link to view the artist of the contest (the first contest from last year) and so I had a look at who beat me out. My gosh! I totally didn't have a snowballs chance in a four alarm fire of winning. The work is so vastly different, nothing that I have ever done, or could even see myself doing. The only piece I found striking enough to look at twice was "For God and Country" by Bruce Hanke. It's an oil painting of a skeleton wearing a cross around it's neck, with two medals on its chest and its hand where its heart would be. I think it's amazingly thought provoking. I guess it depends on which side of the issue you stand on whether you think war is right, or whether you believe there is a better way to solve conflicts on how you read this painting. Anyway, I think it's the best piece artistically because it just inspires thought and most likely conversation, and it's also very well done. Amazingly well done actually. You can actually see the winning artwork here: http://www.slowart.com/limner/current/upcoming.htm

Anyway, looking at the winners of this year's comp I'm wondering if I should submit for this next one. Yeah, I kind of psyched myself out. It's NY and the art scene is different, but I believed there was a market for everything (mostly because the comp guidelines said so), but now I'm not so sure. Maybe the art that I do right now, isn't the art that's popular. It's kind of like publishing on line. There's a huge market for erotic romance on line and if you write in that genre there's a better chance of publishing and selling books than others. Off line there's a huge market for non erotic romance and so the pickings for publishing houses increases. Well, I think it's like that with art. Right now, what I create may have gone out with the Ansel Adam craze. I can either abandon my style and try for another, or be content to just create art for myself and my small market locally. It's a tough choice...well maybe not really. I can't put my heart into something I don't like and I can't do that to my art. So I didn't have a chance, and I'm not sure I have one for the next one either, and so I'm thinking maybe I should save myself the postage and the rejection letter.

Published Once Again

2010-01-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

My article on Inflammatory Breast Cancer is now live....one down, way too many more to go. Kidding, I like writing so it's not all bad, just busy.

http://cancer.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_inflammatory_breast_cancer

In other news, I'm still working on new art projects for upcoming contests. One in particular has a topic of the "human form as landscape". This is not an easy project to think about. Well, it would be if it weren't a contest. I have an idea of what I'd like to to do, but then there's this part of me going, "yeah, but will it be good enough?" So, I'm trying to put that aside and just do the project as I want it and let the chips fall as they may. If I don't chicken out I may even submit it.

Freelance

2010-01-09T10:10:00.000-08:00

I'm freelance writing again. Sometimes one must be careful about who they sign on with. No matter how well-known the brand is, it doesn't mean the company is fully legit. It also doesn't mean even if it is that you'll be a good fit. I have written for clients before so I know there are guidelines and things that need to fall into place just right, but when I'm writing articles simply on a "non-hire" basis with the "freedom to write what you want" I do expect editors not to come back and nitpick because they would prefer italics where you have a bold for the title, or vice versa. What's frustrating is if that's what they wanted then that should have been in the guidelines.

Since I have also been an editor myself I know there's a fine line between changing things because they need to be changed and changing them because you would have written it differently. I tried my hardest not to cross that line and I expected the same professional courtesy from every other editor. As a writer I've seen a mix of good and bad editors. Editors who will suggest a change but they're sure to note the change is to their liking and not becuase it meets a guideline. Those are changes you can take or leave, but at least the editor is honest. Then I have had the type who will just go in and change parts of an article or story and send it back with a note that has, "I thought it sounded better like this." Well guess what, that's not a good enough reason to change somebody's work. How about, there was a typo, you used the wrong word, it didn't make sense, but just because you like it better isn't good enough. When I work with editors like that it makes me rethink my willingness to freelance for those type of site. I should have just stuck to copywriting. At least with that you know what your assignment is, exactly what the client is looking for and you go for it.

Do You Need an Instructor

2009-12-10T03:57:00.000-08:00

I'm always amazed when people start to discourage others from trying to teach themselves something. The comments I see generally lean towards "you'll need a teacher," or "you'll never learn that on your own; it's too difficult." I'm amazed because it's completely untrue. Yes, things may be difficult to both learn and sometimes understand when trying to learn, but that doesn't mean you can't teach yourself. The first person to learn how to do something had to learn by teaching them self. They wouldn't have even had books to study, or how-to videos to watch. So it's not impossible to do it.

Why would you want to teach yourself?

There are instances when teaching yourself may be the only option. Maybe you live in a small area where no instructors for what you want to learn live. Maybe there are no instructors within a reasonable travel millage. Another reason might be cost. Just because you can't afford lessons doesn't mean you should count out learning something. For instance, most music lessons near where I live start at $25.00 per half hour session. That means one thirty minute session a week and by the end of the month you're out of $100.00. By the end of the year it's $1,200.00. If you don't have that kind of money then you have to look into other options. Others may just enjoy learning on their own, at their own pace and with no pressure.

What does it take to teach yourself?

No matter what you want to learn, art, music, dance, computers, etc., it's not impossible to teach yourself. What you'll need first is dedication and determination. You'll hit moments when it might seem impossible, where you might start to hate it and want to give up, but you have to really be determined to stick with it in order to keep moving forward.

You'll also need instructional books. Okay, so you can buy a canvas and some paint and go to work on it, but you'll also learn more about color, paint and other aspects of art by doing a little reading. Try looking for instructional books in what you'd like to learn. If it's music, see if you can find something with an instructional DVD or CD so that you can hear how the piece of music should sound as well as seeing it on the page.

You'll need the ability to be your own cheerleader. The part most people tend to like about having an instructor is that you have somebody who can constantly give you feedback. They can tell you when your posture is wrong, when your technique is wrong, and how to correct it. They can also give constant positive affirmation. You know, the part when they say, "you're really improving," or "you're doing very well today." You can do those things for yourself, but you're going to have to let go of the negative and focus on the positive.

One good tip I've read is to measure your progress. For an emerging artist you can just look back at the artwork you did a month ago and the one you've done this month to see the difference. If you've been practicing you'll most likely see a difference. For people wanting to learn music try recording yourself. When I started re-learning violin I did this once a week, and I can tell you I heard the difference when listening to the recording. Before listening to the recording I kept telling myself I wasn't progressing, while everybody around me kept saying I was. When I heard the playback, I knew I was.

If you can afford lessons, go for it. If you can't, don't worry about it. It's not impossible to teach yourself. It may go slow. It may be hard. But it will always be worth it.

Art Show in Review

2009-11-28T13:42:00.001-08:00

I'm back, a little tired...okay, a lot tired, but the drive and the time at the show was both fun and worth it. I had a chance to meet some really nice people, network with other artists and of course, sell artwork and books. Now that I'm home from one artshow it's time to get ready for the next. I'm still waiting to hear back from NY, but with hopes they'll take my work. At any rate, it's on to looking for the next show, shooting my next assignment and painting my next project. But first, out side of putting the ending for one scene in my story on paper, I'm going to get ready for bed. I'm exhausted. Thanks to all of you who made it out, stopped by to say hi, complimented my work and expecially to those of you who bought some of my work. Have a wonderful year end and I'll be back to post news as it happens.

Art Fair

2009-11-10T00:45:00.000-08:00

Don't forget the November 28, 2009 arts and crafts fair! See the calendar on my site: www.scoreoneart.webs.com for details.

Artwork Up

2009-10-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Four paintings from the Broken Heart Series of oil paintings are now up and available for purchase from Score One Art Gallery. www.scoreoneart.webs.com. Additional pieces in this series is available as well. Contact for details.

2009-10-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a year and I feel as if this blog is in the same place it was in when I started writing. I'm still blogging about art, writing and life, just as I was a year ago. I have decided to move onward, which basically means I won't be blogging often. WHile I still hope to post the occasional update on my art and writing related news, I make no guarantees. Updates on art exhibits, along with information on upcoming books, can be found on my Web site www.scoreoneart.webs.com.

Thank you for reading.

Off Day

2009-10-08T06:17:00.000-07:00

I play an insturment, or shall I say I try to. So today I wanted to record where I'm at so that next week, the week after, etc., I can gage my progress. Well, I would have come out better recording yesterday, when every note seemed to be played with accuracy and clarity. Today is definitely an off day, where no matter how slow I play it, how much I tweek it, almost every note comes off sounding horrible. I don't know if that's because I had the typical, "I'm recording" pressure (although it's not as if I'm cutting an album here), or it it's simply because today is going to be an off day for music and me.

I have heard other muscians say they have good days and bad days no matter how long they have been playing, though I find it hard to believe any are as bad as today has been for my playing. Okay, so maybe it's not the worst I've ever played, but it's not the best. I started to delete the recording and start over on a better day, but decided to leave the horrid record of my quest back into music until the next recording is made. With hopes, the second time will be the charm.

2009-10-05T01:47:00.001-07:00

Monday again, a time when routines have a way of resetting themselves and life takes us through the motions once again.

Today I get to share some good news with my updates, the first of which is that I did get back to work on the screenplay. I'm not as far along as I would like to be, but I am still moving forward so that's a good thing. I am hoping to be finished in the next few weeks, but I shall have to see how things go, as I am very busy working on other things right now.

The novel is moving along as well. There are parts where it just spills onto the paper and then parts where I'm trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between where I am and where I want to be in the storyline, but as the novel is still moving forward I'll chalk it up to going okay as well.

Art is dominant right now. I'm still prepping for the show and trying to get all the requested materials together for the competition. There is only one thing left to get together before I mail the package, so with hopes, by the end of this week, I can get that off my plate as well...for now anyway. I'm hoping for a win on this one because it would be very good, and exciting, for me.

Outside of that, life is life. I'm still getting ready to move, looking for work outside of my art and trying to find that one thing (outside of my art and writing) that I like to do enough to want to commit eight hours a day to. I'm not sure I'll find that one thing unless it involves art, writing or photography, but I'm still looking. I'll probably land back in the typical working environment for me, but I guess that too will be okay. A paycheck is a paycheck, just so long as I keep my art career in my life whether I land in my typical job or something more exciting just doesn't seem to matter as much.

2009-10-01T04:16:00.000-07:00

Some days I get up and writing feels like a chore, and other days I can't wait to get started. I think most writers go through this at some point in their writing life. I won't say all because I really hate when people make over generalizations on topics, and "all" is definitely an over generalization. At any point this week has been mixed for me. I set a goal for my writing, four pages a day on the novel and at least two pages on the screenplay. It is now Thursday and I am officially sixty-seven minutes into the screenplay (67 pages). Obviously I haven't been writing the two pages a day. Actually, I haven't been writing much on it at all. Then comes the novel. Oh so proud that I have actually been working on that, but not quite at the four pages a day I had planned. Some days I hit my mark and other's I'm slightly off. The last two days have been off. I'm the type that will say, "okay, you wrote two pages which means you need to pick those two pages up tomorrow." That could be a mistake seeing as though tomorrow sometimes come and I write one and a half pages which means I am now about five and a half pages behind schedule. Maybe that's why I don't like giving myself those type of restrictions. I tend to just write as much as I feel like writing when I feel like doing it. But this time I didn't want to risk getting side tracked and so I set definitive goals for myself. Myself obviously decided not to listen to me because I'm so not hitting the goals this week.

In my defense I would have to say I am getting work done. I have so many paintings complete over the course of the last two weeks that I am one hundred percent ready for the November competition and the November art fair. In fact, I kind of have a problem since I am only submitting four paintings and four photos for the competition and I now have about ten paintings that would fit wonderfully. I have to pick four and we all know how long that could take me. Here's the thing, the deadline for entry is November and I still need to sign and shoot photos of each piece, label each piece with all required information and get the entry in the mail. That means I have about two weeks.

Does my busy art schedule justify not hitting my writing goals? Maybe. Maybe not. I think some days I just wonder what's the point? Other days I can see the end goal and it pushes me forward. Then there are those days when that movie in my head keeps playing and I'm not satisfied until I write it down. Whatever the case, I'm up early to work on the novel and after that, if I feel even remotely close to working on the screenplay, well then I'll do that too. I'm so close to the finish line for the rough draft that one would think I'd be working on it day and night, but alas, I am not.

2009-09-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Writing has always been fun for me. It's like I always tell people, I'm writing the movie that's playing in my head. And I am. I think about the story, sometimes I daydream about it so much that I just have to write it down. In my creative writing that's great. In trying to write my screenplay I'm not so sure. For the record, my screenplay is actually being adapted from a book so I'm dealing with trying to keep the stories as closely matched to each other as humanly possible. I have always hated when I would read a book, and then later see a movie only to find that the story has been greatly altered. The lead character's profession has changed, the child that was in the story didn't make it to the movie, and the plot seems to have snowballed down the hill. So when I started my screenplay I assured myself I didn't want that to happen with my work. So far, I'm happy to say that it hasn't happened...yet.

I am officially sixty-seven minutes into the movie (sixty-seven pages into the screenplay). One page approximates one minute of movie so that's how I've reached the conversion, in case you're wondering. I'm determined to finish this screenplay within the next thirty days. Of course this is the first draft - the rough draft. I'll have to go back and edit, clean up the format, clean up the dialogue, etc. I have written stage plays before, but that's different, so this is new to me. My goal is two pages a day until I have the first draft finished. If I post in a week and I state that I'm sixty-seven pages into the screenplay then you'll know there is a problem.

Outside of the screenplay I am working on a new novel. I'm excited about this one. I actually mapped it out. I don't normally do that on paper. I tend to know what I want to do in my head and I just write as I go. This time, I actually took the time to write brief notes on what I want the focus to be for each chapter. I still have a tendency to just write what's in my head, but having the map is good too because I can always look back at it and realize I want to add something, or focus in on something at a certain point. It also keeps me focused. I am less likely to rush ahead to hit that "wow" point in my head because all I have to do is write it down in the notes and add it when I get there. The notes are brief enough not to be stifling, but detailed enough to jog my memory should I need it.

So, I'm busy writing, and with art. I finished several art pieces and I'm just waiting for everything to dry and be ready for framing. It's a busy month for me, next month will be busy too, and the month after that will be super busy. But it's all good right?

Moving...Moving...Moving

2009-09-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

There's something about moving that I love. Maybe it's starting over, seeing something new or starting a new adventure. I don't even mind the unpacking stage. I know it takes time to unpack, but there's something a little fun about arranging all of the old stuff in a new space that somehow makes everything seem new. Packing isn't exactly the most exciting part of the event, but it's not horrible either. Yes, moving isn't that bad for me. As a result of my outlook on moving I find it easier to move when it's time, and as most of the people in my life know, I move...a lot. This time I'm probably staying in state, as in this move won't be an LD (long distance) move...probably. I haven't found work here yet so I don't have anything tying me to this place other than a lease, and that's up in about two months. I am looking locally, not out of some sense of attachment to this state, but more so out of a sense of not being ready to move everything across America again. Financially it's a drain, but it's been worth it every time. I have seen more of the U.S. than I ever would have without the move factored in. I am kind of a Gypsy when it comes to places to call home. Whether it's across country or across town, moving is just another leg of the adventure we call life.

The second part of my "moving" title is that I'm still moving ahead with the November show. I'm excited on some level I'm sure, but there is so much to be done that I'm really just trying to get it all together. This show comes at a time when I'll be trying to move living locations as well. Things are hectic right now to say the least.

The last part is more about moving onward. You may remember a previous blog here about lessons that I was trying to take and a crazy psycho guy from Craigslist. Well, I have found a solution to my lessons issue. I'm doing okay with teaching myself for now and I found a highly recommended series to help advance my studies so I am going to try it. I just have to save up the money to get it, but once I do it will so be worth it. I'll be paying much less compared to one on one instruction, and I don't have to deal with crazy people in the process. Seems like a win-win situation no matter how well this new idea of mine works out.

100 and Counting...

2009-09-20T01:55:00.000-07:00

I just realized this blog is going to reach 100 with this post. I know, that's not a lot for most, but it is for me. As most of you who have seen any of my other blogs know, I tend to delete posts each month. I've tried hard not to do that to this blog.

Anyway, for post 100 I thought I'd talk about something I'm dealing with as an artist, and maybe as a person in general. Have you ever tried so hard at something, but never quite made it to where you needed to be? I seem to have trying hard, but not getting even remotely close, as a constant in my life. It's not just my art, but I guess I notice it more with my art right now. I usually find myself wondering why I even try anymore. I often tell myself that I should just give up and forget about even trying since it never works out. Somehow I don't listen to myself and I usually try again anyway. I guess I'm kind of like the person who spends their entire life buying lottery tickets in the hope that one just might be a winning ticket. You know the odds are against you. You know it hasn't worked out before. But there's this part of you that thinks maybe, just maybe, this is the one. Some people get lucky and they buy that winning ticket. Others go to their grave without ever finding it. I think it's like that with life in general. You try at the things you really want in your life. Some people get there, and some people don't.

I don't know if that's fate, karma, or just bad luck. I don't think it's a lack of trying. I don't think it's a lack of dedication. I don't even think it's a lack of faith. I do think sometimes it's a lack of having the right connections, but not always. Some people say that when things don't work out it is because it wasn't meant for you. That statement alone involves fate. As if we're all predestined to have certain things in our life and not others. So, if it is an issue of fate, wouldn't it be nice if fate would issue a hint of what you should be trying to do along with all the shouldn't signs?

Religion and Politics

2009-09-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

The fastest way to divide a family might just be two subjects: Religion and Politics. It's amazing how quickly family members can become angry because you don't share their views, their beliefs and ideologies. It seems fine to have an opinion so long as that opinion lines up with their opinion. If your opinion differs you might find yourself in heated argument, where the other party has no respect for you enough to realize it's okay for you to think differently. Sometimes these arguments drive a wedge between two people. It's easy to see how that can happen. In order to maintain a positive relationship there has to be mutual respect, and when that respect waivers, sometimes the relationship suffers greatly. After all, who wants to discuss feelings and thoughts with a person who runs off mumbling under their breath negative comments about the other person simply because they hold a different opinion? I have seen no other topic that holds such power to divide people other than these two, religion and politics.

Defender of Stupidity...I Think Not

2009-09-15T04:54:00.001-07:00

I can't say that I have ever been the person to defend stupidity. I don't really have the patience for that. I can say that I usually end up playing "devil's advocate" on things like driving and talking on the phone, using social networking sites, online dating, etc. I'm a firm believer that just because one person can't do it, or it doesn't work out for one person, doesn't mean somebody else can't. That being said, I have never been an advocate of texting while driving. I'm not even sure how that's possible. Recently I've found myself realizing that I'm not a huge fan of talking on the phone while driving either. Before it was more of an issue that anything can distract you while driving. I distract myself sometimes when I start thinking about things that need to be done, but lately I think I've realized a lot of people really can't talk and drive at the same time.

Since my views of the former thing has changed, I started wondering if the other views I had would change, i.e. online dating, social networking sites and things like Craigslist. Sorry CL, I know the idiots posting aren't exactly your fault, but my goodness! There are so many psychos on there it's hard to know who is really sane and truly looking for assistance, wanting to buy that bedroom set, or give lessons. Recently I tried Craigslist for lessons. I won't mention which ones and I won't mention the name of the idiots that responded to my ad, but I will tell my horror story.

The first reason for my use of Craigslist was that I can't find a school here that offers the lessons I need to take. Online really won't work for what I need to do and the nearest lesson via a school would be a little over two hours away - one way. So, I thought, there has to be somebody up this way who teaches what I need. I don't need college credit so I figured it could work. I posted my ad on Craigslist, and the first responses I received were from people asking me where I hang out. The second set of replies were asking me for services completely unrelated to my post. I had to go in and tweak a few words as well as add a section that specifically stated not to email me requesting dates, or anything else that had nothing to do with my post.

Finally, there it was in my inbox, my first real response. The price was a little more than I wanted to spend, so I kept my posting up for a while. I received two more replies promptly. The price was really good for one, but we later realized that the locations were too far apart. Don't ask me how this happened as I had specifically stated the areas I was close enough to in order to be sure I wouldn't have to waste my time. Next came an email from guy number one. He seemed so eager to teach me. He also seemed experienced since he claimed to have over twenty years of teaching experience. I was impressed that he followed up with me after not hearing back from me. He offered a discounted price and assured me he could travel to my location. I started making arrangements to be sure I wouldn't be alone when he arrived, but something wouldn't let me give him my phone number to contact me. I don't know what it was, maybe a gut feeling, but I just never gave out anything other than an email address I don't really use. In my mind I kept telling myself I could give him my number when I was sure I'd take lessons with him. Then after I decided that I would, I still didn't give out my number. I told myself I could give it in the next email, once I let him know that I would take lessons. That email never went out.

I went away from online activities for a week while I worked on some art for the upcoming show. Before I left I had received an email stating that I now needed to travel to him, and that the price was going to be higher. So, needless to say I thought about it while away and decided it wasn't worth it for me, and I wasn't comfortable with the way things seemed to be changing. I emailed as soon as I returned to Internet connection and informed him that I would not be taking lessons with him. I thanked him for his offer. The next day I had a message in my inbox stating that "he" wasted his time and that I should still take the first lesson with him. From the tone of his email I had no plans of taking a lesson with him. He also said, "karma will get you." Normally I let stuff like that go, but I was upset and decided to send my own email back in which I told him that after his email I was glad that I opted not to take lessons with him. That I now understood why people try to stay away from sites like Craigslist, and that I would just use a respectable school in the future. I ended my four sentence email and went on about my day. I figured that's that, we're done, move on. I also figured after I get moved, I'll try locating a school again. Maybe I'll get lucky, maybe I won't, but my safety should always come first in my life and if that means no lessons, well then that means on lessons.

This morning I had another rude email from the idiot who really shouldn't be responding to any ads. He called me stupid, and once again said karma would get me. I could have responded with several insults of my own, but this time I decided not to respond. I figured responding would just keep this going on for weeks, and I don't have time for that type of crazy. I marked his email so that no further emails from him should come through to my inbox. With hopes that is the last of him.

I can't say Craigslist is all bad. Or that meeting people online is a big mistake. I know people who have met, dated, fallen in love and married people they met online. I know people who have successfully found instructors online. I even know people who manage to sell their products through such sites, but I can honestly say that's it for me. Weeding out the idiots from the serious business people is just too exhausting and I'd much rather exhaust my energy elsewhere. For now I could say online is for online. The next time I want classes I'll just have to either figure out how to go to an actual school, or teach myself until I can find one.

Now that I am no longer playing "devil's advocate" for driving and talking on the phone, using Craigslist and such sites, does this mean I am also changing my mind on things like online dating? I don't know, maybe. It's hard to say because finding men where I live is like finding a flea on an elephant...difficult. But, I'm not really that set on dating yet and I see no need to explore other options. So, I guess I'll have to say yes. I'm through trying to show all the naysayers the other side to all online activities. I know the idiots encountered onine are the same idiots out there in the real world too, but I think there's a level of the things you say and do online aren't always who you pretend to be off line. I don't know what's going on with the world actually, but I do know there's a whole lot of crazy out there.

2009-09-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Today I saw my first roll over accident up close and personal. I was on my way back home when the car in the lane next to me had a tire blowout. They hit the concrete barrier wall and flipped. A piece of the tire hit my windshield, and somehow, by some miracle, I managed to stay in my lane and not swerve and hit the guy next to me. I have been in accidents before, ones that have had me in therapy for nearly a year, but this one was scary. There was that moment after, when I realized I had just avoided a major accident, that I felt this sense of fear. I think that's normal, but I also realize that you have to quickly move past that fear. My mother never got over our last accident and she is so afraid to drive; which is why I have to drive everywhere for the entire time, no matter how long the trip. So, I pushed past that moment of fear and managed to make it home. I guess maybe I realized that we can't both be afraid to drive or neither one of us will get anywhere. I also realized that I have no idea what to do in the event of a tire blowout. This is the first one I've seen that caused a roll over, the last one I saw did nothing more than halt traffic while the guy tried to make it from the far left to the far right of a five lane freeway.

Anyway, I am obviously back from a week of shooting in various locations. I have a busy week ahead of me. I have several reviews to type and get in to two magazines and one review site. I have to get started on my art project. Okay, I have to finish buying supplies first. And, I'm still working on the screenplay (I am...honest). It's just slow going, but my plan is to hit it hard within the next couple weeks. I also have two contests to enter. One is more of a "why not" entry. The other could be the start of something great. If I win then I could be on my way to my dream career. I also have to submit my application for an internship in D.C. that if I get it, could also put me on the road to my dream career. I'm excited about all of it. So, that's my update. I'm going to be busy, busy and busy some more.

So Much To Do...So Little Time

2009-09-05T02:11:00.000-07:00

Next week starts my week long shoot and I'm actually looking forward to it. It's the after part that I'm not looking forward to as much, although I am still excited about that too. I have so many submissions to get off, two contests to submit work for, an art and craft show to prepare for, a move to make, a short story to finish and mail to a magazine in NY, and an internship to go after. The internship would take me away for six months, but I'm ready for it, would love to get it and sincerely hope that I do. I have my writing clips ready, my updated resume together and my refrences secured. Of course I still have to job hunt. There's no guarantee I'll get the internship so I can't give up on finding something locally just in case. But my heart, mind and everything else really wants the internship.

Arts and Crafts Show

2009-09-02T02:23:00.000-07:00

I will be at the Cottage Guilds art and craft fair with paintings and photographic art on display and for sell. The show will actually be in Geneva, FL. This is the Fourth Annual Cottage Industry Guild's Holiday Boutique. Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Geneva Community Center, 161 First Street Geneva Fl 32732. Details are on the calendar at www.scoreoneart.webs.com.

Today's The Day

2009-08-31T02:13:00.000-07:00

The short story trilogy including The Map, The Map: Nubian Princess, and The Map: Celtic Warrior, is out today. You can buy your copy here at www.lulu.com/haremnights.

In The Map, An ancient family, the present time and an unknown future have archaeologist Lexa Dugan wrapped up in the biggest mystery of her life.

When Lexa finds a map leading to fabled Mayan treasure, she follows her sister, and fellow archaeologist, Jamie Dugan to Central America. They hire Colt, an experienced guide with more secrets than either can imagine. When fate unfolds, one sister meets her destiny, while the other is left in search of the answer to the biggest secret of her life...Who is she, and where did she come from?

Join the adventure today. Buy Now

2009-08-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

I received an email the other day letting me know that my application for entry into the Arts and Crafts show has been received. If all goes well with the application I'll be posting more updates about it here. It is an arts and crafts holidific event. Yes, I know holidific isn't a word, but I decided to make it one anyway, lol. The event is scheduled for late November, and I believe they are trying to make this a fun event for children too, so there may be some holiday events going on. I'm not sure on that part yet. I don't celebrate holidays so it really doesn't matter to me either way, but I do know that having something for children will afford people with children the opportunity to come, look around and spend some time without their children being bored out of their mind.

Outside of the above event, I'm awaiting the August 31, 2009 release of The Map trilogy. I'm gearing up for a week long on location shoot. I won't be on location for the entire week, just traveling back and forth. Then, after that, if I gain entry into the fair, I will need to get the pieces I am showing together so I'll be ready for setup. The last art show I did was easier. I had a small spot on one of the art walls. I didn't actually have a table/booth to myself in which I had to set up and figure out how to best present my work. I'm excited and nervous, but I think I'll do okay. Any tips? I'm open to suggestions as I plot my little art corner.

IDK

2009-08-21T02:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I'm even thinking about this right now. Perhaps it is because since ten o'clock last night I've been up sick, and by four o'clock this morning I was up with my head over the toilet thinking of how much I am so never eating again. Of course that's crazy because obviously I have to eat again at some point, but I think I'll have to wait for my memory of last night (and this morning's) events to fade a little. Anyway, what I started thinking about is how I don't understand why companies advertise one job, but when you go for the interview you find out that's not the job at all. It's like advertising for a tech writer and then once the person interviews they find out they're really looking for a receptionist. Those are two completely different jobs and I don't understand how a company can advertise so wrongly. It's like false advertisement, but this time instead of a product for sale it's a job. Doesn't that just waste the interviewers time? I know it waste the interviwees time, gas and energy.

I have had that happen to me before. The job advertised was receptionist, but the job they wanted me to do was personal assistant/data entry/sales/whatever else you can think of doing. So it came down to the fact that this job was no longer a receptionist job, and no longer should have been at such a low pay grade. Fortunately, I was working through a temp to perm agency at the time and I had my choice of staying on or leaving. When I thought about the envioronment, the actual job vs. the actual pay scale, I decided to leave. I could have stayed, but I knew if I had I would have been looking for something still. I figured why have the company invest in sending me to corporate for more training when I knew I would be leaving the moment something better came along. Do I regret that decision? No. Not long after leaving I started working for a university, and since I wanted to get back into working in the education arenea at that time, it was right for me.

Fast forward to now. I have since relocated to a new state in which I do not have a job outside of my art. I am working on art, but I'm also working on marketing my art, the Website and my writing. I'm in the process of trying to get into a show set for November, so with hopes I'll be posting my entry and the dates here soon. I am still looking for a job...more like something that I enjoy, that pays decently, and that I can grow with...not out of...but I also realize that jobs are scarce right now. That means, I might have to move again to get where I need to be, so, once my lease is up, if I haven't found a job or a nice place to stay, I think I will hit the road and travel to a city that has better job options. For somebody who is a realist (some people call it pessimist) I have a tendency to think there is something for me out there. I have a hard time giving up on that search. Maybe I'm not such a realist/pessimist after all.

For those of you who are in a similar boat, don't give up. There is something out there for you. You just have to keep searching for it. Best wishes on your journey.

New Additions

2009-08-19T03:23:00.001-07:00

The Web site has been updated to include a calendar of events. You can find information about Score One Art events, Harem Books releases and more! www.scoreoneart.webs.com.

The Map trilogy consisting of:

The Map
The Map: Nubian Princess
The Map: Celtic Warrior

Release date August 31, 2009!

Foiled Again

2009-08-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

I swear it's not meant for me to go to school! I just received a call from my friend at the university I used to work at, and was going to attempt school at. I wanted her to do my admissions for me, but the price of tuition has skyrocketed since they adapted federal funding and switched owners. I have to make a decision on law school for about five thousand dollars less, or the MBA program for way more than I want to have to pay. Also, tuition is going up again in January and the only way for me to avoid that would be to take out a loan and pay for the entire program up front.

So, I started thinking maybe I should just go on campus somewhere, but that too seems difficult given there aren't any near (like not even within an hour drive) where I live to attend the graduate studies in any program, let alone an MBA program. What to do; what to do? I know, make a list of the pro's and the con's and then decide. I won't say I'm good at those lists, but I shall try. Maybe I'll pick a school and degree program sometime before Christmas. Or, maybe I should just give up as life clearly does not have school in my proverbial cards.

Week Ahead

2009-08-18T03:24:00.000-07:00

I so need to get back to work on the screenplay this week. Yes, I'm still half way through because it's been a couple weeks since I actually had a chance to sit down and work on it. So, this week for sure I want to get back to it...if I can.

Also, remember the debate on whether or not I would go back to school? Well, I decided to go. I was looking at a school in California for law. But recently I decided that I don't think I'm going to go into a doctoral program right off, and that I want to do something that will allow me to find a good job (with a good company and not one that simply wants to take advantage of my skills without actually paying me what I'm worth). In other words, I need more of a career focused degree (not that law isn't that degree btw). So, with much dislike of my decision (from the creative side of me only) I decided I'm going to go do my MBA and I think I will try to do a focus in Accounting, or Information Systems Security. I know what school already too. Only issue is cost. I need to get some things together on my end because I really don't want to take out a loan. I will if I have to, but I don't want to. After my MBA I will go for either my DBA or my PhD in business. I know, I should go for archeology, humanities, art, something that fits more of my creative side right? Well, I thought about that too, but decided the MBA would be the better option. That doesn't mean I won't try to study one of the others once I am done. There is always a CAGS in business. I could do that instead of the doctoral program and then do another masters in humanities or something. That sounds expensive though, so I guess I'll just have to submit to the fact that not every dream is meant to be realized, and sometimes you have to change your direction in order to make things work out for the best (or at least work out for the better).

So, my week ahead is looking for a job that pays well, yet uses my creativity at least a little. Filling out the application for school (okay, this one might take a little while do to cost of application fee). Figuring out how I'm going to pay for school, and getting ready for the release of the trilogy. I'm really excited about that last part.

I'll keep you updated.

Excited

2009-08-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm excited. My proof copies for The Map: Nubian Princess and The Map: Celtic Warrior have arrived. I now have to make sure everything is printing correctly and then, barring any changes need to be made, the trilogy should release by the end of the month. I do need to make some changes to the cover for Nubian Princess as I think white writing, or something lighter than what's there already will show better in print. It looked fine on the computer monitor, but such is the case sometimes. Anyway, that change shouldn't delay the release. The only changes I'm hoping don't need to be made would be changes to the interior, as that will delay the release.

On the art front, I hope to have some new pieces up for show soon. The paintings are still drying (two months later and they're still drying!). I made the mistake of moving one and got paint on the white table cloth. Now I need to buy a new table cloth. All of them are oil paintings so that's why it's taking so long. I am hoping to do a couple acrylic pieces next month so those will be ready sooner. I should have some new photographic art pieces up within the next few weeks. I make no promises, but if all goes according to plan that's how things will go.

Well, I'm off to revise the NP cover. God knows I need to work on the screenplay for The Map as well, so I should probably take some time to do that today too. First is fixing the cover. Then I need to workout. Then I need to practice the violin. After that, if I'm still able to keep my eyes open, I can work on the screenplay. If not, then I'll put it on the list for tomorrow.

Bye Bye Kodachrome

2009-08-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel as if I'm the last one to find things out. Reading about the end of Kodachrome was no exception to this rule. I went online this morning to take care of the usual morning business when I see an article about Kodachrome being discontinued. I thought, "what; seriously?". Apparently it was discontinued in June. It's sad for me as I love to use Kodachrome. Outside of my usual black and white photography, when I shoot in color on travel excursions, Kodachrome is my product of choice. Of course, being out of work limits one's freelance travel photography excursions and so I haven't bought serious film in a while.

At any rate, this new news (new to me) had me wondering just how much more will disappear. As a rule, I'm not an end of film extremist who needs to take the food out of the refrigerator to stock up on film. But I'm wondering if maybe I should be. You see, I love shooting with film. I love processing my own, but I also love that feeling of waiting to get the photos back from the shop to find out what everything turned out like. I don't even own a digital camera (not even a small behind the local drugstore's counter one) and I have no plans to buy one. Oh, I've thought about it for the business, but opted not to even for that. I honestly never liked shooting digital, not even when I had to for work, so I can't see spending a lot of money on trying to get a digital up to par with my film equipment.

I had a guy tell me film would soon be gone (pretty much lost to the history museum) and that digital would be the only option. He said I'd either have to switch or quit. My reply, "Well I've always wanted to learn how to draw." In other words, if I'm presented with that ultimatum, I'd rather just say forget photography and focus on some of the other things I like. I have painting that keeps me busy, and I would love to learn how to do portraits (I don't do that...yet) and I have this insane desire to do pottery (even though I've never done it a day in my life). I write, I'm relearning how to play the violin and I want to get back into piano. Not to mention the fact that I'd like to learn how to sculpt. So, I'd say I have plenty of things on my "love to do" list to keep me busy should film vanish completely. I don't think this will happen...at least not any time soon, but then again, I'm usually the last person to know so I could be wrong.

Granted, I don't have children. I suppose if I did I'd want to take pictures of them (unless I really got good at portraits...but even then) and I'd probably not want to have to pay somebody else to do what I know I can. So, in that instance I could say that I might change my mind should digital be the only medium. But I won't guarantee it.

At any rate, I guess I'm going to have to find a new product of choice for my color photography art and travel projects. Any suggestions on brand?

Another Cover

2009-08-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

The Map: Celtic Warrior cover.

Cover

2009-08-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

The second book in the series is The Map: Nubian Princess. Here's the cover...

Sooooo Sorry

2009-08-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry for not updating this week. I thought about it this morning and realized I missed Tuesday. But, I do have a reason. I'm thinking about going back to finish my doctorate, and so I'm researching colleges right now. Thinking being the operative word. The only person who knows is my mother (well, and now you). I figure I'll wait to tell the rest of the fam until after I apply and get accepted. Maybe I should wait until I graduate instead ;). Why the wait? Well, I haven't really decided to do it yet.

Anyway, not much work by way of art this week. Although, I did manage to get the last two stories in the trilogy edited and the covers are done (as in finally picked one for each). I deleted the other eighteen (yes 18) covers so I wouldn't be tempted to revisit the option of changing the covers again.

Long Overdo News

2009-07-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I updated on the museum submission. Well, I should have heard back over a month ago, so I called. The lady told me the director was out of town until end August and reviews had been pushed back, yet today I received news on my proposals. Neither were accepted as they receive far more submissions than they have space for in one year. At least that's what the standard letter had anyway. So, I guess the news is that the museum did not take either of the projects. Somehow I'm not very surprised, but I'm also not very dissapointed either. I kind of started selling some of the pieces anyway, as I couldn't sit on them forever.

Have a great weekend, and I'll update next week should there be anything to update.

All Things Art

2009-07-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

What a difference a day or two can make. On Monday I was frustrated and today I've moved on. In fact, I think I may have found a temp solution to the problem. With hopes, the temp solution will hold and I can move forward on my own with the project.

In other news, there is new artwork up in the Score One gallery. You can visit the site at www.scoreoneart.webs.com. The artwork for sale can be found in the gallery section as well as in one of the albums in the photo gallery section. So feel free to go by, check out the new work and make a purchase. Yes, I'd love it if you made a purchase. After all, I don't want to be a starving artist for too much longer. There is work in the Artist Rising gallery too, so click on the link from the home page to see that as well. If that's not quite enough for you, feel free to email me. I have plenty of artwork and not all of it is listed online at this time.

Frustrating Setbacks!

2009-07-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Setbacks are frustrating most when you don't have any options available for correcting the problem. I'm at that point right now. I feel as if I have completely wasted my time on something that might not get done until next year, if ever. Oh it's finished on my end. But when you have to rely on other people and services to get the completed project together it just sucks big time. With that in mind, knowing that there is nothing else I can do, I am taking the week, maybe even the month, off from even trying to work on it. With so many other things going on I just can't get stuck on a project that's going nowhere. Since it's an actual project I like and hope to see completed all the way through to the final stage, I will definitely come back to it next year and try again. But for now, onward and upward. I'm done!

Illusion

2009-07-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

I am in love, not with a man, but with the illusion of him.
I am lost in his words and caressed in the warmth of his passion.
I yearn to know more of him, feel more of him, touch more of him.
I long to have him in my life, my world, my heart.
But the illusion is unatainable as a reality.
And so I believe that I must always walk this earth wanting, needing something more than reality holds.
And in this moment I realize, I am in love with illusion, the hope of beauty and bliss,
the unatainable desire to be understood and be missed.

Tay
copyright 2009, Shunta Montgomery. All Rights Reserved.

From Above

2009-07-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

Sinful

2009-07-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

There is a new painting in the Score One Art Gallery. There are also new photos added to the photo gallery.

The painting is titled Sinful. You can view it here: http://scoreoneart.webs.com/apps/webstore/.

Photos Added

2009-07-13T18:27:00.001-07:00

Photos have been added to Score One Art. They're not from the Texas trip; I don't have those up yet.

http://scoreoneart.webs.com/apps/photos/

Here's one that didn't make the gallery:

Back In Action

2009-07-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Texas, and as most of you know I'm always working even when I'm away. I have pictures, new pictures to show, but my printer-scanner seems to be broken so it may be a little while before I can post some of them.

At any rate, I'm working on the portfolio. I'm also creating new business cards for Score One Art and plotting the first official art show. I'm sure I won't host it until after I get moved, but it never hurts to plan ahead.

I also just finished book three of the trilogy so now I need to edit and start designing the covers for two of them. The first book already has a cover. The screenplay is going well. I'm still having fun with it.

Oh, and you may have noticed a slight change to the blog. Well, that picture you're seeing is one of mine. I'm finally getting around to adding a little personal style to this blog. I'm limited in my knowledge of HTML so there's only so much I can do.

I'm moving full steam ahead with my art and with hopes, I can post some new information on art shows, books and artwork for sale, soon.

So much to do...

Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?

2009-07-09T12:46:00.001-07:00

This week I am scheduled to be working on a travel piece, artwork and the screenplay along with the trilogy and getting my portfolio together to distribute locally. Yeah, it's a lot to do I know. I figured I could get some artwork done while writing the travel piece and photographing what needed to be photographed for it, but alas, that is not the case. This particular adventure hasn't yielded much by way of positive reviews and that pretty much means I'm struggling to find good points in what needed to be reviewed before I do a final edit and post.

Outside of that,I did get a little work done on the screenplay, and the last story of the trilogy. It feels as if I'm really excited about it and can't wait to finish it, but there just seems to be so much more that needs to be written on both. The trilogy is to be short stories, but the way things are going, the last story might reach novella length. I'll see how that goes once I finish because I say that now, but tomorrow I might find myself writing the ending. Actually, given the few parts that need to be written I don't think I'll be anywhere near the ending tomorrow. The screenplay is going very well. I'm almost halfway through from the standpoint of page count. Yes, I must remain within a certain amount I'm finding. Apparently one page is equal to about one minute, so for a two hour movie (and not too many of the movies are a full two hours anymore) the screenplay will need to be about 120 pages. So, I'm guessing I'll have a little more, but with edits and rewrites it'll shrink down to a manageable size. There just seems to be so many places this story still needs to go and I need to get it all in, in a good way.

The portfolio is a work in progress as I would like to update with new pictures. I have two more things that are on the mandatory set up and shoot list, but I want to add a little more diversity as well, so I'll need to get started on putting all the pieces of the portfolio together again probably in the next couple weeks. I do at least have a couple working portfolios so it's not as if I'm going to be without while I fix up the updated version. I'm selling art on my Website at www.scoreoneart.webs.com and also on Artist Rising. You can find the second link on the home page of my site, but currently works for sale are not up on AR yet.

So that's all I have for updates. I'm going to go get back to work on the review, and then the screenplay, and maybe even do a little more work on the last story in the trilogy. Of course, sleep is always an option too and I think my eyes are trying to convince me to give them a break for a couple hours.

Have a great weekend everybody, and I'll post an update (with hopes) sometime next week.

And Then There Was Art

2009-07-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

I have posted a picture of a newly available mixed media painting for sale on my site. This is an abstract piece. You can find more details at http://scoreoneart.webs.com/apps/webstore/ in the Art Gallery.

Or simply go to www.scoreoneart.webs.com and click on the art gallery.

Head Over to the Site

2009-07-04T03:22:00.001-07:00

Hi everybody. I posted new photos to the Website. These are not artwork for sale photos, but photos of some of my art that will not be for sale. Please head over to www.scoroneart.webs.com and check out the new section: Photo Gallery.

A Photo From Yesterday's Shoot

2009-07-01T11:16:00.001-07:00

Sunrise At The Beach

2009-06-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

The great thing about living close to the beach is being able to watch the sunrise and the beautiful glow it cast on the ocean. That's how I spent my morning, watching the sun come up...and getting ate up by gnats and flies unfortunately. Yes, I took pictures. I work with film as most of you know, and since these are color photographs I dropped them off at a local developing center. The should be ready later today, so if I have time I might come back today and post a picture. That is provided I go pick them up today.

Death Before Dishonor: Excerpt 1

2009-06-25T03:17:00.000-07:00

Ethan Sheppard is a special ops Navy Seal pulled out of retirement for one last mission. Haylee Wells is an acomplished violinist captured by the enemy. Can they survive long enough to find out why she's been targeted? Excerpt from Death Before Dishonor, available now at www.lulu.com/haremnights.

"When did Miss Wells come to be at your location?"

"About a week into my captivity."

Richard scribbled something on his note pad and then looked up over the edge of his wire frame glasses. His hair was mostly silver now, but he still commanded respect and inspired fear in many men.

"And what condition was she in when she arrived?"

"Much fairer than she was when we left?"

"Judging from your appearance is it safe to say they spared you the torture they inflicted on her?"

"They didn't touch me," he added.

"So they took pleasure in torturing Miss Wells?"

"Seemed that way."

"I see" He scribbled more notes. Ethan didn't understand the line of questioning. Haylee had nothing to do with his mission, and this briefing was supposed to be about his assignment. Ethan wasn't a man to pass up an opportunity. He wanted answers not more questions, so he set out to get them.

"They wanted information from her I imagine."

"Information she didn't have to give," he said absently. "Major Hendricks says she killed a man."

"Two," Ethan confirmed.

"Two?"

"Yes sir. When I returned to the room she had killed one. Judging from her appearance I can only assume he was trying to rape her."
Richard mumbled a series of curses. Ethan sat back and waited to see where the conversation would go next. Richard never spoke, so Ethan continued.

"They tortured her as if she were a soldier, relentlessly and without mercy. She'll need therapy."
Richard finally looked up from his notes. "No. What she needs is you."

"Sir—"

"You have a new mission, Sheppard."

"I don't do babysitting," he argued.

"You do now."

"Sir—"

"Direct orders, Sheppard."

"The deal was this one mission and then back to retirement."

"This is the government, Sheppard. We don't make deals we can't break."

Death Before Dishonor www.lulu.com/haremnights

News Letter

2009-06-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Sign up for the bi-monthly Score One Art news letter and keep up with current projects, future projects and holiday specials. Visit www.scoreoneart.webs.com and use the contact form to join. Type "News Letter" and the email address you want news letters sent to in the "Type Your Question" section. Email address are not shared or used for any other purposes. News letters are sent once every other month unless a special announcement needs to be made and can't wait until the next letter's release date.

As always, I will still be blogging here, but for advanced notice on special sales for art or books, please sign up for the news letter.

A Day Early

2009-06-22T03:14:00.000-07:00

I'm a day early to make up for being a day late last time :).

So this is non art related, but I was just reading an article on line this morning that the FTC wants to regulate blogs. I seriously think we're becoming a society where everything is regulated, censored and otherwise restricted. Honestly, I have never been one to believe that every blog on the Web is there simply as a means of expression. I know some people get paid quite a bit to post blogs on certain topics. I kind of wish I had gone that route with my blog. Imagine, getting paid to do something you like to do anyway - voice (type) your opinion.

Well apparently the FTC thinks it's unfair that some bloggers are getting paid and not disclosing perks and payment before posting reviews or blogs about products in general. I think it's just another excuse to take over another freedom. So, if this new law goes through, beware all bloggers of what you say or don't say on your blog because you might find yourself being slapped with an FTC warning, or worse, a fine.

New Pieces Up

2009-06-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

With Father's Day just around the corner why not give the gift of art? Shipping within the United States is free for one piece. Come on by www.scoreoneart.webs.com and check out the gallery for the new pieces and old pieces available for sale.

Site can also be reached at www.scoreoneart.com.

Store accepts PayPal.

Busy With...

2009-06-17T02:45:00.000-07:00

Usually I update on Tuesdays, but when I get busy working I don't always remember to come blog.

I'm working on four smaller, but not small, paintings this week and I have yet to get started. I have a class today so I am thinking today might not be the day to start either. I'll see how things go, but I may try to get started tomorrow before sunrise and see how it all goes. Mostly, right now, I'm working on writing. I'm finishing a trilogy that I started a while ago. I'm so excited about it as I have plans for it...things that I haven't done before. And that's all I will say for now. Yes, I know I started that sentence with "and".

I'm also working on my sci-fi novel, the one that I want to write into a screenplay as well. This story was going ahead full speed until I hit chapter two and now it's like, okay, new scene, new issues, how do I want to scale this wall? Or, do I want to go back and find another way around it? First and foremost it's important to bring the events of chapter one and the events of chapter two together. I know where I want the two to meet; it's just getting them there. So, I'm thinking now might be a good time to start the screenplay. My plan was always to work on both simultaneously. I just figured I would be a little further into the novel before I started the screenplay. Remember, I have my research cut out for me with the screenplay, and I'm thinking that's going to slow me down.

In either case, I'm just so excited about the trilogy. I'm almost finished with the second in the series. I will probably start the third soon. I think once I got the title in mind for the last book, and what I ultimately want to do with the books in mind, things just kind of took off down the path to completion.

So I guess that's it for this week's updates. I'm writing, painting, trying to get to the point where I can add a new photographic art piece to the site, and taking care of business at home.

Until next week...

http://www.scoreoneart.webs.com/
http://www.scoreoneart.com/

Week Ahead

2009-06-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say I have exciting news, but I don't. I am going to be busy this week, painting more than likely. I'm still shooting as well, but I did a shoot just a few days ago and I really need to finish two paintings, one for Score One and the other for a client. So, if I can shake this headache I'll start painting today, if not it won't be until Friday. I have class tomorrow and some guy coming Thursday to cover up (not fix) a problem with the condo I'm renting, so Friday is about all I've got free after today.

Have a brilliant week, and don't forget to check out Score One.

Furniture Painting Project Pictures

2009-06-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not lazy, just tired and really busy. Anyway, finally got those pictures scanned and here they are.

Before: 30 years ago this looked much better.

A little primer before painting:

Finished product: Exterior paint applied with small artist brushes.

And I'm still painting. This time I'm working a mirror set in between my regular art projects.

Artfully Working

2009-06-05T02:24:00.000-07:00

I spent the day before yesterday doing the photography thing, and yesterday painting both canvas and furniture. I think I'm, maybe not my happiest, but close to it, when I'm working on something art related. I have to put the second coat on the furniture today and start the first coat for the leaves since I didn't get to it yesterday. I do have pictures of the last set that we painted, but I haven't scanned them yet. I will get to it...eventually.

It's going to be a long weekend and I don't think I'm going to get any art done Saturday or Sunday, but at least I managed to do some this week. The new projects will start to make their way into the Score One Art Gallery within the next month or so. I'm frustrated with my current phone and Internet service provider...such rip off artist...so I will probably let the service go at the end of the billing cycle. I'll have to see how things go, but if I do move on I'll try to get the new works up before I lose the ability to scan and upload to the site for a while.

New Painting Available

2009-06-04T02:36:00.001-07:00

There is a new oil painting in the Gallery section of Score One Art: http://scoreoneart.webs.com/apps/webstore/. Sizing, pricing and product information can be found by clicking on the fine art piece for sale.

Score One Art, affordable art for sale.

www.scoreoneart.webs.com.

Not Your Typical Tuesday Update

2009-05-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's not Tuesday. I'm going to be busy this week working on reviews and dealing with personal issues, so I thought I would update early. I have managed to get a shoot done that I am hoping will satisfy the contest rules for the next three months. I'll see how they turn out before I check contest shoots off my list. I am painting still, and have recently managed to get three new canvases to work. I have been a little short on supplies, but I'm building that back up.

Score One Art Gallery is up and running on the Web. I may be adding new pieces for photography as soon as I know what's going on with my museum proposal. I should have two new...or maybe three...paintings up late this week or next as well. I like one of the pieces so much I don't want to let it go. I have to, or I'll have a surplus of my own paintings around the house.

That's my news. Take care and have a great week everybody!

New Website

2009-05-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

I decided to go with a free site to kick things off. The ads are due to the site being free, but in the next few months I will, with hopes, be able to change that. At any rate, I think it looks great. Stop by and let me know what you think: http://www.scoreoneart.webs.com/.

I am going to have to find a way to change inventory selection as each piece only has one copy, but I'll get to that once I upgrade. You know, I think this calls for a contest. I'll have to think about that a bit.

Another Week...Still Waiting

2009-05-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the day the museum starts reviewing submissions and I have two out to them. I hope they take one of them, but I also realize that it might not happen. Oddly, I have a sense of calm about the whole thing. I guess that's because I have a plan. I actually need to start getting the Website together, but I have once again been set back on securing a hosting provider, so it may be a little while. However, that's not going to stop me from selling my art. It simply means I'm going to have to work it from a different angle.

Wish me luck!

I also have been commissioned to do a coffee table book...two actually with two separate themes, so I'm excited about doing that. Well, kind of excited. I'm going to have to do a sunrise run to the beach again, and a late night under the stars, but this should be fun. Fortunately I don't have to write anything, so it's all photo art for me.

New Work

2009-05-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

First let me just say I'm a little disappointed that my order from Adorama never arrived. They just sent me an email to let me know they would issue a credit. That's not really comforting as I really wanted the film I ordered.

Anyway, I'm working on new work by way of writing. I'm writing a new sci-fi novel. I wanted to make it a screenplay to start with. Since I have only written plays I figure things are a little different and I wanted to write the story so I went for the novel first. Now, I'm thinking I might write both at the same time. I had a friend who wrote screenplays and she often mentioned how different they were from stage plays so I can only guess I have my research cut out for me. It should be fun.

By way of art, I'm just waiting to hear back on the submissions I have out. The reviews should be done next week sometime and then I don't know how long it will take to have an answer. In the meantime, I need to start building a new Website for my work. I hope to do that in the next few months, but we shall see how that goes. All in all, I'm busy working on new work while trying to master some old projects as well.

Painting All Day

2009-05-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

I have been working on projects for home lately. I just finished painting one of the tables my mom gave to me. I have to paint the second one now, then it's on to the candle holder and shelf. I shoot with film so I'll post pics of the before, during and after stages once I have he photos in hand.

In other news, class starts next week, so I'll be busy with that and working on my art and job hunting. I hope you all have a great day.

MySpace

2009-05-14T11:21:00.001-07:00

Back on MySpace. Add me if you're on there too: http://www.myspace.com/474073139

The Art of Selling Art

2009-05-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

I now have two art proposals off to museums, which means I now get to sit back and wait for a yea or nay answer. I have always been somewhat of a realist, (I say realist because it sounds better than pessimist), when it comes to pretty much anything I try in my life. It's no surprise then that I have already started planning the what if they don't take it follow through. While I hope the jury will see the value of my work and set a date for display, I am also planning, plotting, maybe even hatching the egg of my next big idea.

Selling art isn't easy. In fact one could even say that selling art is an art. Today's economy doesn't necessarily lend itself in favor of the less known artist to sell a piece to galleries, or even online. It's tough out there, but as with anything, sometimes you just have to keep trying to master not only the visual art, but also the art of selling art.

Recently I have been looking into selling my art online. Article after article I have read the pros and cons to selling online. I have found so many online art galleries that I feel like trying to pick the right one might just take a decade. Of course there is the option to sell on my own site. There were probably as many pros and cons for that as there were for the online galleries. As an artist I would rather spend my time creating my next piece. As a woman who has a fairly good sense of business, I also know it's important to research before leaping.

I haven't decided yet on whether I will try to find the right online art gallery, or just go it alone. I'm great at marketing. I know how to write marketing text, and oddly enough I know a little bit about Web site design. I think it's possible to branch off on my own, but there's also this part of me that would like stay in the nest. So what am I going to do? I don't know yet. Maybe a little bit of both. As long as I do something I can move forward. If I do nothing, well...another year will pass and I'll find myself contemplating the same subject - - - The Art of Selling Art.

Any artist out there going through their own art challenges? Let me know; I'd love to hear from you.

Today's Shoot

2009-05-08T08:37:00.001-07:00

This morning I woke up at three o'clock. I had a shoot to do on the beach and I needed to be there at sunrise. Usually I'm great with getting up early and still functioning through the day, but I was up late prepping for the shoot and up early to get to the beach on time, and now I'm feeling the lack of sleep. A day-nap is in order. At least I got the shoot done. I worked with 35mm film and 120 medium format film. I used my Yashica instead of my Holga, but I think next time I go out I might take the Holga along for the sunrise shoot. Or, maybe I'll just shoot at sunset and save myself the sleep deprivation.

Last Month's Contest Photo

2009-05-06T05:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it didn't win, but I still love it. This is the photo I submitted for last month's contest. The title: Send Me No Flowers. This is a hand printed black and white photograph. Anyway, I'm off to figure out my July shoot.

Death Before Dishonor

2009-05-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

This is the government, Sheppard. We don't make deals we can't break." Nobody knows that better than Ethan Sheppard, who, after going blissfully into retirement, is pulled out for a top secret mission. Now, instead of fishing near his beach home in Maine, he is sweating it out in a South American terrorist holding cell. Escape seems close at hand until concert violinist, Haylee Wells, becomes his cell mate, making his plan for escape obsolete. Vowing not to leave a hostage behind, Ethan formulates a new plan that involves taking Haylee with him. He soon realizes that escape is only the beginning. Ethan and Haylee are deeply entwined in a political war, and Haylee is the pawn. Can Ethan put the pieces of the puzzle together in time to save Haylee’s life?

Come along for the ride with a sexy violinist and a Navy special op whose most valuable asset may just be his inability to play by the rules. Available Now! www.lulu.com/haremnights.

Week In Review

2009-05-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

This week I have managed to get some work done on the new art project. It's such a big project that it feels like I have so much left to do...and I do have so much left to do lol. I also submitted art for the May contest. I wonder if I'll win? I am sitting June out, but will take part in the remaining months available to me. I just have to shoot something new and while I have ideas, they might be a little ambitious for my resources.

I think it's safe to say that I haven't done any writing this week; although it is only Saturday so I could change that today. All in all, it's been a busy week of the usual issues along with new issues, both good and bad.

Take care and enjoy your day!

Beware of Orbitz!

2009-04-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Orbitz sucks! I have never booked through them before now and I shall never do it again. My advice: Be sure to locate all the fine print and read it carefully before committing or you might find yourself getting screwed with your pants on.

My not so reputable agent tried to assure me there would be additional fees for taxes added on to my booking even though my statement clearly shows I paid in full. She assured me it would be from the second company and not from Orbitz. Well, I called the second company and they knew nothing about additional fees. In fact, my rep at the second company called, spoke to Margo (from Orbitz) and didn't understand either. Of course, at the end of the day I have been told there are no additional fees. What a ripoff. Orbitz officially sucks! It's enough for me to want to cut out the middle man and just book direct next time. Of course, I have worked with other agencies without any issues, so I'm chalking it up to Orbitz being the worst travel company to do business with and I'm moving onward.

For the record, getting screwed with your pants on isn't any fun!

Archaeology: Right or Wrong?

2009-04-28T03:44:00.001-07:00

I love archaeology, especially Egyptology because I am fascinated by the myths and, dare I say, history of old. As some of you know I wanted to study archaeology, but I didn't because I listened to others who didn't want me to. Recently I found myself wondering if the field of archaeology is right or wrong. Essentially, archaeologist dig up burial grounds. Yes, we learn so much from the findings, but is removing dead bodies and carting them to a museum really necessary? I have heard the argument that it's fine because there is nobody who still practices the ancient religions still around; unlike Native American Indians who still would see digging up sacred burial grounds as desecration. So the argument would conclude that it's okay to move mummies from their resting places.

Granted, dead people have no knowledge of what's being done to their remains. Of course that depends on the school of religious beliefs you subscribe to. However, I guess I have just been leaning more towards it just feels wrong. I have never seen a mummy in a museum. Maybe if I saw one there I might change my mind and decide it's so great to see the remains of dead people encased in glass that we should just keep digging them up and carting them off to museums around the world. I doubt it though.

In the meantime I guess I will constantly wonder how much of archaeological procedures I agree with. Whether archaeology is right or wrong could probably be debated for a while, and I am sure both sides would have equally convincing arguments.

Feeling Blue

2009-04-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at your life and wonder what you're doing, what you've done and what you're going to do? I know many people have probably been there, and a few lucky ones probably haven't. Then there are those who could put a positive spin on even the worse situation. I don't fall into those last two categories and today I'm really feeling it. Actually, most of this week I have been feeling it...blue...down...out of sorts...whatever you call it, I've been feeling it.

Yesterday was beyond stressful. As some of you know I'm dealing with the real estate lady from hell. I went with Real Estate Services of Palm Coast to find the rental that now seems to be falling apart in more ways than one, and it's really just been one level of hell after another. I'm telling you it puts a whole new spin on Dante. Anyway, after much stress yesterday, I finally reached a point where I just couldn't deal with it anymore. Years ago, when I was younger and without student loan debt, I would just go shopping when stressed. Then that turned into working out by window shopping. That turned into just working out. And working out turned into sleeping. So, yesterday, about three o'clock I hit the sack, and there I stayed until my dad called. Fortunately he woke me up because I probably would have slept through the night. You know you're stressed when sleeping is the only way to calm the "where's the other shoe" thoughts.

I thought today would be better. You know, a new day with no mistakes in it...yet. Not so much. I am finding that yesterdays mistakes eventually catches up with today and usually jets ahead to tomorrow...where eventually I get to catch up with them. I hate being down. When I'm down I second guess my art, my writing, myself. It's really hard to stay positive about the things I love when I really feel as if everything is just falling apart. Now would be a great time to paint, or make new prints, but I just...can't.

Artistic Updates

2009-04-21T04:13:00.000-07:00

I have selected all the pieces to use for my next proposal, and even managed to select the sizes I would like to use for each. Of course sizing is subject to change based on how the image looks and what I think might be best, but it's all pretty much pulled together. I have decided I will probably submit it for review later this year, as the project is moving along to a point where I believe that will be possible. Other than that, there's not much news to report.

History, Hitler and Art

2009-04-17T03:46:00.000-07:00

Obviously I remember less from high school history than I thought. Hitler was an artist. I was reading an article on line this morning about his watercolors going up for auction, and that he had actually applied to an art school. Could you imagine how history would be had he got in? He may never have become that guy who tried to wipe out an entire group of people he felt unworthy of life. His life could have gone in a completely different direction. Instead of going down in history as some psychotic leader, he may have been known for his art. The Holocaust would have never happened. On the other hand, if destiny does exist then somebody else probably would have done it eventually. But, if there is no such thing as destiny, then history could have been different...maybe even better. Or maybe worse.

Kind of begs the question of what would happen if one thing in everybody's life was different? I know I wonder where I would be if at that one key moment in my life I had gone left instead of right. I guess this is the catalyst for all time travel fiction works...we tend to wonder what if... Is that living in the past instead of the present? Or, is it a longing for a better present so much that we're unable to let go of the past we can't change?

Big...Huge...Gigantic

2009-04-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

It may not be the biggest art project in the history of art, but it is the biggest one for me...collection-wise that is. I have finally decided on the photographs I will enlarge for my latest art project. It took some time to put it all together, but I wanted to pick something that makes me go hmm...I wonder. That's all I'll say for now on the details. I will say that being that this is such a huge undertaking, I am hoping it goes really well and that I can get each piece either as a whole collection, or an individual showing, into museums and galleries. Honestly, I'm going to need to make some sales on this or 1. I'll be stuck with a bunch of art without enough wall space to hang it. 2. I won't regain my investment. I'm in it for the art, but sales are what help me keep investing limited funds into really great projects.

I will say that as far as number of pieces go, this is about twenty or so shy of what I thought it would end as. On the other hand, size considered, I might want to be thankful I'm coming up twenty short of my projection.

Storm

2009-04-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. The time when thunderstorms give way to panicked news cut-ins for random information on the fact that there is now a thunderstorm cell right over your location. Duh! Can kind of see that. It's also the time when those who live in seasonally stormy areas need to start getting that emergency kit organized. Okay, so maybe it should already be organized, but a recheck of supplies is not a bad thing.

So, what does this have to do with art? Everything. There's a t-storm rumbling through the area. Tornado watches and warnings are being issued. Clouds are rotational, and that rotation can come to the ground at any second. And the only thing I can think about is, "too bad I don't have any film in my camera." Yes, that was my first thought. I didn't think, "take cover," not even, "crap I hope that doesn't drop on us." Nope, I thought about shooting it. In my defense I have always loved storms. I researched them, studied them and, had it not been for my family, I would be chasing right now. Of course, now I'm too old and too clingful (not a word...I know) to the life I have to risk it all...but last night I so wanted to pull out my cam and be prepared to get great shots should anything blow by. I'm an artist. More than that, I'm a photographer. I guess that's when you know you live, sleep and breathe photography...when every time you see life you're thinking about how it would look through the lens.

New Release!

2009-04-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Death Before Dishonor is now available. You can get it here: http://stores.lulu.com/haremnights. I'm so excited. I received my print copy, and that pretty much put a big smile on my face. I don't think I've had that feeling since I signed my first book contract. Now, let's hope the art proposal gets picked up and I can have another, overly excited moment.

Anyway, you can fall in love with Ethan and Haylee by print copy or download. It's up to you. I happen to love the cover of the book, by the way. While you're there, check out Mirror Image too.

Well, I'm off to write a little more on the new piece...yes, another one. This one should be a short though. It's erotic, not up everyones alley, but I haven't written one in a while so the mood struck me.

Tata for now.

A Fly On The Wall

2009-04-10T12:53:00.001-07:00

"You have a new mission, Sheppard."
"I don't do babysitting," he argued.
"You do now."
"Sir—"
"Direct orders, Sheppard."
"The deal was this one mission and then back to retirement."
"This is the government, Sheppard. We don't make deals we can't break."
Now it was Ethan's turn to curse; only he didn't mumble at all.
"I'll ignore those remarks, Captain."
"Sir—"

Richard held up his hand. Ethan didn't care if the argument was futile; he didn't want to play babysitter. She needed a professional therapist and he needed to go quietly back into retirement. Very few special ops members had stayed active past the age of thirty-two without burnout. He had made it; he retired and they sucked him back in. He didn't want back in. He wanted his beach house in Maine. He wanted fishing off the nearby rocks and morning jogs through the sand. He had been a solider all of his adult life and he was tired. He wanted normal, whatever normal was. He wanted a family, a wife, children, maybe even a dog. He no longer wanted covert operations, long nights of solitude and a desire for something his career made it impossible to have.

Online Friends

2009-04-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Some people say the people you meet online can't possibly become your friend. I think in some cases they're right. I met a few people when I was publishing via e-book publishing companies, and a couple were really just users. They worked the published authors to get contacts and walked away once they obtained something of use to them. It's easy to get jaded when you deal with people like that.

On the other hand, I met my best friend online. She lives in England, and we've never met. We're still best friends. Just because you don't meet the person conventionally doesn't mean you can't develop a positive relationship. It's a tough game to navigate through. You have to take a leap sometimes. Just don't leap blindly.

Revelation...And Not The Biblical Version

2009-04-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

So today I figured out why all of these old perv type guys keep coming on to me, but hardly any guys my age come on to me. Apparently I still look like I'm in high school. No kidding. I was at the post office with my mother today and the guy asked me if I went to a certain high school. Then he said he asks all the young people that because he wants to see if any of them know his nieces and nephews.

Okay, I'm not complaining about looking young. That's a good thing. But that young really throws a wrench in the "get a date" saga. Yes, I'm actually sure this time that I think I might want to start dating (lol). What can I say, some days I do, and most days I don't.

Blog Record

2009-04-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

This must be a record for me. Three times in one day! Anyway, just a quick post to say, "I mailed it!" Yes, the proposal is off to the museum. Wish me luck.

Death Before Dishonor

2009-04-09T04:36:00.000-07:00

"This is the government, Sheppard. We don't make deals we can't break." Nobody knows that better than Ethan Sheppard, who, after going blissfully into retirement, is pulled out for a top secret mission. Now, instead of fishing near his beach home in Maine, he is sweating it out in a South American terrorist holding cell. Escape seems close at hand until concert violinist, Haylee Wells, becomes his cell mate, making his plan for escape obsolete. Vowing not to leave a hostage behind, Ethan formulates a new plan that involves taking Haylee with him. He soon realizes that escape is only the beginning. Ethan and Haylee are deeply entwined in a political war, and Haylee is the pawn. Can Ethan put the pieces of the puzzle together in time to save Haylee’s life?

Come along for the ride with a sexy violinist and a Navy special op whose most valuable asset may just be his inability to play by the rules.

Coming Soon!

Mirror Image

2009-04-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

Second book now has a cover, designed by me :o)

Submission

2009-04-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

I finished updating my CV for the art submission. I realized after I got home from the store that I needed to buy two envelopes--one to send the proposal and one to get it back. Of course I knew that somewhere in my mind before I left the store. It unfortunately didn't register until after, long after, I had already made the drive home. So, I still need a return envelope, which I hope to pick up by the end of the week, and then I can mail the proposal to the museum. I have already started working on my next art project. I'm so excited about it. Maybe I'm more excited about the new project than I was the last. At any rate, I'm busy working on my art since I'm not working anywhere else. Yes, still jobless. Maybe soon to be homeless, but I hope not. The owners of the building I live in are apparently filing for BK so they're not making repairs and rumor has it they're trying to get the place condemned. I just moved here, unfortunately. So, I'm back to packing today and for the rest of the week as a just in case measure. I would hate to find out they really are going to let this place go and then have an entire home to pack up. Basically, that means I'll be packing away some of my art supplies as well. And, if all goes southward, I won't be online as much until I find a new place. That may be awhile. I'll try to be sure to release the novel beforehand. But, I am still hoping it won't come to any of that and my semi-displaced life won't become entirely chaotic.

Oh! We're selling furniture, so if you're in Florida, up near Jacksonville, Daytona Beach areas, send me an email if you're interested in buying bedroom sets, living and dining room furniture, computer stands, TVs or dishes.

Death Before Dishonor Cover

2009-04-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

This book will be out soon! Here's a look at the cover for Death Before Dishonor.

Cover design by Shunta Montgomery 2009.

Covers...Done?

2009-04-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I have completed the covers for both books. The problem? I have approximately four covers for each and I don't know for sure which one I want to use. The great part is that I love them all! The bad part is...I love them all. Picking will not be easy. Fortunately I am focusing on getting the art submission off this week so I have a little time before I have to make the final decision. I also started on a new art project. What can I say...when I'm hot I'm hot! I love to have the creativeness flowing when I actually have the time and energy to work on things. The next art project is about half way complete...well, photography wise. I still need to print everything. I'm going bigger this time around. Does size really matter anyway? Maybe.

Artworks

2009-04-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

The only thing left to compile for the museum submission is my CV. Of course, my printer is out of ink, so I'm going to have to make a run to the library in order to print it. Ten cents in less expensive than new ink and I need less expensive right now. Once the CV is done, it's on to mailing off my package and moving on to the next thing...that would be actually getting the cover together for my book. I would like to get back in the darkroom this week or next too, so I'm planning to be busy with my artwork. I completed two new pieces of jewelry yesterday and since I like them both I have decided not to part with them. See the problem...I really like to keep all the stuff I should sell. Oh well, as long as I put my art out there I can let myself slide on keeping a few pieces of my jewelry collection.

My theory right now is just to get as much done as I can, while I can. Although, lately all the stories I have to finish writing have taken the proverbial back seat. But, the back seat is comfortable so I'm sure they'll be fine until I have the desire to work on them again. I'll post the covers to both books here once I have them finished.

Contest...Check

2009-04-01T05:12:00.000-07:00

I did it; I entered the contest. Today was the first day of entry for the category I'm submitting for, so I did it first thing this morning. What can I say...I have been waiting since last month for this category. Although, I now wonder if submitting at the end of the month would have been the better option. Anyway, it's done, and now the waiting begins. Will I win? I don't know, but there's another one next month that I plan to be there for either way.

Have an art filled week!

The Blurb

2009-03-22T16:46:00.001-07:00

Finally I have a rough draft of the blurb for my novel. All that's left is the cover design and since I have decided to self publish (I think) I'm planning to shoot the cover this upcoming week. I also need to shoot the cover for my novella so that I can piece that one together as well. Outside of that, I have one short story, about three novella length and at least two novel length stories that I am already working on. I know that's a lot going at one time, but I really have to write the story down as it comes to me. I hate to wait, so I usually end up with several things going at once. Actually, that's not always bad because it means I can keep working even if I run out of steam on one story. On the other hand, it also means I have way too many stories going at the same time.

By way of artwork, I have two new projects...well, one ongoing and one new, that I need to work on. I also have to shoot the photos for the July contest. I already have two of the four photos I need, so it's just on to the last two. Fingers crossed I get my desire to work on both my art and my writing back up to full speed soon, or I might not get any of this stuff done this year. Why is when there's time there's no energy and when there's energy there's no time?

Almost...But Not Quite

2009-03-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm almost finished putting together the submission for the jury review, but not quite there yet. I have kind of kicked it into high gear after realizing I really don't have as much time before it's due. I have time. I'm not one to wait until the absolute last minute, but not as much as I kind of talked myself into thinking I had. So, In a couple more weeks I hope to have everything together. I'm a little off on one of the contest photos (which is a separate issue from the review). I'm not one hundred percent sure how the project will turn out. I have an idea, but I'd prefer it if I knew for sure. Oh well, that one has a couple months at least, so I shall see what happens.

Artistic Endeavors

2009-03-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Blogging has been less than I would have liked, but I am absent for a reason. I'm hard at work on my artistic endeavors. The jury review for the gallery is in May and I'm working hard on getting my best pieces ready for submission. I have a mix of black and white and color so it's hard. I'm trying to keep it balanced, but at the same time, I want to use the best of the best, which is not always lending itself to a perfect balance. In either case, I'm working it. My hope is to submit by early April. At least if I have it in by then I can work on my second gallery submission, which is equally as important. I decided not to wait around on one gallery to respond. I have a few different portfolio selections to show and I'm going to show them.

Ciao for now!

Crab

2009-03-04T05:40:00.000-08:00

March Madness

2009-03-02T05:01:00.000-08:00

I just wrapped a shoot and I can't wait to see how the ideas came together. I just have to start printing. My last negatives are processed, dried and cut. Now, I need to pull the enlarger into the darkroom and print, print, print. There are some really good negatives that will work in the theme of my portfolio this year. I still have two more rolls of black and white film to get to. I'm hoping to find several gems for printing in that bunch too. March is going to be busy. I'm getting gallery submissions together and trying to pick the best piece of work for an upcoming competition. Outside of my artwork I need to design the cover for my latest novel. So much to do...but I am still excited about the possibilities. Oh yeah, and I just finished a new abstract painting. How's that for keeping busy while unemployed!

Print...Process...Promote

2009-02-26T04:07:00.000-08:00

It's time to get back in the darkroom again and print. I have more negatives that fit my gallery submission idea and so I'm trying to get it all together before the next review in May. My goal is to submit for the May review period, but if I miss that I will only have one other chance this year and that's it. With that in mind one might think I'd spend every hour in the darkroom getting the last of my works together...not so much. Despite not having a job right now, I am busy. If I'm not looking for a job, I'm cleaning. If I'm not cleaning, I'm prepping art projects, organizing plans, and creating new plans. So, now it is officially time to set aside some time to print new pieces, process, promote and get each piece ready for either display or sell. First on the agenda...check to see if my developer is still in working order before pulling all of the darkroom equipment back into the bathroom.

Edits...Who Needs Them?

2009-02-19T16:24:00.000-08:00

Finally, I am finished with edits. Of course, I still need to transfer those edits to the computer. Oh joy :/. It has to be done and once it is I will be one step closer to publishing my novel this year. I still haven't decided on course of action for publishing yet, but I imagine I will figure it out soon. At least I hope I will figure it out soon.

I'm still prepping art projects. I'm almost ready to start a new painting. I don't think that will happen this week, but maybe soon. I'm still tired, with a lot on my mind and way too many things to worry about. Eventually I will have things back in some type of workable order and I can focus most of my energy on the things I really enjoy doing--art and writing. For now, I need to kick my but into gear and get this novel ready for publication. I'll keep you all posted on how that goes.

Again?

2009-02-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

Once again it's the beginning of a new week. The old routine gets old fast. I often wonder how people make each day worth talking about. Currently, I'm still editing. I'm also still shooting pictures for a few things, working on art projects, etc. I went to the beach last week...a little farther away than usual, and I found some great shells. I also spotted a rather attractive guy waiting to catch a wave. All in all, it was a productive day of prepping for art projects and enjoying the view. I do have another shoot...or two...that I need to do sometime in the upcoming weeks. I also, with hopes, will get a painting done this week. When I have time it's too cold or too wet. When I don't have time, it's beautiful out. I'm also getting a little tired, and with the energy levels low I'm just not sure if I will get around to doing anything other than prepping art projects for now.