The Voice of Action and Happiness

Today I feel so blessed.  So thankful for my family and my friends.  God has brought so many wonderful people into my life.  I pray that I will always have an open mind to their opinions and inevitable difference.  What a great thing that we are all made in God's image.  It is the glue that holds us together, despite our differences.
But onto the work.  I have been involved in helping some folks with projects in Los Angeles, Evergreen, and the Polo Club.  All terrific people and great to work for.  I did have the opportunity to work for Sly Stallone in Beverly Park.  What an amazing house.  I will attach some photos of small areas in the house that we did.  We have been working also for a super talented designer from Palm Desert in Evergreen, doing impact walls throughout their house.  Again, photos when we get close to the finish on this one.  The project in town was built on a project we did 12 years ago.  Some new work and touch up of existing walls.  Amazing that the finishes held up that long.  The one thing I can say is that I know from my heart that God made me to paint.  It is in my heart, my hands, my mind.  Completely filled with wonder and excitement about what is next.  I do one and another is right there.  My Holy Father guides me and directs my brush for his Glory!
I have been working on two pieces one in gold leaf and the other in a butterscotch gold color.  The golf leaf painting had almost a tribal emotional feel to it.  Bands of color over oil pastels.  New techniques!!! And the cool part is that I am getting to use some of my pressed and dried flowers from my yard.  So much fun.  So much beauty.  I could do this all day.  Loose track of the time and day.  Photos to come.
The other piece is a golden field with horses in the long grass looking out at the viewer.  They are caught up in the light of heaven in this golden field.  There are hilltowns and small villages on the treetops that overhang the field.  Topiary borders the stream that runs through the field.  Peace and contentment!  I hope people get that sense.
I also just completed a large piece that will be displayed at Bobbi Walker Fine Art that is called Lover's Moons over Sienna.  An angelic and scenic look at the fields, vineyards, trees and houses that border that magical town in Tuscany.  Look for photos to come.  I have recently gone back to some of my roots in terms of technique, and I am excited about the results.  Very raw and colorful.  Hope you like them.  God bless and keep smiling!  Michael

The Road less traveled!

There are so many mysteries of life.  Too many to try and figure out.  We are all given talents from God.  It is how we use them that counts.  I ask for your grace dear Father, that I can except the things I can't change and work towards moving and allowing others to walk their path of hope and change.  Grant others in my life the peace and  understanding that only You can give. Whisper your will to them and protect them from any harm or deception.  You are a protector of all.  Please help us walk this road in harmony and open witness to your love and will! Sometimes my pride and blind spots get in the way of truly loving and being the man you want me to be.  I say this because my strength as an artist lies in your revelation  and instruction of my life.  How can I paint the picture deep inside if I am at war with the man you made me to be?  Please guide and protect that inner child of  wonder and divine insight.  Let it be so that I might be all that you want me to be and create! Bless the color and texture and words of touch that reveal your Spirit of Love.

The Long and winding road!

 I have been so blessed to have been working on a project for the last several months.  Truly a miracle.  God is at work on my behalf.  This I know.  Understanding all of the why's and wherefore"s is beyond my comprehension.  I have been working on several smaller pieces at the studio.  Whenever I am here and start working, it is like I am HOME!  Things fit. They come together.  And I feel a magical touch of inspiration and a touch from the HOLY ONE.  No doubt he created it before I even thought of it.  I am just trying to catch up with the revelation at hand.  Blessed to be at work this day shortly before my birthday come Monday.  Lord guide and protect my imagination and the words and colors of my heart.  Let it say what you want.  Let it be a testimony to your glory and creation.  let it say more than what is before the viewer.  let it be a journal of the heart and mind.  Let people identify with the content and mystery surrounding the craft. 
Thanks for helping me grow this summer in character and resolve.
God be praised.  More later, Michael

The Joy of Life

So, It has been awhile, but a short note!  I have been in the process of moving and collaborating with my students on their MA programs.  Also, I have been working on a large project downtown.  Been too busy.
Was invited to the Florence Biennale for this year, however I passed to the foreign exchange rate and overall cost of the venture.  Would have been nice.  No problem though.  There will be another time.
Work has been going well and I am trying to squeeze in time for my own work plus teaching.  A balancing act.  Proud to know that Dan Beck down the hall from me just won national honors on one of his paintings with a great check to go along with it.  The man never stops.  His car is parked in front all the time.

Not much more right now.  One thing, go see Tree of Life, a powerful film, produced by Brad Pitt.  Live and death, rebirth, and the spiritual connection between us as humans and this planet.  Very cool!

Looking forward to more summer trips to the mountains.  Went to St. Mary's glacier the other day in my Miata, what a blast.  SO!!!!! incredibly beautiful.  Fills the senses.  What  a beautiful state we live in.  God bless! Michael

Love is a many splendered thing! Sunday 4/9/11

I have seen you in the mountains of earth and coal
I have known you from the singing of the happy whippoorwill sitting on my post
I know your voice in the wind and the sweet kiss of wine on your lips
I feel your heart beating against mine
You are that essence of        innocence and erotic tenderness       no man can resist
Wishing for completeness in the dirt and depth of your soul
Yet fighting the growth of fear to believe she is herself a passenger
on a rough sea stuck    weathered    tossed    and formed by the sea and earth below
She will struggle and live a full and complete live as the sirens call our for redemption,  knowing that
perfect love casts out fear and     fear      is the enemy of growth and happiness
let their song be gone from you
Your arms will catch her as she stands up in that twisted vessel
For Love's song must be found in     you first     so you may love another
I see her now free from the things that nail her wounded and sick from her past     Don't hold back dear one  

Alive

if chosen in the deep and weathered boat     set sail    stand with arms outstretched      sails      lifted high
with sorrow and gratitude a woman of profound dimension finding her dreams come true
Wet dreams and confusion     hope     but you will be OK
as a bird of coal set free to sing the love song of meaning and life sustaining vision of the muddy water that held you back from the earth your friend
Walk proud and humble before your God       for He has made a life for you and you will find the song deep within you
and
in the chains that bind you. Spread your wings and fly
fly
and be free!

Lay down my love beside the babbling brook and listen

Freedom is at hand!

Life in the fast lane

Today was a wonderful day.  Played golf with my father at 85 years old.  Man, I hope I can walk when I am that age.  what a short game he still has.  Played with a couple of nice guys.  Golf is such a rich experience. Value in all that you breath in and feel.  Maybe the reason I love golf so much is it slows down my crazy life for a few hours.  I don't know.  But, the sense of peace and excitement I feel when I step on the first tee, I don't know just so hard to explain.  A thrill..  That is it.  What will happen today.  Despite some injury and letdown in my own life today,    I knew it was coming,     I went for it.  What gives you the strength to carry on?  Is it another glass of wine or another piece of  creme brulee?  I find myself in the fast lane too much.  Always it seems taking on much more and having so much to do.  Balls floating in the air.  Hundred projects possible?  Do they all come in or none at all. SLOW DOWN AND BREATH.  The mountain air.  Nocci's little purrs and sihys.  All the tender, and heart opening gifts from the giver of life and art.  Help us to open ourselves up, to quiet down the     race of time      and all it's obligations. Like walking down the green slopes of the mountains above Assisi stick in hand,  meandering and stopping  and catching the wind through the trees and      knowing God was with us every step of the way        and we did not have to change lanes or stop for any one.  We were free    above the clouds    into the clouds, of the Holy city, throwing buckets of paint in the air!.  God bless!

I feel the voice of the wind whispering and howling through the pines!

Today is Friday and I just got back from the mountains in all of its glory. Looking at a beautiful home with incredible potential and serenity..... So incredible to be so close to the wind high up   touching the clouds    with birds swooping and rocketing into the air.  In the past several days a word and phrase has been swallowing me up in every step I take.  They say when God speaks to you He starts with a whisper and finally if you are away He starts to yell.  God is patient with all of us, because He loves us I suspect.  Certainly I know I don't deserve his attention.  There is a scripture that says from Romans that "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God     and a another     from Ephesians Don't walk in the vanity of your mind, with your understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in the world, because of the blindness of their heart".  So, who is this NEW MAN and NEW MIND He speaks of?  Growth, Freedom, Lack of fear, Letting go of old injuries like car wrecks, Trust, Loving when it is difficult, Jumping off the ledge deep into the turquoise water deep and healing?  I want to fly with my art and my purpose driven life.  Trust in the Holy One.  Ground yourself         in the wet clay     feeling his strength and purpose.  All things have a season and a purpose.  I know one thing is for sure, I want to keep my hands in paint no matter what and for whatever purpose it may bring because I know in "my gut" that I am serving Him when I do and I soar with eagles wings diving and allowing the wind to carry my heart and soul to freedom and comfort. Please oh God help me to trust in you, don't let me look down and fall into the deep waters without your support.  Give me a new mind that I may create and allow my life to soar and live with unquestionable belief that      you will always be there       unconditionally my Love and Songbird above the howling winds of this world.  If there is a blind spot, please show me and give me the grace to see it and follow its power and reclaim my innocence. Help me to know your will.  Have a great weekend Grace, L, C, and my fellow hawks singing a song of praise as we glide free above the troubles of this world!