Getting Ready to Roll

What a weekend.
Finished the sign.
Visited with my friends.
Worked. Rested.
Printed my show catalog.
Packed the car with art.
Planned the route.
Replanned the route.
Printed more prints.
Did laundry.
and now going to get a good nights sleep before the first day of many driving across the country. Will try to blog each night, as long as I can get internet access.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Circuitry

It is amazing how we are all connected.
I had the chance to connect and reconnect with some of my colleagues from when I worked at AT&T. We talked about our lives and what we have been doing and are doing. I surprised some of them. Which lead to some very indepth talks about God & Religion.
This connecting and sharing... this is the circuitry of life...turn it on and step into the light.

BIG BROTHER ALL STARS FAN SHOUT OUT TO MY BEANTOWN BROTHER SETH! go chicken george!, go janelle! (my final two picks!) They have heart and they have game.

Time is flying, many things to do and get done by Monday for the show. Great things are happening - people requesting art for charitable events, people asking me to be a judge of an art competition, people requesting help with business cards, restoration and new art, people buying art, and people just making sure I am still doing art. I am so blessed to be able to be doing all I can... I am living my dream.

Read the fine print
Armando, Karen, Burt

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Social Life or Blog

That is the question?

Had a great visit with friends tonight. Back in Dallas had Starbucks with Jim, Burt, Karen, Cliff, Armando & Jack. There was many moments that happened.... it is good to be home.

Another Show!

Busy day

Sent out lots of postcards to those I know in NY, as well as some emails. Now working to get everything ready for the show in Western NY...excited about having a show in my home town.

My friend, Michael, ran into Lorrie Maurino, our high school art teacher and told her about my upcoming show. I am excited that she will be in Buffalo during the time of my show and I hope that she will be able to attend. She had such a powerful impact on my life and my art - if I had to pick one teacher that changed my life, it was her.

I have alot of respect for her, as well as the power that all teachers have to inspire others with their words and praise.

Please come to the show -
Partners In Art Gallery
83 Webster Street
No. Tonawanda, NY 14120
Friday, Aug 4th 6pm - 9pm
Saturday, Aug 5th 10am - 6pm

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Placeholder for the Corporately Busy

yes - Jim there is a Santa Claus === more about Armando, Chris, Randy, Burt and Karen to come

Houston

Lots to share --- my search in Houston, cool pics and more

Relaxing

Art school confidential

Tired

Been a very busy and long few days. I am in Houston and at my hotel...going to bed early because I have a very packed day of work tomorrow.

Had a great conversation with Jim on my cell tonight and he is done with "Majestic" and it will be hung tomorrow. I am so excited for him, and hope that during my trip to Buffalo with him I get to see it in person. Having great text messages with Burt - GO BURT GO ! I only wish I was there to take pictures of him biking and my other friends who are competing in the Gay Games in Chicago. Karen in back from her cruise, Armando is in training, Cliff's children are visiting, Steve is working on his house, Jack is back from his travels, Pat found a job and is back to work.... and

Thank you to Tim Anglin who came by last night and helped me paint the final parts of the sign.

I dropped off more recent work at Stretch & Frame to get ready while I am in Houston for the Buffalo Show. Now I need to work, find a place to live and do my art, and then fill in the rest of the time resting and getting invites out for the show.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

the drip zone

One step further towards the completion of the signage commission. Tonight, in the 105 degree heat from about 6:30 - 8:30, I completed the lettering. Tomorrow evening it is expected to be 107 so there I will be again, shorts, t-shirt, big glass of iced tea, my paint and brush. The goal tomorrow evening is to complete the logo of the salon on both sides. I am happy with the way the sign is turning out at least from a distance. The dark paint is not as opaque as I had wished it to get a rich darkness (at least when viewing up close) you need 2-3 coats. But from a distance it is hard to tell the difference. I entitled today's blog "The Drip Zone" for three reasons - first is the dripping of paint which occurs no matter how hard you try for it not, second is the dripping of sweat from painting in such heat, and third is the zone -- I find that just like when doing art if you can find that inner peace, focus and concentration - you are in the zone - time flys, you do not mind the drips of sweat and paint, cars, people and dogs go by and you may never know because you are so in the zone.

So be in the zone!

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

HOT SIGNAGE!

Boy has it been hot!

I could not believe it, but the car showed for the first time I have ever seen 110 degrees! and this was at 6pm!

For the past two days I have been working on the commission design to paint the "Salons at the House on Fairmount" signage.

Saturday, was prep, getting supplies, washing the sign, sanding the sign, it had some letters that must have been applied on, and painted over, they would not come off, so I just had to paint over them. After getting the supplies, I painted the sign - WHITE (both sides!) and then took a break to let it dry.

I came back Sunday morning early, while I had shade and it was only it the high 80's. Wouldn't you know it - a bird pooped on the sign! Everyone's an art critic! But I carried on and I drew in the letters using a stencil I had made, by Stencils Online in New Hampshire. I then drew in the boxes. Mind you I was sweating like nobody's business.

One funny freaky thing that was I was taping using some blue tape, I rested it on the top of the sign, as I was tracing the letters it fell over to the other side. A woman walked by with her dog, I paid her no mind. Later I was looking all over for the tape. It had vanished! (or had it?). Later the owner stopped by and asked how it was going and I told him about the freaky dissappearance of the tape. He thought it strange as well, until he remembered running into his neighbor who was walking her dog and she had her paper in one hand, and something else in the other that was blue! (Coincidence? I think not.)

He gave me some blue tape he had in the house and I continued on my way.

I then took a break and met Tommy for breakfast. We talked about his job searches, and my first weeks on the job.

Then I returned in the heat not in the high 90's and painted the blue squares on the sign. I left after that, took a nice cool shower and rested for the afternoon. I returned around 6pm and worked till the sun had set around 8:40pm. I was able to complete the brown squares, and the squares with the reverse lettering, and a few other letters.

Tomorrow evening I will return again to see how many letters I can get done. It would be nice to complete the lettering tomorrow evening, and then the logos the following evening. Time will tell.

It has been nice that two people stopped by and admired the work and said that it look very nice.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Guys & Dolls

After painting the first part of the signage at the Salons at the House on Fairmount today in 103 degree heat, sweating tons, and then going home and showering. I had the opportunity to see Rachel Beene! WOW! I had seen her act in plays before, but never heard her sing (except in elementary school) -- she has a great voice, and so powerful! You rock Rachel. She played the lead in the muscial Guys & Dolls at the Brookhaven Community College - not a bad show for how little the tickets cost. Check it out before it ends! Her "Sky" is played by a great guy who has been with the Turtle Creek Chorale for 15 years. Carl, if you are reading this, yes Mamma Rose was in rare performance, and on another note: Saw Phyllis Diller on "I've Got A Secret" the new one on the GSM! She has a new book out... I did not see Roseanne Barr around in a wheelchair anywhere. hmmmm.

More painting tomorrow...starting very early to try and beat some of the heat.

Copyright 2006 William H. Miller All Rights Reserved

Cop Out

Too Tired Tonight - but enjoyed catching up on my Tivo - back in Dallas.
Jim the painting is really COOOOOOL!

Long Canadian Day

Worked hard today. Nothing to report on the blog except I missed Big Brother.
Returning to Dallas tomorrow. Where is the time going? Guess this is back to Corporate Life. I have art projects awaiting me this weekend in Dallas.

Bert, Randy, Derwin are off to the Gay Games in Chicago.
Jim is painting up a storm in Missouri.
Karen is sailing the ocean.
Armando is doing something.
Jim L is sweating in Dallas awaiting more bud vases.

See you soon.

365

How to you measure a year?

Today is my three hundred sixty-fifth post. That is one way to measure a year.

I am reminded of the song "Seasons of Love" from Rent... measure it with love.

I have had so many great friends, and influences --- in many you can see it in their eyes. Eyes are windows to the soul. Eyes are hypnotic.

Burt called me --- he thought I would be at Starbucks, but I was writing my blog in Toronto, he was looking for the Coffee Click --- Jim is in Missouri, Karen is Sailing the Oceans, Robert is in Iraq, Armando --- hmmm?

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Toronto

Great Clouds



Great Canadian Office --- see me on floor 15!
Great Family
Surprise Visit
Happy 45th Anniversary Mom & Dad!
Happy 69th Birthday Dad!

Brother Mark - Surprise Accomplice



Rainbows - two of them, one to go over the other to come back.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Painting Jazz

Tonight, Karen Piloto and I painted for ArtPatrol.net at the Urban Blossom during the Saturday Night Jazz Fest at Addison Circle. We had a great time, lost of people, great music. Someone asked me if I was the one who painted the cowboy boot - I had to say no, but I knew who did! The other artpatrol member, Jim Frederick. Jack and Rich joined me for pizza before setting up to paint and actually helped take this picture of us painting.

Tomorrow is a day of packing and getting ready for an early flight to Toronto, Ontario - Canada. Lots of things happening and underway.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

New Work

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Big Brother

Watched Big Brother All Stars tonight... another great summer of fun. Dinner with Burt, Mando and Karen. Picked up art that was hanging at Minc. Postcard designs for my show in Western NY are being done and should be delivered next week.

My friend, Jim Frederick is doing some amazing work on his commission piece - check out his blog for details.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Seeing Inside

Worked today

Visited some

Created and looked inside my soul













Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

SPACE

I took a picture of the astronauts in the command module on the shuttle Discovery which blasted off today. I can remember watching the Apollo missions when I was a kid. Staying up late and watching the first man walk on the moon.

I spent the day today organizing - my house, my thoughts, my goals, my art. A cup of coffee and conversation with my friend, Jack. Watching Capote and Miss Henderson Presents, and on TV - the 4400.

Back to work on my job tomorrow.
My ankle, toe and knee are healing well - thank you for the well wishes.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Skylines

Worked today in Dallas - this was the view from the floor I work on. A great view of the Dallas Skyline.

I have lived and worked in some of the cities with great skylines and natural wonders - Buffalo, NY; Niagara Falls, NY; New York City, NY; Dallas, TX and now Houston, TX.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Saw You On The Dance Floor

Ever need to recoup from a twisted ankle --- DANCE.!

Had a great time with my friends tonight we met up had some cocktails and then went dancing - the music was great, alot of older songs and some of my favorites.

Sugar Pie Honey Bunch, Tainted Love, Remember My Name, and more...

Mistakenly called Casey the wrong name...and was so embarrassed by that. Can not wait to see his art and have him join Art Patrol.

With many people off tomorrow, the place was filled with people ready to let loose and have fun. The energy was electric. I created these two pieces from pictures I took on the dance floor.

Well off to bed -- a busy day of work ahead.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Houston in the Rearview Mirror

I took this picture as I was leaving Houston on Friday. The city has been on my mind this weekend, as I prepare for the move to a new city.

My ankle is feeling much better, my toe is hurting worst, and the scrape on my knee is turning into a wonderful scab. I got up today had breakfast with Patrick and Warren, then I met Burt and we saw "The Devil Wears Prada". I find it interesting that you can catch yourself projecting yourself and your own life experiences into a film. I found myself doing that several times while I watched this movie. I think because it was about being true to yourself and what is important to you. To remember your dreams and do not let what people think you should do get in the way of your dreams.

I am meeting with the gang this evening --- it has been so long since we all have been together. Ann, Laura, Steve, PH, Tim, Rob, Pat, Warren, Chris, David and I am sure many more will be there. Armando, Cliff, Jim, Karen and Burt will be missed as they are doing other things this evening.

Monday --- I have to work...been a while since I have said that. A busy week lays ahead -- with taking down the show at Minc, Painting at the Urban Blossom on Saturday, getting postcards, press releases ready for my August Show in Western NY, Looking into movers, looking for apartments and studio spaces, traveling to Toronto, finishing up art projects, blogging and more.... I am sure it will be October before I know it.

Copyright 2006 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

July

I am writing something here, in between the thunderstorms...I will come back later and update what you all have been missing on Friday & Saturday. Jim & Karen are in Missouri with the Fredericks. I am in Dallas, not sure where Burt is?

Fell down today recouping a left twisted ankle, a skinned knee on my right leg and what Michael calls a "martini toe" on the right foot. Thank goodness for the blockbuster gift certificates people gave me for my birthday --- feet up, resting, trying to get better so I am not such a hobble.

more later with pictures.