Being 12

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=f144dedf-06a7-45a4-9b11-f07d9ebfaae6

Yes We Can

http://www.dipdive.com/

Be part of postive change

Questions

I thought it might be interesting to have you leave questions that you would like me to answer.

Now in Dallas!

Here in Dallas - getting readu for this evening's show - here are a few of the jackets from the collection.

http://www.diffadallas.org/

Traveling

These are a few of the photos that I took day as I traveled to Toronto, Canada. I arrived at night the ground is covered in iced over snow. I am excited about the opportunity to take some photos of snow and the light that reflects off it.

The sun setting over the horizon of clouds.
You never know what your mind eye must think. This is a moment in time as I was in the airport.

I sat next to an interesting guy who was from Newfoundland. He worked on the oil rigs in the gulf and was returning home through Toronto. You never know who you might meet when you travel. I wonder what impression I had on him and his life?

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Collaboration

I came across this picture when looking for something else. I wanted to talk today more about the Artist Breakthrough Program that I am participating in. I wanted to share that it is an interesting experience when you collaborate with another artist. I think becuase we are visual communicators we often can understand and feel for the other artist and put ourselves in their shoes - and with that offer up our own knowledge (take or leave it). I have been having fun with my partner, Susie Monday. I visited her blog, she is wanting to expand her creative coaching. In many ways she reminds me of my artist friend, Jim Frederick, who in his own way was constantly looking at ways to share his creative spirit with others. One way - was the art we collaborated on together for our annual shows - P.A.C.E. --- this was one of those times. I am hopeful that we can collaborate again - even if that means via the computer on projects becuase distance now keeps us from hanging out on each others couchs. So Jim --- put your thinking hat on how can we collaborate on some art?

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Sore and tired and flat

It was a busy day, today. I was very tired. I was very sore. Why? Working out muscles that I haven't in a while. But it is good to work them and feel alive.





Tonight was Art Chatter meeting at Lawndale Art Center. We viewed and discussed Lynne Rutzky's Pen & Ink Drawings - After 9/11.
This picture is from one of the artist's nephew that is FLAT BOY that is traveling the world. So we took him to an artist meeting and took pictures with him.

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Red Dot Day

Today was a red dot day.

For those of you who know - a red dot is used to symbolize the sale of a piece of work on a gallery wall when it is being displayed.

Why am I saying today was a red dot day. Because I want to visualize many red dot days to come. This is part of my goal. I want my work to sell and I want to see red dots...so I need to take the necessary steps to get my work out in front of people, new people, and people who want to take it home and call it their own.

But today was more then just that, it was a day when I concentrated on me. I focused on my health by working out and getting a good nights sleep. I focused on my art, printing several new pieces, committing some to be in the TAID show in March. I focused on me - I got a relaxing massage (Brian is quite good). I focused on the business of my art by attending the first teleconference of the Artist Breakthrough Program - meeting my fellow artists all on our own paths to breakthrough the barriers that have held us back. With artists across the USA, Canada and the UK - we all have similar struggles.

So now it is off to work on my goals towards next week. Two New Postcard Designs. One for 2nd Saturday, the other for Interior Designers annoucing my work, participation in TAID.

The piece I created is made from a picture taken today at the studio of a painting of a red dot (a symbol we use to indicate we are open for visitors at the Studio at Winter Street), a picture of graffati of a person holding themselves I found on my street, and a bubble candle light from the room where I got my massage today. Putting them together for me shows that it is only me that is holding me back from shining out and hitting that red dot like a target.

We should all have lots of red dot days.

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Breakthrough Secret

Today I was doing alot of work, as well as alot of thinking. I was thinking about the tasks that were keeping me busy, keeping me indoors on a beautiful day, but making me happy because I was accomplishing things.

This first visual is created from the one below. What is a breakthrough? It is when you finally see the secret, the hidden truth, or the light.
In the beginning you may have everything locked inside, holding yourself, not even sure of your inner strength, your direction, or how your going to break down the barriers ahead of you. But with thought and positive direction in your actions you can breakthrough and out.

For me I have several areas to break out - letting my inner creativity out, reaching out to a new audience of patrons, exposing my art to other cities and letting go enough to be able to profit from my art, creating balance, and creating catalysts.

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

ABP

This weekend has been a relaxing weekend. I am preparing for my participation in ABP. The Artist Breakthrough Program. More to come on this.

My Duty of Love

I created this from the previous entry's painting. In honor of it I called it not my Labor of Love, but my Duty of Love. I feel at times that I have a duty to continue to create. It is creating that is my love. The creating of new associations, thoughts, ideas from what has come before.

It is this love that I pass to you my blog readers and my art patrons and support.

Happy Valentines Day!


Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Love or Duty

Love or Duty, an 1871 chromolithograph by Gabrielé Castagnola. The painting depicts a nun and an artist who have fallen in love, but the nun is torn between her heart and her duty to God. The image contains several symbolic suggestions. From her wrist, two charms can be seen: a human skull and a crucifix; the latter partially hidden in her sleeve. Meanwhile, the artist's cape has shifted slightly to reveal a dagger.

Artist: Gabrielé Castagnola

Happy Valentines Day

BB9

It's another season of Big Brother!

Stir the Artconomy

Burt is off to Asia
Karen is off to Amarillo
Jim is still in Missouri
and I am still in Houston

Even though we are in all these different places, doing different things, the internet allows us to stay in touch with each other.

I heard today that the government is giving everyone $600 to stir the ecomony... So if you want to do something positive spend your $600 on art. I know a few artists in case you may be trying to find the piece that stirs you.


I also heard that our President recently proposed cuts in the budget for programs of the arts...

On Monday, February 4, 2008 President Bush sent his FY 2009 budget request to Congress, beginning the yearly appropriations process for the nation’s cultural agencies and programs. Below you can write your Members of Congress and tell them to support increased funding for the nation’s arts programs.

On the heels of signing the largest Congressionally-initiated funding increase for the arts in 28 years, President Bush has proposed a senseless $16.3 million cut for FY 2009 for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)—from $144.7 million to $128.4 million. After three years of minimal, but incremental, funding growth, we are surprised to see an attempt to erase this progress.

For the eighth consecutive year, the President’s budget has eliminated funding for the Department of Education’s Arts in Education programs, which includes funding for model arts programs and collaborations with schools, teacher professional development, and arts programs for at-risk youth.

Also, the FY 2009 budget request calls for a rescission of $200 million in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). As a trusted community resource, CPB uses the power of noncommercial television and radio to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services.

For the only good news click here
http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=10928316

WEEKEND WORK

It was a busy weekend. After returning to Houston I awoke on Saturday and headed to the gym to work out with my Personal Trainer, Chris. I weighed myself and since I started working out with him I have lost 3 lbs.

After working out I returned home and changed and got ready for 2nd Saturday's Open Studios at Winter Street. It was a very pleasant day. I worked on a postcard & email design for this monthly event to help market and drive more traffic. One hilight was meeting artist/sculptor - David Addicks, who is known for creating the "Big Heads" and the large figures of the Beatles, not to mention Sam Houston. He came into my studio and started asking me about some of my digital pieces. After a conversation he introduced himself. I was honored. After the day and a double dozen or so visitors, I attended the show that was in the gallery. It was called "Well Hung" and showcased the artists who work at the MFAH (Museum of Fine Arts Houston) hanging the art. I took the picture of the paint can sitting outside the door of the gallery. Is your paint can have empty or have full?


After leaving I took this night time photo of the signage of Winter Street Studios. I went home and watched a little television before heading to bed early 10pm on a Saturday night. I read some of my new book by Alyson Stanfield - "I'd rather be in the studio".

Waking early on Sunday - I took a shower and a drive to find breakfast. I thought about my goals for a 27 day intense workshop on jump starting your art. I finished those goals and headed home to email them to my art biz coach. They say it works better if you share your goals with others to keep you accountable.

In the next 28 Days I will... Make a commitment to be on each weekly teleconference call. Before Feb 18th I will select my paintings to donate to TAID (Texas Association Interior Designers) Gala, which occurs on March 6th 5-8pm and submit my Information Form. Before Mar 6th - I will get a list of Interior Designers, create a postcard annoucing my participation in the TAID Gala and invite them to see my art by appoint at my studio, I will mail these postcards before Mar 1st On Mar 1st - I will Pick up my art at Artist's Alive and Well Show at One Allen Plaza. Before Mar 15th - I will create a concept to enter the Artadia Awards 2008 Houston which is in conjunction with the Lawndale Art Center, in Houston. Before Mar 15th - I will have lined up two artists to participate in the I.C.Art Studio tour in my home studio, and worked with them to arrange coverage during the event, the schedule to hang the art, hold possible preview party for our friends & collectors on the Friday evening before the weekend tour. I will work with these artists on the promotion of the event. Before Mar 1st - I will create and print a postcard invite as well as an electronic invitation to distribute regarding Winter Street Studios 2nd Saturdays - inviting people to my studio. Before Mar 15th - I will create a list of other shows that I would like to participate in this year and in 2009. (e.g. Huntington Prize, Winter Street Annual Show, Art Conspiracy 4) Before Mar 15th - I will create a short list of Galleries in this and other cities that I would like to send a proposal for show / possibly represent my art. Before Mar 1st - I will create the first 2008 Quarterly Newsletter and send it out to my distribution list. Before Mar 1st - I will update my website gallery with new work. Before Mar 15th - I will find an artist(s) to collaborate with on a show/event for the Summer or Fall of 2008. Overall I will focus on both creating new art and looking for opportunities to sell my art and profit from it.

The rest of Sunday was spent doing organization of tax reciepts. I am glad to have this done and can move on. Watching the Grammy's tonight and enjoying the legends that are performing.

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Art from Above

These are two straight shots from my window seat on the plane returning to Houston from Columbus.

I love the texture of the clouds compared to the blue of the sky and the blue grey of the metal and the glare from the sun just out of view.


I decided to leave this picture the way it was in the camera. It is a little more interesting as well as abstract.

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Short North

Tonight I ventured down High Street in Columbus - the area is known as Short North Art District --- I started by driving down the entire street and then finding a parking spot near a diner that caught my eye. The place looked like an old movie theatre - the marque in lights -- called Skully's Music-Diner. I entered it was dark with lots of neon, booths and tables you would expect to see in a diner - a large wrap around bar. I sat down and was greeted pleasantly by the waitress. Lindsey was her name, she was covered in beautiful tattoos, wearing a rockshirt, music from the 80's playing loudly, as I looked around at the diverse characters of individuals and friends carrying on and having good times to each of their selves. Lindsey recommended the Buffalo Philly Sandwich, a house specialty of Chicken covered with Buffalo Wing Hot Sauce, cheese, onions, peppers on a hoagie roll with some lite blue cheese, accompanied by their great curly fries. To top of this great indulgence (My trainer would have a heart attack) was their Macaroni Wedges - Deep Fried Wedges of Mac & Cheese with Ranch sauce - so delightful and hot - once cooled they become addictive. This place is truly a treat and if you get the pleasure of going there - make sure you give a shout out to Lindsey - that Billy sent you there. After my dinner - I took a very long walk down the entire High Street and back - (at least I got some exercise in). The street is lined with shops, restaurants, coffee bars, and galleries... even a White Castle. Beautiful murals on some buildings catch you attentive eye. It was very cold for such a walk, my nose started running because of the cold - at least I had my warm leather coat and my knit gloves (I did not wear my hat becuase I tend to get really bad hat hair - yes --- I am vain). I took lots of night pictures and look forward to posting them later this weekend when I can download them all and sort through the best of them. Can not wait to return during warmer weather and explore this street again.

The photo here is a photo taken with my iphone of the photo display on my camera... a message to all you art lovers ... have a heart and buy art for your valentine this year!

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved

Ohio

I made it to Columbus, it is rainy.
Enjoying an evening in a Hotel room, room service and wide panel flat screen tv and a bed with fluffy sheets.

I have my camera and am taking pictures which will become more art and memories of this trip. I have learned that Columbus, has an area called the Short North which has several Galleries. I may try and check it out and see if I can make any contacts.

Chatter

It is crazy busy in Billy World or Whim World which ever you prefer to visit. I took an interesting adventure this evening with a group of artists from Houston who call themselves "Art Chatter" - this group of about 20 artists meets regularly to critique each other's work. I was new so for me it was a short introduction and a view of a few pieces so everyone would understand my art and direction of my work. I knew several of the artists from Winter Street, and I met many new artists that I have not had the pleasure of meeting until today. It was great to see so many diverse artists and styles.

The whirlwinds have started with new art projects, corporate work, and just keeping up with daily chores... the good thing is that it is all going in positive directions.

2nd Saturday is coming up --- new people to meet, new art to show, and new directions to take.

Weekend

Had a good visit with friend, jack and his dog sammy.

Today I not feeling too well - mayge it is the stress of working on taxes, maybe it was something I ate... urgh!

And the only superbowl I know today is the one in my bathroom.

Enjoy

I have been very busy - so sorry that I have not been blogging --- I have been creating, finalizing, participating, writing, working, exercising, dieting, visiting, and thinking. This is a new piece using the figure and more. I haev been meeting with artists, organizing for upcoming studio shows and group shows.
This is a invitation for a group show that I am participating in Houston.

Copyright 2008 William H Miller All Rights Reserved