Happy Friday/ Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone, I hope this e-mail finds you well! I've been good as well as my family and I hope it's been the same for you. I've been hard at work on some new work that I am very excited about (I know, what's new?) and I can't wait to show it. I'll give you a hint about my upcoming series: it's something I needed as a child but I've always been looking for my whole life! I have a few shows coming up and hope to have the series complete by then. I'll send out show info. as soon as I get the dates for one more show I'll be doing. I don't know if it's just me or not but the world feels a little lighter and little more hopeful. I think the world is tired of the road we have been traveling down. Everything has it's time and this is the time to take a deep look at self and decide what changes need to be made (sometimes doing with less helps you see things better, believe me you will not be alone.) A lot of times great things come out of bad times, remember that when you feel things are hopeless. We loose love ones, we loose jobs and sometimes even ourselves but if we don't give up we have a chance to see better days. Remember there are not many things that we can't overcome! Till next time, remember to be good to yourself! J

Happy Friday/ New Release.....

Happy Friday and I hope this e-mail finds you well. This is my new release "Soul". This piece was inspired by the many great live concerts I've experienced through out the years and the magic I witnessed coming from the stage! From artist such as Rashaan Patterson, Macy Gray, Meshell Ndegeocello, Nikka Costa, Counting Crows and recently Dionne Farris. Music inspires much of my art and like art it can tell stories that you can relate to as well as bring insight to your life. More info about this piece can be found on my site under "New Release."

Come to Austinsart.com for your art needs. Get something for yourself or for someone special. For the holiday season I'm offering free ground shipping before Dec. 17th on all U.S. orders. Here are a couple of my fellow artist friends that also have wonder works of art available, stop by and take a look! Till next time. J

Duane Conliffe: www.duaneconliffe.com
Latisha Baker: www.ishama.com
Constance Terrell: www.mesart.com/constanterre

Happy Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art stuff:
I have this piece that I am releasing in time for the holidays that I am excited about. I created this piece awhile back and I always thought that it would make a great reproduction! This one has a concert/music theme from my figurative phase. It was inspired by the many great live concerts I've experienced through out the years and the magic I witnessed on the stage! More info coming soon! J

Life stuff:
Funny thing, for awhile I was caught up in a mind set of fear and stress and I didn't even realize it for what it was at first. I pride myself on keeping up with current events around the world and trying to get the info from alternative media such as KFPA and NPR (two of my favorites) but even getting info from those sources was starting to take a toll on my being just like the local nightly news was. I realize now that no matter the source too much nervous, stress and fear driven information messes with you nerves and you start taking on feelings that are not necessarily yours. I know things are bad with the U.S and the world and they have been for a while now. I had to laugh to myself when I saw on the local news this week when the anchor stated: It's now official we are in a recession! (I thought to myself)is she crazy, is she serious? Are you now saying that it's o.k. for me to panic? I knew we were in a recession for almost a year now when the stock market was crashing the first time (if everything is pretty much driven by the market and that's falling apart, then logic would tell you everything connected to it have to fall as well.) Things go good, then they go bad, then they get good again (but that's life.) So I am now in the process of regulating my stressful info. intake and getting back to doing more of things that I enjoy such as creating art catching up with family and friends, cooking, watching movies, when I do make purchases they are things I have a connection with and can feel good about and work on not being so wasteful. What I have learned: That I can keep up with what's going on around me without losing myself in it, it's important to be informed of your surroundings so you can make sound decisions, but like everything else it should be done in balance. "It's just like water, it's good for you and you need it to live, but even too much water can drown you!" Remember to be good to yourself! J

Happy Friday, Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it's been a while since my last "Happy Friday" but I am still alive and doing well. First off I would like to thank everyone that had a chance to stop by and see me at "Art and Soul 08" some of you I met in person for the first time and others were familiar faces. I've decided to take a break from producing new work(a short one I promise)to take in all the things going on in my life and in the world and hopefully I can turn my observations into some great new insightful art! I hope this day finds you and your family well. The world is currently going through a lot of changes so this is the perfect time to work towards the place you would like to see yourself(you can't get to a destination if you don't know where you want to go, so really think about the things that are most important to you and make those things your priorities in life!) Have a wonderful weekend and take care! J
P.S: Make sure you vote on Tuesday!!!!!!!