Crow!!!

Joseph, a friend of mine and an amateur astrologer, shared critical moments with me over the last year along with candid descriptions of his own methods of understanding and experiencing his long life. From them came what little I know about the guitar, my alternative view of all medical knowledge I gained in undergrad and patient care, and an obsession with Normal Rockwell. He gave me wonderful art supplies he no longer has the sight to use and was the subject of my first portrait. He is the reason why I can use my continuing education to entertain imposters like popular media and conspiracy theories with a grain of Himalayan Crystal Salt. I will refrain from a more detailed description of my friend because he is still out there somewhere and would most likely prefer to remain as far "off-the-grid" as possible, but my twenty-fifth year, he predicts, is to come with blessings that rival some of the challenges of the last two. That forecast in mind- bring it on 25!

My father and stepmother will be vacationing over my birthday, so I welcomed an early well wishing for the "quarter-of-a-century-mark". It was the first reference to my own age that has ever produced a sensation of its relativity to death. I am far from preoccupied with my own mortality at this point, but I have noticed more of a motivation to cultivate skills of long term benefit. I have stuck with an exercise routine for about a month now; I feel healthier than ever, and I am determined to keep it that way. I'm pinning and attempting new recipes that reflect the kind of diet and culinary skills I would like to share with the rather functional family I project for my future self. I have a ton more to learn and even more strength to gain in just about every area of my life; focus and discipline are apparently the first of many hurdles, but little seems possible coming from a lethargic and toxic perspective.

The subject line refers to a basic yoga pose I considered hopelessly impossible until the moment it wasn't. It involves supporting my entire body weight with my arms. Granted, my body weight is relatively little, but my arms are relatively even littler, and my balance and coordination... I leave it to your imagination. BUT Yesterday I lifted one foot and then the other without falling on my head. I think that's the best we can hope for sometimes. Have a good day everybody.   

Happy Birthday Buddy and a Pleasant First Firday

It's been a while since the last update, but hopefully I will have a bit more content for this post. Last time I wrote, Grape Fest had ended. I had just finished throwing together my first studio, and was anxiously awaiting my first night receiving money for portraits. Since then I have really taken advantage of the flexibility afforded by a part time schedule at the winery. I have been on staff for a few events in addition to tasting room duties; As a result I feel much more productive and familiar, my wine knowledge is developing along with relationships with the great people with whom I work. The weather is finally cooling down and becoming much more bearable. This only improves the outlook for a server at a venue as beautiful as the one Mom and I stumbled into six months ago. But how I do miss my home town and the changing leaves.

Life-giving work takes little energy from several free-time adventures I have added- I am enjoying a new gym membership- something anyone who knows me(myself included) will be surprised to hear. Social media has been huge- seeing what other people are creating and sharing is inspiring. Pinterest is mostly responsible for recent bouts of working out, redecorating, new books to be read, baking, cooking, new concepts for art work, dreams to make room for and effortless free amusement. I am not ashamed. I've also had a chance to catch up with a few very special people I had really been missing since the move, and though I cant wait to see them again, phone calls will do. :)

Distractions aside, First Friday loomed. Unsure how to prepare or what to expect, I was extremely nervous. Anxiety prone as usual, I kept preparing myself for the worst case scenarios. What if I was terrible? How will I position myself? Who is going to sit still for twenty freaking minutes for a monochromatic image of themselves in 2013? I'm not in a suspense generating mood. Today was my grandmothers 88th birthday so it was freaking awesome and included one of the best yoga classes ever. The night went wonderfully.

First of all, I learned a TON and met some great people. I had no idea what or how to accomplish... what? So I sat. The gallery owner paid for the first portrait of a sixteen year old girl who I learned was an accomplished musician and singer.

     She asked hesitantly, "Will I... be able to move?"
     "...... Umm... Do you want to be able to move?"

Apparently, this wasn't the first time she had sat for a portrait. This didn't exactly add to my wavering confidence.

     I couldn't help myself, "So... The last portrait you had... Did you like it?"
     "... I mean, Yeah. But it didn't really LOOK like me. I was too pretty."

Turns out most people would prefer to fidget uncomfortably and look around(or in the case of a gorgeous high school Texan- text) while a stranger stares at them.

After that first drawing, I was able to relax considerably. I discovered I could finish an acceptable image of a stranger in ten minutes. By the twenty minute mark, I was pretty much wrapped up. Also, I could maintain active conversation with my subject and spectators the entire time(with the exception of the last minute or so when I would prompt certain characteristics I deemed especially important).

Capitalizing on this knowledge came naturally. Most people on a Friday night outing will not agree to sit still for half an hour, but ten minutes in a chair with conversational freedom is less daunting. By the ten minute mark, most people found themselves having a nice enough time, enjoying a little attention, and appreciating what I was able to produce; so it wasn't difficult for them to agree(often under social pressure of observers and my mom lol) to hang out with me a bit longer- at the rate of a dollar a minute of course.

The people I met in Denton seemed exceptional, and my portraits of them seemed to delight everyone. I couldn't help but draw the parallels between the special relationships that arose between myself and my "subjects" and the connections I have been lucky enough to make waiting tables. When short, potentially awkward, transactions like these are enjoyed, both parties have something to be proud of.