A New Hope...

Sorry but this one is a little personal, to say this has been a challenging year for all of us would be quite an understatement. Besides the obvious with the virus setbacks, I’ve faced a few extra challenges personally that have forced me to refocus on a few little things like where I am, who I am, and what I want to become in the time I have left.

In March of 2020 I had a heart attack. Everything changed, quickly. My employer who I had worked for about fifteen years couldn’t use me anymore because I had lost my primary function for the company and the virus complicated all this. This left me with the opportunity to start anew. A do over.

I had to move, in more ways than one. Yes, I left my 20 year residence in Florida to move back closer to family and friends in Kansas. I also have taken a serious look at my health and started exercising regularly and eating much cleaner. I even gave up caffeine, alcohol, and soda.

I cannot currently pursue the flying career I had trained for and worked in for the better part of 20 years for obvious health reasons, so now what? A do over. Refocus. Easier said than done. Time to get creative. I apply for steady work but nothing as of yet…

Well, first of all, I decided to refocus on my artwork which is a real passion of mine. I have reinvested in traditional art with a dedicated studio space, room for an easel and lots of shelves for paints and canvas. Now I need to relearn the discipline that it takes to block out the distractions of actually sitting down and getting something done! It’s a struggle, it’s real. I am in no way settled into this mentally or physically at this point, but I’m surrounded by family and friends that give me hope when it seems bleak.

But, I have hope! First of all, this ordeal has refocused my faith in ways i could never have imagined. I have a provider that has been with me through all of it, and can see the path when it’s so dark to me. In that same vein, I have reimagined how I want to spend the time I have here, helping people, loving people, creating. Its just the start of the beginning, we’ll see how this all works out, but the journey is the reward so I’m excited to get started.

You being here is a big part of that! People who have supported my art as patrons or as admirers are a big part of where I am and where I want to go, so, Thank You! I hope I can continue in new ways to create things that interest me and you like to follow along with! Let me know if there is something I can do for you too. I hope to be getting out there more, promoting my work and reconnecting with old friends! I hope I see you out there!

welcome to the hangar (repost)

Welcome!  Most pilots are familiar with the term Hangar Flying, but for those of you that may not be its the social interactions that happen after a day of flying or when the weather just makes it no fun to leave the ground. Its a generic term that usually starts out with some flying story but by the end the conversations could end up just about anywhere.  Its a place for tall tales and the passing on of "wisdom" no matter its validity or standing with the facts.  

With this is in mind I thought this could be a place that I can share my works in progress and talk about the process that I use in creating the art that I make, maybe some of the inspiration for doing what I try to do.  I can also see delving into topics not art related necessarily but I promise it won't be political in nature.   So,  I'm going to start the conversation here and I welcome anyone interested in participating.  I'm not quite sure yet how often I will be able to update, but be patient and I'm pretty sure that like most things it will work itself out over time rather than me trying to define exactly what this might turn into. Grammar Police please be kind...