Water

Was going through my old files and found this drawing. I made this in 2006! Hope you guys enjoy it.

A Culture of Creativity

Art shapes lives, changes cultures, and touches a generation. If we are to look back, we will see the many artists that impacted a season of humanity. Some never even dreamed that their names would live on up until this day. For example, Leonardo DaVinci - born on April 15th, 1452. Through his art his name still lives on and still carries the authority and power that his work gave him.

Today we see many artists shaping our generation. Some are doing a great job and are actually leading us to higher places; others are digging a deep hole where many will fall and lose themselves in. They might preach freedom and liberty, but the truth is, even freedom has limits and certain "boundaries". What some call art and expression may actually be a hidden darkness that is about to come forth from the art that is being created and advertised.

Creativity is a gift that must be used wisely. It is with creativity that we destroy and build. It gives us the power to bring out of the mind that which we desire to see in real life. But the question is, in the end, what do we want to see materialized in our midst?

An Editor's Letter

I have promised you all that I would be giving you details into this "adventure" I have embarked. Tonight I post a letter I just received from my editor. I hope this may encourage those that are willing to step out of their comfort zone.

Viewpoint: 
Through the whole story, the viewpoint comes solidly through Isaac’s first-person viewpoint as he interacts with the other characters. You do a great job with his insights and observations. Not many new writers understand the importance of this element, so I commend you for choosing a solid first-person viewpoint character and sticking to his perspective through the entire novel.

Scene Development:
You have a knack for dramatizing your scenes with good characterization, dialogue, action, and conflicts. The drama pulls the reader into the events on a personal level. For example, when Devin begins to interact with Isaac after saving him from Cyro, the reader experiences Isaac’s doubts and fears about Devin, while Devin races against time to get the diary and take Isaac to safety. Another good action scene occurs when Adawnas stops the dinner celebration in order to warn Isaac not to drink the poisonous wine. Just as Isaac is not always sure who to trust and believe, so the reader experiences the doubts and confusion that Isaac encounters, wondering what he should do, wondering who is lying and who is speaking the truth.

The dramatic scenes flow smoothly from one to another with good transitions. Events often end on a note of anticipation for what is coming next.

By using scene dividers to separate your scenes when events move to a different time or location, you can give a sense of pause to allow the reader time to adjust to the new event.

Physical Setting: 
The setting details, such as weather elements, the buildings, the landscapes, and the terrain, are colorful and smoothly woven into the scenes. There might be a little more of this in some of the other scenes, but in general, the reader has a good sense of the locations and surroundings.

~~~

Here’s my assessment in a nutshell: You’re a good writer. You have a knack for storytelling – something you were born with – and you have an engaging narrative style. You need to learn how to see your story through the reader’s eye, but you’ve got what it takes to succeed in this business if you want it badly enough – i.e., if you’re willing to work hard enough to make it happen.

Yes... I Am Releasing a Book...The Secret Cover....

Every step of the way, every detail that comes my way, I will be sharing it here on this blog. I wanna record the whole journey. From getting it reviewed and edited, to getting it to a major publisher - it will all be recorded here!

Criticism

I have recently submitted my first book to Bill Greenleaf in new Mexico to have it professionally edited before sending it out to publishers. The feeling of having my four year work being sent out for revision is something that falls short on words to describe. I guess we are all afraid of criticism, even if it's for the best. To have these characters that I have molded and shaped for so many years in the hands of another, only to be revised and criticized is something overwhelming.

But on the bright side, criticism makes us better. It allows us to see different sides of something that we have been so focused on. Criticism broadens the horizons of those who are willing to accept it. I for one, have never been to fond of it, but as the years go by I discover that criticism is often the best teacher in our lives.

In all that we create, we have to be sure that constructive criticism is brought to the table - even if it may hurt a little. If a story is worth telling, then it is also worth being written and molded!

Moving Art

"Any form of art is a form of power, it has impact, it can affect change--it can not only move us, it makes us move."--Ossie Davis


Every person that has the gift to create is in constant movement. It is a necessity, like breath, like food. We have to constantly be searching for something new inside and there is a deep need to bring it out. A desperate desire to share the sleeping idea that slowly becomes a thought and then - reality. 


As creative beings, we are responsible to use this moving force that dwells inside each one of us. In order to impact others with our creative ideas, we must have purpose for each one of them; goals that will help them achieve their rightful destination.


A life without purpose is a like a long road that one takes. It is long and hard, but in the end, it leads nowhere. 

The Angel in the Marble

"I saw the angel in the marble and 

carved until I set him free."

Michelangelo