Oki, nikso’kowaiks.
Well, this post didn’t work out quite how I wanted.
My plan was to sit outside with you here, at the fire, share a cigar, and tell stories. I even had a stick picked out (a Black Market by Alec Bradley) for the occasion. But it decided to rain here in sunny Florida this evening, and I was not about to set up my equipment on the lanai only to have it saturated with almost April showers.
So we do this “old school.”
You can look at the video clip at the top of this installment and imagine the cool breeze blowing up from the southeast and how good the fire feels in contrast. I bet if you try hard enough, you can smell the sweet aromatic smoke from this (mediocre) cigar mixed in with the scent of the wet grass and the pond just a few yards away.
If you were here, I would tell you how actual progress was made today on two important fronts! Our first open house is tomorrow. We are hoping for a fast sale, and have made an offer on a property in our favorite city, St. Petersburg. It will be such a relief to be back amongst friends and family. Not that this place hasn’t been wonderful, but it’s not our home. Belle the Bloodhound needs a big backyard to run and smell the smells, while Bruce the Bully needs a spot in the shade to watch. So, wish us luck! The sooner we move, the sooner I will be back in the studio!
The other progress that was made was on my Marks the Spot project. This is important because that is why you are all here, isn’t it?
Marks the Spot is going to be an artistic adventure series. Think of it as "Indiana Jones meets Bob Ross.” I will be taking you places and introducing you to people who are as passionate about what they do as I am about what I do. Then, after our adventure is done, I will take you back to my studio—the new one—and you get to hang out with me while I create a piece inspired by that person or that experience. I will then post the whole thing for viewing here on this platform, as well as on YouTube.
I have made progress on the first two installments. As you are aware, art, the environment, and indigenous culture are extremely important in my life. So it is beyond thrilling to be introducing you all to the late great artist and activist John Sims. I will be partnering with the Halo Arts Project for this one and I couldn’t ask for a better organization to support this endeavor.
Today, I made another connection that will help me bring you all a better understanding and appreciation for my neighbor, Alligator mississippiensis, also known as the swamp puppy. Alligators are a favorite subject of mine to paint. So I thought, “Why not take my friends (that’s you) out to the swamp to meet a few?” With the massive development Florida is seeing currently, there are more close encounters with these magnificent animals than ever before. Some great potential paintings are in view! I cannot thank my friend Diedre Brown enough for the introduction!
I hope this sounds like fun to you, because it sure sounds fun to me!
Art has given me more than I can ever give back. But I’m going to try. I really want to bring you all along for the ride!
Be safe. Be well.
It’s a beautiful world.
Aakattsinootsiio’p.