Got Job?

Art's a tough row to hoe, but, by God, I hoed it.

Jim Carroll

Jim Carroll, author, poet, punker. Most famous for "The Basketball Diaries." He came to the University of Florida in 2005 and I won a seat at the honorary lunch for him, answering the "why I deserve to eat with Jim Carroll" essay contest.

That evening, he performed his poem "8 Fragments for Kurt Cobain." This is my portrait of him, drawn while he was on stage. He signed the drawing after the show.

This section of the poem reads:
But Kurt...
Didn't the thought that you would never write another song
Another feverish line or riff
Make you think twice?
That's what I don't understand
Because it's kept me alive, above any wounds

Subconscious to Conscious

From subconscious to conscious. Insomnia and the 4th of July. 'Nuff said.

Summer Swimming Hole

This was drawn on a beautiful summer day in a natural spring swimming hole, outside of Gainesville, Florida. Not an alligator in sight.

Water is my sacred spot.

The Spineless Saint

Humanitarian award in his left hand, brass knuckles on his right.

Tigers of War

"Cry havoc! And let loose the Tigers of War."

And with that howl, the art blog "Open Mind Sketchbook" re-emerges from the dark caverns below my hair.

As always, amateur psychologists, dream interpreters and madmen/madwomen are heartily invited to leave comments.

BTW, if anyone has a better name for this blog, please suggest it. "Open Mind Sketchbook" really doesn't tell an audience what to expect.

Back to the Blog

And back to bring more love to all. (This item comes from my recent family visit to Mar del Plata, Argentina, as you can see from the writing on the non-floral shell.)

Next week, no more stalling. New art. Fer sure.