Paint from the heart...

I had "The Pixar Story" on in my studio a couple days ago while I worked. Movies help me stay put in the studio on the days that I find it hard to stay put in the studio. I'm pretty sure all creative people involved in creative endeavors wrestle with this sort of thing from time to time... Even Rembrandt, I dare say. The difference is, Rembrandt didn't have access to Netflix... and I do. Anyway, The Pixar Story turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. I found it very inspiring, and felt particularly vindicated when John Lasseter credits Pixar's movie success to the fact that Pixar makes the kind of movies that they, (the directors and animators), themselves would want to see. Or, to apply it to my own work, paint the kind of pictures I would want to see. The moral of the story? Be yourself, and work from the heart.

Happy Holidays!

Working through the holidays is kind of like orbiting around the backside of the moon in the command module and loosing all radio contact with mission control. I know I’ll be re-entering the normal business day schedule soon enough - but for now, my studio is quiet and peaceful and my paintings are turning out fantastic. They're my best work to date! Life is good.

All Part of the Process...

I spent most of yesterday trying to make one of the major elements in my cover painting work like I had envisioned it, and, it, spent most of the day showing me how it wouldn't work. What we had there is a failure to cooperate — A gap between my creative vision and the canvas. Funny how even a sight gap might as well be the Grand Canyon. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. It's OK now though, I won in the end.

Today I'm on to an inside spread.

Painting!

Pausing, for a little air guitar on "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies while I work. If all the world's a stage, my studio is a concert hall. ( I'm thinking of expanding). I'm thoroughly caught up in painting the picture book cover of all covers, it's a great day — Oops, gotta go "Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris is on now... Later.

Nice Things Happen...

I recently had the opportunity to be interviewed by Author, Karin Cameron. Karin is a writer. Karin has a blog. And Karin Just Won't Stop Talking... Thank goodness. http://karinwontstoptalking.wordpress.com

Please check out the really great interview Karin Cameron did of me on her blog.

It was a very nice thing.

OK, so I've got this idea...

Where does inspiration really come from? For me, it's basically... Hey!, that would make a great painting!

I painted this piece for a magazine article about competition. The only direction I received from the creative director, was: the image had to focus on a dartboard, the word “Vie” must be worked in somewhere, and, that I should have fun with it. The first two directives were easy; the last one was a blast. Is it even possible to be creative without having fun? I'm going to say no. Having fun drawing and painting is to creativity as the force is to Luke Skywalker. Now that sounded silly. I had episodes 4, 5, and 6 playing in my studio this past weekend while I worked, so you'll have to excuse the Star Wars analogies.

All Systems Go...

"Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door." Ralph Waldo Emerson. Yes, but you have to show them where the door is! 

Time to send out postcards.

guyporfirio.com

Best case scenario? An art director, art buyer, or book editor (in the beginning phases of a book project), will see my amazing post card appear on their desk at the most opportune time. It happens. Lightening does strike. I'm always amazed how a series of random events can unfold and connect to become a great opportunity. The perfect storm. I've gotten some incredible book projects due to the most unlikely circumstances. One of which, was a project I originally turned down.

 A good percentage of the recipients of my post card will like the artwork enough to take a few moments to log onto my new web site and click through my portfolio. Perfect! Some will even take a few extra minutes to give me a little feedback. "Hey thanks, love the work, I'll keep you in mind for something." Now I'm golden — now I can sleep at night — and now, I'll keep them up-to-date with new work. 

Life is good...