On the Palette

Raw Sienna: It's mid November in the South and temperatures say it is Spring! Honestly I couldn't be happier. Today I'm wearing shorts since the highs reached the low 80s which is a good thing since we had a slew (okay three) tween girls left over from Jessie's sleep over last night.

Ben obviously stayed up with them since his room is adjacent to our den which has our loud television, near our kitchen which has the much used microwave, and very close to his HP Touch Screen computer which most likely played pop videos well into Saturday morning. He was lethargic most of the day unless we mentioned Jessie's little entourage. Then we got huge sleepy smiles.

Only one casualty was reported. Joan had to drive home one of the girls at 5 this morning due to an overdose of junk food and soda. Note to self: buy non-caffeine sodas next time we host that many kids.

Brilliant Blue: The regular readers may notice that given the challenge of NaBloPoMo I have missing entries for a couple of days. The truth is that I wrote blog posts but removed them shortly afterward. All but one were politically charged and to be frank I am very tired of the political dialogue in this country.

One of the entries made it to Facebook and I made a promise to not engage others there regarding hot topics which will not lead to civil discussions. Too bad because several friends of mine who have differing opinions about our current situation became angry for a variety of reasons. This upsets me a great deal because it is a perfect example of what is happening within our country at the moment - we are imploding from within.

Of all things I despise is when folks pull the religious quotes/sayings/folk-lore for their benefit. Regardless of whether you are an atheist or not (and I know some of our friends happen to be so) you cannot ignore the most overlooked and ignored of The Ten Commandments which in the least sense offers incredible advice: love your neighbor as yourself.

I raise my hand to admit that I am one of those who is most often quick to make a (wrongful) judgment about someone because I might disagree with you. How very wrong of me. How very wrong of all of us to just sometimes shut the hell up and listen to the other side...whatever the other side may be.

My personal feeling is that we are at another crossroads - similar to the one that ended the 1960s. The hope here is that education and memory will make many of us pause before we become so angry that we no longer listen to the real pulse of The United States of America.

Medium Magenta: I still have some interesting photos from my last two shows. For those in the Savannah market I will be down there for Christmas on the River the first weekend of December. Look for some more artwork you might consider as a gift in the next few days!

On the Palette

Phthalo Green: Wow! It's been like forever since I've written one of these posts! For those who are relatively new I use "the palette" in front of me at the moment and begin throwing some "colors" on the canvas. After it's all said and done you will have a good idea about what is basically happening at the moment in regards to the portrait of our family.

For the most part things are much better these days. Having several successful shows over the past month certainly has helped. Both Ben and Jessie are growing like weeds so the mood swings from melancholy to excitement based on the moment. Our babies aren't that any longer! They are both growing quickly into bright young people. Neither Joan or I could be prouder for what each of them has accomplished this past school year.

Our scariest thought is now haunting us: we not only have one but two offspring smarter than us.

Medium Magenta: One very cool thing that is taking shape in a way I had hoped. Several of my artist friends are trading information on a weekly basis about upcoming shows. Therefore we are making sure that we 1) apply for shows that at least some of us know have been successful in the past, 2) when we are accepted we can look for lodging situations which we can share, and 3) know we have someone always watching our back.

At the moment at least one or more of my friends will be applying or attending the remainder of the shows I have booked for the year. That's a very cool prospect!

Cerulean Blue: For some reason I'm having no problem coming up with painting ideas this year. Last year at this time I hated picking up a brush between weekends. This year I'm actually painting at the shows (I hear my friend Christy's evil laughter). Things are still rather iffy in regards to the economy but I'm truly having fun with my job again. I cannot pinpoint the reason but I think I find it a tremendous blessing to be able to still do what I'm doing.

I hope everyone is having a delightful week! Come back and visit soon!

On the Palette

Azure Blue: I know many of you have been wondering what's been going on with Ben the past few days. We'd kind of like to know ourselves. The procedure was two weeks ago yesterday and he's still not 100 percent back to baseline.

Ben completed a typical round of antibiotics over the weekend and the suspicion is that triggered some stomach problems, mostly in the form of pain. The big concern is that pain begets seizures. And there have been many. Last night he ended up in bed with us and had one of most severe yet. His "screams" actually woke Jessie up two rooms away. Folks this is not usual for Ben at all.

The hope is that a few more days of recovery for his tummy will help us get our boy back. There have been few of those giant smiles he's known for. Ben is obviously unhappy and we just can't quite figure all of it out.

Cadmium Red Light: I have a new camera. While I'll admit it was definitely on my wish list I just didn't want it right now. You see our old one broke. At the hands of Joan. More precisely from falling out of the hands of Joan. Onto our concrete pool deck. In her defense she was trying to calm an upset Ben while attempting to cheer the little guy up last Thursday evening.

I have to have a camera for my work so Joan was kind enough to let me choose something that will improve my prints and it is wonderful to have SLR quality photos for the first time in about ten years. Even though I kept my Canon AE-1 (circa 1979) it is for nostalgia's sake only since 35mm is now almost gone like transistor radios, 8-track tape players, black & white TVs, and Betamax recorders.

Medium Magenta: In the next day or so I'm hooking up with Moosh in Indy to start a new meme. I promise this'll be a lot of fun to participate in. Here's a hint: if you know some of your fellow bloggers or have just seen pictures of them you might want to start perusing those celebrity magazines at the grocery check-out counter. that is all I will say for the time being.

Permanent Green Light: If you are in the local area of Greenville, SC then come visit me this weekend up in downtown Hendersonville which is just across the border in North Carolina. Art on Main will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Jessie will be with be on Sunday so if you've wanted to meet Ben's big sister and best friend that'll be a good time to visit us!

On the Palette


Cerulean Blue: Once again we've said a farewell to one of Ben's nurses. Nurse Lisa worked her last shift here last Wednesday and most likely it will be permanent. At least we're all hoping so. That is because all of us are hoping this is a success! Go over there and give her your best prayers, hopes, and wishes. I know she will appreciate it.

Cadmium Red: I'll be scratching Saluda, North Carolina off of my show list next year. I knew I was taking a chance on a very young small town festival but I had the weekend open and it was only a 45-minute drive into the foothills. I was rewarded with my very first zero sales day. The only saving grace was that my friend Pat Cato did rather well plus I had another one of those "reunions" with some special folks from my past. I'm saving that one for another post later in the week.

Emerald Green: The family has been looking forward to this coming week. All of us head to the Savannah area for Memorial Day Weekend. I'll be working at the River Street Festival Friday through Sunday along side many of my best artist friends including Christy Buchanan, Lynn Shore, Kathleen Hunt, and Myron Whitaker. Joan and the kids will be getting some much needed R & R at Skidaway Island State Park.

If you're down our way come and say hello!

On the Palette: I Struck Out


Cadmium Red: The sad thing is that I didn't even make it to the batters box. This morning I called my friends at The Savannah Waterfront Association to check about an issue this weekend. While on the phone I asked Jessica, one of the three head honchos, if I could just bring my application down Saturday for next month's HUGE 3-day art festival. The conversation went something like this:

Dumbass (me): "Would that be okay?"

Jessica: "Bennie, the deadline has passed. It was March 20th. Remember I told you this one is the only show we do that is somewhat different? We were wondering why you hadn't applied."

Dumbass: "&*)**$%^@!*#&#&<;*&!!!!! I can't believe this! This is THE show I've wanted to do down there!"

Jessica: "It's already juried. I don't know what I can do. There are sometimes cancellations. I mean...I'm sorry. I'll put you one the waiting list. we really want you to do the show!"

Dumbass: (Just insert lots of begging, a few tears, a bottle of booze being opened - that should cover what occurred those 5 minutes).

Jessica: "Let me see what I can do. We'll talk about it this weekend."

I'm just thrilled they're trying to find a way to get me in. The bottom line: it is all 100 percent purely my fault. If I had been holding a hammer at the time I'd be wearing it in my ear at the moment. I just don't do shit like this anymore. I used to. When our family business was failing a few years back and I was so depressed I couldn't get out of bed, I let a bunch of stuff slide then. My marriage...my friendships...my family. But the new improved Bennie doesn't drop the ball like this.

Applying for an art show is a funky experience. Most of the time there's a deadline to have your application postmarked. For some of those shows it matters how early you submit your information. I've been rejected several times because Joan had me wait until the last minute to submit my packet knowing we had very little money in the bank to cover the fees. I can live with that.

Being stupid and uninformed pisses me off - particularly when I'm the one doing it.

Brilliant Purple: The internet continues to amaze me in how it can connect you to long lost friends. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago running into a good friend at a local grocery store. By the time Dianne G. and I got together for lunch she knew all about the happenings in my life.

The latest reunion began when Joan and I ran into the parents of my best friend during my senior year of high school, college days, and the few years that followed until he moved away. About 24 hours afterwards I had an e-mail from Rusty S. and we both have obviously been checking our in-boxes on an hourly basis since then.

I cannot say enough EVER about what a positive impact Rusty has had on my life. There are just way too many moments, stories, incidents, lessons, sadness, and fun to relate on this blog. Suffice it to say, other than my mom, Rusty is the most influential individual in my pursuit to become an artist. Seriously. That includes my art professors, my critics, my customers, or any other colleague.

He doesn't know it yet but he will surely read it here over the next few days. I can also point to our friendship as a huge factor in how I've come to accept my son. You see, Rusty is gay. Through Rusty I learned an acceptance of others based on unconditional love and unconditional friendship. No longer is skin color, sexuality, religion, money, or the amount of limbs one might have a determining value in choosing those I love. More importantly I also saw how his parents accepted him for who he is and not for their expectations for him.

And do not take things out of context and make the monumental mistake comparing homosexuality to a handicap. You longtime readers know that I do not view Ben as "handicapped." Ben is whole in my book - just the way God was supposed to make him. Just like God was supposed to make Rusty.

I'm thankful that my friend came to understand who he is a lot earlier than most. Let us put it in these terms: he and his partner CF, have been together longer than me and Joan. Their relationship has lasted far longer than either of our first marriages. From his e-mails they are a just typical couple. They have their highs and lows but are just as committed as they have always been.

Sorry Russ if I embarrassed you but these are some things I needed to say. I'm damn proud to have you as a friend and even more thrilled that you are a part of our lives again. And by the way, the most fun I've ever had tossing a football was with Rusty. It happened at Furman University in that awful rehearsal room at the back of the theater around 3AM circa 1981 or 1982. Man, those were the days!

Wait! did that sound like some old dude talking?

On the Palette: Painting, Panicking, and Pink Eye.

Medium Magenta: That is the color of Ben's left eye at the moment. I'm still amazed at how quickly that little virus turns one's eye(s) from normal to bright red. In Ben's case it was less than a half hour.

Nurse Stacey and I were preparing to take the little guy to his weekly therapy session this morning. In fact we were pretty psyched since Ben came off his steroid yesterday and was back at Full Ben Speed. The expectation was for an awesome visit with his therapists given all of his smiles and rough-housing earlier.

My mom stopped by for a quick visit right before we left and asked if that particular eye looked swollen. Neither Stacey nor I had noticed anything strange all morning but sure enough his eye looked a bit puffy. Having my own allergy problems at the moment I was hoping this was a minor allergy issue. To be on the safe side I went ahead and gave him the prescribed eye drops.

By the time we unloaded Ben and his wheelchair into the lobby of our therapists his eye had gotten progressively worse. We're talking perhaps 20 minutes from the time my mom noticed the swelling until the moment we told his physical therapist about the situation. Therefore we couldn't do therapy today (no therapist will work with an individual with a known contagious virus). Bummer.

If you've ever had Pink Eye you know how incredibly uncomfortable it is. Itching, swelling, pain, tears, and all that goo constantly running down your cheek - it is awful. Stacey and I talked a bit later about how it is best that Ben cannot rub his eyes very well like the rest of us would. All that does is make the experience more painful and increase the chance others will catch it. It's just another strange blessing that comes with having an exceptional child.

Brilliant Blue: I've already been turned down for the first two shows I've applied for this spring. One would've been in March and the other in April. For the record there are a few others that I've applied to that I no longer have to jury into but all of them occur after mid-April (oops, Savannah the first Saturday in March is the lone exception). Not having anything in a gallery now really sucks with the knowledge that I have one show booked between now and April.

This is the hardest part about my job. I no longer fret about whether I'm good enough to get into certain shows because I'm fairly certain that had I been able to apply early enough, I would've made the cut (I had very nice sale from a new customer back in mid-January). The problem is the ability to present my work to the public during the off-season. The gallery situation was obviously not the right answer so we're now looking at putting my website back up. Let's just say that in the past it was just a museum which became a waste of money to keep running. another bummer.

Cadmium Red: I finally got the bug to paint and paint like mad! I've got a few things finished that I started at the beach or toward the end of the year. The sketch book has also reappeared so some new ideas are developing. Until I get the website up and running you'll occasionally see something new pop up here. Hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow so I can photograph some of the new stuff.

On the Palette:
Our First Painting of 2008!

Emerald Green: It is true! I finished one of Ben's paintings this evening. The painting is called "Golden Horse" and it looks great. Tomorrow's post will have the image and details about acquiring it.

This was one of the canvas panels Ben started at EdVenture Museum back in September but I never could grasp an idea to work with. I took it to our recent beach getaway and never even looked at it.

Last night I picked it up in such a way that the image was quite obvious to me. I'm quite proud of this one since it will one of those that is about 90 percent of Ben's work!

Oxide Red: My buddy Mark put up an deliciously looking recipe for Manhattan Clam Chowder this past weekend. I showed it to Joan and the both of us drooled more than Ben does in a month. He and his wife Karen can cook!. If they ever want to leave the arctic temperatures of Pennsylvania for our warm climate, we're putting them in the restaurant business.

Cerulean Blue: Ben is sick. He's a good trooper but we had to hook the oxygen up today for the first time in what seems like forever. It is obviously the same virus that is knocking out folks left and right around these parts. In fact there's a very good chance it is RSV.

Medium Magenta: Jessie is shooting for a good grade on her science project. We've all been brain-storming tonight in helping her decide upon a direction. She is going to use Ben as her subject and has a really well thought out hypothesis! I'll keep ya' informed as she progresses.

On the Palette...
Christmas Time is Here

Hunter Green: Just like the arrival of colder weather, gray skies, and the jolly fat guy in the sleigh we welcome the 2007 holiday virus. We started Ben's "sick plan" yesterday afternoon which mainly involves increased nebulizer treatments. It's the same cold that has made Joan and Jessie miserable for about two weeks now.

I have to say that Ben certainly is much stronger than in years past. In the brief time it took me to complete that first paragraph I had to walk downstairs three times to suction Ben's trache. All three times he had already cleared the phlegm. If we can control the coughing and which will allow him to rest we won't be so worried.

It is so funny how much he wants my attention until he feels rotten. He's literally clung to Joan since she got home from work Friday night. According to his mother, typical little man.

Mulberry: Injury report (for the football fans). This Sunday I'm listed as "probable." This is quite an accomplishment for me since I injured my back last Sunday. At the end of last weekend I was on the "doubtful" list.

Although I've had a sore aching back in the past I've never had it do what it did a week ago today. After cleaning our den and kitchen I was returning a few items to the kids' rooms when it felt like a small claw reached up from behind me, grabbed just above my hip bone, and then try to yank me to my knees. No lie, it literally brought tears to my eyes. I know some of you have to have had a similar experience. Two or three days of not being able to sit, stand, sleep, or even breath without severe pain.

As it it turns out once again having an exceptional child had its benefit. I took the advice of Ben's physical therapist Thursday at his appointment and the results have been dramatic! If you get a chance to read this before our next visit, thanks Jessica!

Cranberry Red: Despite Ben's cold we've had a great family weekend. Friday night Jessie spent the night with my mother. Joan and I stayed up until almost four in the morning watching movies. The weird thing was that we felt like teenagers on a date. We didn't even have to fight sleep....until Jessie called yesterday morning around 10. Then we felt old again.

Today is cooking day. Me and Jessie are starting preparation of our Christmas Eve turkey dinner with my mom. She'll fly our Christmas morning and be in Baton Rouge in time to watch our Cajun niece and nephew open their gifts. Fun stuff, people. Fun stuff!

We hope you are enjoying time with your family as well this weekend. Greet everybody warmly, hug your loved ones, and relax in the warmth of joy and peace.

On the Palette

Cadmium Red Light: Ben is doing very well these days. In fact he's extremely well. As I knock on wood let me tell you that he's definitely a Waddell with attitude and all. Nurse Lisa related that The Boy really showed his temper today at school during therapy. He fussed the entire time about working out in the gait trainer. He was still pissed off when I got home from the gallery and let me know he was not in the mood for such a workout.

It's hard not to laugh when he's like that which makes him even angrier. I like that. There are times that all of us don't feel like doing something strenuous. Evidently today was one of those days for Ben.

He's been very animated lately which is an awesome thing to observe but at the same time he's definitely demanding more and more attention. It's good news in regards to his cognitive understanding but bad news in regards to mom & dad's lower back troubles. Ben is growing FAST just like any other child his age and the transportation issue is becoming more of a daily grind.

This is just another example of how parents of exceptional kids end up adapting to the situation at hand. The really cool part is that Ben seems to understand and is really trying to do his part in holding on as best he can. He hooks his arms around us and makes it clear he has no intentions of falling. I still find it amazing that after eight years he lets us know almost everyday that he's just another member of the family.

Raw Sienna: Tomorrow afternoon we all head up to Banner Elk, North Carolina for the Woolly Worm Festival. If you go back to the beginning posts of this blog you can read more about it even though I'll add a little bit more tomorrow before we leave town. To say we are looking forward to this trip is an understatement. The centerpiece of the festival are races to determine the champion woolly worm who will predict the winter weather in western North Carolina. The festival was organized over thirty years ago and has grown way beyond the locals' dreams.

Obviously it's mostly tongue-in-cheek but it now brings in about $50,000 annually which is allocated to local charities. That doesn't include the amount of revenue the community enjoys from leaf watching tourism and curiosity. The last figures I heard were that 25,ooo folks entered the gates last year. While waiting for each "racing heat" folks spend money on hand-made arts and crafts.

Last year while I was setting up my booth, the BBC was interviewing Mr. Woolly Worm. You just can't beat that kind of exposure! Jessie is chomping at the bit to race her own woolly worm. I'll make sure Ben has his entry to the "derby."

Thalo Green: I'm still way behind on completing many of Ben's paintings. I ask that you please spread the word about us. The sales of our paintings are a need for our family. I'll be honest and say that the revenue helped us make it through the winter months last year but I'll also tell you that it is much more important that we tell the world about young folks like Ben. He is The Rock of our family and a gift to all of us. Children with challenges like Ben have so much to offer and we want the world to know how incredibly gifted they are. They may seem so different but they are mostly better than the rest of us. All of them offer love without needing anything in return. Keep that in mind as you approach the holidays.

On the Palette

Burnt Sienna - It’s now crunch time. Ben and me leave for Columbia in four days and I still have so much to do to get ready for our visit to EdVenture Museum. While trying to complete a few more of our paintings we’re also creating examples of two other projects we’ll be sharing with the folks down there. I did get our paperwork submitted so that we'll be able hand out instructions about how to do those projects at home. I’ll definitely share with you fellow bloggers everything we’ll be telling the museum visitors. It just will have to wait until after the weekend. In the meantime I’ll be working hard not to pull my hair out.

Cobalt Teal – As much as I like warm weather the past few days sure has been a breath of fresh air! Our high temperatures here are actually right around normal for September (low to mid-80s) but given the record-setting heat we’ve had this year it feels much cooler. Unfortunately I no longer have an excuse in avoiding yard work. Given that our house now looks like it has been vacant for about 6 years I’d better get at it. Maybe it’ll be even cooler next week…

Emerald Green – We welcome the return of Ben’s snake-charming abilities. Nurse Lisa informs me that Ben’s class had a slithering visitor this morning before they arrived. For those of you that are new to the blog you might not realize Ben has a penchant for attracting snakes occasionally. In fact there is still another story yet to be told involving Ben getting even more up close and personal with the type of reptile not welcome on many planes. Hmmm...next week's blog entries could be interesting...

HUGE ADDENDUM! I cannot believe I left this out because we were so happy about the outcome. Our young friend Matthew had a procedure Friday that removed the tumor. All of the doctors involved in the surgery were thrilled with the outcome. The tumor appears to be benign but the biopsy results won't be back for a couple of weeks. He is doing remarkably well with the only side effect of headaches. Thank you all for the compassion!

On the Palette
Labor Day Edition

The Inbox: I really should be painting right now but I've been too busy blog-hopping and playing sudoku this morning. A the moment there are 5 canvases in various stages of completion (okay, nowhere close to being finished) that need my attention and I probably need about 4 more small works on paper for this weekend's show. So why am I procrastinating in the Blogosphere? You fellow bloggers and lurkers are just way too interesting.

Coffee Break: We've really had a great weekend here. Youngest brother's family came for a visit and brought four of my nieces along including the newest edition. 3-week-old Evie is absolutely gorgeous! Jessie has been in Heaven since she's gotten to play with her cousins for three days and was able to babysit a real baby Saturday night.

I don't know what it is about me but I find myself having a difficult time enjoying my brother's visits because the farewells are so hard. Jessie was almost in tears last night when we left my mom's house because she was already missing the extended family. God bless that child because she is way too much like me.

Lunch Break: As already alluded to Dad went solo to the Furman game Saturday night. Well not completely solo. Nurse Lisa and her younger sister visiting from Ohio came out for the tailgate and southern football experience. It was too bad I didn't take Ben along because there was just a hint of autumn in the air because of some drier air in the area. Joan assures me that Ben thoroughly enjoyed watching Mom and Me-Ma try to entertain 4 little girls under the age of 10, one having a freshly broken wrist, and one three-week-old for 5 hours while Dad sat on his butt watching a football game. For the record Joan slept past noon yesterday.

Fax Machine Jam: Still blogging with one of the busiest weeks of the year ahead of me. I leave for Aiken, SC on Thursday for what has been my best and busiest art shows the past three years. We have to set up on Thursday night and be open Friday morning at 8:30. Saturday after closing is tear-down. Sunday I pack the camper up and come home. A week from today I drive to Camden, SC (another 3 hour drive) to address the local art guild early that evening. After a late night return trip home Ben & I head to Columbia the next day for our first appearance at EdVenture Museum as resident artists.

I think I already need a nap...

5:00 Somewhere: I offer a toast to the memory of the sweltering Summer of 2007 with my traditional Labor Day Bloody Mary. I admit I got a head start Saturday but the sentiment still remains. One jigger of lime-flavored vodka, 2 cups Zing-Zang Bloody Mary mix, and one cup Hunt's tomato sauce over ice (shaken).

Everyone have a great day barbecuing, tossing the football, and having that one last trip to the pool!

On the Palette

Bright Aqua Green: I'm back in the paint groove. The last week or so I've been taking some old paintings I could not show the public and live with, and reworking some things that are now satisfactory. The creative juices have started to flow now. I've finally finished a few things that have been cluttering the studio so I'm back painting with a little more determination. With the big Aiken, South Carolina show just a couple of weeks away I'd say this is a good thing.

Cadmium Red Dark: I frigging hate fire ants! Unbeknownst to Joan she parked near a mound at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center during our load out. It took us a few days to get rid of the evil invaders out from her van. You Northerners have not had the "privilege" to meet these mean little critters unless you've visited us here in the Deep South. With apologies to farmers I'd rather have locusts as a curse from God. I accidentally stepped on a mound earlier this evening and totally regret walking outside.

If you don't know, this is how they work. They crawl upon the unsuspecting victim. After accumulating enough troops one of them sends some sort of signal to bite all at the same time. My left foot now looks like a nub. You Yankees need to pray that they never adapt to cold weather.

Brilliant Blue: Ben is thriving! I honestly don't want to report that since I might jinx our situation. The Little Man is full of life and demanding all of our attention! He's gaining strength each day and is a joy to hang around with. Yes, I know that I haven't posted any videos or pictures lately (sans yesterday). They will be forthcoming.

I know I'm biased but the guy is a chick magnet. He's still my hero and even more of a best friend than ever. Honestly I wish everyone of you reading this could experience Ben snuggling in your arms for some love. The same goes for Jessie. Wars would end and peace would be lasting.

On the Palette


Brilliant Purple: I'm heading out to Myrtle Beach again tomorrow morning. This time there will be no weather worries since the Summer Craftsmen's Classic takes place at the convention center. I'm not even going to mention the only possible weather phenomenon that could interrupt our show.

Best thing about this show is that the family will join me Friday to spend an extra few days afterwards on a mini-vacation. Next best thing is many of my artist friends who attended the recent Banner Elk show will also be down there with their families. In the immortal words of Robert Earl Keen, "The road goes on forever, the party never ends."

Raw Sienna: The new puppy is making himself at home. We're all still amazed at Blaze's obedience. Even Layla the cat has grown fond of the new "kitten" with short hair. I think I mentioned that the puppy is already potty trained and most definitely paper trained when we don't catch the obvious signs that it's time to drop the kids off by the pool...er...on the lawn. Ben's changing pads have proved quite useful in this regard. The problem is that when we forget to replace the pad Blaze searches for another piece of paper to do his business upon. Today I found my application to the Greer (SC) Ocktoberfest "partially filled out." Since this is the only show I'm doing in my local area I'm hoping Blaze doesn't also turn out to have abilities as an art critic.

Emerald Green: I can't believe how quickly summer is passing. The kids start school in less than three weeks! While I know most parents are already chomping at the bit to get the young ones back in class I'm not. I truly enjoy these days with Jessie in particular hanging around the house. She's such a great child with a genuine happy personality. Just as infectious as Ben's smile, Jessie's attitude permeates the household. I'm sure much of Ben's joyous personality is due to having such a great big sister.

On the Palette

Cerulean Blue: It's 7PM eastern time here and I shouldn't really be posting to the blog at this moment. Instead I should be counting my proceeds from the Waynesville (NC) International Arts Festival and relaxing in the camper after a busy day selling artwork. Mother Nature had other plans for me early this morning and decided to drop a couple of inches of rain on downtown Waynesville.

I called my friend Courtney Tomchick who was staying in nearby Asheville. She was about to head out the door and had no idea of the weather outside. So she went ahead to check out things for us and found about 50 other artists sitting in their vans wondering what to do. After checking with my wife who had to crawl out of bed at 6:15 this morning (thanks, honey) and log onto Weather.com to check the forecast for us, Courtney and I decided to not set up. Thankfully we had the blessing of the festival director. Those who did set up got some relief around noon. The sun popped out long enough for me to pack up the camper and head home.

I'm very fortunate that this is the first time in the three years I've been doing this that I've had a scheduled event wiped completely out by rain. There have been shows interrupted or shortened by bad weather up I've always gotten some of the show in. Oh well, now it's time to gear up for Myrtle Beach next weekend. Fortunately it'll be indoors at their convention center so we artists will be there rain or shine.

Vivid Lime Green: Yesterday was a very long but rewarding day in regards to the EdVenture project. I left Greenville at 7 yesterday morning and drove to Columbia to meet with the committee managing EdCeptional Kids Month. The facility is absolutely marvelous and I would encourage anyone with youngsters visiting the Columbia, SC area to tour the museum! It became obvious over the past few weeks that my original idea wasn't going to work for a number of reasons. The cool thing is Ben and I most likely will demonstrate our art and tell folks our story in person on three different weekends! Our hope is to encourage others in using art as a viable means of therapy. I'll fill in more details as we get closer to September.

Medium Magenta: Jessie heads off to Kiawah Island tomorrow with her Me-Ma. She's had an exciting day since she found out this morning that she once again made her dance company's competition team! She had a busy week last week preparing for the try-out which was Friday so the beach trip will make a nice reward. I guess it's good I came home early. Otherwise I wouldn't see her until late this coming Friday when the family joins me at Myrtle Beach.

And as promised I will put Ben's latest painting up for auction sometime tomorrow. Check back with us then to see it!

On the Palette

Hunters Green: As Ben mentioned earlier this week the whole family will be leaving tomorrow for a weekend in the mountains. All of us are really looking forward to this trip. Our closest of art friends will be there with their families: the Togel's, Buchannan's, & Tomchick's are all bringing their children. This also has the potential to be one of my best shows of the year. To say the least I'm psyched.

Cadmium Red Light: If you notice I'm composing this entry when I should be preparing the kids to attend the ballgame tonight. Funny thing is there is no ballgame tonight. Turns out my wife had the wrong date so next Thursday we'll be headed to West End Field. I'm gonna blame her brain fart on the amount of work she's trying to accomplish so she'll feel relaxed this weekend. I sure don't miss the corporate world.

Medium Magenta: If I haven't mentioned it in a while I'd like to say again how wonderful it is to have a daughter like Jessie. It's tough watching her grow up but it is also a blessing to know her maturity level as she is facing those prepubescent changes that can be so tough. I'm so proud of all she's already accomplished and I do realize how great her potential. I just hope she feels secure enough with me to know I'll always support her decisions whether I like them or not.

Raw Sienna: Our resident hawk has returned from wherever hawks go for sabbatical. I noticed the few remains of a dove last week when I went out to check on our pool pump. Today he/she made him/herself visibly known by lurking in our oak tree. Baloo, our retarded dog, was none too pleased.

On the Palette

Manganese Blue Hue: Sorry I've missed almost two days of blogging but s.....uh....summer happens. Our family is very well and finally recovered from that crappy cold. It has been a busy week and I've only had time to mostly read blogs. In fact I made it a point to visit everyone over there on the sidebar to see how your hot months are going.

Cadmium Red: The red is due to embarrassment. My mid-western friend, The Curmudgeon, has bestowed some bling bling upon this here blog and I've yet to thank him properly or pass along the love to some other deserving male bloggers. If that isn't enough Kyla tagged me with a meme that I need to share with some unknowing targets blog friends soon.

Light Emerald Green: As I said this has been a busy but marvelous week. I've sold two paintings including the one pictured to the right. Jane Robelot and her husband are donating it to The Greenville Zoo in recognition of the zoo's purchase of two new giraffes! If that wasn't enough I shipped a painting to Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday that will be a gift to a couple retiring from their board membership of an equine therapy program for special needs children. I don't think I've ever been so proud and confident in my new career as I've been this week.

So expect a little bit longer blog entry tomorrow. We hope everyone has a great and safe weekend!

On the Palette


Lime Green: I'm gonna go out on a limb here and state for The Record that having a cold during the summer sucks worse than having one at any other time of the year. Given the high humidity and temperatures and the additional pollen floating about I'm seriously considering getting one of those gas masks at the Army-Navy Surplus Store that the crazies were buying for Y2K. Plus I could still use it if that lunatic running North Korea decides he wants to choose the big red button instead of whats behind curtain number 1 or the box Jay is holding.

Cadmium Red: We bought a new dishwasher this morning and not because we just happen to have wanted to update the kitchen from the post-modern 1970s thing we've got going. Black Betty bit the dust over the weekend (more excellent homecoming news) and will be headed to the Big Appliance Heaven in the Sky or the local landfill whichever comes first and cost the least. Thank God I insisted upon applying for that Lowe's credit card about two years ago which allowed me to get that cool looking Jimmy Johnson t-shirt that the dog eventually ate.

For those not in the know JJ drives the #48 Lowe's Nextell Cup car for Hendrick Motorsports, the new home of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (otherwise known as Little E). The rule was that I got the shirt and Joan would shred the card. Me being the smart kind of guy that I am (sometimes) knew that Lowe's would keep our account open despite not having the piece of plastic. Me being the (mostly) dumbass that I am didn't know Joan had applied under her name.

Despite not having the shirt any longer I'd say my "determination" to get said shirt credit turned out to be a positive. Six months same as cash made my head swoon just like all that drainage made me feel during the night. The salesman thought those were tears of joy in my eyes but the honest truth is that they're just two more orifices oozing goop.

Brilliant Blue: These are just a few things that I've come to be most thankful of over the past few days. I hope my Dad is smiling down from heaven about the first one...

• Air-conditioners as standard equipment on pop-up campers. My father was perhaps the first owner to install a window unit in a Starcraft pop-up back in the seventies. He was ridiculed and scorned for being such a weenie camper. Had he ignored the naysayers we could probably afford a fifth wheel with all the patent checks still rolling in. Instead we just made fun of all the tent-campers last summer that had brought window units with them.
• A marine battery and electrical inverter purchased at Wal-Mart. Yeah, I know many of you hate Wally World. Well I'm not embarrassed to tell you that place is a candy store for an adult, particularly one that lives on the road half the weekends of the year. For less than a hundred bucks I can run two fans in my booth all day long and then carry the battery back to the camper to recharge it on my speed charger ($29.99 at Sam's place) for the next day's use.
  
• A free cell phone with the extension of our current mobile plan. It may be outdated in a year or so but getting a phone call from your daughter during the weekend to tell daddy she misses him and that baby brother feels better is priceless.
• Sirius satellite radio. No commercial interruptions with the ability to keep up with news, sports, and weather while away from home. Plus the amount of music to listen to is limitless. And if you like listening to whackos, Howard Stern AND Martha Stewart have their own channels!

• Fire flies in the summer. My buddy Casey is just now discovering one of God's coolest creations and a source of hours of entertainment. Add in a campfire and a campsite far away from civilization, you have the makings of a light show Pink Floyd could not even imagine. A wood fire, insects and stars. How brilliant!

Cobalt Teal: The boys are on their own this weekend. Jessie has her last dance competition of the year this weekend in Charleston, SC. We had planned to make it a family weekend but Ben's recent set-back due to the heat canceled those ideas. Instead me and the "Ben Man" will work in the yard, drink beer, hang out by the pool, and not necessarily in that order. Who knows? We might head out to the mall and scope out some chicks. It's a bachelors weekend for The Party Boys! Sorry ladies but these guys are taken. You can still flirt if you wanna cause we're cool like that...because we're two wild and crazy guys!

And now playing on the iPod...John Prine.

The Squeeze

Slap and Tickle I squeeze as much joy out of our kids that they are willing to give. When I get the opportunity I squeeze my daughter into the ball of laughter that is all her. She’s the type that just looking at her in a certain way you can get her tickled. The giggling soon turns into a belly laugh that is infectious upon Ben. And yes, she is ticklish from head to toes just like Ben. The “torture tickles” are becoming more rare. She is ten going on sixteen and I blame Disney’s High School Musical. I hope Walt is rolling in his grave.

Tempted I squeeze all I can out of my marriage. There is no love like the one you experience with a soulmate. Life throws you the curveballs but you keep on taking turns in the batting cage to prepare. When the change-up comes we can count on at least one of us put the ball in play. Hopefully we can do better than that since we’re supposed to be the “power hitters” around here. Maybe I’ve finally come to realize the genius of “small ball” and occasionally using the squeeze play to get a run across.

Black Coffee in Bed I squeeze all I can out of my art. Truthfully it gets tough sometimes. Just like any other profession you get into a rut and it truly shows. I’ve had to rework some paintings in recent weeks more often than I’d like to admit because they weren’t the kind of quality work that my customers are used to. Fortunately if I listen to my children more often I find they are always full of creative ideas.

Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) We’re squeezing the heck out of checkbook. Oh how common that statement must be. A few more good shows in the coming few weeks would really help. That and the two “promised” commission works I’m supposed to receive. Maybe I should squeeze a few e-mails in?

Up the Junction We’re squeezing a Kleenex as we sneeze. I’m the least sick of the family. Ben is finally feeling a bit better today but Joan has a terrible summer cold. All of it is due to the terrible air quality here in the Southeast. The heat and humidity creates ozone, which is detrimental to lung tissue. Add in the smoke from recent forest fires, new pollen from the few rain events, and we’re a bunch of weepy, gooey, snot-infested humans. It’s supposed to be in the mid-90s this weekend and tomorrow is the just the first full day of summer. July and August will be miserably hot.

Annie Get Your Gun My sis-in-law Lisa will be squeezing out a new niece in a few weeks. We’re excitedly awaiting the arrival of their fourth girl, Evie (rhymes with “heavy” but no h). It’s kind of funny how Lisa was squeezing in most of her daytime hours in the air-conditioning on our vacation. I think I’ll stop with the squeezing before my brother squeezes me into a headlock.

I hope everyone squeezes in a good evening!

Just in case you don't quite understand...

Squeeze...the band

On the Palette

Brilliant Blue: That is the color our pool should be by now but we are having a devil of a time getting the water to clear up. The main problem is that we were too lazy busy last fall to put the cover over it. Therefore all of the leaves from my neighbor's oaks ended up at the bottom of or pool.

Have you ever been around an oyster or mussel bed near the ocean at low tide? That's what the stuff coming up from the bottom of the pool smells like. Nasty.

Fortunately we're getting close. Unfortunately it took up most of our yard work time over the weekend which means a full week ahead of blood, sweat, and tears. I'm shooting now for a Thursday swim just in time for...

Cadmium Orange Hue: School's out for summer! Friday at 12:30 PM I'll blast Alice Cooper at full volume when I pick up Jessie from school. It's an annual rite of passage for Jessie into freedom for the next 2 & 1/2 months. In fact a week from this actual moment the family will be at Furman University to watch Jessie's year-end dance recital then it's off to Kiawah Island for a week or so.

Manganese Blue Hue: Thankfully my next art show is still three weeks away because I have an awful lot of work to complete. Besides building up inventory for the next few festivals I have a special project I've just started work on. I mentioned a week or so ago that I've been recruited to do artwork for a local drag race team. One of my best friends is the marketing/media director for the Kelley Motorsports team competing in IHRA which is just one division below the big boys (NHRA). It's the equivalent of the Busch series in comparison to the Nextell Cup cars in NASCAR.

Okay, I'll admit it. I've become pretty much a car junkie in my old age. Even if you're not a racing fan you'll enjoy reading about Andy & Pat Kelley, a father & son team. Mrs. Kelley even mixes the racing fuel!

On the Palette

Bright Aqua Green: We went to a dear friend's high school graduation party tonight. I feel old. Honestly I don't feel old it's just that I guess I'm getting old(er). Let me explain. I'm now now 44 years YOUNG. My lovely wife will turn 45 in the next few weeks and as much as I'd like to pick on her and say some smart-assed comments about that fact she still looks at least ten years younger (if not more). We had our children later in life than some folks; not by choice but circumstances (we got married in our 30s, so there) . The reality is that three of my best friends kids are graduating and headed to college in the coming months.

Each one of these young people represent a part of my life that I consider milestones in my own life. The incredibly beautiful Kindal, whose party we attended tonight, was so very small when I left that rock band I refuse to mention. I was her "boyfriend" during her toddling years. At the time I wore long hair and lived the life of a fun-loving bachelor. Of course I was the only bachelor of the gang so it was an easy choice for her. Although she had garnered scholarship offers to play soccer she's getting close to a full ride for her academic achievements. Oh yeah, for extra money she models.

My "nephew" (he still calls me Uncle Bennie) was the baby that me and my songwriting partner let into the studio to break up the tedious work of programming and writing songs that would catapult me and his dad into the limelight of rock and roll. Our music dreams never became reality but Jacob is just beginning that journey that could lead him to success in music. Just like dad he is an incredible self-taught musician running a studio of his own from his bedroom.

At Kindal's party tonight I got to see Heather who is traveling to Vermont this fall to pursue her dream of managing a big time theater one day. These are some of the incredible folks I've gotten to know through the years. Yep. I feel old because I literally saw these "children" when they were just out of the womb.

I love these families and I know their expectations will be met beyond what they expect because they raised their kids in a way that encourages their creativity talents. So Jacob, Kindal, and Heather: God speed in your endeavors. We love you and wish you the best in all that you do!