I've just started a new work that I want to make provocative and playful. This sneak peek shows just the face I have on my outline. I already know that I want to change his expression slightly and make him smiling a bit.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Let's stimulate ourselves!
Economy, stimulus, bailout, stock market. It’s all you hear and on everyone’s minds. Some people have been greatly effected because they are now unemployed, others have seen the value of investments decline; others have cut back spending due to fear.
As a self employed artist I have been affected too. I see first hand the cyclical effect of job cuts and spending cuts. The less people buy, more jobs get cut, resulting in even more people buying less and so on. So what breaks this cycle? What can be done? What can I do, what can we do?
While the congress and the President handle the big stuff with the stimulus package, and news pundits yap about it, I realize we shouldn’t just sit and wait for it to start working while shaking an angry fist at bailout bonuses. We can and should do our part and help ourselves.
I believe in the concept of the stimulus package. The basic idea is that the government spends money on projects, since big companies aren’t spending (either they don’t have the money to spend or don’t want to). These projects (whether it’s highway repair, education, improving national parks) will create jobs directly and indirectly. This puts people back to work, which gives them money to spend, thus putting more people to work and so forth.
We as consumers and workers need to employ that concept and stimulate ourselves (get your mind out of the gutter). The basis of the economy isn’t investing in or the value of stocks, it’s the manufacturing, selling and buying of goods and services. Investing is fine if you want to grow your money, but it is, when you get right down to it, gambling. Right now we all need to invest in then basic economy first. We need to stop listening to those TV financial advisors who tell us to stop buying and cut out all unnecessary spending. That may help the individual in the short term, but for the big picture that’s just going to hurt more businesses, put more people out of work and keep the downward spiral going until those who are currently employed get pink slips too. I’m not advocating spending money you don’t have, but if you can still afford your afternoon latté, go for it. You get to treat yourself, at the same time you’re paying it forward. You’re investing in the economy and adding to your own job security. In economic terms it's called consumer confidence, but right now we need to take a little consumer leap of faith.
So I’ll go out and buy that latté and if enough of us do that, that coffee shop owner can rehire that manager. Then this spring that manager can buy those shrubs and flowers for his yard, which will keep the owner of the garden center in business so he can treat himself to those Michael Breyette print’s he’s been drooling over. So you see, on the surface that cup of coffee may seem a wasteful indulgence, but that’s what we need to do. Think about how your own actions come back to hurt or help you.
We have hope, now we need to add action to our hope.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
This Week's Poll
Spring will be upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere in just a couple of days, so I was wondering what's your favorite season? Is it, the fresh rebirth of Spring, the long warm days of Summer,the colorful, crisp, coziness of Autumn or the quiet solitude and perhaps snowy activities of winter?
Cast your vote in the sidebar -->
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
It's a beautiful sunny day here, and it's St. Patrick's day too! So I'm in a happy-go-lucky mood. First, here's a toast to those fighting Irish hunks, cheers! And second, I'm offering free shipping* today on prints of 'Patrick', or any other prints!
*Free shipping offer is for orders that include at least 1 print, going to anywhere in the U.S. placed through my website, www.breyette.com, until midnight tomorrow (March 18 2009).
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Weekly Poll Results
Turns out most of us like adventure when it comes to our skivvies, at least once in a while.When asked to describe their underwear drawer most visitors said it was 90% tame and 10% wild.
Here is the full breakdown
90% tame, 10% wild - 27%
Adventurous - 24%
Classic Contemporary Style - 14%
Same as it was 10 years ago - 9%
Fashionistas Paradise - 7%
Bargain Bin - 7%
Clone Factory (all the same) - 7%
Empty - 1% (I guess some guys go commando 24/7)
Jon Stewart calls out CNBC, Cramer, over misleading
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart puts the spotlight on the news networks, especially the financial news channels like CNBC, for not fully reporting the wheeling and dealing that caused the financial crisis.
on the drawing board: jump off a cliff
Sometimes it's important (and fun) to see things from another point of view, literally. When contemplating my diver, I got the notion of looking from above. This way, the sea becomes as dominant as the figure. The ocean was my starting point to begin with and I really wanted it to be a major feature of the piece.Wednesday, March 11, 2009
on the drawing board: birds eye view
Here's a peak at what's currently on my drawing board. As I continue to create pieces around the theme of my next show, which is 'blue', I am repeatedly drawn to water. Though, that's nothing new for me. So what better way to illustrate it than diving in to the breathtaking blue?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)