December 28

The Monday after Christmas. Mark called Mom, she enjoyed the conversation about the kids at the house. Her hip feels a little better she thinks. Aunt Shirley is on the mend we hope.

Mom is coming here for the new year's. We will pick her up on Thursday after lunch then we will go to the new years eve church service at Cross .She will spend the night and we will do something the next day, mabe lunch at Strobels.

I have to work on my collage today. I need to put more color and contrast into the design. This will meanb that I have to cut some more colored tissure paper for collaging.

Will try to get the submission done for the Austin Show

December 27

The christmas season continues for another week or two. on January 6th is Epiphany. then as should be now we see the man that is God.

In perfect harmony. this our forgiveness from 6od.

Because sin separates us from god. it is forgiveness that brings us together.

God's love us unending from his son, binds sand unites everyone and everything.

December 25

christmas is finally here, let us all with gladsome voice praise the God heaven for this wonderful birth.

isaiah 52:7

Is it possible that jesus was born in a cave with the animals because they knew who he was. he was their creator, as well as our redeemer.

all who believe in him will be saved. many will not, they do not believe.

December 24

December 24

It starts out fresh, my painting mot the day. Working on a leaf motif with watercolor and other water media to keep my hand in it, also on some drawings.

Finished the new website. Http:// www.kamprath-drawing.com, not with out some problems but its all up and running. Now, I have to figure what to do with jimkamprath.org.

Things change and they stay the same. Which path do you choose.

I still am trying to get the website to work.

December 23

It is so close now I can feel it.Went to see Avatar yesterday. every thing I have read has said that it worth the cash to go and see it. Well I am here to tell you tell you that it definately is worth the time and money. I haven't been invigorated by a movie since first saw the day the earth stood still in the 60's. It is visually aluring, like My Painting professor told me in college it has to have a lot of eye candy to keep you looking for more. There are a lot of things you have or thought you have seen before. Real villians some real assholes, some really great moving scenes. Some scenery that is utterly fantastic.

The charevcters are for the most alien particularly in their blue appearence. although the females have breasts, they have navels. That would mean they were mammilian. the have some of the sam foiybles as we do the cover ther genitals and brests, they have a tail. They fall in love, the fight but are spiritual.

They say that earth is all but a dead world, we have killed all that is green. but they are going to fix it with something this planet has that we can take and fix ours. Sounds like Harry Reid,

The idea of a planetary conscienceness is not new but intriguing the way it is developed here. A lot is predictable but fun to watch,

December 22

It's so close to Christmas now that you can almost smell it. Not Almost you can smell it nrom satcow. The smells of baking, cooking and preparing the cookies , cakes, salads. All getting ready for the end of the week.

But there is the underlying smell of deceit that has been given to us by a democratic majority that really stinks. A real Christmas stab in the back paid for with our own money. In this Christmas season we are to be thankful for the gifts we are given.

I have begun a new larger format collage based on the tufts of grass behind moms place in Seguin.

How I approach this will help me develop a routine for these larger pieces. I want it to get to the point where I don't have to start from scratch each time I begin.

I have done the photograph format, picked the angel, picked the values I need to use, chosen I which to use to collage. the materials have all been picked, cut and sorted.

Yet I still hesitate to really get going.

December 21

Christmas lumes in the clear future, It is inevitable, inescapable a constant in the math of the present. We can not now ignore it or shove it aside.

Christ functionally effects the time of the year and the season. We Christians must contend with the need of those who do not believe, to not want to use the name of our Savior, because of their fear of those people who would put their faith in someone they can't see, They will not see him who daily intervenes for us. There are none so blind as those whi will not see.

Christmas has become a reality for business as well as for advertisers. So they battle as to weather say merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. In the 60's it was keep Christ in Christmas.
Things don't change they just get more or less press.

Behold the darkness encrouches upon us.

December 19

It seem that we are on the verge of being engulfed in socalized medicine in America. It would also seem prudent that people understand that the government doesn't care that the majority of America don't want the changes these are about to pass. So where is the hope and change.

December 15

24" x 36" water media and collage

on collaged paper

2009

It has taken a while but I now feel certain that shrub is completed, now. I put it on the website this morning. I feel good about how this has turned out, it works well and the varied shapes help pull it all together.

I finally stopped asking myself the questions I do in my mind, is this done yet?. It would seem that it is.

December 14

As I take the time to make substan revisions in the current piece "Shrubs", I also encounter the same old piece of me that constantly says are you doing what you must to achieve optimum results in your work?

As the work progresses, I continue to ask this question, less and less frequently as the work progresses. When I stop asking I can usually be assured that the work is done. I have as of yet not reached that point in its creation. When one makes radical changes one ask questions. When the questions are answered the work can continue to grow.

If not they are not answered or ignored then one must settle the internal dispute or suffer future consequences. If an artist can not listen to its inner voice then there is no check.

December 13

Advent is "the coming" this is week three of four. rejoice in the lord, always.

In painting I want to emphasise the linear elements in the painting.work on finishing the linear elements with inking and filling in the sections with a semi-opaque while then refill with semi transparent color. I still have problems calling painting on paper painting, although i'm not sure what I would call them,papering. no that does not sound good. it does not convey the conscept. Spent a great of time this afternoon working and gained some headway. the picture is becoming closer to what I think it should be. Time will tell,

December 12

Off to mom's today to visit and see how she is doing. We haven't seen her since before Thanksgiving. We Just found out that Mark and Paula will not be down before Christmas. So we have to work out about Christmas, who and where we will gather if at all.

Breakfast at the Kettle in Seguin. on the way to mom's for the day. I cleaned off my drawing table in preparation for work but now it will have to wait until we get home. guess it won't get done unit next week.

December 11

it would seem that everytime the senate does something, it hurts people. Now the senate has set limits on the amount it will allow insurance companies on the coverage of certain diseases. it would seem that it is possible that people will be cut off from care on the certain Disease. at a time when I am totally dependent ontario my insurance coverage to help with the cost of my diabetic supplies. since currently my medicare coverage does not cover my diabetic supplies which currently costs me in excess of $250.00 per month.

Almost finished shrub I was concerned because If did not know if I wanted to put in the time and effort, if I should put in the time to finish I want it to be worth what I put into it. It is something I wasn't sure I wanted to do this.

I have settled my internal strife, will continue the piece until I finish. I will try to post at that time.

December 4

It's Friday already. It's a week past Thanksgiving. Getting ready for Christmas and the end of the year. Trying to get a couple of things ready for the Christmas Art Show in Seguin. Would like to get "Something New" framed and reasdy but sdon't know if I have enough time. I would also like to get "Shrub" up and finished to see how that would look also.but time is short and there is so much else to do.

December 3

Beyond the normal frustration of everyday life, when you add in driver it becomes crazy. I have a need and a desire to achieve at least a virtual success, my end. not what the others choose, but the end that I choose, what I decide to accomplish.

I am after all a child of god and will dutifully try to fully use the gifts god has given me.

December 1

It gets kind of distressing as you watch time go by and you are not really involved in it. I guess thats why we retire. We are mp l;omger need in what weere we now have to make aRe selves neded in what we do now. So often a feeling of uselessness can over come and cause distress, This is the body telling you to get busy and do something.

I continue to work on my latest collage "Shrub", things are moving along nicely, will post when I have a cit closer to breing finished.

I also want to get "something new" framed to submit in a show. All of these plans as time runs out. Have some Ideas foer what comes next.

November 28

I continue to work on gertting the bugs out of the cillage website. It is at times tedious, to see how many things you let get by, inyour rusht Now you have to spend an in ordinate ampount of time redoing what you didn't spend te time on the first time.


So with mote pad in hand I use the index file to go through the site without having to go on line. I'd work from there to go through it without going to the website. Taking notes as I go so that I can make the necessary changes.

Trying to get done now. So I get to go back and do some art work.

November 26

Changes comes about because of life. There is nothing alive that stands still.

I have been considering how to change my websites. So as of two days ago I started Kamprath-drawing.com to showcase my drawings.Yesterday I thoughht about changing jimkamprath.org to something else. Jimkamprath.com is now only my painting acrylic and watercolor. JimKamprath.org has been switched to showcase my collage Collage only.

Almost finished my collage collage. where I collaged the pasper together to star the process of this collage.
Oh by the way Happy Thanksgiving

November 24

It starts out fresh, my painting mot the day. Working on a leaf motif with watercolor and other water media to keep my hand in it, also on some drawings.

Finished the new website. Http:// www.kamprath-drawing.com, not with out some problems but its all up and running. Now, I have to figure what to do with jimkamprath.org will be changed to a wenbsite that focuss on my collage work.

Things change and they stay the same. Which path do you choose.

I still am trying to get the website to work. Alas success!

November 22

New is as new is, if you don't try something new then nothing new will be accomplished. New! then you will do nothing and n07 continue in your quest to realize you vision.

I'm almost tired of fast food wrappers, they get old fast. What is mystifying is that if you leave the wrappers go and come backin a month or two there is no change. They are almost eternal in there appearance and texture, but are so easy to work with.

Paper bags have intrigued me for years The old floppiness and the dog eared paper, The look of used, but new and unused. The secret is to leave the transient quality and work up from there.

How do you work on something really new how do you work up from the mundane to the ethereal move up from where you are to something spectacular? it could be that it doesn't have to be more than regular, just enough to keep you thinking on what should be done to uplift you personally.

I am still working in vegetation motifs and with the reconstituted forms of my deconstructed fragmentary of my own memories. if I have no memory or recollection exist then I must be dead or in a coma and if either is true then I won't be working either. I continue to seek out new venues of expression, through my water media and collage pieces. as well as drawing. there is something very comforting about pencil lear on paper, it is soothing. the gradual build of gray to black with hatching and crosshatching.

November 11

Successfully installed Windows 7 on the machine in the office and on the studio laptop. When installed they run beautifully.

November 9

Continuing to work on new collage. Started by collaging together a lot of brown packing paper into a 24 24 " x 36" piece to work on. Since the packing paper comes together in long sheets about 14 inches wide and perforated into 9 inch wide sheets when they are separated. Since I do not like to throw away useful things this gave me a chance to reuse useful material in my Art.

After I achieved the desired size and shape I started with watercolor and collaging in fast food wrappers to start a design concept. I also use old used dryer sheets as a means of lightening an area. Then depending on if the concept needs to be strengthened with more stark lines works I use Ink for strong lines. I the start over by going back and adding any of the fore mentioned materials.

November 8

off to visit mom today after church. We have not seen mom since we vbroufght her home from Mark's last week. We will take her out to eat at a resturant in Seguin.

As to my Art. I am in the process of assembling a piece odf vpaper made from a collage of nrown shipping papwe. Rather packing paper used to cushion articles from moving around in a box during shipping.Akso using pieces of paper bag. All ofthis is to give me a surface for my next landscape collage.Hopefully it will give me a brown texteured surfavce to start from.

Will also attempt to install Windows 7, every thing I hear amd read say that it is stable and faster than Vista. Only problem so far id it needs 16 gig of free space on my home drive(C:) to install. I tenf to be a collector anf dont get rid of the stuff I should.

November 4

Starting over realty isn't so bad. Since I am about what happens when you work at it , I will work at it and see whayt comes of it. I will pick a size and format. the rest we will leave to chance. Start with a doodle in ink and then some water color and collage to flesh out and the the process of tying together More watercolor and acrylic. Then the fun starts , I can add pencil and more of anything I have started with to go next.

Could get a chance to go to Wurstfest today. could use a German beer from Texas. I prefer Shimer Bock, but wuill accept almost any of what is off there, but then I could stay home ear my own brats abd potatoe salad abnd drink my own Shiner. It all depends on where I am in my creative process.

November 3

Something new 1.2

24" x 36" mixed media:
water media and collage

2009

the dentist today.
Also looking to either start a new piece or build a frame for the finished piece.
Looking to put at least one piece in the Seagin Oakwood Art League December show, Paulette intends to enter one also.

November 2

Monday morning, things are already busy. I am working on "something new", it has changed and will continue to. still developing.

November 2

Monday morning, things are already busy. I am working on "something new", it has changed and will continue to. still developing.

November 1

the piece "something new" has already made a lot of changes, nothing stands still.Will post when I am satisfied with what has happened. Still looking for a drawing subject,

October 30

Something new [uncompleted]

24" x 36" mixed media: watermedia and collage

2009

Off to the doctor this morning to see how I am doing. Expecting bad news especially about my blood sugar levels, last time it was under 8.0 .
We will have to see what today will bring. Have the new collage with in view of completion. here is the uncompleted version.

October 29

Almost finished my new water media collage, as of yet unnamed. I am already planning more pieces. I was looking back at my posts and see that I have not posted a new work for over a month. I guess you call that a vacation. I am again working and need to finish before publishing. I am wondering about my direction. Got the collage doing what it is supposed to. Collage went down fine used acrylic and medium to perck up yellow and to branch from collage to empty space at top of new piece, Now I just have to regulate the upper composition with the rest of the design of the piece.

October 28

I was looking back at my posts and see that I have not posted a new work for over a month. I guess you call that a vacation. I am again working and need to finish before publishing. I am wondering about my direction. Got the collage doing what it is supposed to. Collage went down fine used acrylic and medium to perck up yellow and to branch from collage to empty space at top of new piece, Now I just have to regulate the upper composition with the rest of the design of the piece.

October 27

We are home it is a relief to be back on you own turf and my bed. It is also the first time in over a month that I get to get back to work on my Art. I have some ideas.

I feel at this time that I will continue to do the mixed media: water media and collage that I have been doing for the last year.I will continue to explore the use of the fast food wrapper in my collage.

I have a desire to do more work in portraiture and figure painting [drawing]. I also want to get back to the use of wax pastel (watercolor crayon) they give a very unique color signature.They show and enhance the handmade texture creating in a drawing mode.

October 21

Mark's birthday, may your birthday be a celebration of your life. Happy Birthday.

The collage is taking on some of my characteristic shapes and colors now. Started to layer tissue paper into the collage to blur the torn wrapper shapes and as a lightening device of the area selected. Seems to me to be working well, gives me a good feeling all over.

October 20

Took Paulette to the eye doctor, for her three month checkup, her eyes are some what stable, nothing is worse. Kind of like mine.

My collage is coming along slowly. have some what done the undercoat, need to do more collage and watercolor, Then, I need to tighten up the composition and go from there.

It is an interesting process to create something on paper. I personally start with a doodle large or small. I then try to fit it into a landscape concept. This will get me going and help me smooth the way to a new piece creation. As you work through your beginning you will see that the concept you are working on will expand and take shape thus giving rise to your idea. Fruition is a ways off and can only be completed with a finishing satisfaction.

You should realize when you are done. Who else could.

October 18

Finally back to work. I took a vacation, a few sketches, read a few articles. Kapt the mind active,
Working on a larger mixed media collage. Laid in the watercolor and am about to finish ithe inking, then to the collage.
Trying to stick with a sence of landcape instead of strictly abstract.
If you do abstract you need to start with something unabstracted(natural) to change into the abstraction. I have an I dea for the natural yto change.Like Duchampe's nude decendinf a staircase I want the original to be unmistalkable in its scope, then to work from that to where ever it takes me. Want to use some washi to combine body with texture

October 15

Its been a while since I had the gracious feeling of reaquaintebce. I'm glad to be home again.In my own bed, no distractions by looking to stay out of other peoples way. Don't have to do what others want, can work on my Art to please me, and with out the consternation of others.
Still raining. Has been for five days. Dallas radio said that it has rained every day Except
for two in October, well that's thirteen days I did some sketches of vacation, here are a few.

Of course there are a lot of limitations in sketches. They help me to put down an idea, a changing concept and to work on new or evolving techniques. As well as testing what I have thought up. Take them for what they are worth.

October 14

Up and on the road again. while the trees are everywhere, they are more green, not putting on the show they did farther north.
The rain has stopped. The traffic is more evident, more drivers, More crazies, too manyof them on their cell phones.

October 13

Its raining lightly
9:00 am left Branson on our way back home
The trees are more fully into their fall colors now pretty in their dazzling splendor.
Stopped for the night in Paul's Valley Oklahoma.
Ate at a the Pumpkin country eatery, excellent food.

October 12

Columbus day a day to reflect
on the endless things Columbus brought us
when by accident he found us instead of India
on his journey so many years ago.
So manty hate him because of the perceived evil
of his deeds when all want to blame him
for the misdeeds of those who came after.
God does visit the iniquity of the third and fourth generation
of those that hate him. And shows mercy to those that love him.

October 7

8:30 left Atoka for Branson 105,955
Ate breakfast in Savanna at a truck stop.
Got gas ay 11:45 108,057
got to Branson 4:15
scenery was beautifuopl alon 13 we had to cross 2 one lane bridges one was wooden and a suspension
it was a bit creepy and even a bit scary.
The driving through the hills was different with all of the curves and people don't slow down.
We were hounded by a school bus who rode on our ass
because we wouldn't go over the speed limit.
Trees are jusy beginning to turm, The Ozarks are beautiful.
Except for Dallas and Austin every thing north is heavily tree covered.

October 6

Left for Branson at 8:30 am
Stopped in Hills borough.
Stopped at 4:30 p.m. in Atoka, Oklahoma for the night
Ate dinner at the truck stop in Atoka.
On to Branson tomorrow 308 miles to go all on country roads

October 5

Off to the physical therapist today as well as a lot of last minute errands before leaving tomorrow. Plan on doing some sketching and a lot of photography. Also am going to look for collage material for my new projects.

Planning on a few new larger landscape collages. Want to use a larger size paper, verticle instead of horizontal. This will prove to be difficult since I do not have the space to do a verticle piece on my work table. So I will have to do this in stages rearranging the studio as I go.

I want try some more varied techniques with more graphite and some watercolor resist and other masking fluids. And since the Art community is lumping Acrylic in with watercolor and labeling it Water Media, I no longer have to worry about constraints on my watercolor collage that have held me back up to this point. Since they do not accept my work I guess I am free to do what ever I want. I am not trying to stir the pot so to speak, but like McDonald's old motto I want it my way

It will now be water media and collage. I will continue to use ink and colored pencil as well as wax pastel. I reall want to work in more of my way of doing things instead of the prefered way of doing things. I am more concerned with the texture and design rather than the elements of the realism. I want also to convey the feeling of landscape without necessarily doing a landscape.

A was pointed out to me in graduate school. the colors of a region figure greatlty in the actural construction of the landscape. I need to invest more research inyto the colors of Texas and the southwest I also need to find out if there is a actural color preference for this region.

October 4

Working on a few landscape sketches in watercolor and colored pencil.
Will continue to search myself in an attempt to justify there rejection in my mind. Having problems with it.

So I will see how it goes, maybe look for a new gallery. I really like my collage watermedia landscapes. Will also take a bunch of photos on the trip and do some sketching.

Growth does not always come easily or without pain.

October 3

Its a sad day in New Braunfels Jim has struck out. All of the pieces submitted for acceptance into the Artoberfest show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery were rejected, So for the second year in a row I will have nothing in the show.

Well I guess I will have to rethink my approach to Art and see if changes need to be made.

I realize the the local market is mainly consists of realism and schmaltz. I am not apposed to either, but for the most part I will do what I feel is my best for my work.

But if I am to put my best out there then regardless as to the out come, I will put out my best. If it means back to the drawing board the so be it. I ain't dead yet.

October 2

Funny how you feel when a project is completed.
You sit back and relax and wait for the other shoe to fall.
So, what's next.
Learn to speak french.
I haven't heard as of this writing weather or not the pieces I have entered into the Artoberfest Show will be accepted into the show. If not I have another years to work on something new.

I was thinking about combining colored pencil and watercolor and or acrylic.
the watercolor for smooth transparent values. the acrylic for its opaque qualities and the colored pencil for more brazen mark making. The idea is to infuse the piece with more drawing qualities and still maintain the smooth transparencies of the water media. So I will work on a larger piece and when I gave the base done I will insert collage to more thoroughly enhance the texture and varied colors, as well as making it one piece by fusing all of the elements together in plastic. More when I have a chance I am listening to Dvorak Symphony No.2.

October 1

building block collage

on the rocks

The day has arrived. Last year when I entered pieces into the Artoberfest I was turned down for all three pieces. To add insult to injury I also lost the entry fee. It didn't brake me, but it did give me pause to think through my entries a little more thoroughly. I realized that I had to deliver pieces that they would like. So this year I picked one of the pieces and Paulette picked the other we will now see who has the best submission judgement.

I spent an inordinatly large amount of time working on these two pieces. My work is considerably different than the large majority of entries. They need to be professional looking anf well thought out. I selected for my choice "on the rocks"while Paulette choce " building block collage" I am happy with both now. we changed the orentation of building block from verticle to horizontal.

So we'll see how it goes.

September 30

While I no longer need to work to live, I do live to work. With Art, at least for me it is necessary ti think things through so you do not spend a lot of time on something that is untenable. So again later in life I found the necessity of keeping the sketch book as a journal of thoughts and experiences. Like with everything else, there is a necessity to prove you have done something that is completely yours. The sketch book helps in that role by giving the evidence of a thought process, Once carried out you can also keep a log of work with explanations to help show ownership and creation as well as a view of the changes and steps in the continuity of progressing work.

In graduate school they emphasize the use of the sketch book to prove that you are continuing to work. An example of this was a girl in the same studio wing as I who only showed up one day a week to working her studio. I asked my self what kind of work was she doing that required so little time. Where I had to spend from 5-7 hours every day. She also did not produce a sketch book. for studio which was a large part of the grade for that responsibility. She could or would not keep up and left school.

Since the graduate school I attended did the bachelors degree also to train up a mind in the way it should go. They fomented the use of the sketch book process for Art students as a process that taught thinking things through, and cataloging that process. Every class I took as a graduate student required a sketch book or journal. I who did not keep a regular sketch boo had to learn the process. Except for computer classes in software use and training as well as philosophy, did not make this requirement. I also started using my computer as a note keeper, so I have developed my blog and Art log on the Internet partially fulfill the need to keep a sketch book.

September 29

Well almost done with another month. Well we are into fall and on the way to winter. Here in Texas its only 89 today . I'm sure that it will be cooler tomorrow. I've been waiting for cooler weather for three years. Guess I won't hold my breath. Things are getting done. Have to pick up pieces from two shows tomorrow. "Red collage" from the New Braunfels Art League's Shades of Red show. and "Rhapsody" , and "Prelude in C# minor" from the Seguin Oakwood Art League's Fantasy Show.

Thursday, I will be entering "On the Rocks" and "Building Block Collage" into the Artobertfest Show at the New Braunfels Art League.. We will see if I get everything rejected again this year.

I Am working on a few more landscape collages to keep my hands busy. Want to see how my new ideas on rendering is going to hold up on the new pieces. I am also re visiting a piece I did quite a while ago. It was originally in wax pastel over digital photograph, I will be adding watercolor and acrylic to it to see how it holds up. Since the categories keep changing in art it is at time difficult to keep up. What used to be acrylic is now water media which encompasses any water based media. Acrylic, watercolor, and gouache. I doubt the the purest feel that this is accurate,. Some of us have been intermixing these types for years. I know that I do as well as collage and water based markers.

September 27

By the time I got to Phoenix is was 114 derees,
too hot for anything living,
so I went on toward El Paso, still too hot,
that ment on toward San Antonio. Better,
on to New Braunfels, and the Guadelupe River
wet and wonderful
I found my new home.

September 25

destiny

Continue on this path.
This will result in a destination
you do not choose, and that
does not fulfill you potential.
This way is not desired or wanted it will leads
to unhappiness and a drought of happiness
not to mention the augh.
But with vigor consume you life
living each day to its fullest.
Do not give into despair,
your Lorad has better plans for you
He has said as much
He plans to put you in a place
where he can greatly bless you .

It is for you to recognize
each of these blessings
and not take them as your own accomplishments.
His blessing will make you a person,
who will be more able to do his bidding.
To be the person he has chosen for you to be.
Not one for boasting or speaking of
what you can do, but rather
what you can be in the role
he has given you.
Not everything will now go
the way you want or desire.
So much of our culture
today is for seeking after
what is great in our eyes.
For quick pleasures and
than those that thrill
and give a fleeying feeling of commitment.
Be pleased with your lot,
there will be much time for growth
and attainment as we go farther.
While our life is short it is not to be lived
like a moth flying toward the light
to to be caught and burned.

September 24

Truth
funny how that sounds ,
if we don't look back
we seldom see the exchange
and that would have lent itself
to farther and more obtuse
discussions about nothing.
We manage with some degree
of deliberateness to constantly put
the best construction on things that happen.
Often we tend ti bend the outright
truth of a matter to fit to what we think.
That is not the problem
it is when we go out and preach
that falicy as truth.
We wonder why there is no truth.
We fail to see that we manipulate
everything into an Orwellian maxim.
No wonder we have the problems
we have today, we just make excuses
for everything, then point the finger
of blame to others,
why should we look inward,
we would only see ourselves.

September 23

Sight

by looking at something we don't know
that we swing the pendulum
a little farther to the left
to gather together as we live out our life
and move farther down from strife
to see the way we have traveled
to see the route we have gone,
to be a part of the show
and see at least the reveal
that will as time passes at last show
the end of all we think we have known or
have an inkling of what comes next
as we round the corner around the bend
and lie in wait to find the effect
of our salvation our exaltation
in the mist that gathers at the grave
the fog that tops the cake we eat, the vapour
that congeals and entreats or puts off
the misty attack that is our lives,

You

your face looks like an unspoken verse
to rhyme by fitting into the line,
smoothly inserted in its linear quality
in its texture coordinate aspects of ray
emitting light on its own with no encumbrance
to withhold or hold back the ever sharper
ray of textured delight that is the outward
appearance that we perceive as you.

September 22

road block, a barricade

By all that stands in our way

we try to overcome all the obstacle

We push and jostle,

to get through the door

standing in place we reconnoiter

are we where we want to be

is there still an impediment

can we see what draws us inward,

or is there no drawing

only a sence of resignation

dare no to lift our finger to follow the route

either we know or we don't

it is often better to be an observer

rather than one who participates

can it be that the drive is gone

no longer to have a sense of purpose

no sence of sense

no forward momentum

no one to push and reminder us

of what we are aiming for.

if there is no aim

that would be aimless

and if it continues then

it becomes aimlessness.

I need an icey wind to awaken

the feeling in my limbs.

when you don't feel

you don't have an edge

to guide you to do

what needs to be done

to gently stur, your sense of movement.

if you can't feel the movement

you must be standing still

in park. not in drive

no signal to announce

a change in course

staying the course is not change

but changlessness.

Even the rocks change

affected by outward forces

appearance can be altered.

so can lives for that matter.

Its not an obstacle only a barricade.

Go around and the way will be clear again.

September 20

Sunday Morning, uneventful so far, getting ready for church. I desire to do more today than yesterday. Still haven't started the large collage I mentioned yesterday, but there is still time, I'm thinking that I want to try something with more muted colors and shapes.

Had a lot of fun with the dry brush sketches yesterday, but they are only an exercize to use as a primer, They tend to soot me fine because i'ts a slow building process that comes from a lot of small repeated brush strokes that slowly build up the composition. Sort of like drawing only with color. I start with a simple line drawing in pencil as a starting point to give a direction, We will see how far they will go as time passes.

September 19

Started working on some small paintings of gourds nothing fancy just fun relaxing. getting ready to o another large collage. So shoot me, I didn't get going today, Spent too much time working on dry brush and watercolor abstract landscapes.

September 17

Spent yesterday in the doctors office among other things. He said I was ok. The pain and tingeling in my left arm and had had gone since they had injected the steroid into my spinal column. He said it was possibly tempotrary and it might return. In that event we could do another injection. He suggrested Physical theropy to learn to do some neck stretching exerciser to help clear up the spinal column inflamation problem.

Updated the watercolor and collage discusions check the link on the web sites n the linkpages under collage discussion on water color discussion. also updated a few other minor things. Up loaded the whole thing to checke if it all works. it does.

Starting work on some smaller drawings and watercolors in preparation to what comes next.

Also started working on some photography to see if I can reconcile photography as an art form rather than a tool. Want to get some done and framed for a number of up coming shows.

September 14

on the rocks 1.2
22" x 36" Mixed Media collage on paper
2009

circuitous hybrid agricultural vegetation mutilations

15" x 18" Mixed Media collage on paper
2009

I know it takes me a while to get what I'm doing, done. Here are the latest two[2] Mixed Media pieces, I can not guarentee that they are done.I am working om more as well as some pen, ink,acrylic and watercolor drawings.

I at times take quite a while to get things done, that is because I don't have to do any more than I want to. Above are my two[2] latest pieces of collaged art. these are a bit different from what has come before because I am making changes to coinside with what I see, I guess you could say it's a bit myopic. Well that what it is."On the rocks" has taken awhile because I have seen the need to make changes as I go at least three different time. I am hoping that I will leave these alone now and move on, but who knows I could change them again. After all life is change.

September 13

Off we go , on to something else. Isn't it interesting that it has come out that the 400 billion dollars of fraud in medicare is not fixable, so the money is not there to help pay for Obama's health care insurance fix. Now that Joe Wilson spoke the house fixed the bill to make sure that no illegal alien can get health care from the government unless they show valid identification. At least not until they are all legalized and then all of the illegals will be legal and they can vote democratic.

Is there any member of government who is honest? So many of Baraka's designees are tax evaders and cheats. When you really start to like a politician and you think they are one above all the rest and maybe they can make a difference in this government, and you find that they are a crook like all the rest.they are the one you really want to to vote for then you find that they are as crooked like all the rest. Men and women who I tried to admire: Bill Richardson, Tom Delay, Edwards, Hoyer and when you stop and look at whats their position and how they manipulates their position, you have to look an Nancy Pelocci, and Harry Reid. Crooks one and All. Is this what Jefferson was worried about and told us we had to look out and there should be a revolution every once in a while.

Still working on the mixed media collags I have been for weeks hopefully soon I can declare at least one of them as finished. Then I can post them here. The newest piece is called "Circuitous hybrid agriculture vegitation multilations".

September 12

Up dated my painting website added two[2] watercolor paintings. fixed a few links added some language to watercolor painting discussion fixed the missing link to fragmented landscape collage 11 to a close look. fixed a few incidentials. all before breakfast. then I had to get the FTP software to work properly and upload the correct version.

Off to Seguin for the big birthday celebration this morning after breakfast. Looking forward to seeing everyone, execpt Mark and Paula who are flying to Puerto Rico for a cruise.

All other work stops until either Sunday or Monday. Sure is nice being retired.

September 10

Happy Birthday Jamie. Your not getting older every one else is. Have a great day. We had a wonderful day yesterday with grandma on her 89th. We went to Chili's for lunch then came back to her house and relaxed. We are having the big celebration tomorrow with Uncle Carl and Aunt Shirley. we haven't figured out where to go the place we wanted to is closed, or I should say it isn't open yet.

We all like Mexican food so we think it will be El Ranchito, it is really good food and good drinks. So well have to see how it all comes down.
School closed and roads. Flash flood alerts in town. When it rains it really rains.Will add more hopefully this week.

Everything is starting to turn green again.

Updated my painting web site yestertday morning added my two new watercolors. Will be adding more new pieces later this week.

September 9

Well I guess I was wrong about the rain it passes us by. No accounting for their forecasting. rain has been illusive for a year almost, we are almost 60% down from the yearly average. They just said that the rain chances for are 70-85 % for today and tomorrow. They are also suggesting an El Nino condition for the area.

They just found a skull in Georgia (Europe) that is 1.8 million years old, it is the oldest skull found in Europe and puts humans in Europe long before originally thought , and not out of Africa as originally thought, Maybe the garden of Eden was in Europe rather than the middle East

Trying to get "on the rocks 1.3" finished and framed and out of my mind. Not everything we want gets done the way we want.If at all. I have a whole pile of things finished and un framed because they don't fit my paradigm as to what should be framed.

Today was my grandmothers birthday, if alive she would be to 112. I miss her and grandpa. Mom birthday is Thursday (89) and Jamie has hers on Friday(33).

Funny thing every time they get older so do we all. Are we celebrating their age on earth or is it a count down to eternity?

If the theologians are correct and theses are the end times. Then it doesn 't make any difference if there is health insurance reform or what ever they call it now.

September 8

Well they are saying that there is a 40% chance of rain here in New Braunfels, in Texas, 20 percent is a really good chance. So we have a better than even chance for rain here. We really need the rain. this is the worse drought in recorded history.

Watercolor, still working on my technique. Having a lot of fun and still doing what I want. Someday some one will like what I'm doing and recognize me for what I have acheived. Still working on my drawing. Working on incorperating pencil into my collage. the first pieces that I have used pencil are: "chaos" and "grass collage", "red collage 20.3", on the "rocks collage 1.2".

The reason I like incorporating pencil is that it gives a different latitude of visual acuity to the piece. The reason for this simple change is since I work mostly in abstracted landscape reconstructions, and the pencil[graphite] give a highlight to light colored water color areas. its isa simple highlight device. I have been doing it here and there for the last 45 years. While the use of pencil is to work intensive for large scale application, it work as a highlight in small areas that need a gray to black shading. The thin black lines enhance my linear style, keeping me true to my concepts.

September 7

It sure isn't the cool falsl I remember growing up in Michigan. sure there was Indian Summer. Even in the Bronx or Queens , or even in Memphis it wasn't like it has been here in Texas this year. Ohh wow its Hot! (60 days over 100). Well were having a cool spell, only in the middle nineties, but a relief.

Working on some more collages, or still working on the ones I was before. Also a few watercolor pieces. Also going back to some more drawing to round myself out, just trying to keep busy.

September 5

So its watercolor or float. Started a few more pieces to go with the others in the box to be framed some day. I 'm not sure why I keep doing these pieces, obviously I'm not being noticed. My work stands out because I am unique in the group. I work from abstracts.

I don't really need a reference. If I use a reference I make changes along the way to keep me honest to myself. I really enjoy the abstract nature of the collages. It keeps me guessing about my own design. My over all construction of the piece can easily be compromised by my constant meddling with my work.

I have almost finished a redo of on the rocks, i'll posdt it when I think I'm done this time. I guess it's a problem if it sits around for any period of time unframed or unsigned and unstored, I will probabily continue to work on it.

August 29

Well I guess today is the end of a political era, All of Joe Kennedy's kids are now dead. No more immediate clan in politics. One of Ted's kids is a senator so that part goes on.

I watched the mass, I was heartened that the Gospel was mentioned a number of times. "Those who were there did hear it. They could be saved if they wern't already, and they open their hearts.

Added watercolor paper, white drawing paper and brown wrapping paper and some of my home made paper to the collage I started yesterday. Also added some fast food wrappers , Taco Bell and MacDonald's. as well as ink, and acrylic paint. I have a few more layers to go. Got it going will see how it comes out later. Will post when I get that far. Found a new wrapper yesterday. Freddy's Frozen Custard hamburger wrappers are almost totaly transparent except for the thin red print that makes of the company design, will be interesting.

The Village Inn here in town closed last year I think. A new Denny resturant is being put in its place. I'm excited. It opens soon.

August 28

It seems like only yesterday that I told myself that it eas almost the end of May. Now it's almost Septemnber. Time marches on, with or with out us, Theoretivcal matarticians bow say that Time will not end but just keep going.

Started a new collage. no show in mind just to do it.

August 27

Today is Bible Class. I am taking my turn by leading the class. My topic for study is three of the miracles of Jesus. the first, the last and truly an act of God. I want to look at the miracles and why they were done and the cases of a miracle with in a miracle, multiple events.All the work of the Lord. Nothing simple here.

People it would seem want to get away from believing in God. They think there belief is a weakness, forgetting that even it is a gift of God. If this is the case why do they keep trying to come up with explanations of his power, bringing it down to there level. Pharaoh's magicians matched wonders with Moses until God's power ingulphed theirs. When is a miracle just a miracle and when does it become an act of God?

Started a few more pieces today, We almost have red framed for the show next week. Life goes on and then we die. Working from a different angel. add the collage , start the detail then add some more we will see how it goes.

August 24

jimkamprath.org will be down for a while I want to make some changes

red collage 20.2
22" x 36" Mixed Media: Watercolor, Acrylic, ink,
graphite and collage on paper
2009

On the rocks 1.0

22" x 36" Mixed Media:Watercolor, Acrylic, ink,
graphite and collage on paper

2009

Well its almost finished, thought I would show off what I had gotten finished. "On the rocks" Is a larger format Mixed Media Piece done with Watercolor Acrylic, Ink, Graphite and collage. Of course this piece is subject to change. I also made some changes to Red collage 20.2 above.

August 22

Almost finished with the new larger collage which will be called"on the rocks" hat is neither an inference to the use of ice in a drink or the fail of an relation ship but rather a referal to exactly that on the rocks. Hopefully I will get to post it here soon.

Finished updating the "jimkamprath.com" website, added some commentary for the last two new works pieces[about time]. As well as fixing a few links.Also re loaded "jimkamprath.org " which is about to get a major overhaul. Can't deside if I should combine all the work onto one site, it be half the work eventually.

August 21

It looks like any other day . But special something will happen today to make it wonderful. Almost finished my Bible Study for next week. I am still working on a new larger Mixed media piece. Will see how that goes, Maybe start something new.I have a itching to get back into a crayon piece and see if I can stretch the limit a bit.

Went to see District 9 the power of the little guy to help an alien stranded on earth for twenty years. Good story, convuluted plot . Helps you to see some of our fault way to plainly. Too often we get protecting our selves all wrong and sprnt to much energy trying to get rid of the "bad guy" Before really getting to understand their plight. Excellent story great visuals, a bit bloody bot all in all a great view.

August 20

With each new dawn a new feeling of joy in knowing that God does surely bless us and gives us all we need to sustain this body and life. I am fine after the hospital ordeal yesterday and can with a great deal of angst say I felt nothing. I now have to catch up on all I had to put off untill today. But at least there that option open to me. What me worry!

It often is not enough to simply want God to help us. We must initiate the contacy by going to him in prayer. in this his world we can do little. "He has given us the power to reject him and his word. Only through him can we accept him and believe. He is after all our God , would you expect less. Only through our contact with him can we effectively communicate. It is Gods wish that we all come to salvation through His son. This is a way for us to come to him. We often think that we must initiate the contact. I n this case we actually can we can come to God through our prayers. If we must wait for an answer it will come in His time. When he is ready, Not necessarily when we are.

August 19

Off to the Hospital this morning too get my cervical steroid injection to help correct the numbness an tingling in my right leg and arm. Some trepidation maybe even gear but I am a child of God and really have nothing to gear. He will guide the doctors hand.

August 18

When you don't know you have missed something, is it really missed? This I had to ask my self and the answer is yes. I didn't know how much I was missing until this morning when I listened to my stereo and in the past if I was working I often thought that the left speakers were going out and come to find out that it was mt ears. Now I can easily distinguish the stereophonic sound it separation and timber which I have ordinarily missed for some time. Itg is truly a wonder. I can now hear the voices on the TV as if I were there. No longer a mute confusion

August 17

Today start with air still too warm, I believe we are now at 50 days with temperatures in the triple digits. It is supposed to be the same today.

I get my hearing aids today. Guess what medical Insurance doesn't cover.

Continuing to work on another larger acrylic, watercolor collage piece. still consumed by the awe inspiring nature around us. Thinking anbout a water falling scene with the emphasis on the structure of the rocks. Still really concerned about the texture. The balance between surfaces and their cohesion is what I strive for

August 16

Spent an enjoyable day with my brother and wife and his friend and wife as well as the two of us and mom. Watched golf and an old John Wayne Movie

[Rio Bravo]

Tomorrow I must get my hearing aids[2], and Wednesday I get a a steroid injection in my spinal colum to see if the can clear up my cervical vertebrae problem if it doesn't, then they we will have to resort to spinal surgery.

Well, with that in mind I will work on my art today Started another large mixed media collage, and have an idea for a painting.

August 11

Red Collage No. 20.1
21" x 32" Mixed Media: Acrylic, Watercolor,
ink, graphite and collage on paper
$500.00 2009

Cloudy Building blocks collage No. 19.1
15" x 20" Mixed Media: Acrylic,
watercolor, ink, graphite and collage
$350.00 2009

I have finally or at least for now have re finished the two I posted a few days ago. So I feel relaxed a bit so I decided to star another before the feeling of uphoria dissipates and I return to today.I also updated my website for my painting.

August 10

Spent the day working on my two new collage pieces, the ones I posted two days ago as finished. Well I have the almost refinished them and will post then as soon as I am satisfied with what I see. It is remarkable that you can feel like something is finished but then you change your mind. So we will see what tomorrow brings.

August 9

As with everything else in life things tend to change, "The two pieces posted yesterday are at this moment changing and the new version will be posted when complete. Probabily tomorrow. Not today. This week is the opening of District 9 sounds really good, if you like space alien movies, more when I've seen it.

August 8

Red Collage No. 20
20" x 33" Mixed Media: Acrylic,
Watercolor, ink and collage on paper
2009

Cloudy Building Block Collage No.19
15" x 18" Mixed Media: Acrylic,
Watercolor, ink and collage on paper
2009

I finished red collage No. 20 and Building Block collage 19. I will post here. It am alwys amazwed at the feeling of completion when I finish a new piece. These wsere strenuous, tedious and compelling. It really becomes more and more didfficult to get the composition correct, then after that most everything falls into place. These are both in the fast food collage series. I am really pleased with the results of both of these as well as the previous four pieces the ones hanging in Seaguin and New Braunfels. The red collage will be entered into the Red Show ay New Braunfels Art League at the end of this month. Cloudy Building Block will be held back until a layer date to be entered

August 7

We have now had 41day with triple digit temperatures. Today is another day in which Obama proves that he is not presidential caliber.His Health plan is to get rid of older cars regardless if they are still useful.

Kind of like the Health program, I have never heard a politian talk openly about the getting rid of old folks to save money even if they are still useful. Who is going to make that call? Now that they are aborting cars even if they are still useful, soon children under 2 that are not useful or wanted, that besides using abortion as a method of birth control. Car companies that don't make the cars they like are expunged. Executives that fly to meetings in their corporate jets ridiculed. But the congress can spend 200 million on three corporate jets for the congress to fly around.

On my Art: I have Almost finished my larger format Collage for the red show at NBAL, will try to post it later today. Since I'm litteraly on a roll I started another to keep me occupied. Also cut up some drawing paper. Will try to get the paper flat from is rolled up state. To get paper to be flat you have to stretch it I will attempt to get this done today.

August 5

The Lord has brought us another day to praise him. A day in which we can choose to deliver up tp him our best or continue on the path of unrighteousness. Since all that we are, is what we can offer and that is enough. To try to be the best we can. It is in the doing. We cannot divorce our selves from our own actions.When we strive to create we do so with the understanding that this is us, we do what we can. We do not create the flower we show how we see the flower through our own eyes. God is an was an will always be the creator. We mimic what we see. If we do it well, then someone may take a fancy to it. We do not create, we can only imitate what we see and make a variation of that visual memory.

August 4

Updated the websites mostly house keeping, Drawing had to have the menu changed and there were a few hyperlinks broken all restored to working order and continue to work on a number of pieces. Finding a lack of intensity in my pieces and am needing to work on getting more dark and light contrast to balance the composition.

I am working on a larger watercolor, acrylic and collage for the red show coming up next month. Also on a portrait watercolor, its been the seventies since I have worked figurative. Thought I would also re-visit that. I also have to enter a few watercolor pictures on the log, blog and websites.

August 3

I received an honorable mention for my watercolor, acrylic and collage piece" Prelude in C# Minor" at the Seguin Oakwood Fantasy Art show. yesterday. It is gratifying that some one else sees that my work is well done. Just enough to keep you going.

August 2

Working on my bigger Watercolor, acrylic collage. Still tying to get my grass land the way I would like it to look or think it should look, Translating from memories at time difficult. Since a great deal of ones personal Art relies on a sense of hand, eye coordination. With practice it gets there but not often easily, and even less often the way you want it.

So much of Art today is a popularity contest. Long gone is the day when Art is judged on its merits alone, not on the personality of the Artist..

Trying to keep my constant reliance to time at bay. I can only work so much and that is usually in the morning. I don't like dwelling on the passage of time, but we can't help it we are wired to be that way. The more we dwell on that passage we inevitably realize that it will run out and then what ever is un done will stay thst way.

Even in the Bible they talked about time but tha was more based on God and his using time to make comparisons od whathas or will happen.

The new piece, another fragmented landscape based on my visual memories of the Texas Hill Country is mostly green with a base in red and collage. I try to work on these pieces with a beginning not in a drawing but with collage lately I try to work first on a general design based on the placement of my collage pieces. These elements rtghen azre the contrivance weith which I build my piece, to slowly construct a visual design as a jump off spot.

Since I use fastfood wrappers for a lot of the design base, the layers of color are based on these wrappers and there built in qualities. It is some tines hard to wok. untill you get all of the extraneous food off them, well I could leave it as added texture.. They are mostly yellow and orange with some red and black.

Walmart sells plaid acrtlics which I use becaue of their nature and they are an easy flowing and have smooth consisteny and they are flat or matte. They are also semitransparent so I can get a lot of my glazing overtones with these paints.

For all practical purposes I have stopped using water as a thinning medium it tends to break down the pigment characteristics, So, I use an acrylic medium because it is of the same characteristics as the paint. I also use that sane medium with the colors I have mixed with watercolor this changing them to acrylic.

July 31

Can't believe it's already the end of July. Next thing you know it will be August.
Took in my 3 pieces into the Fantasy Show in Seguine.
Got an art show to take pieces into for New Braunfels Art League tomorrow.
Art Opening Sunday in Seguin - Oakwood Art League Fantasy Art Show.

I'm Still working on my new collage piece. As well as transfering all my old files from one computer to another. A bit of a segmented week end so far.

July 29

Still working on preliminaries for new collage should have preliminaries completed later today if everything else goes ok. For me getting started his the hardest. I really need to have something to build on and a place to start. So starting is memory intensive. Its the same with everything else, The inkling of an idea is a jumping off place. With the collage it is necessary to explore from where you conceptualize. A scrawl is a start. I had an acquaintance in graduate school that always started with a doodle, it what you get the get you going.

July 28

Well it is going to be another hot one today. They have forecast 103 for today. Way too hot for me. Have to go work at NBAL this evening. Hope it cools down by then.

Planning on a larger mixed Media collage for what comes next. Will try to take the fast food theme larger. We will have to see how that goes. Making something larger is not always as easy as I think. It can run into a lot of problems, But then what would life be with out a challenge. The other problem I am encountering is my lack of patience, I want it done now. That often causes more problems, every thing needs a cure time. if you don't allow for it then the coller part of collage will not hold, After all the French named this after what is being done gluing.

July 27

Its Monday and things are moving on.Trying to get my prayers in this morning so that I can hope that God will help clear up this Health care mess. On Cunningham's radio program last night one caller asked if Obama was sent to give Americans one more chance at living correctly. One last chance to get it correct. I personally don't think that we are all that bad!
After all Some things aren't to bad.

1.The church is falling from favor. We are letting it happen.

2. God is no longer first in our lives. We are letting it happen.

3. Christianity is being pushed aside for more Humanistic thoughts.

4. Artion has killed 5.5 million babies since it was legalized abortion.

5. I know that babies (children) have been aborted for millennial. In ancient Rome babies unwanted were left out to die. Societies that favored males often killed the female children. Or in some cases, as in the central American peoples used them for food.

6. We are now killing babies in the third trimester of pregnancy, some how that supposed to be worse.

7. It has been proposed that a child is not legally as person until around two years of age, Thus it can be terminated up until that time. I believe that would be infanticide.

8. We are rapidly approaching the same number of Jews killed during the Holocaust, Now there
is an epitaph. we killed the next generation because we didn't want to bring them up.

9. We grow more than enough food but our farmers are paid no to grow to help the market.

10. Starving is OK as long as it doesn't look bad.

Well on second look we really aren't that good.

They say the devil's greatest victory is getting the people not to believe he exists.
But then again as for Sin, We tend to think that it doesn't exist.

OH! I know in this age we don't talk about peoples short comings or things that are bad, they might be offended.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

OH! I forgot there is no hell.

Well then carry on.

July26

Behold the week end is upon us and almost over. Oh what can we do? You could retire like me and wait for the government run health care to decide that I have lived long enough and terminate me.

I have lived my life and would like to go on creating my Art, I know a lot of "Old People" who contribute to society. Is that now going to be preqeresit for life "personal contributions to the societal good.

I am worried when I hear one of the Czars say that life is not viable until 2 years old and can be aborted up until then. Who of you would abort your toddler?

Who have we elected?

Its going to be a busy week. got two shows to put stuff into and one to take down from. On my painting website I posted the new pieces that are going up this week.
http://www.jimkamprath.com
In the New Work section is where the new work is posted.
It can also be found on the Art Log address. from the links directory.

July 22

Fragmented Landscape collage No.17
16" x 16.5" Mixed Media: Acrylic, Watercolor,
graphite and collage on Stonehenge paper
$500.00 2009

The Health Care Obama Plan is running into problems, Obama wants to again push another plan through congress without letting them read the bill. This has happened a number of times in the past. We were supposed to be able to read the bill, on line a week before it was to be voted on. If this bill will not to be in acted for four years, why does it have to be voted on now, on a decision that is not crutial?

You have to ask yourself why would you vote for something you haven't seen. Oops! What happened to clarity and transparency?

Above is the collage that I mentioned that I had finished. It is one of the fast food collages drawn from my reflections and memories, though fragmented and reconstructed here for your pleasure.