November 03

rocky
9" x 11"water media on paper
2010

range
9" x 11"water media on paper
2010

reflection
9" x 11"water media on paper
2010

Relaxing working on some sketches and listening Mozart's 27th concerto, the last he'd did before his death. It is fitting after what went on yesterday. It would seem that the populace has risen up and shown President how they feel, but it would seem that like before he incapable of seeming the truth before his eyes. "There are none so blind as those who will not see,"

We must move on from here. If he hasn't been stopped, the more will have to done. The Republiucans must take the reigns in their hands and move us along.

October 31

Landscape collage #6
24 x 36 water media and collage on paper
2010

Reformation Day.

Today we commemorate the formation of the protestant church. The church that was closer to the Bible. We sometimes forget the trouble that our fore bearers went through to give us the chance for a better life. We have a duty to follow up on what they have done and keep the faith.

October 13

have almost finished Odyssey and I have started a new one based on a rock formation. A lot of collage pieces for design and watercolor wash for body with small amounts of ink for detail.

October 11

October 11

Last week the new show at the new braunfels art league "Artoberfest",

I was accepted(judged two pieces will be displayed for the next month and a half. I was surprised to get two pieces accepted since fort the last two years I was totally rejected.

I am grateful for this recognition, since the judge who willjiry the show, chose the works that were to be hung in this 45th annual Artoberfest" show at the time of the annual Worstfest celebration in New . Braunfels.

October 03

Today the new show at the new braunfels art league "Artoberfest",

I was accepted (juried in), two pieces will be displayed for the next month and a half. I was surprised to get two pieces accepted since for the last two years I was totally rejected.
I am grateful for this recognition, since the judge who will jury the show, chose the works that were to be included in this 45th annual Artoberfest" show at the time of the annual Worstfest celebration in New Braunfels.

September 29

Sunrise

12" x 18" Water nmedia and collage

$250.00 2010

Landscape

24" x 36" Wamedia and collage

$350,00 2010

Backyard

13" x 21" Water median and collage

$250 2010

Something new for the end of September.

September 17

Started work on a new large format water media and collage.
It is again a vegetative motif.

I start with ink them a light color wash in selected areas, then I cover the whole surface with Matte medium by using a 5 inch putty knife. This ensures that everything is uniform.

Then I can start the collage process, this process takes time and consideration as to placement and type of collage elements to be used since it is the basis of the pictorial design.,

typically i use five or six types of paper for collating.
I use colors wrapping paper for an initial base of color and white for a lightened,

I also use fast food wrappers for their muted colors and texture, these can be used face up or down. I will use the more words and logos, face down will give me more muted colors and then the letters will become a textural element rather than a text elements.

September 09

in the woods a landscape

10" x 12" water media on paper

2010

group a landscape

16" x 22" water media and collage on papere

2010

Torrid a landscape

36" x 36" Acrylic on canvas

2010

I finished some pieces I have been working on lately.

In my continuing effort to embelish my landscape style.

These piesecs are so what different in style.

They represent my continuing research into fragmented landscape memories.

August 30

Group

16" x 20"Water media and collage on paper

2010"

Almost the end of the month and on to another. God has blessed us with more than we can use.

Forgot to load this piece the other day, I guess forgetting is now par for the course. As I get older it's not so much that I forget , more like I guess I have selective memory. I remember things not necessarily those I want or those that are important. but those that have significance.

Auhust 18

Vegetation Motif [ growth]
9" x 12" watercolor on paper
2010

On the Plain

0" x 12" watercolor on paper
2010
Corn and Milo
0" x 12" watercolor on paper
2010

Worked on some watercolor sketches while in the mid west this month.
While Texas is green and full f growth Kansas ans Nebraska are still the bread basket of America, in my opinion.

August 3

The plains landscape
12" x18" Water media and collage on paper
2010

lHills and Valleys Landscape
12" x 18" water media and collage on paper
2010

Finished two new landscapes.

July14

farm#1

mixed Media

24" x 36"watermedia and collage on paper

2010

hide and seek

Mixed Media

22" x 32" watermedia and collage on paper

2010

I have finished two pieves for the seguin fantasy show coming up in two weks the third is a of yet incomplete.

1. the second is called

July 09

Well I'm here for the awards and still don't know where I stand. I don't like indecision on any ones part no matter who. There's or mine o usually know when I have to male a decision and try to abide with a Timely use of time and talents.

Not time yet but it's getting closer with each passing moment. Sitting her listening to the banter and drinking a Heineken. When you are waiting time passes so slowly.

Well got third place in mixed media the prize paid for the entry fee and the frame and matt.

Ian pleased and feel honored to be chosen as a recipient if an award for my creation. I'm lucky to have been chosen.
Not bad

July 08

It has been announced to me that I have won an award at the Texas show. As a way of assuring as many participants as possible show up at the reception to accept their awards and to keep It fresh, they don't tell the recipients what they have won just that they have won something. Part of the problem becomes the anxiety of waiting to find out if you were awarded first, second, third, or honorable mention, of course there is also the Heineken's best of show award.so are you at the top of the heap or at the bottom of the pit. It is better to let it ride. It is better to have been recognized than ignored so we will see what happens. Well after tomorrow will resolve the question and it will be final.

I have finished the farm collage, it will be framed and hung in the Fantasy Show in Sequin in August. The figure of speech I chose was the broad side of a barn. Then I get to start a new piece. Based inn barbed wire fence post and grass. It should be fun.

In the vegetative world our grass has almost totally grown back after the disastrous winter and spring when we developed burn spots in over 50 percent of the front and back yard. All is well that ends well.

July 04

Had a great celebration of Americas birthday.started the day off with church at Crosses' new santuaey. Carl and Shirley along with mom was here to help us celebrate this great birthdays. It's hot here in Texas near 100 sunny and bright. Kids are all in Virginia together to celebrate as well as a number of the Filzen clan.

I have almost finished my farm collage. Will finally put the finishing touches on it because it goes into an exhibit at the end of the month. Will post on my blog when finished.

July 03

This is the beginning of the independence day holiday.

We should allpray that the stupidity that seems has invaded Washington at this time will not transform America into a third world socialist country.

July 01

I keep asking myself if this will be my last July. With age comes deterioration and discomfort, i wonder at how mom has done it for 90 years. Although I am a Christian, and have been saved for a longtime, I still am fearful of that step into eternity. Jesus called it falling asleep, and seemingly left the term death for a step into hell.

On a different note I will throw my hat into the Frey today by entering "fields of green and skies of blue" into the Texas show at the new braunfels Art Leagues special show for july.

I still working on the farm landscape collage.

Alex remnants approaches and we are expecting a bit of rain.

So it goes and we continent on.

June 30

Hard to believe that another month has past us by.
Alex approaches!

June 29

June 29

took on the rocks down to the UYSA Health Sciences Center gfor the 5th exposition 2010 in the Psychiatry Department. went with Roger Betchle who also hasd two pieces displayed. T.hen we went to lunch at the French sandwitch. it was wonderful. All in all a delightful day on the road.

June 24

Still am working on the latest landscape farm collage,Some days you just don't get a lot done This too shall pass from me eventually.
Its not always enough to plow ahead, sometimes you have to go sideways.

June 20

Church on Sunday, communion to day will see how that works. Thank God that we have a/c in the church it's already. 90 degrees outside .
Got further on the new farm collage. Barn is almost done and i'm ready to start the silo and Any other it buildings.
This week coming is almost totaly devoid of anything substantial to do.
The glod word is that there no longer visibly possessed people. But are not the mentaly insane possessed rather than being Ill.
I was told that thee are two types of mental illness,
1] chemical imbalance
2] possession.i
the devils two bigest successes are
one] that we have been convinced there is no devil.
two] that the devil is all powerful

June 18

Off to the hematologist today for a return visit to see how cumadin level is on my blood. The last time with Gonzolaz it was 2.0 and the last time with Dr. Kaolin is was 2.0. It is supposed to be between 2.0 - 3.0.
I am under the assumption that Kaplan wants it closer to 2.5. Well see how it goes this afternoon.

Diagnosis: is phlebitis, deep vessel.

So today's level came out at 1.9, no genetic mutations were found and the thrombosis problem is not chronic so with no unforeseen problems the therapy will end in July.

Finally got the Smokerrr straighted out. Ordered the one rthat was recommended by Terry, as soon As we get the chance we will return the wrong one.they sent for a full refund. Unless we decide to keep both

June 01

Off to the doctors today.

Dr. Lane for Paulette to check her eyes and lens after replacement surgery.

Dr Gonzalez for me this afternoon to check my Cumadin level and the clot in my left leg.

Then off to the post office to pick up two weeks of mail.

Planning on a new large format collage of farm country with barn and silo, hills and dales.

The wild glowers are growing like mad around home got to get a few pictures for my collection.

Will start with a construction the major elements I brown and beige papers, them I will switch to water color and mixed color collageing papers. Fondly I will work in light color collage for emphasis.

Got one of my pieces "On the Rocks " was accepted for the 5th show The University of Texas Medical School, Department of Psychiatry

May 30

114,632

Leaving Paul's valley.

385 miles to go to get home, stopped at McDonald's to start off the trip.

Got gas in Marietta, OK for gas $35.00. 87 miles to Dallas.

1:45pm stopped I'm Tempe for lunch at a subway 125 miles to go to get home

Got gas &27.61 for 10.38 gallons at 19 mph

got home at 5:15pm

May 29

114,168

Today we leave for home, we will leave at about 8;30am to get going.

On toward Beatrice the Fairbury and Hebron

114,682

Stopped in Pauls Valley.

Dinner at Pumpkins. Chicken fried steak and catfisk was excellent

May 28

You need to write to Bill and apologised about missing him at Seward. I was shown his New piece for the synodical convention and marvrel at the intensity and it's power. Bill has done a magnificant job of communicating his brillance on his canvas of life.

May 27

Went to Seward to see Bill Wolfram at Concordia University. Got there about 12;00pm after going to Wally world and MacDonald's. Bill wasn't there and we talked to a number of the the Art faculty about what was going on there an they showed me the piece bill did for the convention in Huston, after the convention it will come back and be placed in the. Chapel at Seward.

Looked at student work and was impresses with convince the influence Bill had on the students. Some really excellent self portraits in charcoal and paint with texture and a number of relief pieces done with wash and gouging.

May 25

Off to Lincoln to work on Doris's computer and try to get it them and running. Seems she can't get on her broad band Internet.

Will probably have to clean up a lot of stuff on both of her computers. Might have to call my tech line to get the command to see and edit the window start up files.

Working on some water colors of plants and flowers. Continuing to work in the sketch books to keep the hand and heart busy. Got some new photo-graphs of Vera's roses and irises'.

All of the roses have bloomed while we have been here. The vegetation's is in growth mode. Trees are bursting out with new growth, shrubs and bushes are biding forth.

Worked on a number of sketches in my sketch books as well as a smaller watercolor for fun and relaxation. Now its starting to get more difficult and needs more concentrated effort to complete.

Planning on a new series of larger water media and collage to fit in the 10 new frames we got yesterday at the flea markets and garage sales in Lincoln. Most all of them came with a matt board ready to go. Most will needs a bit of touch up on the corners and edges to spruce them up for use.

Planning to working some of the Nebraska farm scenery into the landscapes probably some farm builds to add more dimension to the landscape I am getting more subtle coloration in the lower end of the color spectrum

(blues and purple).

Will keep working on to develop more techniques that are consistent with the styles I am currently working with

May 21

Today we are off to some flea markets to see if we can get some usable frames. Since we cut our own mats we would preferably want frames with glass or plastic ready to go.

Then we are off to the golden corral for a Friday night feast, them home for some syfy.

Still waiting to hear From the university of Texas psychiatry department at San Antonio to see if any of my pieces have been accord fort the July show on San Antonio. If accepted I will have to leave them up for six months. All sales from the show will have to be done through the artist, no commission goes to the university

Still thinking about doing some portraits in either oil or watercolor on canvas. If I give it a really good coat of gesso then the really smooth surface will lend itself to either medium easily. We will see how it goes and how far I want to go.

May 20

Went into Lincoln to see the sights, stopped at an antique mall. Allof the shit other people want to get rid Of as treasures and clean out there garage.

Got a 1991 Budweiser bee mug for $3.00. Saw a real good portrait of a girl in pastels for $75.00, I don't buy stuff I can do my self.

Stopped at an Aardvark shit mall to see if there was anything worth looking at in the way of antiques, I use the term lightly. It would seem that everyones junk is up for sale. I forgot ghat we are currently in an economic down turn. Some people must need the income to make ends meet. But if you had that much good stuff, why do you have to resort to an antique mall?

Fringe final episode was well worth the wait, now we have to wait till the fall to see the fruits of the changes that were made today. Since the show is essentially apacoliptial we will will there be any permanent changes or has this been a paradigm shift or a true change.

May 18

Off to Beatrice to see the world and how things are going out there and the wild eastern plains of Nebraska near the Nehemiah river valley.

Went to Wally world to see if they had what we need as well as a couple of cards (2) for anniversary V&T for their (35th anniversary) , and a DVD player for Vera

May 5

Off to Central Texas Imaging for an ultrasound of my left hand and lower right leg to see if there is an obstruction causing the swelling in some of my extremities. Otherwise it should be an infection that is causing the problem. There but lets not ump to conclusion could be a problem with th fiunctioning of the Kidney, but lets not jump to conclusions

May 2

Off to see Mom in Seguin.
Working on some more new collage pieces to keep my hand working better and my mind off the medical problems, I have developed a problem of water retention and swelling in some of my extremities, as well as a problem with my Kidneys not processing water, probably due to an infection. Off for ultrasound next week Wednesday as well as a follow up visit to the doctor on Friday. Hoping this to will pass.

April 30

April 30
I was to take fields of green and sky of blue into NBAL for the 45th Anniversary show but they changed the date for entry and I missed it.
Well at least I got it framed and ready for the next show.

April 18

Church and Denny's nothing else special going on. I guess I have been silent on all things that have to do with my art.

I exhibited at the Artz '10 in Shertz last week. It was truly a different venue the show was onlu up for a few days. A lot of work for so little to show.

Trying to get some paintings finished in watercolor and collage, thinking about going off in a new direction, trying to get some figurative pieces started and work into them with collage and acrylic and possibly pastel either wax and or oil.

Planning on a new landscape based on the post card from vera and terry (Missouri)

March 24

fields of green and sky of blue

24" 36" mixed media and collage

It took me a little longer than I thought to finish up the third piece. I use the regular collaging material as wrapper paper from fast food restaurants as well as the introduction of Christmas colored wrapping tissue I have been working in of late. These new pieces are an extent ion of the pieces I have been working on a for a while now.
This piece is more strictly a watercolor and a collage than those done in the past. I continue to explore the use fast food wrappers as well as Christmas tissue paper and other various paper materials.

2010 $500.00

March 18

containment

12" x 18" mixed media on paper

2010

$350

bales

12" x 18" mixed media on paper

2010

$350

Finished two pieces today and am well on the way to a third.

these are mixed media pieces, watercolor and collage with pastel, oil pastel, wax pastel and acrylic on paper.

March 16

I really need go get busy, I am currently working on three pieces. I have not finished more than two pierces of late this year. Mind races to keep up with new things I see in my mind and fails to deliver on almost anything I try to do. Is this a painters block? I am Planning on working on some mixed media pieces with pastel and charcoal today and try to finish what I have started. I intend to finish one today. I find that if I get going on something my mind will no let me go to something else. I need to start on a project then keep going if I want to get it done. I have too many things floating around in my head. As I get older I have to prioritize my thought to set things in motion.I have to make a concerted effort to follow through with something.
We are also going to try the new bar in New Braunfels Phoenix that has just reopened after 92 years. It close in 1918, back open last week.

March 12

Had the Seguin Oakwood Art League Show committee meeting today to decide on the exhibits for SOAL for this year. we decided on two special shows Fantasy and Something Special as well as the three shows for the Sequin schools Art departments.

February 28

flowering

24" x 36" mixed media" water media and collagre on paper

2010

crop circles

12" x 18" watermedia and collage on paper

2010

grass

24:" x 36" water media and collage on paper above

2010

How about that February is over for the most part its been an interesting month. We hung the water media show in Seguin Friday . 24 pieces were entered by local Seguin Artist for the show. My flowering piece shown above will be entered in the "in Bloom " show in New Braunfels tomorrow. I feel good about the 5 pieces Paulette and I entered in the Seguin show. Two are shown above. Will try to post the rest in due time.
Tomorrow we enter my "flowering " into the "in Bloom" show in New Braunfels at the Art League.
Yesterday morning I Spilled my coffee on my Iphone and its kaput.
It is better to have had an Iphone and lost it, than to never have had one.
We are planning our itenarary for this year and are going north for visiting and sight seeing. Thinking about West Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colarado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Missouri, it is time to see what we can before I am no longer able to get around at all.

February 22

My new water media and collage is more than half completed.
Have three shows coming up in the coming weeks
1] Sequin Oakwood Art League watercolor show at the end of this week
2] New Braunfels Art League " In Bloom" show at the beginning of next week
3] Artz'10 in Shertz at the end of March
Almost finished all of the pieces. Still have a bunch that need framing.
Funny how a deadline gets you busy

February 15

Off to work on a new piece. I am impatient . The starting stuff often takes hours and gets in the way? But there is no way to get around it. It has to be done so that I can go on the other parts. Ithink this will be another large format collage and water media . Will stick with the idea of the landscape there is a lot of latitude with landscapes.

February 11

grass

12" x19" Mixed Media

watermedia and collage

2010

Farm Landscape

12" x 18" Mixed Media"

watermedia and colage

2010

The first I an gettingg tired of saying that my pieces are almost done suffice it to day they ain't done yet. iSnce I keep saying that I have not finished these two I have been working on for some time.
I believe the two above speak for them selves. But I am working on them. I do see the end in sight. The weather is supposed to be really bad today.

Right now well I guess I did get them done.These are the firstpieces finished in 2010.

February 4

It did stop, 50 degrees and reasonably comfortable, still not done with the paintings. may be today!
Still listening to the political verbiage and nonsense going on.So there is no longer a Democrat party according to our fearless leader. now its only the progressives. He has also relabeled the republicans the birthers in an attempt to minimize there claims. We should call him, the renaming president change the name so they won't know what you are doing.

February 3

Rain, rain go away.

We turned in the piece " contemplating the Cross of Christ" by Bill Wolfram's for the new Church yesterday.

Got both paintings done to where I can almost see the end. The little one needs some work on the upper regions and the larger one needs some blending and some watercolor wash it in some of the regions for the composition to give both depth and consolidation. The end is in sight. When I reach that point I will post the picture in a number of places including here.

January 23

To work on the collage pieces would give me the opportunity together back to work.
Didn't get accepted for the Austin show.
January is almost over the time is rapidily running out.
So what is so important that it can't wait

January 22

At the doctors office waiting for my blood test.
On to Denny's for breakfast.
Then off to Wallie World to pay the monthly bill.
Hopefully get go work on grass and maybe even finish it. Started a new piece.
It is remarkable just how mundane life can be at times

January 21

Things go on, we encounter the things that we want to stop us. if something is not in our way we can create an obstacle. Do not cloud your way with unimportant obstructions. Life is too short to be encumbered e here is too short to be encumbered, by the mundane

January 13

It is cloudy today and a little warmer. Received the Wolfram's Art yesterday. Pieces are magnigficent. One will be donatred to the Church and one we will keep and display near his other piece of Art we already have.

January 10

it would seem that we need to do for our salvation is to believe is to not reject what god has offered to.
time for some watercolor landscapes. wild grass scenes,
hills and streams, some paths or roads.
time for some slowly built landscapes scenic vistas.

January 7

I listen to Glen Beck, and I am worried about America. My wife and friends are also worried. we see the possibilkity of an America not as good as the obne in which we grew up, Truthfully we already see that.

I want my five grandchildren to see and experience the America I grew up with. I will be the first to recognize that not everything that has come before was for te good of the country,just as not everything we do serves our greater purpose to serve the Lord. Part of what we are is as much asd wse push for what we see it as, or the way we think it should be.

January 6

It is becoming depressing to see all of the clear and transparent things the Democrats are doing there best to permanently take over America and transform it into a single political party system. Regulating the power production and education, Regardless of the impending debt, the devastating dilemma of huge and a looming bureaucratic take over of most of the government and subsequently the companies and the health care system, the unions, insurance companies, the automobile production, power supply and education.

Seeing the number of mistakes they are making it does not instill confidence as well as the pretty wining and back stabbing and lying, they exhibit constantly. Looking at the way the have managed Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Amtrak, the Post Office, none of which are profitable or stable. And now they want to control the rest of our economy.

So where is that hope and change we were promised? It must be in the same place as the clear and transparent legislation we were promised?

In my world of Art I sent in the last four larger format collages into the AustinArtSpace Gallery for possible insertion into the "For the Love of Art" Show.

On a different note Jessica informed me that she is again with child and due in August. Congratulations

January 4

Well we are on our way to a new week in the new year.

January 3

I haven't made up my mind as to if I should enter the Austin Art show.

I guess I still a little timid about acceptance am still a bit gun shy and it is easier to stay were I am already accepted.

Branching out tends to cause some anxiety, like not standing on firm ground. I have the feeling that I need to stay were I am. I need to get off my duff.

Still working on grasses, doing some more related sketches, trying to get down what to help me orient were I am and were I want to go.I guess I tend to drag these out trying to figure out if they will be judged on the merit of the work or acceptance based on popularity. Stuck in the same rut I accuse others of. Art should be judged on the merits of the work, not on the popularity of the artist.

January 1

Just as the sun dawns so also time passes and gives a new beginning in this our eathky realm

It is as usual morning dawns and the time marches on. The calendar turns and with the grace of our God we continue on our journey through god's time and space. Knowing for sure that we in the service to our Lord know that this will mean the end of all things here on earth. Surely God is ready to end the experiment earth here on earth. With this failure, we will all be judged for what we are, what we done. And mostly for for what we believe.

Happy New Year.

December 30

Off to the doctor to seee if I qualify for a scooter, Kind of mixed feelings, am I bad enough to have to use one or am I still kind of OK? I guess we will see how things goes, after all we do leave those things in God's hands. He does set our providence.

Then to lunch and to Walmarts to get a few things for the new years eve, Mom is coming to spend the evening with us.

Fleshed out a lot of the base for Grasses, got the ditrectrion done some of the values and some of the collade, could get it done by the end of the year, not likley probabily for next year.

Also got the photograph almost done for a new drawing and photograph piece.

I want to do all of the grand kids (hope and planning for that)

December 29 finally back to work on a larger collage piece. This one is based on the prarie grass. I experienced it both in Kansas and Nebraska as wsell as in Texas. In and around Seward was some of the last remnants of the original grasses from centuries before.