fortune faces

So the faces of the artworks are always coming and going under my pen or brush or hands... the immoveable objects of internal strife and struggle are always there. I find that it is strange in a way to delve into these things artistically however lately I'm comfortable with the thought of being able to work these things in. Some faces I learn to manipulate... if they are for hatred or pain, I work them to the opposite side, trying to improve my life and my images and my expression. Hopefully this will reverse the negative aspects of myself. The creative output being a ritual for change.

my own personal legion

Lately it seems that with my own personal growth and exploration I have found more friends on the inside. What do I mean by "on the inside"? Well they are all in my mind. These friends span history and speak to me on different levels and are currently helping me piece together my own personal art story. For me this is more than an act of hands, it's a belief or a religious path I feel I'm following. The entire time that's the way it's been. I just needed to take it seriously which I always had a hard time doing. Now I have friends, don't misunderstand. I really haven't been "alone" per se but with life comes times of feeling lonely no matter how many friends we actually have and sometimes it's about appreciating those around us or seeing how we've taken these relationships for granted. Art has always been a friend and I'm learning on a deeper level than ever before. I have realized I make relationships with the images and internalize them. They affect me on an emotional level. They have become my "friends". They reveal to me truths about myself... some truths I couldn't find on my own or weren't obvious. Certain past artists do this for me as well. I feel as though I am digging in my quest and so I'm finding more and more. These artists come and go. They tell their story and suddenly I can visit it. This has made my own art story more enjoyable. I am able to find endless advice from centuries of voices. This is a powerful thing.