interesting. .. . . . . . ... . . .

I gotta say, this past was pretty interesting. In terms of work, it was same old same old, but I was able to go to a very cultural show at the Miami Performing Arts Center - for those of you from Miami who know the whole drama with the PAC, I refuse to call it by any other name since they'll change it again whenever they need more money. I digress. 

The show was "the Life & Times of Celia Cruz" - I'm Cuban American, but I honestly never listened to her music growing up - on purpose anyway - but the show was great. Cheesy at times, and pretty sad, but the music was great and it was a pretty high-energy performance. 

Not that a nice cultural night wasn't what I needed, I was able to throw back to my less responsible days and see one of my all-time favorite punk bands: Rancid!

It's been 2 years since I last saw them, and they honestly get better with every show. They played all of my favorite songs, and honestly didn't stop for more than 2 minutes during the whole performance. I know I'm getting old because I couldn't stand all the little teenage fuckers running around trying to act as hard as possible. Well, proof that I'm getting old is also the fact that I stay away from mosh pits because of all the sweat that gets passed around - it's pretty nasty.

So what was the artistic result of all these activities????

The department door is open!

Not that Blogspot.com or DeviantArt.com aren't fulfilling enough, but I have been thinking for some time to launch my OWN website. The site would pretty much be an online store and journal where I could peddle my wares and jot down whatever BS i have going through my mind.

The best part, of course, is that I don't know the first thing about web design. Regardless, I bought the naming rights to www.departmentm.net. If you go there now, you'll find a place I like to call nooooottttthhhhhiiinnngggg (said of course in a very dark voice).

So, as if trying to get my name in the art circle, while trying to START and FINISH the first part of my comic book, and attempt to draw steady so my skills don't get rusty weren't enough of challenge, I figured I would add learning to design my own website to the mix. You know, just to spice things up.

Speaking of drawing steady, I reached 4,000 pageviews on Deviantart.com. That may not seem like a lot to some, nor an actual achieve to others, but i'm rather pleased. I even posted this piece of shit to show how much:

4K

The Good Fight

So walking around with some friends the other night I came across this guy's art gallery. Pretty bad ass stuff. Not the MOST original style I have ever seen, but then again, what artist doesn't draw influence and inspiration from those who've come before them? I for one have blatantly ripped off styles, poses, colors, etc. all in the name of "inspiration." 

Regardless, I have to say my reaction to seeing that place kind of ignited a bomb inside me with rage and envy. I didn't express it, I just kept walking. But my reaction was still not a good one, because as well know, that leads to the dark side. But seriously - I wasn't pissed at this guy - just myself. I never went to art school, nor do I ever hang out with artists. I went the other route and live the empty, corporate life, with art on the side. (I mean that professionally speaking of course, the remaining aspect of my life are quite fulfilling).

It just pisses me off that I would never have the balls to drop it all and start my own place like that. As it is, I'm not even sure how good my art. I get so many mixed reviews with everything from "your style is childish shit" to "cool". Never a 'beautiful', nor an 'inspirational' - not that i need that kind of validation from other people, but it would sure as shit make me feel better if i were to really put the green down for an investment like starting my own gallery. 

I guess that's where the conflict arises - I want to do so many things, all at once, yet I don't have the patience to even start one of them. I mean, right now I've got a pipeline consisting of drawing a comic book, designing a messenger bag, a children's book, t-shirts, and an upcoming art show. Gotta say, I have no idea how to finish just one of these considering I work in one of the most time-demanding industries around. 

For example, I just finished this piece:

For me, I would want to turn this piece into a million different things, from a photo print to a bus stop banner. But why? I mean, uploading my stuff online is pretty much the extent of my exposure these days.

So i guess I just have to get my shit together - like any artist - and make the sacrifice. 

Some day. But in the mean time, we fight.