Down from "ninety-nine" (part 3 of 5)

 For me, it’s exciting to guess what everyone might think about when they look at my artwork; doubly so to know what everyone might be expecting.  I do know that whatever you are expecting to see from me isn’t what you’ll get.  There’s a lot of misconceptions that everyone already has and they are all because of me; it was designed that way to begin with…it’s how people get excited about things.  But the reality of it all is that when you see the artwork, there will be confusion…not quite instantly but confusion none the less.  You will all wonder and think about what you’re looking at and why you’re looking at it.  You might even find a way to ask me to answer some of those questions for you.  You will probably expect that there is a perfectly rational reason that I have done what I did and there most certainly is.  You might even understand that everything here is very harmless because you understand that sometimes an artist has to reach a little to find inspiration (especially an artist that enjoys creating confusion almost as much as he enjoys creating the artwork itself).

On so many occasions I have hidden things in my artwork that maybe someone dozens of years from now will find and realize that I was either a genius or a very obsessed, over zealous fool with more delusions than the average Betty Ford resident…whichever the case, I take it as a compliment.  However, this series, of which there are enormous opportunities to hide well placed messages in do not have any.  Everything is face value and straight forward and I believe that might cause many problems.  Let me try and explain; see, when I hide cryptic messages within complicated symbolism, people have a choice…they can look very hard to see exactly what I meant when I did it or you could very easily just look at it and enjoy it for what it is without having to understand any of it.  By taking beauty for beauty’s sake, you don’t ever have to have the burden of knowing something that you might not have wanted to know.  This time, I just didn’t give you the choice and that I believe is what will cause the most problems.  It’s human nature to want to know – if there is something that’s worth knowing anyway.  It’s very much like when someone reads one of those headlines on a tabloid at the supermarket; you don’t need to be specifically interested in who it is to want to know what they are talking about; just the hint at something more is all anyone needs.

I could take the high road and tell you before hand that none of it means anything but I’d be lying.  It’s silly to think that anything I do could mean ABSOLUTELY nothing when I created this artwork but I will say that it would be very irresponsible if I didn’t explain that sometimes it’s also human nature to want there to be a much better story behind it than there probably is.  It’s funny, sometimes I get emails asking me about what I meant by something or someone asks me what I was thinking or even who something was for and when I tell them, they are always disappointed.  I will admit, just this once, that I probably over play it down because I don’t enjoy starting problems and trust me, in the past I have started some useless battles just because I put some lines on a piece of paper for someone else.  I hope you can understand a little better about why I tone it down about who I do certain artwork for…but I think of it like a secret that I made sure I wouldn’t talk about.  I don’t want war…you can look at my artwork and know I stay away from conflict.  I just know that this series has the potential to cause a little hurricane of issues but you should really just take it for what it’s worth and not think to hard about it; just love it or hate it for what it is – trust me, life will be much more enjoyable if you do.

-jason.

Here you go-another promo- tomorrow, part 4 of 5-

Down from "ninety-nine" (part 2 of 5)

Hate is an interesting word; we use it in everyday conversation as liberally as we use the word love which, in most cases begin to loose it’s meaning.  In fact, hate is really a very loaded word that depends on it’s context and the way it’s said.  It can be the driving force at work or the reason to excel at something; it can be just as inspirational as the word love when invoked properly; it can also mean the same thing…they are for the most part, playfully interchangeable.

“ninety-nine” is very much inspired by that hate I was talking about above and when you begin to see the artwork in a few short days, you just won’t understand where the hate is; I already know you won’t.  A feeling makes a great writer or artist or composer create amazing things; some directors love doing what they do so much, the end result might just be the most horrifying and hate-filled movie experience you have ever witnessed.  Some painters decide to use that pure hate for an establishment to create the most beautiful (and subtly anti-establishmental) works of art that only barely hint at a less than pure motive.  Hate is a misnomer…there is hate everywhere; it drives us, gives us butterflies and yes, it even opens our eyes to possibilities when love seems to close us off and blinds us.

I decided from the beginning that “ninety-nine” would be sort of upside down and kind of non traditional to me but I always have these thoughts in the back of my mind like, “It’s ok, I can just do these heavy pieces now because there’s always going to be time for me to go back and fit in more of my normal stuff.”  But in reality, tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone and I am thankful that I have done as much artwork as I have had the opportunity to do so far.  As silly as it sounds, I write down notes about all of the artwork I want to do; all of the ideas and poems and short stories and whatnot, in my computer just to feed this delusion of grandeur that I seem to have about what will happen after I am gone.  I think to myself, if I leave enough notes and a clear direction, maybe someone that comes along after me will want to finish it all up; after all, they are really great ideas.  I know it’s a bit pretentious and egotistical of me to think anyone would ever want to sift through any of this half finished mess to find out that they have a lifetime of someone else’s work to finish up but it makes me feel better.  I think that right now, I have somewhere around 300 pieces of artwork, in various forms, from almost completed to just a title written in a list that could potentially never see the light of day.  Some of them are so incredibly amazing ideas that I very much want them to see the light of day but as I said before, tomorrow is promised to no one.

Now, you might have read all that and wondered to yourself, why Jason; why would you decide to push off so many great ideas that you already have just to bang out 99 more pieces of artwork that you had no idea you were going to do four days ago?  There you go; Hate has inspired me to let go of all of those ideas (for now) to do something that I am not entirely sure I can even do.  The hate for being this one-trick pony that can churn out artwork that has no impact beyond the people who like anything that happens to be blue and red that particular day.  I don’t want to be famous or even revered in any way but I do want to be remembered for doing things that the majority of people don’t quite understand but want to.  I want to be remembered for doing something that one person could like, one person will love and one person will hate.

So, when you finally look at these and you think you understand them, maybe get them or are completely confused by the whole damn thing just know that I did my job.  (It would also kind of be nice if they were pleasant to look at)

-jason.

*Check Back Tomorrow for Part 3 and a new Promotional poster!  Hope you enjoy this one!

Down from "ninety-nine" (part 1 of 5)

Sometimes I'd sit here and explain about how I got the ideas for certain pieces of artwork and sometimes I'd even explain how I decided to go about creating the pieces...but "ninety-nine" is special; I couldn't pick it apart if I tried.  I think I sat down with this group of pieces and decided that I wouldn't think about them at all.  I think I decided right at the very beginning (which was early last week) that like a painter, I would just pick up a brush and let whatever I was feeling spill all over the canvas this time.  It was a lot less messy being digital but it's amazing that the pen feels so much like a brush and the tips are as close to exactly what I would have used that I tried to do one with a brush for real and they came out the exactly the same.  I wanted to show everyone what I was feeling without making it completely obvious to the world but I wanted all of them to be unique.  I was even a bit worried about how many of these I could actually do; I mean, would I just run out before I hit #99? or why should I even do 99 in the first place?  A week ago it was an idea, a day later I wasn't sure and the day after that when I wrote down all the reasons to do the artwork - I knew right away that 99 pieces were perfect to begin with.  I thought, are there even 99 reasons?  then when I started writing them down and within a few minutes I got to #64 (I remember stopping there and looking at my list thinking, wow...it's only been a few minutes) and I knew I had more in me.  The artwork itself was much easier...I would just start pushing that color around.  Now I am not nearly done with a third of them and 5 days from now I should be done with about 50...and for once, I am not worried about how they look or if they need something more or if they aren't just quite right...because they will be - because these 99 paintings (more so than the majority of my work up till now) comes straight from my heart and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you for reading; Here is Promo#2 - check back tomorrow for part 2 of 5 and another promo piece -thanx for reading!
-jason

Series "ninety-nine" Inspired by Hate

Hello Everyone, it's been quite a while; I have been very busy designing and creating an amazing series of artwork that was going to debut last month called the "Something Bigger Series" as well as finishing the last three (3) pieces of the "INCIRCLES Series" but while I was making everything final on all of the new artwork, there were complications...


See, sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right in your heart and that is why I have decided to hold off on the 36+ pieces I have planned in the "Something Bigger Series" and the last few in the "INCIRCLES Series" to bring you something from left field.


Somethings are important to do right away; when the time is right and this is coming from someone with horrible timing...so while I have the opportunity to even do this artwork, I am going to.  Some things are just more important to me than throwing some lines on a page just to say that I did it...I hope you understand.


On September 19, 2010 you will see the first in a series of Digital Paintings that I am calling "ninety-nine" - these pieces have no special manipulation, they are all free hand with no color adjustments...nope, everything is done by me pushing color around the canvas only in this case, it's done with a digital pen. These pieces have no symbolism, they are abstract, and they are very self explanatory...they are also inspired by something very special...they are inspired by 'HATE'. You will figure out kind of quickly why I named the Series "ninety-nine" but you won't understand where the 'HATE' comes from but let me assure you that it is there...you only need to look for it.


I don't know when I will release the other pieces I originally had for you but eventually you will but my guess, it won't be until after Christmas because I still intend to put out those Holiday designs that I know you all love.


So, I hope you swing back around on the 19th of September to see what I've got for you and I hope you enjoy them but until that day comes, enjoy this Promotional Piece that depicts the official release logo.


Thank you and goodnight.
-jason

Happy Birthday!

Today happens to be the day that one of my best friends in the whole wide world was born...and if you check back a little later today you will get some special artwork to commemorate this great day-Thanx Dina, I love you to death lady.

-me

"Everlasting Love" Special Edition from the 'Something Bigger Series'

Over the past year I have wanted to do this piece of artwork and I have done maybe 12 different variations, none of them ever finished because I just didn't like any of them.  I just didn't 'feel it' the way I wanted to.  I wanted this to look just as special as I knew it needed to be; just as important as I felt about it.  It wasn't until last week that I knew how I wanted this to be and there was no stopping it once I began.

Yesterday, a dear friend of mine lost her mother to cancer...but it was in my friend's strength throughout the entire ordeal that gave me the inspiration; it's amazing how a few words and a pure heart could move you to create something you loved to do as I did.  My heart cries for her in this time of loss just as I continue to battle with adversity and if I am half as strong a person as she is, I will be just fine.  Her unwavering strength and dedication should be an inspiration to everyone who is going through difficult times and I know first hand that it all has to do with the great love she has for her mother and the love she has for her family and friends.  I am overjoyed to be able to call her my friend as I have known her since I was 5 years old and even through hard times and years without a word, she found it in her heart to continue to be my friend.

Although I did this piece of artwork with the inspiration she gave me, this is not only for her mother but for all of the moms out there that you have lost along the way.  This is a Special Pink Monochrome of the original that will be released in the 'Something Bigger Series' in early August.  This is based on a concept that another young lady who means the world to me wanted me to do way back when I began working on this a year ago for her mother whom she had also lost.  So, for these two special ladies and everyone else out there who has endured heartbreak on a level that is unimaginable to most people, just know that I love you all and this "Everlasting Love" that you have for those wonderful women who were taken much too soon is alive in your very beautiful smiles.

Thank you, I love you all very much.

"Everlasting Love"

"More Than a Dream"

Here we go; sometimes I just want to do a fun piece of artwork...something that just peeks inside and pulls some of that good feeling I happen to be feeling out.  This may be the most abstract piece in the entire series but it's completely simple...nothing complicated...it's just a bit of a fun look at a reality; like I said, it's abstract but I think it carries a clear message...it's just more than just a dream.

And now, for the next in the 'INCIRCLES Series' here is "More Than a Dream" - in full HD for you to download-

Next, "Politely" on Sunday-

Thank you all, I miss you and I love you all...(especially, I love you)
-me

"More Than a Dream"

Special Edition Artwork Preview-

I usually make it a point to not push out artwork for the sake of pushing it out; I love everything to carry a meaning to at least someone out there and even though I am not finished releasing my 'INCIRCLES Series' yet, I have a special Pink Monochrome release for you soon.  I have to wait for final approval on it which is why you won't see it today.  The artwork piece is a Pink Monochrome of a full color piece that you will see in my upcoming series 'Something Bigger' and it's entitled, "Everlasting Love".  I hope I can share it with you soon but I don't want to push anything before I know for sure.

Thank you all for your support-I miss you all.  (especially you...for real)
-me

The INCIRCLES Series

There are four more pieces of artwork I have yet to release in this year's first series of all new artwork, 'The INCIRCLES Series' and I have a bit more to accomplish than simply showing you four more drawings.  I hope to accomplish much more; I hope to show you what I have been trying to show you from the beginning...I just want you to know that there are always more than one way to say something.  There is always more than one meaning to the same thing, there will always be another chance to say something that you never intended on saying and there will always be one person that knows the real truth.

I suppose I have four more pictures in this series to show you what I mean; hopefully I have saved the best four to show you.

I miss you and I really would like to see you.
-me

"Yes" (#13 in the Wild Hearts Collection)

Well, for the final piece of artwork in my 'Wild Hearts Collection' and in my opinion, the one with the greatest meaning of them all.  See, the word Yes is pretty much self explanatory but if someone says it in the correct context, it can bring grown men to their knees and it can make the coldest heart melt.

Yes, I love you.  Yes, I need you.  Yes, I want to be with you.  Yes, you mean the world to me.  Yes, forever just couldn't be long enough with you.  Simply, Yes.

I have made it a point throughout the years to say Yes whenever I had the opertunity and whenever I wasn't stupid enough to let the moment pass me by and I thank the stars for all of the adventures in life and love I have been fortunate enough to have.  Remember; for everyone who wants one of those Wild Hearts for yourself, all you need to do is take the leap and just say, Yes.

And now for the last of the 'Wild Hearts Collection' in HD..."Yes"; I hope you enjoyed them all.

I miss you terribly...yes, you.
-from me.

"Yes"

"Love" (#12 in the Wild Hearts Collection)

Love is amazing; it makes food taste better and movies more enjoyable; it makes life worth living, brings inspiration to the uninspired and gives everyone lucky enough to find it, a purpose greater than you could ever imagine.

Love is many things to many people; man has written volumes of poetic verse on it and it has driven millions to achieve great things.  I have gone on for hundreds of pages writing about Love in every form and I have attempted to create works of art to depict it's endless uses; I have even tried tirelessly to find my own.  I could not do Love the justice it deserves without all of the stories people have told me about their own triumphs and failures; they give me insight and the reason to keep believing in it as much as I do.

I have often spoke of Love as if it were this very simple and attainable 'thing' that others make out to be a complicated and chaotic mess that usually ends in pain.  It is all of these things to many different people but to those who take the chance; for those who allow themselves to be vulnerable to it's shortcomings...it can be the most gratifyingly, amazing experience to to have.

Love to one of those Wild Hearts is a necessity.  You can't live without it and if you happen to be without someone who has Love for you at this moment, you have simply not opened your eyes.  Love is attracted by people who exhibit it.  Love is found by people who express it.  Love is realized by those who do not worry about the adverse effects of it's loss.  Love is forever; it has a beginning but has no end.  Love never goes away but Love always has room for more.  Love is never replaced; only more is created.  Love is entirely, all encompassing without exception.  Love is the greatest adventure and I for one can't wait to have it.

I am not sure if I will ever have the opertunity for Love again but I am glad to have found out what it was like, even if it was only for a short time.  Hold onto Love and do not squander it; if you never listen to anything I ever say again or you never learn anything from me, remember that Love is all you need even if everything in the world has taught you otherwise.  They are wrong; completely wrong.

And here is "Love" from the 'Wild Hearts Collection' in HD - I hope you enjoy it and I hope you take my words and hold them close to your Wild Heart...

I miss you all.  (especially you...)

"Love"

"Guarentee" (#11 in the Wild Hearts Collection)

"I guarantee that I will never give up and I guarantee that I will always be your friend."  -me

I didn't feel like writing anything today...it's just one of those days I suppose.  Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone.

Here is "Guarantee" from the 'Wild Hearts Collection' in HD...I hope you enjoy it.

thanx,
-me

"Guarantee"

"Health" (#10 in the Wild Hearts Collection)

The only thing I can say is that it IS healthy to love; it's NEVER bad for you to love anything.  Sure, sometimes there are those times when your heart hurts because you (believe) you loved too much but let me say this to make things perfectly clear...you can never love too much.  All of those Wild Hearts out there know this all too well.  You can't know what love really is unless you have experienced a little pain from it...otherwise, how could you ever value it the way it was intended?

Health is important to a Wild Heart and to truly be healthy, you need to flex that heart once in a while, even if you know there might end up being some pain involved...a little pain once in a while is a small price to pay to find real love.  Hell, if someone told me I could find the real stuff but I'd end going through excruciating pain, I'd sign up for that in a minute.

So anyway, here is "Health" from the 'Wild Hearts Collection' in HD.

I hope you all enjoy it very much.

I love you and miss you all very much (especially you...yes you...you crazy chick).
-me

"Health"

"Proven" (#9 in the Wild Hearts Collection)

Someone who possesses a Wild Heart has in many ways shown day in and day out why that passion continues to exist through times of joy and times of pain as well.  It is because no matter what they have a strong sense of who they are and what they want out of life, eve if sometimes they can be spontaneous and unpredictable.  It's because they have, on so many occasions, Proven themselves to be the type to rise above the normal drama and the all to common games people play.  When your Wild Heart shows you how life should be, you don't listen to anything except for it.  Don't let your mind sway your emotions; let your emotions guide your life...that's when the adventure begins.  Even if you've been on the roller-coaster before, you still get butterflies when you climb the hill-and if you decide not to ride because of a little fear, you're losing out on an incredible ride.

Here is "Proven" from the 'Wild Heart's Collection' re-release in HD

Thanx, I miss you all...(especially you...no, not you...I hate you...and I hope you hate me too, just a little)
-me

"Proven"