Blue Ice Flows Over "Adobe Dance"

View the original "Adobe Dance"  11x14  Pastels & Colored Pencil Drawing

Negative Image using Paint Shop Pro

Maleko ©2011

Negative Image using Paint Shop Pro 
with black fill background    
Maleko ©2011

To Be Truly Known

Been thinking about how each individual fits into this puzzle we call life.  Lately I have felt out of sorts and wondering if I am noticed for me or only for my contributions.  In the midst of the plethora and mass of humanity would anyone be able to pick me out of the crowd?  Would they know it was me? 

If I were a single tear that fell from the skies into the oceans deep, 

would You...know it was me?

If I were a single grain of sand laying upon an endless beach, 

would You...know it was me?

If I were a single shining star amidst the vastness of the milky way,

would You...know it was me?

If I were a single word unspoken within the minds of humankind, 

would You...know it was me?

The above was originally posted on my blog in March 2011 asking the question about being truly known by God.  I rest assured that God knows me (emphasis below added) -

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior -Isaiah 43:1-3

...but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. -1 Corinthians 8:3
 

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God -Galatians 4:9

 
I rest in this assurance of a God that knows me even when all else around me seems dark, makes no sense and others seem distant.  I simply chose to believe.  Do you?

Mt St Helen's   ©2011

"Adobe Dance" Flows Golden

"Adobe Dance"  11x14  Pastels & Colored Pencils 

Maleko ©2011

Black border added with Paint Shop Pro

Black flood fill using Paint Shop Pro

In this drawing I attempted to portray the beauty of the horse by emphasizing the golden yellow mane flowing in the wind and simply implying the image by using simple shapes to define the body shape.

To view and purchase prints of my art work please visit my site at Fine Art America where you can select mats and frames to complement the art as well as greeting cards.  Thanks!

5 Ideas About the 'Job Box'!

Not to long ago while attending a meeting at work and doodling as I normally do I sketched the picture above of a horse and then drew a box around and added the words.  Later, I realized that was the first time I had ever put a box around my horse as part of the picture.  The horse represents freedom, strength and power to me and I placed him without thinking inside a box. 

I work in a box both figuratively and literally, I am boxed in by rules, polices, procedures, responsibilities, expectations and four solid walls.

"Think outside the box," they say, but what they really mean is nearly impossible at times, come up with a new idea, a new way to be more efficient but stay inside the box. It would make them uncomfortable it they could not keep us contained.

I strive to always make decisions based on certain values while my heart wants to soar, to create, to play, to be free, to live!

I struggle with intertwining the 'work' that I must do to pay the bills and the 'play' I long to pursue as an artist. The journey of staring at a blank piece of paper and following where the artistic path may lead calls to me. The ideas that so often come so fast and disappear just as quickly like snowflakes in July.  Searching for the freedom that I crave even if it is the freedom of thought and ideas inside my own head.

I have learned to live within the contradiction by following a few simple ideas - 

1. Always put faith & family first, that is the cornerstone!
2. Still yourself to hear your inner voice & that of God!
3. Enjoy the little things, like dark chocolate & coffee!
4. Listen to music that motivates & inspires you!
5. Never take yourself to seriously, life is too short not to laugh!

I pray this helps you to find that peace along the journey when the chaos and the tension seem overwhelming.   Remember you are not alone and my belief is the struggle seems common to all. ~M

Bucking Broncos!

A tribute to the wild mustangs of the great American West!

"Bucking Bronco"   ©Maleko 2011

"Bucking Bronco in Sepia" ©Maleko 2011

The original painting (above on the left) measures 7" x 9" and was done using watercolor pencils on white watercolor paper. The a border was added using Paint Shop Pro.  The image above on the right is the sepia version using Paint Shop Pro with a black border and the image below is the negative image of the original. I love the different feelings the colors evoke. 

      

"Bucking Bronco in Negative" ©Maleko 2011

 If you are interested in purchasing or licensing any of my art work please contact me at malekoarts@aol.com.  Click the link to view a Price List for prints, mats or greeting cards or visit the new website at Fine Art America.     Thanks ~M

At the Ready

" At the Ready"  Colored Pencil Drawing on White Paper   3.5" x 5"

I like to use shapes of the underlying musculature of the horse to show the implied edge of the subject floating in negative space.  This allows the eye of the viewer to complete the picture and become an active participant. The simple beauty of a horse head silhoutte captures the regal bearing of this powerful creature.  This design appears to me that this horse is 'at the ready' every watchful and just a slight tilt of the head, a flick of the ear, flaring of the nostrils is all that is necessary to convey the emotions.  the image at the right was finished in Paint Shop Pro with a black flood filled border and a picture frame added. ~Maleko 

If you are interested in purchasing or licensing any of my art work please contact me at malekoarts@aol.com.  Click the link to view a Price List for prints, mats or greeting cards.  To view more art check out my new website at Fine Art America. Thanks!

Stars & Stripes - July 4, 2011

  God Bless America! Happy 4th of July!

 "Stars & Stripes"

©Maleko 2011

Ink Wash and Crayon Drawing   18"x24"