Standing Firm

"Standing Firm"   

Maleko ©2011

Watercolor & Ink       30" x 22"

This design portrays the state of my life right now as I am simply standing firm while around me swirls uncertainty and confusion. But sometimes all we can do is to stand firm while the storm rages around us with a belief that the clouds will part and the sun will shine again.

The backdrop has no specific images or shapes just swirling colors to evoke that feeling of movement while in the center the horse stands quiet with a strong and resolute purpose.  The image of the horse contains many sharp edges to not only define the outline of the horses features but to show the jagged edges that exist inside of each of us that will not only hurt the ones we love but ourselves as well.  

This was painted using evaporated milk instead of water which gives a texture to the surface of the colors on the paper.  This a larger piece of paper than I normally use but like the freedom it gives in working on a larger scale.  The border was added using Corel Paint Shop Pro to the digital image.

Comments are welcome, what do you see or feel when viewing the painting?   

To view and purchase prints or greeting cards of this design, visit my web page at Fine Art America

Thanks ~M

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

 

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town"           ©Maleko 2011

 Watercolor pencil & pastel drawing with Corel Paint Shop Pro border.

To purchase greeting cards and prints of this design please go to my website on Fine Art America.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Sunshine Gallop"

"Sunshine Gallop"                      ©Maleko 2011

Pastel and Sharpie Maker Drawing          3 1/2 x 5 inches        Border added with Paint Shop Pro

Thanksgiving 2011

A very short :) video that I made to remind us all to reflect with gratitude the paths we've traveled.  I believe every road has a purpose in our lives, every sorrow and every joy can be a blessing if we chose to look beyond the gray to see the color.

May we all be grateful for what we do have and even more generous.

Happy Thanksgiving!  ~M

The blessing and curse of being a Boise State fan!

As I await the BSU - SDSU game, I reflect back to last weeks heartbreaking loss to TCU 36-35 and the lost hope of an undefeated season and a BCS Bowl game.  Living in Washington state this was the one game I targeted and drove back with my family to Idaho to watch in person.  Oh well, sports will take you to the mountain top and then push you off when you turn your back.

I have been a BSU fan since the early 1970's, my dad and my sister and myself both graduated from BSU, so you could say it has been a family affair for over 40 years.  I have watched BSU win a Division 1-AA title and then move onto Division 1-A success with struggles in between.  But the last few years have been nothing short of amazing!

With the wins, the notoriety and even the critics the ride has been a whirlwind.  With the highest win percentage at 0.873 (124-18) since 2000; 2 Fiesta Bowl wins including the 2007 thriller versus Oklahoma; Sports Illustrated covers and the famous blue turf, BSU has amassed a national following and even a measure of respect.  With that, the expectations have risen almost to unrealistic proportions.

Nothing short of an undefeated season, a conference championship and a BCS bowl game is accepted.  This is absurd, most college football programs have never experienced success at the level BSU has sustained over the last several years much less for even back to back seasons.  Expectations are often not realistic but they translate to goals that we work to achieve.

I will always root for the Broncos and will always expect more than I have a right too.  But that is what being a fan is all about, right?  Win or lose my heart will always be blue, I am proud to be a Bronco alum!

Go Big Blue!!!   Boise State Broncos!

(Colored pencil drawings with paint shop pro border and text     Maleko ©2011)

Face Off

"Face Off"              ©Maleko 2011

Colored Pencil & Pastel Drawing           9x7 inches       Border added with Paint Shop Pro   

Red Sun Rising

"Red Sun Rising" ©Maleko 2011

Colored Pencil & Pastels             3 1/2 x 5 inches 
Border added with Paint Shop Pro

Tell Me Your Name

I wrote these words in December of 2004 one month after my daughter was born.  It is based on the scene from the movie 'Gladiator' in which Maximus is in the Roman coliseum and is forced to turn and address the emperor Commodus when he is asked to tell him his name.  

Years earlier Commodus had murdered his father Marcus Aurelius and ordered the execution of Maximus and his family, thereby claiming rule of the Roman Empire.  Maximus escaped being killed but later was captured and was forced into becoming a gladiator in the ring fighting for his life for the amusement of the crowds.  

However, when his defining moment arrived he turned faced the murderer of his family boldly proclaiming who he was.  Through the journey and struggles Maximus never forgot who he was, he knew his name, he knew it with all his heart.  I pray that we alI do the same.  ~M