4th of July

"Wings of Life"   Pastels & Colored Pencils on black paper

©Maleko 2012

I am proud to be an American and celebrate our country on the 4th of July. But more than this 

I am a child of God first, with an assurance of eternal life no matter what this life here on 

earth may bring.  I am thankful that I have the freedom to worship Jesus. God Bless!

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)

America Rises - 911 10 Year Anniversary

A tribute to the 911 tragedy that occurred 10 years ago and remembering those that lost their lives and those that gave all they had to save and serve others.

'America Rises'  11x14  Crayon & Ink Wash ©Maleko 2011

The design above represents the will and strength of this great country as we have risen from the ashes of that tragic day 10 years ago on wings of mercy and grace.  Revenge never brings redemption & bitterness only shackles the wings that carry our dreams of the future. ~M  "God Bless!"

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

Stars & Stripes - July 4, 2011

  God Bless America! Happy 4th of July!

 "Stars & Stripes"

©Maleko 2011

Ink Wash and Crayon Drawing   18"x24"   

American Bison 2 - Echos

The second installment of designs from the 'Echos' series.  Endeavoring to capture the strength and beauty of the American Bison.  View the first installment - Echos from the Past 

 
 

 Miniature Colored Pencil Drawings   3.5x5 inches   Border added using Paint Shop Pro

©Maleko 2011

American Bison - Echos of the Past

The American Bison is a true original and its image takes us back to a seldom remembered past when they roamed freely over the land prior to their decimation at the hands of man.    I tired to capture the simple beauty, strength and majesty of this truly magnificent animal.

 

Colored pencil drawings of American Bison ~ 3x5 inches ~ Black border added using Paint Shop Pro ©Maleko 2011

Random Thoughts on the Creative Process

Is the creative process eternal or temporal?

Where does it begin?

Does it exist outside of time? 

Can we grab hold of it and pull it into time?

Or does the process begin with us?

Is it mortal or immortal?

3 Things I am Thankful For in 2010

Family & Friends, 

who support and love me, even in my struggles.

 America, 

the freedom to pursue my God-given dreams and faith.

 Dark Times, 

for in the dark I am able to truly see His Light that shines.

"The Sun Came Down"      Copyright 2010 ~Maleko

What do you BELIEVE in?

I just posted my first video on YouTube!  It is set to the music of the TSO 

song "BELIEVE" from the 2009 Night Castle album and initially recorded

by Savatage. This video is in response to a contest the band is running to 

create a video of what you believe in set to the music.

I believe in faith, family, friends and the 

ever present beauty that is found in creation. 

Beyond the pain and sadness that comes in 

this life is the ever sustaining power of grace. 

 The times when there seems to be no justice 

only mercy, we always have our hopes, 

our dreams and the faith to believe.

MalekoArts YouTube Channel - to view video click here >>>

Images Within - Perspectives?

"You see things that never were and say why? 

I see things that never were and say why not!" 

~George Bernard Shaw

(Abstract watercolor painting)

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas to us all!

"May the blessings and grace of the
season surround you and yours!

Remember the littlest things can mean
the most when Grace is Unveiled!"



Maleko

Thanksgiving Wishes!

To you and yours from our family. -Maleko

Be Grateful & Keep Looking Up!

This week of Thanksgiving we celebrate here in America all those things we have to be grateful for. Take the time to pause and reflect on all those little things we often take for granted that come to us with no effort on our part.

Sometimes life provides life.


As this year is rapidly drawing to a close, think back to how you started. The dreams, the goals, is anything left unfinished? Did you get off track? What can you do now to refocus to move closer to your dreams?

Start by remembering what you are truly grateful for, especially those things right in front of us that we do take for granted.

(Photograph of an aspen tree in full fall colors - November 2009)

Traveling through the fall colors of 2009

A picture from the road
leading to our home.
With winter's cold and dark quickly
approaching, a gentle reminder of the
seasons inevitable changes.

The color and beauty reminds me everyday of God's faithfulness and the many simple things that come our way with no intention nor effort on our part.

Open you eyes and behold the joys
that surround you every day.

Let Grace be Unveiled!

Who is looking at you?

A moose peeking through the trees, reminds us that there are those in our lives who are always looking at us as well as strangers we will never meet.

We are examples to our children, our spouses, family, friends and every one whose paths we cross. What would those who are watching say about you?

Remember, character is revealed by what you do when you think no one is looking!

(This picture was taken outside Kenai, Alaska during the summer of 2009)

Mt St Helens Revisited

May 1980 the surrounding landscape was changed for ever.

Every time we visit I am still in awe of natures power and the desolation that remains after almost 30 years.

But also hope and renewal continue to emerge as the landscape continues to change and life re-emerges.

I love the juxtaposition of patches of green against the barren reminders of the volcanoes massive and unforgiving eruption.

(Picture taken August 2009)

Does freedom have a price to you?

Which one do you like, vote here by leaving a comment!

Two new designs with July 4th only a week away soon to be on the website at http://www.cafepress.com/graceunveiled, on a variety of merchandise.

Both images were done in using an ink wash technique for the backgrounds and crayon, colored pencils and conte pastel pencils for the main images and flag. I wished to capture the emotion , patriotism and freedom that our flag and certain animals can evoke in our hearts and mind.

The Quest for Authenticity

As a world, as a nation, as individuals, if you do not know what you believe it is okay to say 'I don't know.' But do not stay in that place, start looking and discover what awaits.

We do not know where this will lead us or the ultimate outcome. But we can make our choices each day and stand up for honesty, dignity and truth.

Choose to trust! Choose to love! Choose to live!

State of Affairs '08

I do not wish to get into a political debate either about candidates, ideas or anything of that sort. But considering the current events in the news and the impact that this is having or could potentially have on every American, I just want to share a few thoughts.

I do not understand why we as Americans, at least it seems the majority of Americans, seem to insist on relying on a 'president', 'political party', 'government program', or some other outside source, to provide a solution at both a national and local level to solve our problems for us.

My belief is we must take responsibility and do what is necessary to overcome our current situations both as individuals and as a nation.

Absolute truths exist whether you agree or not and whether you chose to believe in them or not. They are like evil and gravity, they exist we just often choose to ignore the reality and then complain when we suffer the consequences of 'our actions'. It is always someone else's fault, time for personal accountablity and owning up to our responsibilities.

Ask yourself what can I do or better yet, what should I do? Do what you can no matter how small, right now, right where you are for your family, your neighbors, our nation and the world.
**
Be part of the solution not the problem and remember to vote!