Or: How about that equinox?

I am an uncle once again with a nephew, born September 23rd. It's amazing to me that he would be born on my own birthday, on the autumnal equinox (like in 85 when I was born) and at 6:20pm, two minutes after my own (supposed) birth time. Even if it's not that close its pretty awesome.

My sister and I are 8 years apart, so she had already grown up quite a bit when I was born. As she got older she took on more and more of a parent's role in my life, and especially in the lives of my two younger siblings. As soon as she turned 18 she got married and left home. She married an artist who she's still married to now, 16 years later.

After she left when I was 10, I assumed the role of parent to my two younger siblings. I rebelled against this imposed duty, while trying to help raise my brother and sister as best I could. I taught myself how to cook, and battled my mother when necessary to get things done in the name of our family. I did my best while I could, and even when I had a step-father around I tried to shelter my siblings from the reality that our actual parent(s) wanted to live their own lives instead of dedicate their time to our upbringing. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. That phrase always rang true for me.

My sister gave me a niece three years ago, but she was already living here in Florida while I was still in Houston. To live with her during this second pregnancy has given me a lot of insights in to parenting that I hadn't really seen when I was younger. I've had complete faith in her and my brother-in-law when it came to raising children (my niece being an amazing and brilliant child) so I know this second (and final) child has a loving and amazing life ahead of him.

So welcome to the world Baby Finn(igan)!

Oh yeah, my own birthday..
I had an amazing time with the amazing friends I've made here. My good friend Joshua Davis get's a special thank you for helping put together my outing and following-day-grill-athon.

Some artwork will surely follow soon. Hang in there. GET IT TOGETHER.




Haha.. girl-athon.

I might as well use this to remember/freak out about what I need to do these days. These days.

Here are some badass images by David Shrigley:

I'm going to give a short presentation about him tomorrow. I barely agreed to it, and I'm dreading it. Thankfully the work is enjoyable, comical, and smart. Sm-art is great imho.

Titled 'The Wind'..?

I honestly find most of his work witty and at times hilariously pretentious. Almost.

His stuff is absurd, and beautifully so.

His work has been turned in to some wonderfully obvious and ironic tattoos.

But some could really have been done by anyone:

I've been meaning to update this more, but my life has been quite busy. Perhaps if I use the blog in a basic documentary fashion I'll get in to the habit. Perhaps this blog will help me to remember the good times. Perhaps soon we will all be immortal.
I've met some amazing people since I moved here; many in the last few months. I've found a local music scene that I feel quite at home around. Soon I will be an uncle x 2, and I turn twenty six in a matter of days.

These days.

An introduction; to myself, to my work, to this blog.

Here I dwell, 3 weeks deep in to my 2nd year as a Masters candidate at FAU.
I've been creating art in a semi-serious manner for some 10 years now, though I've drawn and painted for as long as I can remember. Why I've been hesitant to create one of these (and put my entire life, concepts and insecurities on display..) who knows! But thanks to the help of my great and supportive friend Elf this thing has finally gotten started.

Documentation is everything in the art world, so what better way to record my progression from student to super-serious artist, than in a super-hip, Pooh-themed blog?

This way people will KNOW me, like know-me know me. Maybe not. Through this I can also hopefully stay more closely connected with other artists, good people, and cool-ass groups like Art Sandwiches.

Come to think of those merry folks, I miss a lot of people in my home-town of Houston (and across the country). But, I moved to Florida for many reasons; to gain new perspectives, to shed distractions, and as a sort of self-imposed exile (Grad school).

I hope whoever reads this enjoys doing so, get's to know me a bit better, and maybe even assists in my progress; through humorous comments, insults, public service announcements, critiques, etc.

All are welcome.