New Peice

I finished this painting last month, with the intention of adding some more complexity later on... but after putting it away for a little bit to rest, and after having digging it back out to consider it again, I realised that I rather like the calm, meditative feel of this painting.

So, I'm going to declare it complete.  Tah-dah!

Roxie's iTunes Playlist

Roxie tried to eat my iPod this evening, it was rather cute.  I could just imagine, had she been successful (which would be quite the feat given my iPod is not one of those uber-new versions that are unimaginably tiny) Roxie blasting some Michael Jackson every time she opened her little mouth.

So, Mr. S was wondering what Roxie's favourite artists would be:
- Cat Stevens
- The Cat Empire
- Pussycat Dolls
- Kittie
- Josie and the Pussycats
- Stray Cats
- Curiosity Killed the Cat
- Owl & The Pussycat
- Jim Campilongo & 10 Gallon Cat
- Free Kitten
- Cat Power

And if she gets bored with those ones:
- Glass Tiger
- White Lion
- Tiger Army
- Pantera
- Cheetah Girls

Charcoal, ink and mixed media

I love playing with charcoal.  It can be very temperamental at times but can produce some nice results:

I'm rather pleased with how this drawing turned out as shadows aren't really one of my natural strengths.  Generally, I find myself a little more comfortable with ink and texture, like this:

It's a little sloppy, I know, but I do like the light blue and grey that has shown through in the background peices.  Obviously, I was listening to Nirvana while constructing this one but it was produced with the help of a reference picture.  This isn't the first time I looked to a strong image in music to interpret:

This image is a good 5 or 6 years old, at the very beginning of my foray into the wonderful world of watercolour pencils.  10 points to anyone who can guess what this is.  Actually, 100 points as it's probably a little obscure.  Hint:  it's off their live CD.

Reflection

I enjoy whinging about work.  Although I am of course grateful to be employed and for the resulting financial security, I also get bored easily and don't always feel that I 'fit in'.

It may be because I am a part of the global machine that I despise.  I have little respect for many of the so-called industry leaders that I am supposed to emulate, and I'm frightened that, someday, before I know it - I may even be one of those leaders.  I'm a sell-out, and I know it.

As a result, I can be hyper-aware of the things that I disagree with, such as workers toiling away in a grey world for the benefit of shareholders, board members and the CEO's grossly inflated salaries.

I can on and on (and I probably will at some point).  But, today is November 11th - Remembrance Day.  As my little family and I paused at 11:00 to observe a minute of silence, we reflected on the many heroes who gave their lives so that people like me could enjoy the freedoms that I currently enjoy.

Today, I thought about how lucky I am and how insignificant my various issues are.  I don't have to know what it feels like to be staring death in the face and to continue marching on against the evils of the world, or to endure the rampant sickness, despair and insanity of war, a world away from loved ones.

I don't know very many people who could imagine what war is really like.  All I know is that I am a very, very lucky person to be living here, at this place and at this time, after so many had given their lives.  And for that, I am eternally grateful.

Lest We Forget.

Some Recent Things from my Sketchbook

I'm currently attempting to recreate this pensive little faerie with acrylic / mixed media on canvas, but The Archmeister started chewing it.  I wonder if I can work that into the peice, somehow?

Some books that make me look smart.  Or something.  S-M-R-T!

Watercolour sits really well on canvas paper, above.  Not so much on regular paper, below.  But that's ok.

I was obsessed with this fish for about 2 hours or so.  Wouldn't you be?  Try as I might to capture the fish's happy splashes of colour, I still really couldn't do it justice.  But, it was fun!

The Importance of Colour vs The Grey Cubicle

Like many North Americans - indeed, like many people worldwide - I spend the majority of my working day in a cubicle.  Light grey and illuminated by fluorescent lights, it resembles most cubicles in most offices around the world.

Occasionally I allow myself the opportunity to look up from the warm glow of a computer screen covered in spreadsheets, emails and industry specific programs and consider my environment.  I consider how I, the worker, am meant to fit within this environment of endless files and recycled air.

Cubicles used to be the bold, new corporate movement during the 1970s and 1980s.  The intention was to allow the unique ideas of workers of all backgrounds and levels to move freely about, which is actually not a bad concept.  Some places, I am told, had implemented this system successfully.  That must have been before the 'grey cubicle' stereotype and it's many associated meanings became so entrenched in our collective subconsciousness.

In the past few years many of us have started to become aware of those organisations that have elected to design a workplace not as an afterthought but as an opportunity to create a truly special, unique place, bursting with colour, creativity and potential.  We've all played a part in passing along those emails with pictures of the offices at Google or Vodafone, decked out with massive fishtanks, sleeping pods, pool tables and even slides. 

It gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, there are some corporations out there that 'get it' - that understand that they're only as successful as their masses of employees choose to be.  And then I look up at my humble cubicle walls in their honeycomb shape and remember that my employer isn't one of them.

Cubicles do encourage the push to strive for something bigger and better, even if only slightly so - what office worker doesn't envy the privacy and floor-to-ceiling windows that management have?  The interior may still be grey, but at least there is a view, plus nobody can sneak up behind you when you're playing solitaire or surfing for porn.

Unsurprisingly, however, those companies devoid of all vision and creativity saw only a way to minimize space for the common worker, thus increasing efficiency.  The accepted design resembles a mass of small, grey blocks surrounded by comparitively spacious offices, overlooking whatever there may be to overlook, which is probably more exciting than a filing cabinet.

The joke is on them, though.  I'm not efficient at all.  HA!

In all seriousness, we crave a unique and stimulating environment, don't we?  Of course, colour and fun shapes aren't the thing that can make or break a career, but many organisations underestimate the power of an environment supportive of creativity, individuality and flexibility.

Think of what colours can mean to a person.  Yellows feel warm and sunny, reds feel bold and passionate.  Greens are earthy and calm.  What does Grey mean to you?  How does it make you feel when you look at it? How do you feel when you're enveloped in Grey for 7 - 8 hours, 5 days a week (or more)?  It's not a difficult concept, but it's about money, of course.

Maybe if I work extra hard I can make my company some more money, and they'll reward me with colours!

Or not.