Sometimes we are given the opportunity to speak out and express truths. All the while hoping that this opportunity will be different than the last, that the extreme effort taken to speak will be rewarded with change. But all too often we are left with shattered expectations and no change. We are only left with the option of reevaluating our assumptions.

I am even more determined to stay focused on living and continuing the things that bring me joy. Like gardening.

We have been busy sprouting our impending garden and I am hoping that we will be gifted with an abundance that we can share with others in these unsure times.

I also can’t wait to get back outside. The other day I could hear the screech of a hawk and the owls. It’s been such a long time since I was able to hear the sounds of nature and not the roar of the big machine.

“The more you share the more your bowl will be plentiful…”

First off The Expanse is such great SciFi and I know that there’s more to that quote than that. But have you stopped to think what the above phrase means? Ask yourself, what existed before capitalism?

Please take care of each other.

So it has taken me a while to update again as I have a lot of things going on right now. But I wanted to share some progress on my Dragon Radar prop. I decide to use some of the skinniest addressable LED strips I could find to make a kind of matrix of LEDs.

After hooking up and testing the first line I think it looks really good so far. I have yet to figure out how best to diffuse them. I want to try and make a phosphor CRT like screen effect so it has a little bit of persistence. I first need to located my tube of mylar sheeting.

The world is becoming a much different place so please take care of yourself and each other.

Recently I’ve have been leaning on practicing curiosity. Mainly learning new processes and using those skills to make things. These learning experiences are still things that bring me peace and joy.

I’m not afraid to admit that I really am bad at conveying things out of my head and putting them into paintings. I am terrible at it, but here I am, still trying and getting better I think.

I really like using black paper as it makes for some great contrast with light colors. For example, I put down a base layer of this intensely dark matte black paint and then did my painting on top of that. It adds some crazy depth around the eyes. I also did gray around the edges of the nose, but I’m not sure it gave me the effect I wanted.

I think this will be a WIP until I can figure out something to do with the eyes. I have an idea that involves adding some movement to them.

Lean on the things that make you happy and please take care of each other.