Hawaiian Cowgirl: Acrylic Painting

We went to Maui last year with my wife's sister and her husband (not to mention a few other wonderful people).  This is a painting of my sister-in-law in her incredibly funky pink/orange cowboy hat.  It looks a lot like my sister-in-law which is nice.  Pretty girl that she is.  This is also the first time I have been satisfied with my depiction of waves.  I'll bet you can guess who is getting this painting.

Last year my wife and I were able to go to Maui.  She took pictures of nearly every flower we saw.  It has given me a great amount of material to paint.  This painting of plumeria is one of my favorites.  I took video of each step of the painting so that you can see the process.  I hope you enjoy it!

Jazz Piece

This is the result of playing around with some jazz chords.  Enjoy!

Homemade Reflection Filter or Microphone Isolation Panel

I have had my problems with recording vocals.  One of them is simply my vocal ability.  However, I figure that if I limit the other issues, I can focus on improving the ability more easily.  A reflection filter eliminates the ambient noise in a room, allowing you to control what sound gets into the microphone.  It isn't as good as an isolation booth in a real studio, but it works.

I made a reflection filter instead of spending the $100 to $300 for one.  I have certainly been pleased with the results and also the price tag ($15).  If you have had similar issues with home recording, this should be helpful to you as well.

Finished with the Post!

Yes, the post is finished!  The light however is not.  It is wired, it has juice.  Yes, all the necessary components for it to come on are there, but no illumination!  It is at the end of a crazy chain of GFI outlets on the outside of the house and they have conspired against my poor little light.  Every time I switch it on they trip and go on electrical strike.  It is a good thing the guy who wired my house is a friend of mine.  Maybe it's time to invite him over for dinner.

Haggai 2:9

I have been teaching through the minor prophets for nearly a year now at Oak Run Bible Church.  Most recently I have been studying Haggai.  The prophet relays God's word to the people in four different messages, each dated to the day in relation to the reign of Darius, king of Persia.  He tells them to get their priorities right.  Which, essentially means rebuilding God's temple.

In chapter two the older generations cry because they remember the former glory of the temple.  This version of it must have paled in comparison.  I can imagine those who spent so much time building it being quite discouraged.  However, God gives them courage by saying that He is abiding in it and that He will be bring them peace.

This got me thinking about two things.  First, as a Christian each of us is God's temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"  How often do we (do I) neglect the Holy Spirit and introduce impure thoughts, actions, or objects into His temple?  More often than we are comfortable admitting, I am sure.

Second, it is comforting to note that God never gave up on Israel.  He still has a plan for her.  He also does not give up on us.  1 John 1:9 says that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  That gives me courage.

The Wise Pass On

This is another song with my brother-in-law.

Come Back to Me

Family vacations are wonderful occasions.  When the kids take naps, my brother-in-law, Matt, and I often sit back and play music.  Matt has been playing the harmonica for a while now and we had a great time.  "Come Back to Me" is a song I wrote when my wife and our kids were gone for a week.  I couldn't sleep at all and so I wrote a song in the middle of the night.  I hope you enjoy it.

July Art Hop and June's Review

The July ArtHop is already around the corner and I have signed up to play again.  It will be at Carnegie's on Oregon Street in downtown Redding.  It begins at 6:00 p.m. and continues until 9:00 p.m. If you are interested it would be great to see you there.

I have already posted about the June ArtHop, but I could resist posting a bit more.  Jamie Solorio  has a wonderful blog about the ArtHop each month in which she documents what goes on with amazing photographs.  She has an amazing picture of Davy and Dale sharing the microphone as they deliver their joyous blue grass.  Unfortunately, she thought it was me.  I got credit for their music.  Bearing in mind the content of the article about me in the Record Searchlight it is an understandable mistake (the picture of me even looks a bit like Davy).  I sent an e-mail to clear things up.  On the other hand maybe I should just just learn how to play blue grass and call it good!