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February 18, 2007

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When we think of the term, "artist" we almost always think of a painter, or a sculptor, or a musician. And we almost always put them into a specific category within the arts. But we never really consider how many true artists there are among us, and we overlook some of the real artists in the world and throughout history. 

With all of my current creative endeavors, finding enough time to devote to all, or even any of them, has always been rather difficult, to say the least. So, as I am constantly collecting photos and creating visualizations to share a view of life as I see it, and try to portray my perspective of the world around me, I am also writing songs and composing music. But another avenue of my artistic indulgences that I haven't shared much of yet, is the fact that I am currently working on numerous book projects. (In my spare time?) Yeah, right. 
But as it stands, I currently have 25 ideas and projects in the works. 20 of which are fictional. Some of which I have already devoted a great deal of time on, and some I haven't even begun yet, and some of these I actually started more than 25 years ago.

But one of the most recent projects is one that I wish I would have came up with a long time ago. It may have actually saved me a great deal of stress and heartache over the years.
But in being an artist, I have always had a very difficult time in dealing with the rest of the world on so many different levels. Jobs, a career, communication, responsibilities, and mostly, relationships. Yeah, basically, I have always stunk at maintaining any of them. And for many years, I never could understand the reasons why? But it all dawned on me one day. Although I still never could figure out how to explain it for others to understand until it was too late. I mean, how could I express myself in full detail? How could I explain who I am, and why? Well, I decided to write it all down, and just give it to them.
But this is a long story that will be described later, and actually within the book itself.

So in my preparations and research for this project, I have begun to interview other artists from various different forms of their own lives and art. And in my research, I have also learned a great deal about artists myself. One such direction is within the actual definition of an artist. And with that, and my new found definition of an artist, I have determined that so many people whom I thought were artists, are not. And so many I thought weren't, truly are. But just because a person can play an instrument, or paint a picture does not necessarily make them an artist, in my new definition. For they may just be copying the art that somebody else created, which, to me, is basically no different than "painting-by-numbers". 
But a true artist, to me, is one that creates something completely new. A person with an imagination to think beyond the norm and be a visionary. A totally creative mind.

So through my research and evaluations, I have determined that my own uncle, Carl, is one such unrecognized artist. For so many years, in his field of electronics and science, he has thought outside of just about every box he was thrown into, and came up with so many solutions and ideas that surpassed so many others in his field. From the invention of the metal detector, to nine U.S. patents to his name, and to his latest project, his ideas and visions will last lifetimes,
 and he is a true artist.

My book will be titled, "Taming The Artist". Which is actually an intentional misrepresentation. Because if you try to "tame" the artist, or control them, you will certainly destroy the artistic passion which drives them.
Instead, the book will be more directed towards how to understand, appreciate, and hopefully accept them, instead of getting frustrated with them and try to change them. Sometimes it's not so important to completely understand why your loved ones do the things they do, as much as it is to accept them, love them for who they are, and allow them the space and flexibility that they need to complete their projects and visions, and in turn, complete themselves.

So wish me luck in my endeavors, and if you really want to know more about any or all of my other book projects, then please feel free to ask. I am still debating within myself as to whether or not to post all of these ideas on my web site.

Galixy.net

07-01-1217