"Penniless" 12" x 16" Acrylic/Oil

This is my first painting of 2016. Since there is a penny in the piece I came up with an idea of attaching real pennies to the border. I'm satisfied with how it looks. It needs varnished and framed! I'll be completing some more pieces for my first solo gallery show at Gallery Denmark here in Columbus, OH. I believe the opening reception is set for Gallery Hop weekend, Sat. July 2nd? For anyone interested, I also have paintings and a few prints currently available for purchase at Ikon Images Gallery.  in Canton, OH. At Gallery Denmark I'll be hanging a couple older pieces but I'll also be creating new paintings. Some will be inspired by my experience in a hospital last year.

It was a very tough time. I wasn't feeling 100% and after a week I drove myself to an ER. I didn't really get answers and I had an important gig the next day so I pushed on and jammed. I wasn't missing out on the opportunity to open for a touring national act. Although I was sick, the show turned out great! Another week went by, it slowly got worse but I pushed harder since I had another gig set that I was NOT going to cancel. My guitar playing wasn't too bad but unfortunately, it was my worst vocal performance. I just had no power to sing like usual. Two days later, feeling horrible, my wife drove me to another ER and I had to stay for a week. I thought I lost 15 lbs. but thinking back, I realized I lost about 20 lbs. during that time before my second ER visit. Leaving out details to keep a long story short, I went through a lot in the hospital scared as hell thinking about everyone and everything. I was eventually diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Doctor wants me on medication for the rest of my life but hey, things could be worse! I have unaccomplished goals and I like to believe that life will only get better from here. I'm grateful for my wife and two daughters, the rest of my family, my friends and to everyone at the hospital.

Glad to say I'm living healthier, feeling fine and trying to enjoy every second. I've always appreciated simple things in life but I do so even more now. I certainly have a different perspective. People stress too much over small matters and can easily become so lost and materialistic, letting money and things control their lives. You can't buy back time spent with your family and friends. Trust me, I wish I had a receipt that I could exchange to experience the good times again of my past, a return policy to make right the wrongs; a time machine to talk to my Father again and visit my Grandparents that I didn't have a chance to grow up with, et cetera. What's truly important does not come with a price tag. Needless to say, I've been making an effort to spend a little more time with friends and family. Know that you are meaningful, be kind to one another, give more, take less, appreciate your time for tomorrow your life here could end. We are all precious and priceless. Hope you dig the painting.