~ My 2009 Art Calendar

available in 3 sizes

Enter coupon code CALENDARSAVE during checkout to save 40% until December 31, 2008 at 11:59pm PST

(click image to see larger view)

My 2009 Calendar contains 12 of my favorite images. Click the link, above, to preview the images and select available options before purchasing.

Available now, in my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

~ 2009 Comes a-knockin'

"We will either find a way, or make one."
-- Hannibal, 247–183 or 182 BC

2008 goes out with a whisper, and I bid it a not-so-fond 'adieu'.

In the coming year, I hope to find myself a bit healthier, wealthier, and wiser. I don't, as of this minute, have a concrete plan for accomplishing these lofty goals, but it has to be done. The alternatives are too ridiculously dire for contemplation. And, yes, some days the emphasis is definitely on the 'ridiculous'!

I'm not a kid anymore -- far from it -- and feel fate and circumstance breathing down my neck at every turn. A finite amount of time left to accomplish an infinite number of impossible dreams.

As always, my resources and energy are running very thin, whereas my creativity and imagination are galloping along at a fever pitch. How to utilize one without the other? It's a classic conundrum; a twisted riddle of 'what' versus 'how', with a bit of 'when' tossed in for good measure.

What can I do with the next 12 months?

What will the next 12 months do with me?

It's a question for the ages and I'm feeling a definite 'now or never' vibe these days -- so, I'd better find a way.

Or, make one.

* * * *

~ A late-year event to eclipse my own earthly issues

Tonight, just after sunset, you're invited to this year's final, big, celestial show. (Yep -- universal, free admission!)

This show's stellar cast includes The Moon, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter, in an evening performance sure to please even the most discriminating night sky viewer.

Read the details, here, and hope for clear skies.

In my opinion, there could be no better way to ring out the old and see in the new!

I wish you all a fabulous night.

See you next year! ("God willin' and the creek don't rise," as my grandmother used to say.)

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~ Winter Solstice Sunrise

(click image to see larger view)

Available now, in my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

On the night of the Northern Winter Solstice, I stayed up to watch the Sunrise 'live cam' coverage from the megalithic tomb of Newgrange, in County Meath, Ireland.

After a lifetime of reading about this incredible sight, I expected to be dazzled by a vision very like my image, above. Alas, an unfortunate run of drippy, cloudy, Irish weather thwarted my big 'cam' adventure. Cold fog and mist was the order of the day -- no brilliant sunrise for this virtual world traveler.

Typically determined to have my much anticipated Solstice Sunrise, I decided to create my own. As an added bonus, here's a sunrise I can experience whenever I please.

Take that, Mother Nature!

* * *

Final words on the 2008 Northern Winter Solstice -

Thnks to my pal, Lynette, for posting the Newgrange cam link on her blog.

I love the addition of the Astronomy Pic of the Day, Lynette -- one of my very favorite sites, natch!

* * * *

Final words on my 28-Day Blogathon, which ended recently -

It seems I learned at least two things from my self-induced, blogging marathon:

Thing 1 - Blog for yourself. Readers and commenters come and go (mostly go). Blogging for one should be as relevant as blogging for 100.

Thing 2 - Finish what you start!

* * * *

And finally, final words on Christmas, 2008 -

I hope you all enjoyed a fulfilling Christmas, or other holiday celebration of your choice.

My own Christmas was very satisfying, providing a comfortable, if unexpected, sense of rightness.

I liked it.

Cheers, all!

* * * *

P.S. Once again, the lovely and golden-voiced Chris Isaak is keeping me company as I work. If I were to proclaim that I'm marrying Chris Isaak, would that make me:

A: Really, really happy, or

B: Really, really delusional?

Whatever . . . back off, ladies (and anybody else who's lookin')!

(click image for larger view)

* * * *

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.
That will be the beginning."
~ Louis L'Amour

* * * *

Post 28


I set a goal, which I promptly screwed up -- then finished, anyway. Looks like my work here is done -- at least for today. Thanks to the viewers and readers who paced me along this crazy path.

Later today, I'm going to hang some new pieces at Timo's Coffeehouse, so I'll be up early, matting and framing. The day after that, I'm turning off the PC and taking a legitimate day off. Soon after that, I'll be back to tell you what I learned from this strange, strange trip.

If you don't know or remember what brought on this insane blog-a-thon, check out these posts:

http://art166.blogspot.com/2008/11/ah-mr.html

http://art166.blogspot.com/2008/12/click-image-for-larger-view-midnight.html

That's it for tonight, guys. Peace out.

(click image for larger view)

~ The Seeker
Coming Soon, to my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

“We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”
~ Dr. Carl Sagan


"Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the idea is quite staggering."
~ Unknown

* * * *

One. Post. To. Zero.


Post 27
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(click images for larger view)

~ Kisses to NASA

A series of manipulated screen shots of the Space Shuttle Endeavour/ISS mission -- March 2008.

* * * *
2 posts to zero. Next time I publicly commit to 28 posts in 28 days, -- or any similar insanity -- someone, please give me 28 kicks!

Post 26

. . . upon the stair

(click image for larger view)

The Man Who Isn't Here

The other night upon the stair
I met a man who pulled my hair
I kicked out hard and watched him sway
And now that man will stay away


I always thought the original poem was too scary for words -- so, I turned the tables.

Post 25

EDIT:

It's been brought to my attention that not everyone is familiar with the original poem. There are several variations floating around, but here's the one I've always heard:

The Man Who Wasn't There

The other day upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again, today
I wish that man would go away!
.

(click image to enlarge)

~ Mimosa Dawn
Available now, in my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

Had my friends, Jeanette and Tracy, been awake one very early Saturday morning, they might have spotted me (and my baby Canon) under their Mimosa tree.

Thanks for not letting the attack dog out, ladies!


Post 24
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(click image for larger view)

~ Resting Place
Coming Soon, to my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

Abandoned tractor-thingie (yes, that is the technical term) in a small, Texas town.


Post 23
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~ Touch of the Wand
(click image for larger view)

* * * *

From this point, it's less talk -- more action. Six posts in the next 26ish hours!

Post 22
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(click image for larger view)

~ Sentinels at Sunset
Coming Soon, to my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

Regular visitors to 'the Wow' will probably recognize these grain elevators from several earlier incarnations.

No excuses for dipping back into this particular well -- I'm just fascinated by these giants, and can't resist an occasional, fresh photo-manipulation.

So, sue me.



Okay, not really.


Post 21

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Sunflower Series - Colorful Digital Art

Bring me the sunflower crazed with the love of light!
~ Eugenio Montale

* * * *
A handful of sunflowers from my new, soon-to-be series of sunflower greeting cards. I'm not sure if these will end up online or be exclusively real-world.

Either way, I really like 'em!

Post 20.

~ Say hello to my little, yellow friend!
(click image for larger view)

* * * *

~ Tony Montana and an alien go into a bar . . .

Of course, if you haven't seen Al Pacino in 'Scarface', you don't get this -- at all.

Post 19

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~ The Great Escape
(click image for larger view)

* * * *

~ No, not that red planet.

Sometimes, I just need to get away.

Far, far away.

Today, however, I'll settle for a trip to the grocery store. All I want is eggnog and chocolate cake. Inevitably, though, it will be ground beef and frozen broccoli.

C'est la vie.


Post 18

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~ Ford's First Ninja
(click image for larger view)

* * * *

One more from "The F-150 Series".
Read more about it, here.


Post 17

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(click image for larger view)

~ Bobby's Big Ride - poster or Fine Art print
Available now, in my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

This rolling, abstract piece is another in my ongoing, disjointed "Bobby" series.

* * * *

A vivid, square piece for my Bobby, who lived big and died young. Ours is a story which takes exactly two hours to tell; and, on this chilly, early morning, I'm too tired to even think about telling it.

It seems that blogging in the dead of night makes me morose -- just one of many, many reasons I'd kill for a good night's sleep.

Or, some chocolate.


Post 16

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(click image for larger view)

~ Midnight Whispers - poster or Fine Art print
Available now, in my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

* * * *

Tip of the day:

Never open an email with this subject line -- "one wife iss not enough".

No, I didn't open it. Personally, even one wife would be one wife too many.


Bonus tip of the day:

Never take relationship advice from someone who can't spell "is".

I should not have to tell you this.

* * * *

I hopped off the 'blog train' for a few days while I prepared for a show & holiday sale, which was held last night. (A big thanks to the Shavano Park Business Association, and to Neesie.)

So, looks like I've blown my whole "one post per day for 28 days" plan -- again. However comma I'm still shooting for 28 posts in 28 days -- I'll just have to do a little creative posting to make it happen. Easy peasy! (I'll now be marking per post instead of per day.)

As always . . . Watch This Space!


Post 15


P.S. Before I go, I must say -- "Mama Mia!" . . . the worst musical film ever! (That is, if you don't count "From Justin to Kelly".

I don't.)

.

(click image to enlarge)

Day 14

~ Suburban Reflections 1


~ Suburban Reflections 2
(click image to enlarge)

* * * *

Two good reasons to wash your car.

A pristine, black Ford F-150 parked in a random suburban driveway. What could I do, but shoot first and ask permission later?

Luckily, the random suburban family were equal parts good-natured and amazed at the very idea!

***

Well, it looks like Ive killed another keyboard. This post comes to you courtesy of my old friend, The On-screen Keyboard! Aarrghhh!

Day 13

~ Tasty Dots In Black - poster or Fine Art print
(click image for larger view)

Available now, in my Art166 - Zazzle Store.

****
Exposed!

While my "28 Blog Posts In 28 Days" plan seemed like a good one, at the time, it is wearing me down to a mental nub. So, in the tradition of all great writers, I've decided to take the pressure off by confiscating content from the blogs of my friends!

Originally, I'd planned to use something from Cynthia's blog, but have decided to go with Dr. John's 'One Word Answer' meme, instead. It was an enjoyable exercise which openly illustrates my many dysfunctions. Ain't we got fun!

So, without further ado:


1. Where is your cell phone? Nonexistent
2. Where is your significant other? Nonexistent
3. Your hair colour? Fluctuates
4. Your mother? Deceased
5. Your father? Nonexistent
6. Your favourite thing? Lots
7. Your dream last night? Rain
8. Your dream/goal? Happiness
9. The room you're in? Living
10. Your hobby? Lots
11. Your fear? Fear
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Comfortable
13. Where were you last night? Couch
14. What you're not? Comfortable
15. One of your wish list items? Serenity
16. Where you grew up? Cold
17. The last thing you did? Read
18. What are you wearing? Comfy
19. Your TV? Silent
20. Your pet? Nonexistent
21. Your computer? Beloved
22. Your mood? Unremarkable
23. Missing someone? Occasionally
24. Your car? Nonexistent
25. Something you're not wearing? Helmet
26. Favourite store? Vintage
27. Your summer? Hot. No - long. No - hot. Ah, crap...
28. Love someone? Occasionally
29. Your favourite colour? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today




Day 12

~ An Arched Perspective
(click image to enlarge)

Available now at my Art166 ~ RedBubble Store.
Choose options when ordering.

* * * *

What is that? Where am I?

Structure, with arches, along a Texas road.

There is an unexpected abundance of fascinating stuff along Texas roads. Luckily, I've photographed some of it!


Day 11

~ Midnight Dancer mouse pad



~ Midnight Dancer poster or Fine Art print
(click image to enlarge)


Available now at my Art166 ~ Zazzle Store.
Choose custom options when ordering.

* * * *

Oh, dear! Falling down on the blog.

Amidst an unexpected flurry of home improvement crises and general neighborhood drama, I completely forget to post my Saturday entry.

Bad me!

In order to catch up, I'll be posting again before midnight, Central Time.

Go, me!

* * * *

I really like the Zazzle-produced mouse pads, like mine, above. They're very nice, quality pieces and the printing is clear and vivid. Which is nudging me toward a new project -- I'm thinking I should separate all my Zazzle merchandise into individual stores: a print & poster store, mouse pad store, custom postage store, greeting card store, etc.

However, the very idea of uploading all those pics, writing descriptions, yada yada ------ aaaaarrrrrgh!

I really do need a lowly apprentice.

Volunteers?


Day 10

(click image to enlarge)

~ Meanwhile, In Another Part of Town 6


* * * *

In a perfect world, windows would always glow with a warm, welcoming light.

Most often, the world is only a little perfect.

Day 9

Judgment Call - Rerun Friday

I liked yesterday's "Black and White" post, very much, but it received only a handful of visitors. So, I've decided to give it another day in the spotlight.


Day 8

~ The Rest Stop



~ 7 Sisters - The Long Goodnight



~ What I Remember About That Day

(click images to enlarge)

"What I Remember About That Day... is available now at my Art166 ~ RedBubble Store.
Choose your options when ordering.

* * * *

A trio of memories, in black and white:

I don't often work in black and white. Sometimes, however, it's the only color that will do.

Day 7

Note: "What I Remember About That Day", above, was originally posted on November 15, 2008. I accidentally deleted it, but couldn't resist reposting, today.

~ This Christmas Eve - custom U.S. postage

~ This Christmas Eve - greeting card

Bulk discount for 10 cards or more.
White envelopes included.
Feel free to request International shipping!

Available now at my Art166 ~ Zazzle Store.
Choose custom options when ordering.

* * * *

It's beginning to look like a snowy, Digital Christmas!

Are you looking for the custom-designed stamp for your Christmas mail?

Or, a very special W. J. St. Christopher-designed card which, for no extra charge, can be customized with additional image or text of your choice -- a personal or corporate greeting or logo, perhaps?

Well, look no further! Here's a Christmas image to make your holidays even more special. The stamps will be a wonderful, collectible extra for the special people on your Christmas card list; or, send an eye-catching, Christmas set with the suitable-for-framing card!

C'mon, you know you want these!

(Available exclusively online)


Day 6

Fractals Go Over The Rainbow

(click image to enlarge)

~ Somewhere Over A Rainbow's Trail
* * * *"Leroy bet me I couldn't find a pot of gold at the end, and I told him that was a stupid bet, because the rainbow was enough." ~ Rita Mae Brown, American writer


"And as he spoke of understanding, I looked up and saw the rainbow leap with flames of many colors over me."~ Black Elk (1863 - 1950), Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux
Day 5

(click image to enlarge)

~ Night, In This House

Available now at my Art166 ~ Zazzle Store.
Choose your options when ordering.

* * * *

"Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone."
~ Shirley Jackson from
'The Haunting of Hill House'


"If I were gonna haunt somebody,
this would certainly be the house I'd do it in."
~ Richard Long as Lance Schroeder in
'The House on Haunted Hill'

* * * *

The unexpected benefits of oxygen deprivation:

In May of 2006, I attended a high school graduation. I was there in support of a very special person -- though the actual ceremony was quite unremarkable.

Except for the fact that I was having a severe asthma attack that night. A 'should be in the hospital, face and fingertips numb from lack of oxygen, God, don't let me die 'til I get home' asthma attack.

To take my mind off my impending date with destiny, I started taking discrete photos of the architecture in the assembly hall. Photos of the big ceiling fixture (Original photo, above) eventually led to "Night, In This House".

You can read more about these images, here.


EDIT:

Oops! Looks like I completely overwrote yesterdays lovely picture and blogpost. If I had even one ounce of spare energy, I'd redo the post for you. As it is, I think I'll just take a nap.

Sorry 'bout that!


Day 4

~ Passion's Petals
~ Roses by the Sea

Available now at my Art166 ~ Zazzle Store.
Choose your options when ordering.

* * * *

Deja vu, all over again:

Ah, the endless joy of the digital source file.

You take one decent photo, then recreate it as often as imagination (and digital imaging software) will allow.

Apparently, my imagination is always open for business -- which explains so very much.

Day 2

~ Ah, Mr. Moon 1, ACEO
~ Ah, Mr. Moon 5, ACEO
~ Ah, Mr. Moon 4, ACEO

Collectible ACEOs
3.5"x2.5" $5 USD ea.

Available now at my Art166 store at Etsy.com. Collectible ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals), produced with long-lasting, fade resistant inks on acid-free, professional-grade paper.

Click here to purchase, or for more info. Contact me if you'd like to purchase outside of the U.S. or Canada:
wjsc [!at] art166.com


* * * *

What I've learned since my last blog post:

If your personal resources are low enough, it really can take 5 months to repair your computer. Ouch!

Art is seriously not a poor man's (woman's) sport. What the hell am I thinking?

I really, really want to compete on Dancing With The Stars! Now, if only I were a dancer -- or, a star...

* * *

What I've done since my last blog post:

Actually patched up the ongoing-domino-effect-disaster that is my computer. I feel like Dr. Frankenstein: "It's alive! Alive!"

*
Contemplated life, health, regrets, and dreams.
Never mind -- not ready to go there. Nothing good can come of it.

*
Listened to music. Lots of music. Mostly: Chris Isaak, Rick Springfield, The Click Five and, oddly enough, The Zombies. Oh, and the soundtracks to the "28" movies (more on this, below).

*
Checked out the new TV season. I might refuse to speak to you if you're not watching:

The Mentalist (CBS) -- Psychic? Prestidigitator? Crack investigator? I do know that that Simon Baker is the cutest man on TV. By that, I mean 'every-mother's-son, ruffle his hair, just adorable' cute. Just gotta love a man with a tortured past who is blatantly cuddly, charming, funny, and always the smartest person in the room.
The weekly mysteries are decently twisty; the humor is suitably sly. Sublime!

Life on Mars (ABC) -- Struck unconscious in 2008, a police detective wakes up in 1973. Ah, the '70s, when real men wore wide collars and polyester shirts, and music came on giant vinyl discs. Those were the days!
The sci-fi/supernatural elements of this show make it irresistible. Impressive cast, too!

Crusoe (NBC) -- An unexpected adventure/period piece/buddy show. Think 'Starsky and Hutch on a deserted island' (only, with a less-grumpy Hutch). Simply enjoyable stuff with two very likable, and very different, guys leaning on each other for survival and friendship -- like buddy shows used to be.

The Eleventh Hour (CBS) -- Science-based mystery series. Lousy first episode, but has been very good, since. Ignore any bad reviews that were based on the first ep. The show has definitely moved up and on.
Mostly, I blank my mind and gaze, longingly, at the lovely, talented, and very mysterious Rufus Sewell. Later, of course, it's necessary to rewatch the episode to see what it was actually about. I offer no logical excuses for such hormone-driven behavior.

*
Watched lots of movies. Most notably (and frequently):
28 Days Later -- Biological apocalypse ravages the UK.
28 Weeks Later -- Sequel unfolds as biological apocalypse reinfects the UK.

Both movies are a hundred percent better than my tongue-in-cheek synopses, and are two of my favorites. (Definitely NOT for the faint of heart!) Perhaps the best soundtracks since the original 'Star Wars'. Hold on a sec, I'm gonna load them up, right now!
. . .
. . .
. . . Ahhh, that's better.

* * * *

What I'm doing now:

Renovating all my online sites (see 'W. J.' links, right) with new banners, colors, revised profiles, etc. Also, I'm boosting my inventory to prepare for the Christmas rush. (C'mon Christmas rush!)

*
In honor of the "28" movies (above), I'll be posting eye candy (aka 'W. J. artwork or product') every day for the next 28 days. Some posts will be pics only, and some will be pics + general yada yada.

Know my spotty blogging history and don't think I can do this? Well, I don't blame you, but allow me to prove you wrong. Check back, often, to see what's new!

And, so, it begins . . .

Day 1