After my hiatus...

I am finally connected to the outside world again! I have been with out Internet access for too long! The next step is to buy or borrow a digital camera to post some of the paintings I've been working on. I have allot of work to do with my blog, website, and all the other various things I had going before I fell off the map!!

So, hopefully, soon I'll be posting more!! Until then...

Trying to get back on a schedule...!

Well the holidays have come and gone... I hope everyone had a wonderful time. Thankfully I am none the worse for wear. Well, that isn't entirely true... but I'll fib a little anyway!

First, I'll apologize for having absolutely nothing to show for my planned 'Painting-a-week' deal that I was so gung-ho about. Next, I'll apologize for... um... not painting at all! Well, I'll get back into the groove of things and try to kick myself in the backside and get busy!

Here's a painting I've been working on for a little while. I did work on the rocks and some of the goose in the forground over the holidays.

Print Updates...

Prints are available through my website: http://www.scottalcorn.webs.com/ on the 'Order Prints' tab.

Originals are available in Galleries I, II, and III of the website as well. PayPal is set up for secure purchase of originals.

Latest print sales:

San Antonio Mission

Dust Off

Latest Original Sale:

Hat

Postcards from Bagdad

My friends Karen Miner and Bob Moreland have a second book of Poetry now in print, Postcards from Bagdad. Though the styles of these poets are markedly different, both write from the heart. I have had the good fortune of being able to read the manuscript before it was published, and what I can tell you is that this is a wonderful tribute to those who serve our country. This book is more than just a collection of poetry, it is heartfelt, from the first line to the last. Whether you agree with the politics of the the war or not, these men and women have sacrificed to protect our freedom, the freedom we hold dear and sometimes take for granted.

If you would like to purchase this book follow this link:

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=50761

Why is it....?

Ok... So a few weeks ago I said I would try to do something new. Instead of a painting-a-day, I said I would try a painting-a-week... Well, I had good intentions, but it ain't gonna happen! I'm down to finals, moving into a new place (having to figure out how I'm going to arrange my studio), and about ten other things going on all at once!

Now, on the flip side, good or bad depending on how you look at it, I don't have cable or internet access (that will come later... say in about 4-5 months). This is a good thing... when I get my studio set up, I will have no excuse for not writing or painting... right? After work and finals (Graduating this month!!!), I'll be able to jump right in and do what I love to do best! Now the down side... No background noise, no college bowl games, no Judge Judy (just kidding), or History Channel, Discovery Channel... Hmmmm... How much was cable again?

Ok, Scott, focus... Paint son, Paint! I think I'll break out some of my art books and get reaquainted with Hopper, Waterhouse, Renoir, Modigliani...

Hey... It's eight o'clock! My favorite show 'Scrubs' is coming........ Crap!

Where's the number for the cable company.

One of two featured artists...

Amber Marie Stifflemire (painting under the name: Art Marie Soleil) and myself (Scott Alcorn) have been honored by the Huntsville Art Blog as Featured Artists for the month of December. Congratulations Amber. To view Huntsville Art Blog, go to:

http://huntsvilleartblog.blogspot.com/

Poem Entitled 'Realization'...

Just rambling here... Been museless for a while, hopefully the muse has returned for a little more than just a visit...

Realization

Dandelion sphere
motionless starburst…
like a perfect dream.
The heart’s universe
dreams towards the setting sun.
Distance, miles, a curse.

Fragile breath, it waivers
whispers, holding at first -
then comes the realization.
erupting… un-coerced
un-biddened, a silent shiver
cacophonic burst
the dream dissipating…
And I’m still dreaming West.

© Scott Alcorn 11-16-08

I'm about to start something new...

Ok, I'm going to start something new. I would really like to attemp to begin A Painting A Day, however, with my work and class schedule, including homework, and most of all getting to play with my son on the weekends... time seems to be short! So, I am going to attempt A Painting A Week!

Here is the first in my Painting A Week. It's called 'After the Rain' , 11x14, Oil on Board, $350.00. To purchase this and any other of my pieces please go to: http://scottalcorn.webs.com/

The Southern Wildlife Festival, Decatur, Alabama. Part. 2

When I walked in to the SWF held on the campus of Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama, one of the first artists I noticed was wildlife carver Joey Horn. His work was some of the finest I have seen yet. Though I am an artist, the detail he achieves using predominantly Tupelo Wood is beyond me. I have always respected those that can take a chunk of wood, something most of us wouldn’t even glance at, and turn it into a masterpiece. Joey’s finely crafted art has won numerous awards and they are all well deserved. Not only is he a fine artist, he is very easy going, willing to answer any questions about art or carving.
Another artist acquaintance at the show was Stephen Harmening. Stephen uses mostly acrylics and achieves wonderful results – I on the other hand will stick to oils. His paintings capture a moment, a snapshot. But look long enough and everything moves. you’ll find a songbird in the tall grass swaying with the wind, or see an elks breath as it labors up a snow covered mountain over looking a beautiful Colorado landscape.
I had a chance to meet Frank Baggett from Tennessee. Actually Frank and I are on an art site together and have messaged each other before, but it was nice to finally put a name to a face. Frank was one of the finalists in this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Competition. He as well as a couple of other artists encouraged me to actually take the leap and enter a few of the State duck stamp competitions. I have been threatening to do this for a while…
If you are a wildlife artist, contact the Southern Wildlife Festival and participate as an artist next year in 2009. You’ll make great friends and have a chance to do some networking. If you are a wildlife or art lover, come out to the show next year.

The Southern Wildlife Festival, Decatur, Alabama. Part 1

Mark you calendars for mid October 2009. The Southern Wildlife Festival in Decatur, Alabama draws a crowd from North and Mid-Alabama and Southern Tennessee. This past year however, was a little sparse crowd wise, to say the least. There were a few things that hindered turn-out. One, and probably the most prominent being the economy. Things are tight and one of the first things the average consumer forgoes are non-essentials, art being one of them. Something else I noticed was the lack of promotion. That is something I know little about and will leave that to the more qualified. However, radio, ads in free community papers, call a news channel, or local blogs will help in bringing a better turn out. The last thing was the absence of a few of the cornerstone artists. One of those missing was Larry Chandler.
I didn’t know Mr. Chandler very well, though he recognized me at shows and we would chit-chat. The first time we met, I was working in an art/custom frame store. He was having us cut matting for one of his prints of a bird dog paintings. After talking some, we found out one of the dogs he painted a few years earlier was the great, great, great, granddad (somewhere down the line) of one of the dogs I had just finished painting –small world! He passed away in March or April of 2007 if memory serves. His wife and friends had set up his booth, but it just wasn’t the same. He was a wonderful artist and truly personable. He will be missed.
There is a solid foundation in place to build the SWF into a miniature version of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina held every February. I’m not sure how many people actually helped build the Southern Wildlife Festival, but I know one person, and that being Beverly, that did a lot and has done a lot in the past. Maybe some of us could pitch in next year and help her bring back the SWF’s former glory.