Art in Recovery
I am a survivor of abuse and parental alcoholism. Recovery and my artistic journey coincide and interdependent. When I am thinking of art in these terms, I include all forms, Writing, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, etc.
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Laughter
My wife says I don’t laugh enough. We will be watching a show, presented as a comedy. She will be laughing. She will look at me, silent and stoic, maybe carrying a tight smile, and ask me “Why aren’t you laughing?” I will reply: “I am!” I might feel something is funny, but it takes… Continue reading
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Never Old
My mother lived until she was 86. She could get around but it was a struggle. Her mind was good, but she forgot things and often repeated the same stories. Generally, it was clear she was old and wearing down. She knew it, but she didn’t feel old. She said she felt as fresh and… Continue reading
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Many Forks
I’ve gone done many career forks in the road. One can say I went down too many forks. I went from the food industry as a scientist to corporate law to information technology and finally to art and writing. My creative work has not been financially lucrative, but I’m happier. I’m semi-retired now, so I… Continue reading
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Framing My Mind
Depression runs in my family. My father hid in his house, drinking and brooding for years, consumed by his plight, the inability to be content. What I’ve learned over the years is that the way he framed his situation added to his problems. He saw himself as a failure and confirmed this judgment with his… Continue reading
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Reversal
During Covid I had justification for my hermit lifestyle. Since becoming a father, my circle of friends has shrunk. My life centered around them and the social contacts I made because of them. Now that they’re grown up, I’ve lost contact with that circle of parents. My father was a hermit and I struggle to… Continue reading
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Sociable
Most people who meet me think I’m shy and distant. The truth is I am naturally sociable, but it has taken me years to realize this. As a kid, I was labeled as “painfully shy.” I received this label because I was subdued and reserved, but this was not because I was shy, but because… Continue reading
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Publish
If I knew for sure that approaching regular publishers would lead to a publishing contract, I would probably go ahead. The fear of rejection is not exclusive to me, but I’ve stayed away from publishers because of it. I have this idea they would not only reject my work, but be cruel and expose me… Continue reading
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Obtainable
When I was a young man, the most important achievement that I desired was to find the perfect career, that is, my perfect career. I was convinced that choosing wrong meant a life of misery. I heard many stories of people being in jobs they hated, but had to do them to survive. I didn’t… Continue reading
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Transportation
I like art that transports me to another place or state of mind. When I go to the Art Institute of Chicago, I always make sure I see the Monet Haystacks. It brings me a sense of peace. I love the color. My favorite writer is C.S. Lewis because he makes sense of complicated things.… Continue reading
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Reading
One of my favorite memories as a kid is sitting in my bed and reading a book, with the window open so I can feel the summer breeze and hear the crickets and other critters chirping and buzzing. It puts me in a peaceful mood. With the bustle of daily living, I have gotten out… Continue reading
About Me
Indie author and self taught artist, creating for over fifty years, also a former corporate lawyer and systems manager … and other assorted vocations. Writing is my passion. I just released my first science fiction novel, Escape From Desolation, eBook and paperback. More information at my author page: http://escapefromdesolation.com
