Well, I've been gone awhile. It's good to finally update my site, which has seen nothing but neglect the past year. Thanks to everyone who visited my site in my absence. I'm working on an artshow at the moment and should have some of that stuff up pronto. It would be awesome to get peoples opinions on those pieces good or bad.

Joe

The Children of Hurin, the latest book by JRR Tolkien, is being released THIS MONTH!!!! I read somewhere that Christopher Tolkien spent 30 years piecing it together. My sole purpose in life now is to get my hands on that book and read it!! Middle Earth, here I come!

My trip to London and Paris in mid Feb. was one of the best experiences of my life. The culture and history over there is so rich and beautiful. I can't wait to make another trip there. Also, I should have some new paintings and drawings up in the next couple of weeks if I ever get around to photographing them!

Well, I'm off to Paris in three days. This for me is the first time out of the country and more importantly the first time seeing the great masterpieces of art history. Although I did see a show in Edmonton that had big names, most of the work was the lesser known stuff, at least as far as art history is concerned. It's going to be awesome!

I can't seem to motivate myself to work right now. Projects at school are interesting enough, but I think it might be something far more complex. The process of making art is in itself usually tedious but when you're on roll with an idea you find ways to make the process enjoyable and the work as a result is better. I feel like i'm fighting my paintings right now and am rarely happy with the result. I'm not quite sure but I think this is happening because I am struggling to find my identity as an artist. Experimentation with a wide variety of art forms as an artist is important but at some point you want to see that your paintings have some kind of continuity or uniqueness. I'm sure I'll work through the slump but it's still frustrating. Anyways, just thought I would speak my mind!