Thursday, November 1, 2012

Friday, November 9th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm - Beverly Arts Center - 36th Annual Art Competition
I'll have 2 shirt pieces on display.
Come look, feel more cultured, buy me a beer, then brag to your friends! It's always a good time.

 

--Nick

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Story Behind All The Flowers And Veggies



A while back, on my art page, facebook.com/npdecker, I started a ‘Photo-an-every-once-and-a-while Series’.
In the early months of 2009, I had done a painting-a-day series. It consisted, mostly, of classic pop-culture movie characters, and actors that I enjoy. All paintings were done in one 24hr period, usually in the late-night/wee-morning hours, and mostly in black & white
Near the end, the trudge of the series was taking its toll. Stress, lack of sleep, and financial worries had gotten the best of me and it started affecting the work. Paintings took more time, unable to achieve proper coloring, harsh brush strokes clogging the painting, etc.
In addition to this series, I was job hunting daily; sending out digital and paper résumés to any and every company I could think of.
The series was a nice sort of venting process, that helped me unwind from the days stresses and negative vibes that came during the 9 to 5 hours.
I had ordered enough canvas to fill 3 months time, and once that time had passed, I’d look at its appeal, success, feedback, etc. and determine whether or not to continue.
Overall, it turned out to be a nice group of work It’s really my little tribute to the pop-culture classics that inspire me.

Cut to April of 2012, I had undergone open back surgery and was laid out, unable to move farther than 50 ft at a time. Having way too much free time on my hands, I picked up my new digital SLR camera that was still in its packaging from January. I hadn’t had enough time to sit and fiddle with it.
Now, with loads of time, I started to shoot everything in sight.
I snapped a few pictures around the house, then, one day I was sitting outside in front of our koi pond icing my back. I snapped a bunch of photos of our koi fish feeding.
One picture is of one of our oldest and biggest koi opening his giant face to feed on a pellet.
I laughed at the sight of it, and decided to post it on facebook to show some friends.
The response was good enough that I decided, well, since I’m still weeks away from picking up a brush again, I’ll photograph everything around me, and the good stuff, I’ll share with the world.

So the reason you see a lot of flowers is because of 2 major back surgeries putting me out of commission. While recuperating back at home, I try to get out in the sun a little bit each day (because vitamin D is your friend) and my parents, both with their own green thumb, plant, garden, and take great pride in their respected dirt displays.
The flowers and veggies are what I’m surrounded by. So, I’m sharing what I see, with you.
I just try to take the things that catch my eye, and capture them in a slightly different perspective.
Thanks
--Nick

Friday, August 17, 2012

'Fantasy Football' is just 'Dungeons & Dragons' for jocks.

Monday, July 30, 2012

AM Transmissions

It's 3:43 in the AM on July 30th, 2012.
This is when I do my best mind work.
I've been unable to sleep regularly since having 2 major back surgeries in the past 3 months. (Very sore, but feeling ok. Thanks for asking.)
“Mind work” is what I would describe as "Being unable to shut ones brain off, relax, and rest."
While I was never one who was able to 'stop thinking' or 'think about nothing' (hence the rambling mind moniker) late night thinking is when I tend to come up with my best ideas.
Whether they be artistic or blog entries like this one, or the other one I’m writing during the pauses in here.
Late night thinking is just when my brain is either at its sharpest, slicing out razor thin, perfectly thought out ideas, sketches, etc.
OR
My brain is at its most exhausted, and it churns out MANY hazy, non descriptive, not-fully-cooked mounds of ideas that vaguely represent something resembling a descriptive thought. These usually tend to firm up into delicious idea treats.

Since becoming employed during the evening hours, my body has somewhat adjusted to firing on the third shift. However, I am multi-employed, and usually will have an AM shift to wake up to.

But good ideas come to me over mediocre pancakes and great company.

It’s now 5:22am on July 30, 2012, and I feel the ideas turning to mush. Perhaps over-thinking simply over-cooked them…
Get some sleep.
--Nick

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

It's been over a year.
Sorry for the absence.
But it's been a busy, crazy, interesting, sweaty, awesome 12 months.
Keeping busy teaching art to kids after school, working at a craft beer bar, and doing the in-house art work and design work that you all know & love.
I'll go further in depth in a bit, but for now, know that I've been happily & overly busy.
There's good stuff to come.
You know that I'm always working on something...
Stay tuned, friends. The fun is just about to begin!
Stay cool!
--Nick