The old saying (not that old really) is that everything lives forever on the internet. This is absolutely true. I just stumbled upon an old Wordpress blog I had from a number of years ago.
As I scroll, and occasionally winced, I did come across some things that still hold true today, or I can see the germ of an idea that has now come to fruition. (Then there's all the old photo and such that makes it feel like a full on nostalgia fest)
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Earlier this week I shared about how I'm taking part in a fundraiser for cancer research with proceeds going to Lungevity. The fundraiser is being organized by Cut Artisan Hair Design in Flemington, NJ, with over 20 local artists lending their talents to create art on a heart. The art will be on display the entire month of February (at Cut) and available for sale.
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Art inspired by @jujusart on Instagram
The other night, I was sitting in a Shake Shack (sucking down a delicious chocolate shake), waiting for my daughter’s dance class to be finished. It feels like one of those moments, where you finally find yourself sitting still.
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This is going to be one of those blog posts that doesn't have a bow on top. It's not going to resolve nicely, or present a complete narrative, or 5 ways to do such and such. No, this post is just me sharing an idea. Sharing something incomplete. Who knows, maybe you’ll help play a part in helping complete it.
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This past weekend I spent a great deal of time in my basement. Things had gotten a bit unruly down there (as things tend to do in basements). And I’ve been putting off dealing with it for some time now, but I really need the space. I wouldn’t be able to pursue a few new goals without it.
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I have a hard time stopping and celebrating the good things that have just passed. I'm not talking about birthdays or special occasions. I'm talking about celebrating those milestone moments in personal achievements. To put it plainly, I suck at celebrating.
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"Undone" Acrylic on 20x20 canvas. Original painting available for purchase.
I was planning on posting something different today, but I'm following my heart on this one.
I posted the following on Facebook earlier today and it seems to have resinated with a lot of people, so I'm reposting it here. Someone (maybe you) might need to read this today.
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I had the privilege of creating this portrait of Emily as a Christmas present for Ryan's wife. Unfortunately, the surprise got leaked but she loved it!
Here's what Ryan had to say "I have been a fan of Mike's work for a long time and after our Christmas shoot with our daughter Emily I felt like I had the perfect picture to be made into a portrait in his amazing style. While I spilled the beans on the Christmas present early, my wife loves the portrait. Mike was able to capture both the physical details of Emily, but also her joyful disposition. We are thrilled to have this keepsake marking Emily's first birthday and second Christmas".
- Ryan
Way back in the day, long before email and the internet, people wrote letters. By hand. I had a few "pen pals" back in high school / college and used to draw all over the envelopes for people. It was a fun little surprise for them.
Serving people with art can take many forms. Today, I'm mailing out a card with a little Christmas cat drawing. I hope it brings smiles 😸!
Thanksgiving was last week. Most of us have moved on to thinking about Christmas / Hanukkah / the New Year. But I have a confession to make. I need Thanksgiving to hang around.
I'm not talking about the holiday traditions - the incredible food, extended time with family, watching the NBC Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Dog Show (along with sneaking in some March of the Wooden Soldiers). Those are all wonderful, and I love them. But what I need to hang around is actually the THANKS in Thanksgiving.
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Ok, so not to leave my cat loving friends out. Here's a new shirt "World Domination Begins.. Meow." only available on my Teepublic shop - ONLY $14
Tag a cat lover. or Megalomaniac.
http://tee.pub/lic/PyJq4qbRqLQ or MikeBrennanAD on teepublic.com
#cat #catlover #catshirt #worlddomination #catlady #tee #shirt #pet #catsofinstagram #catlove #catstagram #catworld #tee #giftideas #giftsforher #giftsforhim
People often ask me if I can do portraits other than pet portraits (or yoga art). The answer is yes! Here's a portrait I did this past Father's Day. What special occasion or relationship would you capture in a portrait? #art #portrait #artist #digitalpainting #commission #custom #customart #giftideas
A digital sketch of tourists seated in Times Square, NYC. 11/30/14
Have you ever gotten caught in the tractor beam of an idea that just won't let you go?
I had such an experience at a recent conference I was attending. But more on that in a minute...
It's no secret that I love to draw. I always have.
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At least once a month I get overcome with discouragement and want to quit.
I've been working harder on pursuing my dream of being an ARTrepreneur than anything else I've ever done. I show up every day to do the work. I put in long hours. I plan the best I know how. I'm leaning into those areas where I am weak or need knowledge and guidance. I'm doing all the things that those blog posts, websites and online courses say to do.
Read MoreHave you ever wished you could peek over an artists shoulder to watch them work? Ever wondered about the process or tools & supplies used? Or wished for a peek into an artist's working studio space? Lean in closer for some secrets!
Well, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a Facebook Live broadcast where I did just that, as well as completed a live demonstration finishing a mixed media pet portrait.
See how it went from this...
...to this! Watch the video below!
And although it will live on in the archives over at the Vango Art Facebook page, I thought it would be great to share with all of you who frequent my blog.
While you might not have the benefit of watching it live, you can still ask me any questions you might have. Just leave your questions in the comment section below!
Like the final piece? It's called "Van Gogh's Dog" and is a mixed media piece on 11 x 9 paper. It's available for purchase.
My parents were big believers in education, and specifically staying up on technology. Perhaps they saw how the ever-evolving technology surrounding computers was effecting their world even in the early 1980's. So they made sure their kids had opportunity to learn.
My first computer class was in the basement of a convent...
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When I was a kid, I hated Math. (I still do, unless it’s counting money, which needs to happen more…). I went to a private Catholic elementary school, but luckily didn’t actually have a nun as my teacher for Math class.
On one occasion for homework, I turned in my textbook to the pages where I was to find my math problems - but I encountered another sort of problem. The pages were missing.
We had old textbooks, and this was long before any real computer use for educational purposes. So I returned to school the next day, misfit textbook in hand. What happened next surprised me, and then corrupted me.
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Have you ever wondered if you’ve arrived late to the game? Do you ever feel like maybe you missed your chance with all this online stuff? That’s why I’m really excited to share this brand-new eBook with you from my friend Jeff Goins.
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Recently, I was at a conference called "Tribe" hosted by author Jeff Goins. In his opening, Jeff talked about the power of being a side kick. Being the comic book / pop culture geek I am, he had my attention instantly.
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