My artistic life in as few a words as Possible.
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Before my first computer (a Macintosh 1600, one of the first of the so called Power PC's Apple put out), I did pen and ink work on my regular spot...  this being the steps of the First Presbyterian Church across the street from San Francisco's "Hard Rock Cafe".  I used to tell people I was between a Place and a Hard Rock  (I know, it didn't get any laughs then either) but after a few days sales skyrocketed.   As I got better, and MUCH quicker, at doing ink drawings of Wolves, Bears and other High end Animal Predators sales was a never ending sequence of 20 minutes of drawing (and making between 10 and 20 dollars in the time it took to make a picture ,because of people stopping to watch me draw and giving contributions of not less than a dollar at a time) and taking less than 10 or 20 minutes to sell them at the cheap price of 20 dollars, I was averaging about 40 to 60 dollars an hour on the street or my church steps.   To aid me, and because the police frowned on anyone standing or sitting in one spot, the church gave me an exclusive, signed and stamped letter saying I could be there 24 hours of the day.   At the time, and because I was then homeless,  I ended up not only drawing but eating sleeping and conducting all sales from that spot.
    Soon the word spread and people started to call me the "Wolf Man" because I could turn out a great wolf drawing in about 10 minutes, tops.   People would order pictures in the mornings and come back to pick them up on their lunch breaks or on their way back home in the evening.  Â
    Sadly at the time I had a bad addiction to some of San Francisco's finest drugs.   I would start drawing at 5 in the morning and end about 2 in the next morning.   As you can see I was not getting very much sleep but I was, how shall I put it, DRIVEN to do as much as I could and with the amount of money I was able to make kept not only my habit but those of a few "friends", if that is what you could call them.   When one makes about 500 dolars a day and can't even afford to rent a room then I say that is a SAD state to find one in.   My so called friends loved it..  I on the other hand started to feel like a hamster ion a tread wheel.   All that running and I got absolutely no where.   My state of mind because of the drugs and lack of sleep caused me to have a slight break with reality and so I eventually ended up in the state mental health programs.   I was already bipolar but when I started to get mad at people that were not there the outside world began to take notice and the church folk who supported me in my art endevours decided I needed help.  One day while screaming at the top of my lungs at someone that only I could see the church, which was having a Sunday school meeting inside decided that I fit the police description of what is called in California a 51-50..  A person that is in danger of hurting themselves or others because of a mental problem.   After the police arrived and sent me off to the hospital for 6 months of observation and treatment I was released.    Though I was making a lot of money I had come to realise that I could never get clean in San Francisco so I went to the coast hiway and left.  I made it just 90 miles that first day and ended up in Santa Cruz, California..  I had become determined to beat this problem of mine and though I would always be somewhat biPolar I knew that I must stop all drug use..  I did really good and though I didn't make as much for my artwork here (I wasn't driven by the drugs anymore) I did alright.   One thing lead to another and I soon met my wife.   About a year or so later we had our first child and my life settled down a lot.  I have continued to remain drug free for the last 15 years and now have a beautiful, and VERY smart daughter.   It was the best thing I have ever done.   I then dscovered the computer and photoshop.Â
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I have been doing this for about 12 years now. Â Â Started out on Bryce 2 (not counting Photoshop) and went all the way through the most modern versions. Â Â I picked up a copy of Poser 3 along the way and at first was not too happy with my inability to understand how to use it. Â At first I just used it to populate Bryce pictures but then I started to catch on to a lot more of the possibilities that this program contained. Â Â As my use increased my understanding of what was possible with Poser. Â Â I am now so addicted that I have bought every upgrade that has come out. Â Â As with Poser, most of the other programs I have bought along the way have been a real challenge. Â Â I have (regretably) given up on most and remained with only Poser. Â
   I invite you all to partake of my gallery and, PLEASE, read the stories as well.   They give a whole other dimension to the pictures themselves.  Â
Life has become a totally different thing for me now.  I Own a very nice two story home on 3 acres, I have helped my wife start her business (she is a great animal groomer and a vetinary technician and my daughter is going to a College preparitory school, well on her way to a university of her choice (gets all straight A's and A+'s)  so I would say what ever  God there may be has smiled heavily upon me.   My health is not great but Hopefully I won't up and die in the next couple of years and my family is set for life.  On this note  I will end this little story and give my wish that you all stay healthy and safe and keep on doing your artworks as well...  Luv, GENE
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Comments (30)
genefleeman
A simple picture this time. Nothing fancy or tricky. Just a straight up picture of a most determined young lady guarding the treasures of her Lord, the Marquis Gene de Santa Cruz. He He He.. hope you like it and the story..
Pewter7
Pretty cool-looking work!
doriano
Not discussing on details...but I greatly appreciate the different and original sense of composition in this image!!!! Great Congrats
mgtcs
Wonderful pose and character my dear friend, adorable image, congratulation!
tamburro
Fantastic wonderful colors and composition!!!!
Roboman28
Lovely image with bright and colourful lighting.
mistressotdark
beautiful work!
shadownet
Well a rich man needs a good bodyguard right and if that doesn't work you might consider a bride who can take care of herself and you as well as something worth adding to your collection of new found wealth! Excellent!
LBAMagic
Excellent work. Outstanding idea of using those wall nooks for images. I think I might swipe it (imitation is a compliment).
bazza
Wonderful story and scene I guess he hadn't watched or knew all the guards routines now did he.. Beautiful lady.. well done Gene, superb posting!!
pwilkin
Very nice pose and scene!
J5ive
Very cool,Awesome background work!
StudioArtVartanian
cool artwork and lighting!
bakapo
nice job! I love the strong pose and expression. she's a fantastic guard.
renecyberdoc
and you really show opulent.a wonderful scene.masterpiece for me and absolute fav.
UteBigSmile
Fantastic mixture, looks really cool, you made here another wonderful work!!! Hug's Ute
cheekyelf
Totally excellent,awsome pose & I like the the people in the background unusual.
Tracesl Online Now!
wonderfully done scene, great backdrop (that is cool & creative), excellent character
thecytron
Xcellent composition! Sure is very colorful!
alessimarco
Great character...awesome background!
kelvinhughes
most excellent my friend
jocko500
this is wonderful to see and read
RodolfoCiminelli
Spectacular and impressive work my friend....!!!
BIGBEAR1965
Awesome scene my friend! She is absolutely gorgeous, and quite deadly as well! Excellent pose and background, very nicely done!
Indiskeyes
A beautiful bodyguard! I Love the colors and the colorful story!
lyron
Excellent work!!
ArtistKimberly
O•-)•––––––––•(-• •°• °• Exceptional •°•°• •-)•––––––––•(-•O
Pierrot_Lunaire
Awesome scene! Stunning character and background! Excellent!
BertDes
Very pretty. Nice colors.
PhilW
beautiful! I love the "icons" in the background!