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.  ÂÂ
    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.ÂÂ
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I have been doing this for about 12 years now.   Started out on Bryce 2 (not counting Photoshop) and went all the way through the most modern versions.   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.  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.   As my use increased my understanding of what was possible with Poser.   I am now so addicted that I have bought every upgrade that has come out.   As with Poser, most of the other programs I have bought along the way have been a real challenge.   I have (regretably) given up on most and remained with only Poser. ÂÂ
   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.  ÂÂ
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 (33)
genefleeman
Well, this is the first picture that came to mind in a week.. I don't know why but my mind seems to be unable to concentrate on my artwork. For some reason I seem to be losing my drive when it comes to making pictures. I just don't seem to have the same compulsion to make artwork these last few months.. I hope it changes soon. I fear I will lose the urge altogether and that has NEVER happened to me in my whole life.. It is a bit scary to think of life without art as my main driving force. It would leave a huge hole in my life to not make any more pictures and I would be very very sad if it happens... Nothing to do but wait and see if it returns. For me art is not something I could force to happen. It shows in my pictures when I try to force it... All I can do is hope... Hope you enjoy this picture even though it is not one of my best and an idea I have previously explored already.. Feeling a bit stale lately... Have a good weekend ands see you all next week...gene
flashone
"Wow, I shouldn't have walked through all that catnip so I could get here quicker." "Oh well, I wonder how many tiger skin accessories I can get outa this one, hmmmmm?" Excellent work as always my friend. Take care and keep em coming!
Shirahime
excellent!
BIGBEAR1965
Very cool scene and story! Excellent poses and pov, great work my friend!
Carlazzo
This artwork is wonderful! Excellent!!!
ragouc
Very good POV and scene.
renecyberdoc
wow at first sight i had only the head in the screen very impressive. it would be very sad if the motivation would not come back.but i dont think so you might be in kind of a dark hole just climb out brother,and enjoy us with your works.
kelvinhughes
now thats a big pussy lol well done my friend excellent image
LBAMagic
Outstanding!!! Great action and wonderful vivid colours.
Roboman28
Exciting art work. Certainly a huge tiger.
Zanthurus
Very Nice!!!!
2121
stunning, the colours are wonderful
J5ive
Fantastic colorful Scene!
Xanthmann
You know what they say...Big cats are dangerous but a little puss wouldn't hurt anyone. Stunning work, forced or not! On losing inspiration...I have been there a few times. It does come back. I have found it is best not to dwell on it...Like the saying goes,'If you love something set it free. If it returns it was ment to be. If it doesn't...hunt it down!' Try soemthing different for a while to keep your mind out of a funk. Farmers change the crops they grow from year to year so the soil can recover certain elements for particular crops. I pray for you and your muse.
alessimarco
Fabulous pov and posing. Love the big cats! Your use of color is spectacular!
brycek
Awesome image and story!!
bakapo
wow! what an amazing action scene, the cat looks huge and mean! I love the point of view and the colors in this. Hang in there, I'm sure your artistic muse will return. hug
Tracesl
fantastic scene and scale, great PoV, excellent!
RodolfoCiminelli
Fantastic and impressive work my friend.....!!!!
jocko500
image is super. asw for your art comeing to you ... it will just start playing around in a diff field of art and ideas will come then. New play will get the juices going...may paint your face and take photos of yourself?
lior
SO stunning and impressive!
Killebrew
Gorgeous colors!
drifterlee
Awesome scene!
shadownet
Awesome fantasy scene!
Indiskeyes
Great picture and story! That huge cat has met his match this time!
bazza
Lovely story and image Gene, top me this picture is impressive and your worst is still probably better than my best. Sometimes when I need ideas I browse the gallery and net for pictures and often someones pic will trigger an idea lol. You can still upload your old stuff as I know I haven't seen them and probably neither has a lot of other newbies on here.. Once again amazing render mate and beautiful posting..
mgtcs
WOW.....This is really a super work my dear friend, a great composition, perfect POV and poses, a masterpiece!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
StudioArtVartanian
excellent work!!!!
lyron
Excellent work!!