by james | Jul 12, 2014 | aoj blog
Hey Everyone;
Hope your having a great week… just trying to get back in the scheme of things since the holidays… Not sure if its the lingering holiday hang over or the 110 + temperatures we are having,….probably both…. If you come by the studio these days you will notice that we have a new addition to the staff at AOJ…. yes.. its our official studio watchdog…Sieglinde and I have owned dogs our entire life, but we are really excited about Madison.. she was a rescue from the Animal Foundation here in Vegas…. Surprisingly she took to everyone quickly and has already put her stamp on the place.. I think rescues make fantastic pets…. you really do save a life and then change a life. We do what we can to promote rescue animals… I can’t tell you how many stories we have heard of these rescue pets changing peoples lives…all for the better… so when you are in the market for a pet and really want to have a positive impact…. adopt a rescue… you will have given the best possible gift…. a new life… have a great week everyone….new work out shortly….
…….peace
……..james
Introducing the latest employee at AOJ..Madison, Studio Watchdog
by james | Jul 11, 2014 | 2014
Hey everyone…
here is a recently completed abstract piece. .. it is oil, framed 41½ x 29½ .. (wired and ready to hang) it is titled “sand storm” hope you all enjoy.. I’ll have another one out shortly….
………peace
…………………james
price: 600.00 USD (through Sept only!)
by james | Jul 5, 2014 | 2014
Hey Everyone….
Hope your having a great 4th of July weekend… we are really excited to release our new work this holiday weekend
…. Here are a couple of pics of my latest work… this is the 7th in the americana series… when you think of americana whats more iconic than the drive- in?.. some of my fondest memories growing up are when my mom and dad packed us in their station wagon, full of snacks and headed to the drive-in…..this one is mixed media, oil, and collage… it is 5 /12 ft x 4 ft…. it is titled “Cinema Americana”... hope you all enjoy.. I’ll have another one out shortly…
……peace
………………….james
by james | Jun 28, 2014 | aoj blog
Hey Everyone;
Officially today we launched our 2nd company, Indiscretions Lifestyle …. I have always had a tremendously strong pull to the entrepreneurial side of things… I think I got this gene from my Dad….lol….. I often wondered why the pull was so strong, but then I realized that the answer was right in front of me… I am an artist!…most artists I know are driven to this side.
It used to be that being an artist meant not making money (“starving artist”) except for a tiny few who hit the big time (such as Dale Chihuly).
A few months ago I read an article the really did a great job talking about the entrepreneurial artist. Briefly stated the author wrote about the artist entrepreneur, noting 3 underlying trends supporting this broader trend toward combining business and art skills:
“…While making a living as an artist continues to be difficult, 3 broad trends are combining to create new opportunities for artist entrepreneurs:
1. Consumer interest in unique, one-of-a-kind or handcrafted products is growing, broadening the market for works of art.
2. The Internet is creating new and effective methods for tech savvy artists to find an audience – and for art buyers to easily find art that interests them.
3. Technology is reducing the costs of producing many types of art, allowing artists to price at levels that attract new buyers and expand the art market. Technology also gives artist entrepreneurs the ability to create and manage small businesses with multiple revenue streams. This greatly increases the likelihood they will generate enough revenue to succeed.”
When Sieglinde and I first committed to this lifestyle we used to own several art galleries, and were literally stunned when we started dealing with artists in a business relationship for the first time. Many did not have practical business skills — and a surprising number lacked even basic organizational skills. If we wanted to reach out to a specific artist on a very creative piece for the gallery, we were usually unable to get ahold of them as they have either moved or changed their phone numbers….
But now times are changing for more and more entrepreneurial artists… I am seeing them embrace the need for business and art to be connected as one….I think this is a critical key for success when you live this lifestyle… Combining your creativity and applying sound business principles puts you in a position for success and allows for you to set yourself apart in this competitive environment….
So as we move forward with this journey, I know it has to be a blend of talent, economics and hard work that will open us up to the next level….. Looking forward to a great ride…. Come and join us… its going to be awesome!… Have a great week everyone… new work out this week!!
……….peace
………….james
Creative Director
Indiscretions Lifestyle
Below is the new company logo…
by james | Jun 22, 2014 | aoj blog
Hey everyone,
Ready ,set ,go…. Go, go, go !!! …. Seems to be the operative phrase these days…. Between painting time, starting a new business, negotiating contracts on a new studio space, working at a large healthcare company, and of course keeping a eye on Sean, one has no time for anything….. after maintaining this pace for several years I found it necessary to incorporate much needed and necessary “battery recharge time” (BRT)…. Lol……so this weekend we are writing from Redondo Beach, CA…….just breathing some different air can work wonders on the creativity and the mind…. I think actually taking a dip in the ocean doesn’t hurt either… with keeping pace in our busy lifestyles its equally important to take a break and breathe… this is one aspect that we all tend to forget…
“The impact that taking a vacation has on one’s mental health is profound,” said Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in stress and relationship management. “Most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out.”
Clinical psychologist Deborah Mulhern of Bethesda, Md., also has found that people who don’t take enough time to relax may find it harder to relax in the future. “Without time and opportunity to do this, the neural connections that produce feelings of calm and peacefulness become weaker, making it actually more difficult to shift into less-stressed modes,” Mulhern said. “What neuroscience is showing is that we require down time in order for our bodies to go through the process of restoration. It is only when we are safe from external stresses that our bodies can relax enough to activate restoration.” So the evidence is there… we just need to continue to program ourselves that balance between the work life and the personal life are really the key to success…. Have a great week everyone… and just relax….
peace…
………..james
pics from the weekend relaxing in Hollywood, CA at my favorite flea market..Melrose Trading Post.… almost forgot tomorrow is Monday…lol.. 
