My Art: Climbing

Went through a few things and found this etching I did in Barbara Duval's Printmaking I class. I rather like this image (Climbing). It feels very simple yet personal, delicate, and emotional as I view it now, after a while. I have several more images to post over the coming weeks, so stick around, you may see some more. I have many pastels, paintings and prints to show.

*Still wonders if he should post the nudes*

Sunshine, Rainbows, & Lollipops

My friends tell me that I am a source of encouragement. I try to be optimistic because life is so rough sometimes. Lord knows there are days when I'm down, but I have a few rules I'd like y'all to keep in mind.

1. Change is already here!
2. No more drama!
3. Have some faith in yourself.

On Writing

After Art Criticism, I have learned a few tricks, and one of them is looking at strengths and weaknesses. It has become an asset that I do like. After writing an artist biography and statement and seeing the grade criteria for both, I found an interesting self-analysis of myself as a writer I’ve decided to post. Bear with me as I wrote this in third person.

Strengths:

• The writer has a strong grasp on the technical bones of writing. He can format a research paper/script/short story effortlessly.
• The writer knows how to construct arguments and prove them in his research papers.
• The writing style adjusts to certain formats stronger. The writer works in poetry, prose, scripts, blog entries and research formats (MLA, APA, etc.).
• The writer is willing to experiment in style to yield new results. Example: blending poetic writing with prose & blog entries.
• The writer uses highly imaginative diction in poetic style.
• The writer has a tangible sense of humor that comes through in his scripts
• The writer experiments with his scripting style.
• The writer loves writing.
• The writer has a simple, breezy style of writing for his blog, making it easy to read.

Weaknesses

• The writer is sometimes too technical in his fiction, which makes them resemble research papers.
• The writer sometimes does not make the emotional connection to his fiction characters, which holds them back.
• The writer should relax more when writing: He needs to dispel the audience from his head, as he seems more concerned with formal/technical aspects than the story.
• The writer does not focus on a body of work, but instead shifts from project to project, creating a disjointed body of work.

Suggestions:

• The writer should follow his instincts more, and worry less about the audience.
• Try making an emotional connection to the characters.
• The writer should focus on a project and see it to completion publication.
• Keep experimenting in styles to produce different results may shake audience out of head.
• Continue writing.

FYI

I want y'all to know that you already have the tools to survive, thrive , and succeed in this world. You have the strength and the power. Sometimes it takes a while to see and feel it. The Lord has laid this power out for you, so don't despair. You will succeed. Its already within your reach.

Writing Fool

My pals and I have a writing exercise that I am very happy to get into, so this post will be brief. I have an idea I am kicking myself for not starting last night. I did jot down some notes, so I have them today, but I have a clear scene in my mind's eye and should have wrote it on the spot. Well know better, do better. I gots to learn to follow my instincts. Best wishes to Shisho and Aggie. I am so looking forward to what you come up with.

Transgressional Fiction

After discussing Fight Club at YABS and on Corrina’s LJ, I decided to look the book up (as I never read the book or seen the movie), but came across the term Transgressional Fiction. By definition of the genre, I found the protagonist’s plight very compelling, and found myself identifying with the concepts and protagonist situations. It opens a door to thinking actively about what and how I write I also came across literary minimalism, which is something I have been using but unaware of it as well.

This is not to call myself a transgressive writer, but it gives me a point to bounce off of. Have anybody else found a genre that “hooked” you more than you realized?

No More Drama

I've decided that no more drama is the way I should live my life. Family Affair by Mary J. Blige is my new theme song. We got to live our lives like they mean something outside of someone else's expectations.
----------------
Now playing: Mary J. Blige - Family Affair
via FoxyTunes

Shrinkage

I noticed I have been doing less and less posts of my blog. I need to rededicate myself to writing and posting proper. I have been doing multiple duties and being back in class with papers, and side projects has stopped me big time. I have been writing still, so for those who read don't be upset. i hope to post more during the break and this weekend.

Today...

Today is feel good day. I am making it so. In spite of the hectic pace of the week, class, and working, I am still optimistic. I have to work at being happy I would work twice as hard. I need to clean my apartment. Life is too short to be caught up in BS. Life can be better. I will make it better.

Still writing, and plugging away at stories. Y'all know I don't give up. Working and working. Sometimes I wonder what it's all for then i realize that it will be better in the long run. No one knows what life can bring.

Naked Heart

A clever thought dawns upon me. My muse sings like a caged bird now free after years of captivity. The flow of creativity bursts like a dam from an overflowing river. The touch of electric insanity has visited and exited me once again. She's that old lover come to play again. Come to take me through my dark times. She is my friend. Like Prometheus she has given me fire. Before her touch, creativity was like wading through thick, thick fog, with my mind telling you there's a wall for me to crash into. We rode the river Styx together. Drifting aimlessly, awaiting a reprieve. Caution gives me electric impulses to my spine and skin, as fear overrides my senses. Were this Pandora's box, it would be wide open. All sorts of thoughts have been let loose unto the world, but not by accident. Were this my own heart, you would see it naked, proud, beautiful, unashamed.

Who Am I?

I am many things, dear readers, but the one thing I know for sure is that I am a man who likes to have good laughs, and loves make people laugh. It tickled me to make my friends laugh over some stories I didn't think anyone would think funny (I wrote with no expectations). I kept up with thew same vein over and over, and it has worked so well. The results have been positive. I want to keep these great feelings. I want to make others happy, and by extension myself. God willing I will keep writing in the same vein, and try to get some of the things I do published and produced.

Once again, thanks to all those who enjoyed my stories. God willing, I will make you laugh until you wet your pants. Yeah, I want to be that good.

Pretty so Pretty.

Another one from Mom's garden. I like it, but it was so bright outside that you lose some of the details from the image. Still a wonderful moment in time. I've fallen in love with it again.

Can I Has Mood Upswing!

more cat pictures

Artist Statement and Biography

I have to write one for class. You know, as a man with a blog I ironically find it hard to talk about myself and my craft. For my own sake, I'll get it together. It's quite a learning experience though. What does writing mean to me? I suspect the bio part will be simpler, but don't hold me to that. it's all due on Monday. The max is ten pages. For me an artist statement over one page is very pretentious. I'm not ready for the glowing praises of me written by me, typed by me, as read by me. Self-discovery and sharing I'm down for.

5

I promised myself five sentences today, so I need to get on top of things. Got up for class, was horribly uncoordinated. I don't know what i was thinking, or perhaps I have a lack of thinking. Class participation was minimal until my professor noticed and called on me. I was busted. Fortunately I had an answer after resisting being called upon. Anywhoo, I tried to get a nap when I got home cause work was going to be long in my wonderful haze of a day. Barely got any z's.

Observation

Ii decided to experiment with my writing style and create a short prose story that was more poetic in its narrative. This is a sexy change from my more breezy style. I wanted a break away that was uniquely a blend of my poetry skills. I gets lots of comments on the poetry, but it doesn't really sell. Here's what I noticed: In spite of it being experimental, I kept trying to edit it to make it regular prose. It's experimental fiction!!! How quickly I forgot. I am breaking my comfort zone. Gonna keep it experimental. Gonna keep it flowing like it does. Did I mention its an erotic story? Yes it is. Mind you, not a single dirty word can be found in this prose.

Let It Go

Forgive the crassness of this post but I think its time I let it all go. let the bullshit fall away and only deal with where I am now. I'd like to now stay in the past but move towards a future that is prosperous. This means letting go of old crap, and working on my life as the focus. it's about what I need and want without feeling like I don't deserve happiness or success. Why else work or be productive?

Graduate school is a transition. I shall move on soon enough.

Naked Thoughts

1. Do I really need someone to tell me how to feel?
2. Am I afraid of my own potential?
3. What really matters in life?
4. Who really matters in life?
5. What can I do with?
6. What can I do without?
7. Is anything sacred?
8. Who and what do I respect?
9. What are my thoughts on life and the world?
   
10. Do I have what it takes to be proactive in my life and how do I plan to get there?
    

Who Am I?

I have to write a biography and an artist statement for class. Therefore I need an answer to the question. I pose it to myself now and hope I will have an answer to it soon. Sounds uncomplicated? I don't even know why I write? I just do things. I'm tired of being a template. What can I do on my own? A Brother got to work things out. So I ask myself again, "who is Stacy R. Haynes, and what is he about?"

Can I Get Real For A Moment: Part 1

NOTE: Proactivity the key to success. Creativity is the guide. Bear with me please. Some transitions are worth the wait.

It's another Sunday, and I've been feeling pretty introspective of late. In the midts of so many thoughts, I wonder what I want in this life (and the next). Been wondering why I was put on this Earth, and why I've gone through the experiences that I have. Why am I here? Why now? Why this night? My reality is evolving. I'm delighted and scared. There is no set in stone guide to my life. I've been praying and thinking. Lord help me, because I do feel lost a lot.

It's not tangible. I feel it. I feel sometimes that I'm out of touch with my own welfare and happiness.

I don't want to bore anyone but I'd like to get past where I am, which is this feeling of living in a transitional period. This is a place where I feel stuck in the tar. I want to pull free and change the flow of my life. I want to stop feeling so limited in life, limited in finances, limited in all the choices and actions I have in life. Don't wanna wake up another day and feel like I'm struggling, when I should be shining like a star in the heavens.

Sometimes I feel divided by my thoughts, and the world. I feel that schism like a tight wire, binding us all to the same path.

I sometimes don't hear myself think. I'm not being fair to myslef, and I need to pray that my eyes and spirit open to my life and my world because a moment of pure awreness is worth a lifetime. If y'all don't know or can't follow me, I can only say I know that if I ever site "destiny" or "fate" in any train of thought, I've got to be on top of that game. There's a calmness, and a strenght that comes with awareness.

It was not my destiny to merely struggle for success. Why can't every day be a great day? I wanna be happy, and I want to share my happiness with others. I want to take care of myself, and my loved ones. I don't want to feel conflicted all the time.

Share the Laughter

It's been a while since I wrote something, anything about my life. I have been doing well. Been working on feeling better about life, and the hand I am dealing with. I know I am blessed, and I can endure the hardships, so I refuse to let sadness take me over. I have learned to laugh, and have gotten people to laugh, so I want to push humor. Give humor a chance. Let that smile shine through, because if you can forget your woes for a moment, then we have something good. I have got to share the laughter.

Things I Think About

I want to get in shape. A friend told me about this gym that's not too far from my apt. I'll join when i get the $ because in shape is something I've been thinking about. not interested in loosing x amount of pounds. I'd like to be that guy who could clime stairs without feeling that's a workout. I also want to learn portion control with foods. Something I have a hard time with when I cook.

Tonight's meal is veggie rice, chicken breast slices, sweet corn and broccoli. I''ll have the same for tomorrow.

Rainbow. Sunshine, & Lolipops

The works has been kind for a few days and I refuse to complain, so I say that I need to enjoy the days of happiness God has sent me, because after feeling so woes, I can tell you that the joy feels better. So yes, I do have some color in my life, moreso than usual. Don't let my happiness fool you, the world is in such a state of depression. I'm not blind to the world. It's not a pretty place to be outside your door sometimes. I wish there was a way to share some happiness. I think I know how. If I can get people to laugh, I will have done a good thing. To my CSI:YABS pals I'm starting with you. :-)