I need to be honest about some stuff. Lately, I've had a lot going on and I've been stewing in it. Most notably, my Aunt died recently. I'm ok and everything is fine. She was very sick with a very vicious form of cancer for at least two years now. Either way she's no longer in pain and the healing can begin. Something about the sermon the minister gave stuck with me. I'm not religious or even spiritual, but the message of the sermon was to not to let your own frustrations and grudges keep us from seeing the good in life. It was strange that he chose that message given my Aunt was the most warm and embracing person in my Stepfather's family, but I don't think that part was for her. It was for all of us in the chapel who were grieving. It asked us to put aside pettiness and not miss the fleeting beauty that is life.

Now how does that relate to my art? Well, I've held a lot of negativity within myself for a while now. Gradually, I've learned to let some of it go and move on. However, I do find myself looming over little things, tiny things that I have no control over that piss me off. As a result of my lingering, I've gotten lazy. My artwork has taken a hit from this as well as my general motivation. This weekend, I've been home with my parents to spend time with them and my friends. My hope is that I can purge most of that negativity with fun, love, and positive energy. That's not to say I'm not going to be pissy from time to time and want to bitch about the parts of life that anger me. I'm merely relinquishing the control and weight that junk has held me under for all this time. It won't be an instant thing, but I do think everything will change for the better in due time.

Thank you all for the support and encouragement you always give.

-Matt