Oh my goodness.....

    Oh my goodness. I keep meaning to keep my blog up, but I get side tracked so easy these days. I am just going to have to set aside a certain day each week to make sure I do this. I have gotten a lot done since the last entry, so lets get going.
    First let me say, Hello my friends. I hope that you are all well and that your travels are as exciting as mine. Hugs. Some of you that read this have known me for quite a while now, and you know that I have went through lots of changes the last few years, for the better, or at least I hope. I finally quit fighting who I am and accepted myself, and once I did that, I became a better and happier person. For so many years I lived in frustration and anger. I kept believing that the reason I didn't have the things in life that everyone else had was because I was an artist. So I fought it, for years and years. I tried so hard to be some one that I am not. I let TV and others let me think that I was a no one and unsuccessful , because I didn't live in the big house up on the hill, as the saying goes. But what I have figured out is this, we are all, all of us, born with gifts. Not all gifts are creative, but the world need all kinds of people to make it a good place. The trick is to find out what it is you are good at, that also makes your heart happy, and do that. Don't try to be anything other than that. If you do, you will never be truly happy. Money is not the key, love is. Do what you love, and everything else will follow. But you must us wisdom and patience as well. Things take time. It is up to you how long it takes, depending on how much time you put into learning and mastering your gifts. Often it is a long path, but if you just keep at it and not compare your life to others, you will find you are happy. 
    Since I have been receiving the Testosterone shots, my whole life have been changing and improving. I have definitely become much more serious about my work. If you want to see more than I post here, you need to join my "Like" Page on Facebook.  I am going to make a lot more video's, but only when I have time. I do have some good ones I want to share with young artist, that will improve their skills almost instantly.
   I have opened my Website and online gallery now. I will be adding more to it every at least once a week. As it is, I have a long ways to go, but It is up and running. My step-daughter choose the name that we are going to use. It is ARKZ online gallery. I didn't use my name because this is going to be much bigger than me in time. It will take time, but Arkz will be branded with my name, so in the future everyone will know this is my family business. Here is the logo she designed for it. I think it is awesome for a 13 year old. I polished it a little, but it's all her idea.

  If you want to buy prints, original art, limited edition prints or special items, please visit us at www.arkz.org  
   Here is some of the new work you can see and buy there. The original has already sold, but there are limited prints and regular prints of this watercolor.....

  and here is "High Adventure" ....

  The original is up for sale on the website as well as prints.
    I am done with the Mark Farner piece I showed you in progress in the last blog, here is a not so great photo of it, but I will have a nice photo of it next time around. I will not be selling these. In a few months, the 3 Farner paintings are going to be offered as Lithographs by the Farner camp to raise money to help with the medical bills of Mark's son, Jesse. He was in a horrible accident last year and broke his neck. I am so glad I am able to help the family in this way. It's a great way to say "Thank you" for all the years of great music has given us.

   I have started a new series of paintings that I will be talking about in the next blog. Until then, Remember to Love.  Hugs. Blessings and thank you for visiting.

I was kidnapped by aliens!!!! lol

     Not really. lol Hello my friends.  I have just been very tied up and a little bit frustrated trying to finish the painting I showed you in the last post. The steampunk/fantasy. It is finally done, and hopefully on the next blog I can share it with you. No matter how I tried, I could not take a descent photo of it. Mostly because the paint is very thick and reflecting what light there is. Once the paint is dry, we should be good to go.
     Honestly though, trying to get done with it was the most frustrating thing I have done in years. It was done on Masonite instead of my new love, Canvas. I know there has to be something I am doing wrong, but imagine this, every time you put down a layer of paint, a layer of paint comes off. It was like painting the same spots over and over and over. With Canvas, it pulls the paint off the brush, and it is done. No problem. So what should have taken 5 to 6 days to complete, took 3 weeks. As a result, everything, and I mean everything I had in the works, teaching, videos, how to's, this blog all got put on the back burner.
     But now it is time to move forward again and get this show on the road, and keep it there. My health seems to be improving in leap and bounds everyday. I have been able to cut back on the amount of insulin I need before each meal in half. I am now off the "puffers" I have had to use the last 6 years just so I could breath. It is like miracles are going on inside of my body.
    Another really cool thing has happened as well. I have really been getting into other artist, namely Frazetta and Bill Stout's watercolor works, and because of them I have been working on learning watercolor at night once I leave the main studio. Because of my good friend Tracy Flynn, I  have started studio B, which is upstairs in the living room. This way I can work at night and spend time with the family, which probably is more important than anything else right now. The kids are growing up fast, and I am lucky to work at home and set my own hours, so I have vowed to spend as much of my time as I can with them. Because in the blink of a eye, they will be grown up and I will be praying for grandbabys. lol 
   But the thing is, I am totally loving watercolors as much as I do oils. Here is the very first one I did. It features my friend Suzi Lorainne, and I know it's not very good. But for my first try, I am encouraged and working on a second one now.

     The ones I am doing now is more of a nature scene. I think before I try to do anymore figures, I want to learn how to use the medium better.
      I have also started on the second Mark Farner painting. Here is a couple of in progress photo's for you. It should be done by the next blog as well, and hopefully I will get the blog back to a weekly basis now.

  Every since I got my sanity back, or better yet, they finally figured out most of my depression and lack of interest came from none existent Testosterone levels, my life has changed in ways I can't even begin to describe. Let's just say my lust for life, art, and love have came back to me bigger than I can ever remember them. I have never been so focused on the things I love as much as I am now, and other than the painting we talked about earlier, I am working 4 times faster than before. I want to do all kinds of art. Portraits, Fantasy, Fine Art, you name, I want to try it. I have never been so excited about living. Most of my life, I wanted to die. Now I want to live to be 100 and be able to paint and love all of that time. lol Seriously. My mental outlook has never been so positive.  I have a list of things I plan on doing and one of the main ones is to encourage and be a positive influence on my fellow sisters and brothers. 
    I have learned that I can not be friends, in the sense of keeping up with 20,000 people and their lives, but I can do and say things that will make them all smile, encourage them when they are down, and teach them to believe in themselves, when no one else does. This is what matters. This is how I can make a difference. An of course I will continue to teach and share everything I possibly can to those who wish to learn. Have no doubt about it. I have learned not to hate anymore, and moved way past that. Because of that, my life has improved in ways I never dreamed possible. If I can teach this to some, and they teach it to others, we will make the world we live in a better place.
   Ok, enough soapboxing for today. Here is some more art for you. This is my second watercolor attempt.

and here is a Illustration I did for Madison's upcoming book, "Armed and Outrageous"

      I've been a very busy artist. The only bad thing is that I haven't made any new video's yet, but I will. So with that, I will see you soon, I hope. he he he. Darn aliens. lol Much love to you all. Hugs!

Life and Changes.

      Hello my friends. The great thing about writing a blog is that it gets your fingers limbered up so you can paint! I am done with the Mark Farner portrait, and I have to admit I have been feeling the pressure I have been putting on myself to do the best I ever have on this. It means a lot to me for several reasons. The first is because I am getting to do something for someone who has given me years of great rock and roll and the others we will talk about later. I don't mean to be evasive, but lets just take this one step at a time. Once you know all the reasons, I am sure you will understand why I am putting so much pressure on myself to do the best that I possible can at this point in my career. Career? Is that what you call an Artist's life? Actually I would think Journey would be a better word for it. Here it is. I will hopefully have a better photo of it next time, but when the paint is still wet, it reflects light and I haven't figured out how to stop that. It's not from a flash. The original is 18 x24 on a stretch canvas. An yes i do commissioned portraits. You can write me at nixonjohnsart@gmail.com if you are interested.

     I have made a decision that I believe will make some of you happy. I walked away from doing "Dark" work, but I have decided to continue my painting of the fantastic, namely fantasy. Fantasy is my first love, and I got away from it because of all the "dark" things and people that surrounded me in the first decade of 2000. I would guess that my art takes on the mood of whatever is around me and for 10 years is was bad and dark things. I am by no means blaming others for what I went through. Looking back and being more mature, I understand that I put myself in each of the situations I was in. My problems with my step-father where my own fault. I should have never contacted him again after putting him out of my life for 20 years. My fault. I knew better, people do not change. Lesson learned. But I do wish him well. We just see life on different terms and I can not hate him of think badly of him because of that, or others that have crossed my path and where part of my life for a time. Like I said, I have grew up and the only thing that matters any more is the future and the positive things I can do with it. So after saying all of this, I will be returning to my fantasy roots other than portrait work. I think the "Sexy" women paintings are going to take on a fantasy element from here on out.
    I am very proud of myself for a lot of reasons these days, and I know there are things I need to keep working on as well.  My health is doing great compared to 2 years ago, but I  still need to improve on it with more exercise. I am taking my art much more serious than I ever have before. I spent 2 days a week just working in my sketchbook.  Learning and practicing anatomy. I hope to master it in a few years, maybe more, but my goal is to be able to draw any pose and paint it and make it believable with very little to no reference. I have been very inspired by the work of Frazetta once again. It is like an old love has come back into my life, and I am happy about it. lol. The bottom line is that I am more inspired and working harder than I ever have before.
   I will be opening a E-bay store next week to once again start selling prints and originals. Although, not many originals will make it to market. I intend to keep them scarce and leave them for my heirs and their children to benefit from. I am going to make damn sure that my will and wishes cannot be challenged as they are in the Frazetta case. That is one huge mess, and I don't want my love ones to have to go through that once my time comes.  Hopefully, my work will have some real value in the future.
   Something new I am going to start doing with the next blog is this, I am going to include a short video with each one that is designed to encourage, motivate, and help you along your path. I am going to try to keep these to under 5 minutes each. You don't have to watch them to enjoy the blog, they are simply a new dimension I am adding to speak to you face to face sorta.
    I pulled out a old painting that I started a year and a half ago, but never got past the pencil work. I have decided to finish it now. You can still see the old Nick Rose signature in the bottom left corner, but that will be painted and Nixon Johns will be added when the painting is done, hopefully by the next blog.

  Until next time my friends. Love each other and be at peace. Hugs.
    

"From the Ashes"

       Hello my dear friends. Hugs. I hope you are all doing well. You don't know how much it has meant to me that you have hung in there with me through all the changes. Most people wrote me off when I decided to leave the Nick Rose image behind and reinvent my art and use my birth name. But you believed, and now everything is starting to come into the light on levels I could have never dreamed of before.
        We've talked about the reasons I wanted to leave the horror world behind, but to sum it up again. When you work in a genre such as horror, or any specific subject, you are VERY limited to what, how much and how far you can take your career, especially as an artist. 
       This may sound selfish, and I give my apologies if it is, but I want my work to be seen by more people. I want to do the kind of work that people would be proud to hang in there office or house, just not break out for a Halloween party. I want to be part of a gallery. As far as I know, you don't see that kind of work in galleries. Another thing is that I have gotten past the "Dark" years. All the people that where responsible for that are nothing but distant memories now. I am happy and I want to do happy things. I want to bring joy and love to others. I want to help my brothers and sisters. I want to share with them all that I possibly can. I want them to know the joy that I do. To this end, I have started my own You Tube channel.
      Madison got me a very nice camera last month and I am finally starting to figure out how to use it. I should, I read the manual 4 times. lol Not only will the camera take photo's at 300 dpi's, which is very important for me to make prints of my new works, since they are on canvas. Scanning doesn't work well with canvas at all, but also the camera shots 30 minute HD videos. The quality is unbelievable, and this allows me to make art lesson videos. I am loving doing this, and the response I am getting from people is just plain joyful. Madison says I am a natural on camera and a natural teacher, and heaven knows I have years of knowledge to share. This will probably go on for as long as I live.  I am not doing this for profit, or accepting any money for it. I am doing this because I want to. At the bottom of this page I have a donation thing set up, so if you feel inspired to share you can. The money will go to the Shriners Burn hospital for children. Every cent of it. If people donate, then we will give the money to the hospital once a year, and I will share all the information with everyone here so we all will know how much we helped. Hopefully through the years, it will be more and more.
     If you will notice across the top of the page, under the header, there are now tabs. Each tab will take you to either my artwork or my You Tube Channel. More will be added as needed for different things as they come up. Getting back to the subject of this blog though, people honestly thought I had lost my mind when I gave up Nick Rose and all the 1000's of fans that went with it. But I knew then what I know now. I wanted to start anew. I didn't want to try to convince all these people to like the new work and direction I was moving into. I wanted to start fresh, all over again, and it is paying off in ways I never dreamt of. 
    One of my dreams was to always work with famous musicians. The ones I listened to every day and where a big part of my life and childhood even. I didn't want to work for the record companies, but the artist themselves. I wanted to do paintings or drawings for them in an attempt to let them know how much I appreciated them and the music they have given me and you. The songs we all sing. The songs that where always playing at a very special moment in our lives.
   I was 12 years old and had never really kissed a girl before other than the quick little peck. I was at Leanne Summers house, helping her wash dishes. Her parents had left,  her and I where by ourselves. I think she was around 14 and on the record player she was playing "Gimme Shelter" from the album "Survival" by Grand Funk Railroad, and she walked into my arms and told me just before she gave me my first real kiss, that as long as she had arms, she would always be my "Shelter"  From that day on, I bought and played every album Grand Funk ever made. I became a huge fan. I remember when they had there very first number one hit "We're and American Band" I was glued to the radio listening to Casey Casin's Top 40 radio show on AM radio in the early 70's.
    I am honored to be doing 3 paintings for Mark Farner, the former lead singer and guitar player for Grand Funk Railroad. There is a ton of news to go with this announcement and I will share it with you all over the next few months. I have done many awesome things in my career, including working with famous movie stars, being interviewed almost 20 times, and the list goes on and on.  But to me, this is the greatest honor that I have ever had. I cried when I found out that I would be doing this and working with Mark.
    If you would like to watch these paintings in progress, then you will be able to see the video's on my You Tube channel and you will be able to see step by step photo's of the paintings as they progress on my FaceBook like page. Go Here for that.
   So, as you can see, "From the Ashes" rises the Phoenix. Every day, incredible new and wonderful things are happening because I decided to take the chance that I could do more with my art than just try to scare people. By doing positive things with it, and doing all I can to encourage and help my brothers and sisters, wonderful things are happening. As I said, for the first time in my life I am truly happy. I have never been before, just confused and looking for any release from the pain that the people I loved caused me through my early life. My friends, do things that make you feel good on the inside and good things will come to you. It is the basis of Karma, and it is reality. You get what you give. 
   I love you all. Hugs. I'll be back with more great news soon and new work. 

Let's get this party started......

     Hello my friends. Love and Hugs to you all.  I know I have been sluggish about getting this blog off and running, but now I know where I want it to go and I have discovered it can serve as a website as well, so I am very excited. This will be where you can find new art by me, or see all that I am showing as my portfolio.  I will also be focusing on writing inspiring and positive messages to encourage all  my brothers and sisters.  Life is to short to focus on the negative things that happen and the negative people out there.
     First up is a new painting of movie actress Suzi Lorraine. This is the second painting I have done of her since I switch artistic gears, and probably about the 10th piece I've done featuring her altogether.

  I don't mean to brag, but if you have been watching my work for the last couple of years, I think it is safe to say that my work is improving with almost every piece I am doing. For the first time since I trained with Masters, I am able to put all of that knowledge into play.  When you work as an Illustrator there are a lot of restrains that put on you. Even working for the very best Art Directors is still like working with hand cuffs on. Now I can paint what and exactly how I want to. If I want to spend an extra day or two on something, no problem. I don't have someone screaming about a deadline. It is the most awesome feeling I have ever had as an artist.
   Believe it or not, the next painting is for a book cover by my better half, Madison. Although I swore I would never do them again, I can't say no to my sweetheart. If my talent will help sell her books, then so be it.  Afterwards though I am doing a portrait of one of the biggest rock stars in history, and I am going to be filmed presenting it to him in a movie being made about his life in June. Can you say 'AWESOME'  I will be talking more about that what I start the painting. If you're a friend of mine of Facebook, then you can see it being done step by step. If not, look me up and send me a friends request. As long as you have a real profile, I will accept it. This is going to be a blast. This man has been one of my heros since 1969 when their first album was release. I will tell you more about it in a couple of blogs and start promoting the movie as well.
   Although people said I was "Squirrelly" when I gave up being Nick Rose and left the horror business, I knew then what I know now, it was the best decision I have ever made, other than asking Madison to marry me. Once I left all that darkness and dark art behind, my life changed. I am happy everyday. My work has improved in leaps and bounds. My attitude is all about my brothers and sisters and inspiring them with positive messages. I don't know why, but I have been told countless times that I inspire people.  So instead of fighting that and denying it, I have decided to do positive works because of it. If I do inspire my brothers and sisters, then maybe I will do more so by sharing the good things I have lived and learned.  If I am to have a legacy, then I hope it to be this. Hugs.
   If you are looking for art tips, then please join my Facebook like page at this link. At the moment I am happy doing portraits and painting beautiful women, but I am thinking about doing some work in the music industry. That is one of the markets I always wanted to work in, but never really worked for anything other than local or unknown bands. If the chance comes for me to work with a record label or a known recording artist, I think I will have to accept. Music is a big part of my life and it is a thrill to be able to work for someone who's music I have always loved. Just because I have no desire to work for publishers any more doesn't mean I want consider other things.
  I am going to be adding some new links to the right hand side, including one to where you can go to see my Nick Rose work. If you're into horror or dark work, you will enjoy it. I will also start taking on Portrait work in April. If you are interested in me painting you in oils, contact me at this link. I am reasonable in price, but not cheap. Minimum is $600.
   I would like to introduce you to a another new model to sign on with me. She is a movie actress and professional model as well. Her name is Ashley Almon. She will start showing up in my paintings in April. As you can see she has a very different look that the other beautiful ladies that work with me. I feel she is a wonderful edition, and from talking with her, she is a sweet young lady and a class act.

  Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog, and soon to become my website. My brothers and sisters, always follow your heart. Sometimes you might think it was the wrong thing to do, but it's not. Life isn't perfect and just because something didn't work out the way you wanted it to, doesn't mean it wasn't the right thing. Always remember I have been down some very dark roads in my life, and if you ever feel alone, just write to me and we'll talk about what it is that is going on that has you down. Love and Hugs always. Peace and Blessings.

    Hello my friends. I am sorry for the long gap between blogs, but this is a time of growth and healing for me. I will be on track soon, and I promise you some really cool stuff, including videos of me working and hamming it up. A lot of people don't know that when I was in high school I was offered a scholarship in drama to the NC school of the Arts. I turned it down and joined the Army because of the brainwashing of my Step-father. 38 years later and I still resent him for talking me out of taking the scholarship. 
    The reason for the upcoming videos is that Madison got us a really super nice Nikon camera for me to photograph my work at a very large resolution. Since I am now working on Canvas, scanning doesn't work so good anymore, so I am going to have to depend on photo's to capture my work. The camera also does 30 minute videos, more if I by more memory for it. I think 30 minutes will work fine for what I have in mind though. 
   Those of you on Facebook have seen these pieces, but the other readers haven't, so I will show them again. First up is the 2nd painting I have done of Model Madeline Frost. 

  It is on a 16 x 20 canvas, painted in oils. Madison and I are excited because Madeline will be coming to our home next month for a new photo shoot. The original shoot I did with here was more for the Fantasy/horror work I use to do.
  The second painting is a portrait I did of myself. My very first. I have never tried to draw or paint myself until this. I felt it was time, considering this is a big turning point in my life.

   I think the next portrait I do will be of Madison.  I hope to be back with you much sooner than this time with video's to share with you. I have finally decided on the path I want this blog to take, and that is to use it to inspire and encourage all of my brothers and sisters out there. No matter what we each choose to do in life, the path is never easy, and I hope by sharing things I have learned in life that it will help anyone that is looking for answers. I think I can honestly say, I have been through it all. I've been on the bottom, and I've been on top. I have walked into the darkness and followed the path of light.  Life is about learning, and I am still learning, but the things I think I have learned, I will gladly share in the hopes that it will help you on your paths.
   So until I return, bless you all. Love and Hugs.

Love and Hugs.

      Hello my friends and family. I love you all. Hugs. Sometimes I feel so guilty that I am so happy. I have problems just like everyone else, and I certainly have some serious health issues, but I always tell myself, it could be worse. An I think about all the wonderful, positive things I have in my life. For Instance I have a wonderful family that I love with all my heart and soul.  Madison's children are wonderful and I take pride in all the things that they do, even when they fail, I love them even more.  Madison is my true mate. I have never been happier with a woman in my whole life. There is nothing I would not do for her.
    I have some of the greatest friends in the world as well. They're such a blessing to me and always inspire and motivate me. I am privileged to know such talented people. An I can't forget the talent that was given to me by Mother. It is the greatest gift that I could ever imagine anyone could get. The gift to create.  While so much of mankind seeks to destroy, I and thousands like me where given the gift to be able to create. Wether it be art, music, film or the written word it is the most positive gift that we have ever been given.
   When I think back to my earlier years when I thought that being an artist was a curse, I am so ashamed that I ever thought that. I just simply did not understand the beauty and the love behind the gift I was given. 
   I have been very busy. Here is another new painting. This one features film star Michelle Tomlinson....

   Once again, this is a photo, but in the next blog I will finally be able to scan the first works I did so you can see them better. I had to get them dry in a hurry because they are going to be on display at the Super Bowl in a private box owned by a famous gallery out of Indianapolis, and my work will be featured in this gallery after the big game. More on that soon. How cool. I wasn't even thinking of getting my work out there this soon, but fate stepped in. Madison and I are thrilled. This is one of the paintings that will be on display there.
   As I write this, I am almost done with another painting. Unless today turns out to me a total mess, I should finish it.  It is the second painting that features Detroit model Madeline Frost.
    I wish you all love and happiness. I pray that each of you will find satisfaction in your lives.  Love and Hugs.
Nick.