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I am over the moon to find out that my pastel painting Splish Splash was chosen for this very special exhibition!

This painting was chosen from the Pastel Society of America's 53rd Enduring Brilliance exhibition where there were 1043 submissions and 125 pastel paintings were selected out of those.  

Then, Dr. Louis A. Zona  selected 31 from the Enduring Brilliance to go to the Butler Institute of American Art Exhibit.

Splish Splash - by Vic Mastis

Playing in a puddle of rain

Two birds splashing in the water

No need to restrain

Take a break and teeter-totter

Get out of that zoot suit

Business and work can take a hike

It is so good for your psych

Letting in the magic of delight

Of not having to do the dislikes

Needed is a change of pace

With a little fun insight

Hurry and make it last

We all need a little splish splash

All written, painted, printed content is copyrighted and owned by Vic Mastis. No reproductions are allowed without the written permission of  Vic Mastis. 

After seeing two Grackle Birds playing in a water puddle at the gas station, I took photos (of course); then I started researching their characteristic.  They stand for communication, bravery and family. They will do anything to protect the family!  This is just what I wanted to say in my series "Bird's Eye View".  I chose them to represent human beings for my story telling.  This painting depicts a Grackle amongst all the obstacles we have to overcome in this life and celebrating life!!

Here's Lookin at You

by Vic Mastis

Feeling a little blue

Pointless getting out of bed

Or making an effort on those past dues

Working in small steps

With an attitude brand new

Let those dreams take hold

Gaze at the panoramic view

You are a shinning star

Soaring to new heights

Walk that walk

Dance that dance

Part of the vehicle

Is to take that positive stance

Determined to succeed

Take the high road

And pull that switcheroo

Don't hem and hew

Here's Lookin at You!

All written, painted, printed content is copyrighted and owned by Vic Mastis.  No reproductions are allowed without the written permission of Vic Mastis.

Quote: " Shoot for the Moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." --Norman Vincent Peale

Love Bird's is about that feeling you get when you first fall in love and the mystery of what is to come.

This series is to help encourage and remind people to be all you can be; not to dismiss their dreams and keep that goal in mind. 

As I was watching a couple of Grackle Birds playing in a rain puddle at a gas station (You never know where you will find inspiration), I decided to use the Grackle Birds to represent humankind because of their symbolism of self-expression, bravery and family dedication.  Just some of what I want to say!  I liked their luminous feathers, long tail and long legs.  I could really make them show different emotions with their stance.

Love Birds 

by Vic Mastis

Oh to feel the fast flutter

My heartbeating at first glance

Wondering if he was to be my suitor

Eyes meet, quickly look away

Trying to sneak a peek

He IS looking at me 

Is my hair okay?

Oh my, he is coming this way

He does have a nice physique

Will he be Mr. Right?

Asking me to dance

Hours seem to pass

Now we are check-to-check

Wish I had a looking glass

Love is such a strange mystique

Will we be together 

Until we are old and antique?

All written, painted, printed content is copyrighted and owned by Vic Mastis.  No reproductions are allowed without the written permission of Vic Mastis.

Quote: "Every heat sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back." - Plato

"Crow About It" being the 6th in this series is to help encourage and remind people to be all you can be; not to dismiss their dreams, keep that goal in mind and just toot your horn sometimes.

As I was watching a couple of Grackle Birds playing in a rain puddle at a gas station (You never know where you will find inspiration), I decided to use the Grackle Birds to represent humankind because of their symbolism of self-expression, bravery and family dedication.  Just some of what I want to say!  I liked their luminous feathers, long tail and long legs.  I could really make them show different emotions with their stance.

Topics from self love, positive behavior and specific goals to mentoring, reminding and encouraging are what my paintings are about.  So I have committed to create 20 original paintings but will release a few at a time so I really have time to cultivate each theme.  My email newsletter people will get first dibs on the originals and a discount.  I plan to have some prints available also.  Be sure to sign up at https://www.vicmastisart.com/email-newsletter

The second Collection of 5 are available from November 21, 2024 to November 25, 2024 at midnight then they go back into the vault.

Crow About It   https://www.vicmastisart.com/portfolio-viewer?collection=207656#lg=1&artworkId=5802715

Crow About It

by Vic Mastis

You may not have won that Pulitzer Prize

Or that sought after Best of Show

But sometimes we must publicize

Our strengths and highs 

And not let those who criticize

The way you toot your horn

Sometimes we just need to be recognized

Put out that chest and be proud

You just need to keep visualizing

That golden dream in your mind

Using your voice for a little advertising

So put on those blue jean Levis

Let the world know you are no small fry

And let out that needed battle cry

Don't be shy

Hold that head up high

Don't pay attention to those hypocrites

Go ahead and Crow About It!!!

All written, painted, printed content is copyrighted and owned by Vic Mastis.  No reproductions are allowed without the written permission of Vic Mastis.

Quote: "If I don't toot my own horn, who will?" - Liberace

This series is to help encourage and remind people to be all you can be; not to dismiss their dreams and keep that goal in mind. 

As I was watching a couple of Grackle Birds playing in a rain puddle at a gas station (You never know where you will find inspiration), I decided to use the Grackle Birds to represent humankind because of their symbolism of self-expression, bravery and family dedication.  Just some of what I want to say!  I liked their luminous feathers, long tail and long legs.  I could really make them show different emotions with their stance.

Topics from self love, positive behavior and specific goals to mentoring, reminding and encouraging are what my paintings are about.  So I have committed to create 20 original paintings but will release a few at a time so I really have time to cultivate each theme

I Got Your Back 

by Vic Mastis

When the waves come crashing in

I got your back

When compromised is health or happiness

I got your back

When small things pile to the sky

I got your back

I am that should to lean on

I will be the hand to lift you

I may not be able to calm the storm

To lessen the burden with the world torn

But know that I will be there when you feel turmoil

To help share the load and weather the storm

I got your back

All written, painted, printed content is copyrighted and owned by Vic Mastis.  No reproductions are allowed without the written permission of Vic Mastis

Quote: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

In case you haven't read some of my other recent blogs - let me tell you what I am up to.  

This Bird's Eye View Series will have topics from self love, positive behavior and specific goals like mentoring, reminding and encouraging the viewer about these lessons and life's tribulations .

How this idea came about:

As I was watching a couple of Grackle Birds playing in a rain puddle at a gas station (You never know where you will find inspiration), I decided to use the Grackle Birds to represent humankind because of their symbolism of self-expression, bravery and family dedication.  Just some of what I want to say! 

How this works:

I have committed to create 20 original paintings but will release five at a time - I call these Collections. There will be 4 Collections all together with 5 paintings in each Collection.   My first Collection ( 5 paintings) are available now until June 22, 2024- then they go into the vault.  My VIP email newsletter people will get first dibs on the originals. I have some prints available also on my website.  Be sure to sign up for my VIP email at https://www.vicmastisart.com/email-newsletter

Fourth Painting in Collection 1-- Smell Something?

Smell Something?

by Vic Mastis

Oh my goodness

What is that I smell

Could it be something rotten

Or a plan that was almost forgotten

Is it that start of a song

I hear down the street

Or the changing business plan so neat

Could it be something brewing at home  

Or those big sweaty stocking feet

Whatever the source will be

We just need to laugh

And sometimes be worry free

All written, painted, printed content is copyrighted and owned by Vic Mastis.  No reproductions are allowed without the written permission of Vic Mastis.

 Be sure to sign up for my VIP email at https://www.vicmastisart.com/email-newsletter

Have you ever felt invisible in a group of people?  They are all talking, you try to say something but no one hears you.  Or you are in a room at a party, someone comes up to the person next to you and talks to them like you are not even there. Or you are in a line at the fast food restaurant and the cashier doesn’t even acknowledges you and waits on the person behind you?

This happens to me all the time.  I am not sure if it is because I am short and taller people can’t see me or are there  just people who don’t get noticed?  We need to speak up, find our voice and tell people what is in our minds.  It may take a little practice.  One step at a time. First someone we trust.  Then just speak up.  You do have something important to contribute to this world.

Another thing to think about, did you speak loud enough?  Did they have something else they were doing?  Most importantly- Do YOU listen?

Painting Process:  I wanted to have one Grackle looking at the other like-What's going on?  The birds were fairly easy to do.  It is the background that took more time thinking.  Putting the rock cliff behind the bird that is wanting someone to listen to him to represent the bird feels like it hit a brick wall.   The light shining from behind the birds so they would have big shadows to cast more of a mystery in the painting. Finally, having they stand on a rock surface so it was sturdy footing for the scene.

 Quote - No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live in us forever”  - J.K. Rowling 

I Am Listening

by Vic Mastis

Being in a crowd of people

You have something to say

But they are already twelve topics away

Seated at a restaurant for spaghetti

Two couples enter and sit down ready

Waiter brings their drinks and orders first

Am I invisible?  Will I die of thirst?

Not speaking up to cause a scene

Or look at you like you are obscene

Your inner voice you need to find

And then the opportunities will shine

Practice slow and steady is the key

If you can learn to let your voice free

Boundless horizons will shred your doubt

You have so many gifts to try out

Your talents are just glistening

And remember I Am Listening

All words are written and copy write and sole ownership of Vic Mastis.  No reproducing without permission of the writer.

Sometimes our inner voice says, Oh, I wish I had her hair, his muscles, her waistline or even their smarts.  Some of this is natural but when there are so many of those thoughts in your head-there is no room to enjoy how good YOU really are!

For instance, the Grackle birds I am using in my paintings are not generally a well liked bird.  Cackling early in the morning and being a social bird, they steal dog food sometimes peoples personal things left outside and become a nuisance.  A group of Grackles are called the plague.

But they have their good traits too.  Family orientated they will protect their family at all costs.  Being very intelligent, they can problem solve and adapt to any situations.  They symbolize courage, self-expression, cleverness, spiritual assistance and resourcefulness.

Sometimes being happy with who you are takes practice and a steady reminder that you are not like anyone else.  We have our own gifts and our own purpose to fill in this world.  So we need to focus on our strengths that make us shine.

Painting Process:  Trying to figure out how to put the peacock feathers in the background was a tough one.  I erased about 5 times.  The feathers either stood out taking away from the birds or were too faint.  Trying to image the peacock feathers turned different ways was a challenge too.  Finally I found a few peacock feathers that were glued together so I could place them different ways to use as a model.  I liked the way this finally turned out.

Quote - Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who YOU are- by Kurt Cobain

Coveted Plumage Syndrome

by Vic Mastis

Oh how we wish and woe 

To be that beauty with the eyes so blue

Or the smart one who is so clever

Naturally knowing just what to do

And still has that youth at the door

If you could only see the exquisite beauty you hold within

And the multitude of wisdom you have endured

Look in that two way mirror again

See the radiant smile looking back

Search deep within, hearing the whisper

You have your own abundance of gifts

What power those true words hold

If only you listen to your guardian angel

See that inner beauty shine through your soul

Let the transformation gradually take hold!

All words are written, have copyright and are sole ownership of Vic Mastis.  No reproducing without permission of the writer.

We all have dreams, some fade with time.  But our mind is a powerful thing.  If you believe and envision the outcome you would like to see happen and take tiny steps toward your goal, it can happen!

With this in mind and using the Grackle Birds I had decided to use as my symbol for humankind, I found some of the reference photos I had taken at the gas station of the birds.  I chose Richeson Premier Pastel Paper 11 x 14, Shale Color with a medium grit.  Starting with vine charcoal, I sketched out the birds.  Trying to decide what background was difficult.  I wanted to have the light shimmering from the back of the birds with the appearance of one thinking of flying off the cliff into the light.  The other encouraging it to FLY and chase its dreams through the universe.  Adding the gold paint helped me see the results I was trying for.  Then I added the soft pastels to flesh out the birds.

I had to redo the foreground where the birds were standing a few times.  Trying to image what an infinity light would look like shining on the rocky surface.  How would the shadows look?  When there is no reference material that is exactly what you need, you have to be able to see it in your mind's eye.  Go deep and sometimes hold your breath.  It will work out if you just let the vision come. (just like the story-Yes, You Can Fly!)

Yes, You CAN Fly!

As you see that dream go by

Because you were afraid to fly

Fear and excuses galore

Let’s vow to change that now

Make a plan, map it out

Whether it be first tiny steps

Or full blown-I am starting now!

Grab that bull by the horns

Triumph over those negative doubts

Light that fire with your burning desire

Visualize using that Law of Attraction

And let the universe take action

Yes, You CAN Fly!

by Vic Mastis

All words are written and copy write and sole ownership of Vic Mastis.  No reproducing without permission of the writer.

 I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life- that is why I succeed —- Michael Jordon

After struggling with painters block for several months, I decided to tried many different mediums and methods.  I took a few classes and just felt that my artwork needed to have a deeper meaning.  Going back to the beginning of my art career- what did I like to do first? Drawing was the answer. So I started drawing again.  I wanted my art to remind the owner of their dreams and ambitions.  To stir something in side of them and be there to remind them of their vision.

This series is to help encourage and remind people to be all you can be; not to dismiss their dreams and keep that goal in mind. 

As I was watching a couple of Grackle Birds playing in a rain puddle at a gas station (You never know where you will find inspiration), I decided to use the Grackle Birds to represent humankind because of their symbolism of self-expression, bravery and family dedication.  Just some of what I want to say!  I liked their luminous feathers, long tail and long legs.  I could really make them show different emotions with their stance.

Topics from self love, positive behavior and specific goals to mentoring, reminding and encouraging are what my paintings are about.  So I have committed to create 20 original paintings but will release a few at a time so I really have time to cultivate each theme.  My email newsletter people will get first dibs on the originals.  I plan to have some prints available also.  Be sure to sign up at https://www.vicmastisart.com/email-newsletter

More to come in next blog!!