Journey Day 3

Day 3 consisted of more driving and some of the most incredible landscapes I could imagine. As we crossed into South Dakota the flat plains eventually gave way to beautiful rolling hills and then the quirky yet fascinating landscape of the badlands. It felt like a different world as we ventured through this new landscape. South Dakota has a beauty all it's own. We stopped by at the world famous Wall Drug Store. WoW! what an amazing place. It felt almost as if we entered Disney world or something of the sorts. I also saw my first N.C. Wyeth original work of art. It was everything and more I had imagined. Wyeth as one my greatest influences has a special place in my heart. To finally view one of his works was an incredible experience. Wall Drugs Store has such an incredible collection of art hanging on it's many walls. I am planning a trip back that way to further explore the badlands and the outstanding art collection. Tomorrow we will explore the Black Hills and the Mt. Rushmore area. Overall this has been a most incredible experience and I feel blessed by my maker in every step we have taken. I am however exhausted and going through two time changes has screwed me over. To sleep I go...more to come - prayers - Ja-

Day 2

Today was another long drive! We crossed the Mississippi River which really was not much bigger than though Ohio but hey I can cross that one off the to do list. We drove through Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota stopping at some interesting sights along the way. We drove by my wife's grandfather's hometown and we remembered all the stories he told us of his days growing up in Iowa. It was good to remember such a great man. My wife and I shared many interesting thoughts on religion and spirituality as she read me the rest of my book "So you think you don't want to go to church anymore....an unexpected journey." Man what a great read! It has given us so much to discuss, dwell on and apply to our lives. It is so incredible to have God at the center of this journey. He never fails to amaze with nature's beauty. Overall it was a most excellent day. Tomorrow we should arrive in Rapid City and then on to the Black Hills where I will be doing some major photo shoots and exploration. Post more when I can- prayers

The Journey day 1

day 1
Today was a long drive. We started out around 7:00 a.m. from Gallipolis and drove several hundred miles to wherever we are at in Illinois. I found the transforming landscape quite fascinating. As we left the rolling hills of southern Ohio we exchanged the quaint beauty for the ever flattening landscape of the mid-west. Myself being somewhat secluded in my life, have never travelled farther west than the Smoky Mountains. Today was my first day in the flat lands of Indiana and Illinois. To say I felt unnerved would be an understatement. I live in a beautiful valley in the large foothills of West Virginia. I thrive in my hills. There I feel safe and secure. There I know how to survive. In these flat lands of Illinois I feel completely exposed and out of place. It is interesting to look off into the distant landscape and wonder just how far you are actually viewing. The landscape though for the most part is cornfields and farms. I found myself having to look hard for anything interesting and out of the ordinary. I enjoyed this day of hard driving though and look forward to the rest of the journey. Our destination in a general sense is the Black Hills of South Dakota. Where the journey goes from there is up to the journey. I am bound to follow wherever it leads and fear I could find myself lost in the beauty of America for months as I realized just how close my journey brings me to the Rocky mountains. Time and funds will tell how long this adventure will continue. I thank God for a safe and blessed day where I had new scenery and great conversation with my lovely wife. Mark my friend your verse has us boggled but lead to such interesting discussions....thanks for stirring our thoughts! I am exhausted though so off to dream land I escape...more tomorrow.

Calypso

Hello again from my realm where I am lost somewhere between reality and fiction. I have completed the first painting since my surgery. "Calypso" yet another addition to my current exploration into mythology. "Calypso" is currently on exhibit at the French Art Colony in Gallipolis Ohio.


Calypso by ~RogueWolfStudios on deviantART

In July I will be taking several excursions to fresh landscapes in hopes of capturing some interesting photography and painting ideas. I am currently just enjoying my summer and I hope you are enjoying yours!

The zen of what doesn't kill you.

First I want to thank everyone for prayers concerning this recovery. My knee replacement though severally complicated was and is a success to date. This has been the most painful surgery I can remember surviving. I am currently 5 weeks out and doing PT everyday. You know what they say "What doesn't kill you.......well doesn't kill you." Ah the zen of it all LOL! Seriously my God has left me amazed at his grace throughout all this, from the darkest nights to the most painful therapy sessions he is yet to leave me un-amazed. The song by friend and artist Bart Millard sums up my feelings on the past weeks. My time is limited as of lately and my art is currently on hold. I am making arrangements to get Altar Art back up as I have some very very cool stories to share but my other artwork seems to be on on pause. I have so many incredible ideas floating around in my skull so when life permits I will be back at the canvas, camera or computer. I will post as soon as I have something worthwhile to say! prayers and thanks to my many friends!

Jason

News

Hey there everyone hope the world is treating you well. I thought I would drop you a line and let everyone know how the art world of roguewolfstudios is going. First the Altar Art event with Romans Highway was an incredible experience! I believe we had over 270 people in attendance. The guys from the band are an incredible bunch of guys to hang with, it was a privilege to create with you! They will be having a CD release party soon check out http://www.myspace.com/romanshighway for more info!

I have been Featured! One of my latest works titled "Monkey King Steampunk" has been featured here http://news.deviantart.com/article/73185/ Thanks for the feature!

For the next few weeks I will be in and out of the studio. I will be having knee replacement surgery very soon and will be splitting my time between rehab and art. Stay tuned though as I am currently working on a 48"x36" painting titled "Roman's Highway" a painting inspired by the above mentioned bands name and the upcoming Easter season. I am also kicking out a few children's book illustrations for a friend and some World of Warcraft portfolio pieces. I will post when I can for your viewing pleasure!

Peace and prayers!

New Direction New Design 09

Where to begin? First the obvious, the website has been redesigned and new artwork has been added. A new logo has been designed and a new direction begins. I am moving away from the graphic design portion of my work to concentrate on my illustrations and paintings. I have also begun a new ministry titled "Altar Art" which is a performance art session. It is a christian centered teaching experience created to invoke the senses and grasp the attention of the youth. So far I have done three Altar Arts performances all of which were received with welcoming hearts. For an idea of what 'Altar Art" is please go to the following link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11356&l=376e0&id=1434857404

For more info on "Altar Art" or if you would like to book me for your church service or youth group please contact me. "Have paint will travel!"

News on the latest event scheduled

The First Church of the Nazarene in Gallipolis Ohio in conjunction with True Life Student Ministries would like to invite you and your youth group to an exciting night of Praise and Worship through music and performance art. We are very fortunate to have one of the top local Christian Bands performing in our Church for their CD release concert. Romans Highway is a band that is well known in the local and surrounding area for their high energy style of praise and worship. They have just finished cutting their first CD and it is suppose to be done and available in time for this concert.

We are also proud to be able to showcase an artist that grow up here in Gallia County and graduated from Gallia Academy High School and Marshall University. Jason Queen will be with us to share his love of God and love of painting in a dramatic presentation that is sure to inspire and stir our hearts for a closer relationship with God.

This tremendous evening will occur on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1110 First Ave. Gallipolis, Ohio 45631. Doors will open at 5:15 and the concert will begin at 6pm and will last till about 8pm.

You can learn more about Romans Highway and listen to a couple of their songs at HYPERLINK "http://www.myspace.com/romanshighway" www.myspace.com/romanshighway .

In my personal work I have recently been exploring a series in the concept of "Myth and Legend" Monkey King and Valkyrie have been completed. I will be working on a piece titled "Grey Man" which is a legend concerning the OBX very soon. Currently I am working on a portfolio piece from the World of Warcraft titled "Loque'Nahak" It should be completed with a few weeks. C U when I C U!