the staff thanks you for visiting.

For the record.
If I hear the 'hrase gay agenda' and 'indoctrinate our youth' one more frakking time.
Im gonna... well probably channel that hostility into a piece of art.

I was reading a news blog and it had a video about an off shoot of 'focus for the family' that feels threatened about don't ask don't tell being repealed and (oh the horror) openly gay men could serve their country if they so choose (personally i've never been bothered by it, but that's probably because im not willing to give up my life for my country)
anyhow they are starting an internet campaign looking for a 'cyber-army' to email congress other like minded people.
these people like to banter around phrases like gay agenda, indoctrination, recruiting, diseased. Because in their mindset it is a choice. You choose to be gay. (of course as a comdienne one said i didn't choose, i was chosen). In their mind we choose to be this way. I didn't choose to be gay. I always was. What I did choose is to accept it, to live my life as myself. I choose how im going to live as gay man, I choose the company I keep.
I choose to put on a wig and dress for mardi gras.
And I suppose their vitrol and hate is more fear based, for the most part we as people don't like to stand out too much, we like to fit in. Unfortunately the gay paradigm doesn't fit into their view of the world-- it's too different. So people react out of fear-- and it's unfortunate that Churches feed and fire this fear, turning it into hatred.
So for the record im not trying to indoctrinate (trust me if i could there were a couple of crushes in my early 20's.. ), Recruit (I can see it now recruitment centers in every mall!), I don't have an agenda (im not even a fan of lists).

-g-

devious prints: [link]

the staff thanks you for visiting.

Wow April just sped by. Mayday. My birthday month.
So i like where my art is taking me lately. I've been exploring some different techniques and compositions.
Ive been rummaging through my past, kind of literally- ive been digging through the boxes of stuff I have in my attic from my old place and old studiospace (which was just at tiny little attic space it got me through school lol) . Old paintings, drawings, sketches, doodles, weird little collages--- I see glimmers of where i am now. I found some old experiments I did with photocopies and photographs of backlit photographs. My early 20's were such interesting times- still optimistic and not nearly as cynical as i am now. Heck i even got nostalgic over an old Letraset catalogue from 1990!
Sometimes we need to reflect on the past to help us decide where to start directing our future.
Also putting in a small garden this year-- looking forward to fresh tomatoes and basil. And peppers. yum.

A special thanks to those of you who have purchased prints in the last two months! Gotta run and put the rice in the rice safe and it's time to go syphon some gas from the neighbors cars... I love the new modern economy!

-greg-

devious prints: [link]

the long sleepy winter seems to finally be over.
i can smell spring in the air more and more everyday.
this winter just seemed so dull, so listless, so long.

im thinking about submitting some work to a new gallery that is opening in pittsburgh. I can submit up to 5. Part of the submission is writing an artists statement. I've always found this to be silly and kind of pretentious. Why do I makes the art stuff? because I can. Because I feel the need to. and im obsessed with colour and line. I have til the 30th to come up with something.

have you noticed that educated liberals are called 'liberal elitists' yet educated conservatives are called 'intelligent conservatives' . And im officially so very tired of religion being dragged through this campaign once again. I read article online recently that drew paralells between Barack Obama and the Antichrist. I was already going to vote for him, that just gave me more reason to!

and because im such a culinary tease I got creative in la cucina yesterday-- made a reduction of spiced rum, balsamic, fresh squeezed oj, butter, and a lil bit of honey and a dash of cayenne-- a wonderful savory caramel kind of flavor-- brushed that over a pork tenderloin and roasted it to juicy doneness. Also roasted some carrots and potatoes. yesterday was all about the roasting.

Sold a few pieces of art in Feb through my print account-- so if any of you who read this bought any many thanks!

-greg-

devious prints: [link]

Wow, it's been four years since I joined dA. I was searching for some photoshop brush tutorials, and one of my google searches returned this site. And after some poking around I decided what the heck, why not register, and thus gregoriousone was born.

my scrapbook now holds my first deviation-- someone even faved the horrible thing. (goes to show you that some people might not know a lot about art, but they know what they like. lol)

I really wasn't taking my art seriously before that point- deviantart helped me focus- it gave me a reason to sit and make these things. I guess in a way it inspired me-- or rather some of the folks 'round here did. I've been lucky enough to forge some great relationships with some wonderfully creative and inspiring individuals.

And now here we are over 200 deviations and 40,000 page views later. And I just wanted to thank you all for your support and inspiration.

In other news Made an easter feast today! Cubed leg of lamb roasted in lemons juice and some other aromatics and herbs, Papardelle tosaed with shrimp, scallops, and swiss chard in a lemon wine butter sauce. Also baked zucchini topped with a mixture of feta cheese and gruyere. All very very yummy.

I was supposed to spend Easter in New Orleans, but unfortunately it didn't work out with everyone's schedule and the price of airline tickets went up.


so... what's on your mind?

-greg-

devious prints: [link]

I have this new theory.. or maybe understanding about my creative process.
it's all solving for 'x' it's a big complicated equation. Its like putting together a puzzle except the puzzle has it's own language and formula. I think I understand now why I enjoyed and liked geometry so much in high school.
each change, each addition, or tweak brings 'x' more into focus. And sometimes you get surprised, that search for x takes you to new places-- and that's when the journey really gets fun. The journey is the important part.

just thought i would share that with y'all.

devious prints: [link]

I was recently reading an article online about a man who was blind for 40 years-- went blind when he was still an infant0- anyhow fast forward, the doctors figured out a way to reverse his blindness and were able to restore his sight. Fantastic right? Not for him, he grew up without sight-- never had any visual context for anything, so when they restored his site, yes he could see-- but couldnt make sense out of anything. It cited an example where he could point out the parts of a cat, but couldn't see the cat as a 'whole'

Perception is a tricky thing. I suppose as artists we are able to train our eyes to see things a certain way-- of course i think that all artists just have some form of creative obsessive compulsive disorder. As we grow as artists we learn to train that eye more and more- we challenge ourselves with more complex problems and ideas refining and creating our language at the same time.

I've finally reached a point where I am proud of the work that I am creating. There was a time where I didnt feel connected to my work-- it was fun to make, but there was no real emotion or intention to it-- or at least that's how it felt. Nearly four years later I can now say that I feel very connected to my work- it comes from a place that i am proud of.

these images are my language, my stories, my experiences.


-g-

devious prints: [link]

Ladies and Gentlemen.. I present Mr Louis Armstrong..

Do you know what it means to miss new orleans
And miss it each night and day
I know Im not wrong... this feelings gettin stronger
The longer, I stay away
Miss them moss covered vines...the tall sugar pines
Where mockin birds used to sing
And Id like to see that lazy mississippi...hurryin into spring

The moonlight on the bayou.......a creole tune.... that fills the air
I dream... about magnolias in bloom......and Im wishin I was there

Do you know what it means to miss new orleans
When thats where you left your heart
And theres one thing more...i miss the one I care for
More than I miss new orleans

I know in some parallel reality im having one hell of a time celebrating Carnival in New Orleans.

----

On the artistic front.. I've been working on a couple of different things. But I haven't resolved them yet... Im on a path but the language isnt quite right.
Im also quite ready for winter to be over. its no fun anymore when all you have is dry itchy skin.
I was able to schedule the day off of work tomorrow so I think im going to roast a chicken. With lots of garlic, fresh lemon juice, and thyme. yummy.
The perfect winter pick me up.
I had some lady yesterday ask me if I watch larry king live because he's been doin stuff about ufo's and its just like back in the 60's. the government knows about it. I don't know why they don't tell us.. and they are back again and that's why John McCain is going to be president.
And im excited that Torchwood Series two has begun.
I watched Juno the other night-- I really dug the music.

whats new with you?

devious prints: [link]

So unfortunately I will not be visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year. The first one i've missed in 7 years. (Sigh). Just wasn't in the budget for any of us this year.
But there is some hope and good news-- it looks like I will most likely be spending Easter in New Orleans. I found a cheap flight and a good price on some rooms. Luckily there are still good deals to be had during non-peak touristy time. I can't think of a more appropriate place to celebrate rebirth and fertility

I also have another new addiction--- Torchwood. Series Two just premiered and wow what a great start. It's not too often I really get into TV much, but I am a bit of a sci-fi geek. Im such a huge fan of Dr. Who as well-- and this years Christmas special was just fantastic.

And since none of the usual Krewe is going to be going to to Mardi Gras this year I think Im going to plan a night of feasting on the the sunday before- Sunday Gras! I've been itching to make some good Nola inspired food.

I also can't believe im approaching 4 years here at dA. I guess that's a good thing.

wishing you all well. and thx for stopping by.

-greg-

devious prints: [link]

A belated happy new year to everyone out in deviantartland.

So a couple of things. First, I have to confess.. I am totally addicted to project runway. I just had to get that off my chest.

Secondly I wanted to address a question that a fellow deviant asked of me. I was asked to describe my creative process. I've always found this to be a difficult question to answer-- especially trying to verbalize through this medium. And that's such a broad question anyhow-- each image i create sort of has it's own process it evolves as I evolve as an artist. It really depends on what is inspiring me at the moment. Sometimes I will hear or read a random phrase-- something about it pings my creativity and the wheels turn and a glimmer of an idea starts to shape. Other times I have one certain image or theme I want to incorporate-- and I apply the 'what if' principle.
I guess it all goes to back to two teachers of mine-- the two that I think are most responsible for laying the foundations of my artistic language. One is my High School art instructor--- She was a nun (I went to catholic school for 12 years) named Sister Amandine. And boy was she obsessed with American abstract expressionism. She used to have use take watercolors and just make random splatters and strokes. After they dried we would look at them.. see what we could make out of them. I still have one of those framed-- it's of wildflowers- that started as bold random splatters of red and green. She could be cranky at times (as old nuns can be) and I was constantly getting detention for chewing gum-- but I was the first senior in 10years that had a double art major. I found out in 1992 that she had passed away. it was a sad day.
(wow your still reading? )
The other major influence for helping me develop my process-- or language is my color and design instructor from my art institute days. a robust passion french born german raised woman. She was a character, but such an inspiration and mentor. She really liked to have us experiment and it's where i get the phrase 'what if' from-- because she always told us to think of design and creating as a game of what if's. She would project slides on the wall, but intentionally make them blurry and just have us paint the shapes and lines and see what we could create. She is solely responsible for my love of texture.
She taught me some valuable lessons, and laid such a great foundation.

So what's my process? a glimmer of an idea.. a collection of what if's... and an ever evolving artistic language. I dont work with sketches. I usually start putting together something in my head then sit down with photoshop and start looking for images or colours or shapes that fit the vision I have. Then it's all a matter of manipulating and playing around with those elements.

So umm yeah. that's kind of my process.

-gregoriousone-

devious prints: [link]

Excuse me if there are even more typos than usual. Im using a brand new keyboard-- and well... im just not used to it yet. Of course it's attached my new computer Decided to upgrade myself for Christmas and found what i thought to be a good deal for a fair price. Upgraded to an intel core 2 duo, 2 megs of ram, invidia geforce graphics card, and a 500gig harddrive-- all for just under $500.. and free shipping!
I have yet to really test her out with photoshop.. but man do I like the upgrade in performance already. Now all I have to do is teach myself how to network my old desktop with my new desktop for file storage.
wow. im geeking out.

So the Christmas feast went off well. Ended up making a Crown Roast of Pork with and orange whiskey sauce. Also roasted a leg of lamb and a savory 4 mushroom and herb bread pudding that was a big hit (anything made with 8 egss and a pint of whipping cream has to be delicious).. there were other things.. but those were the big hits from the feast.

I also got to visit with some old friends last night. I Haven't laughed that hard since.. well thanksgiving actually.

I also wanted to wish everyone out there a wonderful and prosperous New Year. And I thank you all for your support and insight.

devious prints: [link]

It certainly doesnt feel like it. at least in my own little corner of the universe. The trimmings and music and twinkling lights are all there-- but this year they seem to not really mean anything. The cynic in my blames it on the over commercialization and politicalization ( it's a word in my universe) of the holiday. Sometimes I think the cynic in me talks too much. That his voice is to loud lately.

I've noticed that im not quite the optimist I used to be. it's no so much that the glass is half empty- it's more like the glass is going fall and break so it doesn't really matter how full or empty the damn thing is. Of course it's hard not to be-- everyday i read something more and about how big corporations lie, cheat, and swindle us. Im getting tired of religion and sexuality getting used as hot button issues to mislead and manipulate the public. What would Jesus do? chase you all out of the damn temple. Hmm.. now i'm just starting to rant.

So on to other things-- i've regained my '*' status again- so to whoever bought some art recently thanks alot! My one frustration with dA and its print program is that it doesnt alert you when something is sold or tell you what item sold on that day. I enjoy dA, and I like some of the people i get to connect with, but I refuse to spend my own money on a subscription-- so i only subscribe if i have enough deviantdollars in my account.

Speaking of dA-- i wish there was a function that allowed you to see the geographic stats of your watchers-- I seem to have an unusually high number of watchers from the country of Turkey. I joke to my realspace friends that 'im big in turkey' I guess it's all part of the new global internetsoshpere community blogspace.

end transmission.

devious prints: [link]

ive got a million thoughts running through my head.
I can't seem to pick a starting point.
'round and round she goes.. where she stops... "
I don't know if I ever shared this on here.. but I am an adoptee. My folks picked me up at the catholic charities baby store when i was just 7 days old. Because of this I have a slightly different definition of family and what that means. Family is not all about blood. it's about bonds and mutual respect and love.
so what does this all have to with the feelings of discontentment?
It was also strange growing up hiding a secret. From my earliest memories I sort of knew I was wired differently than other kids. My attractions and interests didnt seem to match theirs. I knew I was queer quite early, and I knew it was something that you shouldn't be-- or at least that's what I believed then-- ahh the lovely Reagan/Thatcher 80's.
It hasnt been until the last year or so that I've started to look back at those years-- how silly some of those fears seemed. Ive spent that last decade embracing my queerness (you all have dirty dirty minds). because I believed it gave me a different perspective on the world. Not only did I have my artists 'eye's' but I had this different perception of sexuality.
i look back now and I see all those years living with a secret and the walls and defense mechanisms you build to protect yourself.
how does this all tie in with family? and discontenment? I guess what i boils down to is that these two factors in my life certainly shaped the person I am today- those feelings of alienation and not feeling connected still ripple through my life--- sometimes they barely register, but other times they ripple and erupt. And that's what's going on right now. The tidal eddies of discontentment are rising.
For the first time in a long time I feel disconnected. I feel alone. One small voice in the dark. I feel empty.

illl close with something i wrote back on 11-19-1991
(in the house i lived in at the time i used the attic as a studio for my school projects, on the one wall i had a big ever changing collage)

I just finished cutting stuff out of mags.
if someone really looked around and put this shit together , they could figure me out. there are so many clues. But you have to look. I feel at ease up here. it's like being in my head.

-end transmission-

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discontent [diskənˈtent] noun
the state of not being contented; dissatisfaction.

Arabic: ساخِط، مُسْتاء، غَيْر راضٍ
Chinese (Simplified): 不满意
Chinese (Traditional): 不滿意
Czech: nespokojenost
Danish: utilfredshed
Dutch: ontevredenheid
Estonian: rahulolematus
Finnish: tyytymättömyys
French: mécontentement
German: die Unzufriedenheit
Greek: δυσαρέσκεια
Hungarian: elégedetlenség
Icelandic: óánægja
Indonesian: tidak puas
Italian: malcontento, scontentezza

Japanese: 不満
Korean: 불만
Latvian: neapmierinātība
Lithuanian: nepasitenkinimas
Norwegian: misnøye, utilfredshet
Polish: niezadowolenie
Portuguese (Brazil): descontentamento, insatisfação
Portuguese (Portugal): descontentamento
Romanian: nemulţu­mire
Russian: недовольство
Slovak: nespokojnosť
Slovenian: nezadovoljstvo
Spanish: descontento, malestar
Swedish: missnöje
Turkish: hoşnutsuz, küskün

source: Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary.

devious prints: [link]

6/26/1993

Last Night I went to Metropol and saw the Goo Goo Dolls. Actually not bad and the lead singer was kind of cute.


-picked randomly from a journal i kept during 1993.
ahh the musings of a 22yo.

devious prints: [link]

this is a little awkward to type right now.. sliced my thumb today while cutting up carrots for a chicken that I roasted. I was out of lemons, so I used oranges instead. and some Whiskey. Put together a nice little potato gratin too.. with mushrooms and asiago cheese. yummy.

it was a good day to have off... gloomy fall october day. We really haven't many of those yet in my little corner of the universe.. Now im more in the mood for all hallows eve. And it looks like this weekend is shaping up to be a Rock Horror weekend. Going to Live performance on Friday @ midnite and then my local queer watering hole is showing it on their big projector screen.

I've really been enjoying this Circus Shazamathon series that I accidentally stumbled onto.
I still have a couple images in mind. I've been looking for a reason to do another Spaceboy image. And Doogie (who asked me to make the first) has requested a photo shoot with him as the ring Master-- i have a concept worked out in my head i just need our schedules to synch up for some photo taking.

and since we didnt throw an oktoberfest this year im having a feast on Nov 11.. time to make a big pot of homemade tomato sauce, meatballs, braciolle, and steamed mussells. yummy.

ive been talking about food a lot in these updates lately-- i suppose that's because it's my other art. I enjoy my time creating in the kitchen just as much as i enjoy making art. There is something very satisfying about crafting a meal and sharing it with people you love. ahh.. let's all raise a glass in cheer to the feast! lol.

-end transmission-

-g-

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by the pricking of my thumb some cooler weather this way comes.
I think we might finally get a taste of October weather here in my little corner of Pennsylvania. Im read for fall. for layers and chilly nights.
Not to mention all the wonderful soups and stews and delicious braised meats that just taste so yummy at this time of year. I've been spending some more time in the kitchen cooking lately. I love the craft and the art of cooking. Playing with flavors and techniques.
I cooked up some delmonicos the other day and made this wonderul pan sauce out of jack daniels, apple cider and some butter. I also refined my crabcake recipe. Yikes all this talk about food is making me think about what I want to make for dinner tomorrow.

I also wanted to once again thank everyone who has been kind enough to feature me in Journals and News topics.

I wasn't feeling very creative most of the summer, but something inside me has sparked again. I've also been thinking about breaking out the rapidographs.. I want to add more organic elements to my brand of digital art.

Halloween is around the corner.. looking forward to some fun, might even drag out the Mardi Gras costume. Going to go see live production of Rock Horror again this year-- should be a fun time. Zombiefest is also in the pittsburgh area at the end of the month-- wish I had some extra time and cash for the zombie ball. However it did give me the idea to have a zombie dinner party.

I wasn't even planning on writing a blog. I was just tired of seeing the one about CS3 everytime I went to my gallery page.


-greg-

devious prints: [link]

So thanks to a good friend in the industry I now have a copy of the Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master edition Software.(which contains a lot of software that i don't really need.. but hey it was free!)
And let me tell you I just love the new version of photoshop-- It seems to run a bit less clunky than cs2 did and they definitely made adobe bridge run a hell of a lot better as well.

the interface changed around a little bit.. but it didnt take that long for me to get used to it. There is a new tool called quick selection that I think is going to be my favourite new thing. Also in the layer adjustments you can now add a black and white layer adjustment for easier conversion of colour photos to b/w.

So that's my good news. Wish I had something more.. i've been kind of blah otherwise. Luckily we've already had some small tastes of fall in the air with some cooler days and nights. I wasnt ready for summer to end, but now im definitely ready for fall.

anyhow that just about sums things up right now.

thanks for stopping by!

-greg-

devious prints: [link]

From left to right...
my travelling companions for Southern Decadence
Johnathon, Scott, John, Tony, Gregoriousone.

(if you click the photo it will take you to more pics on one of my flicr sites, i warn you though some arent exactly family friendly)

Well Im back. Got in around 11:30pm tuesday after many delays.
Flying is such a chore and takes so much out of one anymore.

The trip however was fantastic! The weather was wonderful.. even on Saturday when we had a really heavy downpour! Luckily it cleared up after about an hour.

Once again my beloved city has inspired me-- I was able to spend a little bit of time being artsy fartsy with my camera-- collected some great textures and lines and wonderful things for my work!

in some ways it's nice to be back.. but everything always seems so flat and black and whitish when I return home. I feel like im burning brighter than everyone else.

as always i thank you all for your support and kind words.
I hope all is well in your particular corners of the world.


-greg-

devious prints: [link]

Well in a few hours I hope on a plane (well a couple of planes) and head to New Orleans!
I hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend! And Ill see you all on the other side of Southern Decadence!


peace, love and gumbo!

-greg-

devious prints: [link]

Greetings out there in Deviantartland.

So the above pics are from our annual Luau.
This year's theme was Return to Pirate Island.
Any excuse for me to wear a pink glitter skull and crossbones t-shirt. lol.
We had tons of great food.. I decided to make a pork and rice dice based on the flavours of a mojito... it was yummy.

I haven't really been very active with deviantart this summer. the hot sticky weather just doesnt get the creative juices flowing. Coupled with the fact that it has been a boring quiet summer for the most part.
I have an illustration ive been kicking around, and a couple of ideas for a multi panel piece.. we'll see how that evolves.

I also received and email from a company in Philly.. appraently they bought a couple pieces of my work from Bruce McGraw Graphics and sold them.. so that's pretty cool.
Unfortunately the Spark program ended and my the pieces they selected are no longer available.

I was also aasked to join another site.. called 'theuntappedsource.com' Basically a prints purchase site similar to deviantprints.. I like the layout of the site-- it's almost like having a portfolio site. Looks a bit more professional than deviantart (not that im knocking dA.. she has been good to me.. but i do get tired of all the emphasis on fantasy vector goth chick porn cat emo anime fant art pics)


I did go out with the camera the other day looking for some cool stuff to photograph, im sure pieces of those photographs will make it into future illustrations.


I cant believe that summer is winding down.
sigh.
I sometimes miss the summers of my childhood. They just seem to loose some of the magic as we grow older.

Anyhow.. for some good news..

in 16 days I leave for New Orleans.. woo hoo. We managed to squeeze in another trip this year. It's a short one-- leaving aug 31st and returning sept 4. We are going to down for the annual 'Southern Decadence' celebration. Im quite excited and am looking forward to wandering around with my camera and soaking up some of that great wonderful energy!

I guess that is all for now... just wanted to check in

hope all is well in your corners of the world.

devious prints: [link]