As artists we must be ever vigilant against our hated enemy....Complacency. We can't be satisfied, there's no time. Let's create! Back to the drawing boards, Digital tablet's, carving table, painting easels. lets go! Become as good as we can be, in this short span of time that we have been allowed. while understanding that nothing has been given to us, every inch is hard fought.

This is a good time of year. When mother nature shows us all that she can create. We can use that example to inspire and motivate our minds towards our own creations. The trees dancing in the breeze, flowers in bloom, rabbits chasing each other through the pasture. It all comes together in a wonderful way to inspire great ideas.Well I just gave away my best carving so I'm off to create another even better than the last.

My trip to Peru, specifically Iquitos and the surrounding reserves, Tamshiyacu Tahuayo and Pacaya Samiria was a success! I had a great time and I recommend it to anyone in need of a change of scenery. I like the idea of moving down there if I could find a way to sustain myself. I met a lot of interesting people and saw some truly amazing things. My jungle excursion to Pacaya Samiria was with a scientist couple to study pink dolphin and boy were there a lot of them! I got to swim with them several times. They are social creatures and don't mind humans being around. Also I saw some tree sloths multiple varieties of snakes many different kinds of tropical birds including Parrots and macaw. That was a ten day trip and most of it was spent on Dawn lll the most luxurious cruise ship on the Amazon. Back in Iquitos I met a very talented artist named Beigote (I'm sure I spelled it wrong) who carved animals and faces out of Tagua nuts. That is a nut that grows on the Yarina palm. It is also called vegetable Ivory. I bought all of his work that he had and brought a bag full of nuts home so that I could practice carving. They are very hard and small. Even though its not an easy material to work with and I don't have carving experience, I am optimistic that I will be good at this. Its nice to create something that you can hold in your hand, something physical. Don't get me wrong I still love painting light photons and plan to get back to the ol cintiq real soon. But right now I leap out of bed every day thinking " I GET to carve tagua today!" I appreciate you coming to my sight while I have been away and I will be creating and posting more of my visions soon. Thank you for your interest and support, Mateo

I will be going to Peru on feb 14 thru march 31 for a much needed adventure, to mix things up a bit. Anyone who wants to see my last adventure or to see My fathers tour boats with lots of amazing sculptures on it, Or perhaps your just into scantily clad beautiful young, indian women then you should check out this link. Heck, if you like it schedule a tour, I would love to see you down there. [link] scroll down to Matts big adventure and see if this isn't something you might like to experience for yourself. If so go here [link]
I don't know how I will survive without my digital tablet but I shall try.When I return, I look forward to seeing all of your great art that inspires me every day. I hope that all of the wonderful sights sounds and tastes that I experience will translate into inspiration for material for my gallery.
Much love, fellow deviants.
your pal, Sunlightsrising

2 feet from my computer is a pane of glass.

on the other side of said glass is 3 degree air.
but thats ok I'll just scrape the ice off the ol cintiq and get to work!