Cocoa Akashic: A Photo, a Painting, and a Return to Creating

Well… how about that last one?

It was a little bit of a Debbie Downer. Maybe I should stick to satire.

Or maybe not.

One thing I’ve learned is that creativity has room for all of it. Sometimes the work gets deep. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s a little creepy. And sometimes it’s just about enjoying the process.

This piece falls somewhere in the middle.

From Cocoa Beach to Canvas

The painting is called Cocoa Akashic.

I originally took the reference photo back around 2008, not long after I got into digital photography. I grabbed my camera and headed over to some of my old surfing spots. On the way, I stopped at the Cocoa Beach Pier and spent some time taking pictures.

One of those photos stayed with me.

Nearly twenty years later, I finally decided to paint it.

It’s funny how artwork can wait patiently for the right moment. Sometimes an idea isn’t ready when you first capture it. It sits in the background until one day you look at it with completely different eyes.

That’s what happened here.

Not Everything Has to Be Dark

The title made me laugh: Cocoa Akashic.

It sounds mysterious enough to fit into the strange little universe my artwork often inhabits, but it also reminds me not to take everything so seriously.

I’m not always trying to make something unsettling.

Well… maybe I’m always a little creepy.

Just not full-creepy all the time.

Back to the Art

I’m excited because I’ve built up a pretty solid assembly line of content. The goal is to keep releasing something new every day.

Different projects.

Different ideas.

Different experiments.

Most importantly, it’s a return to making art consistently.

I really appreciate everyone’s patience while I’ve been getting everything organized. There’s a lot more coming.

A Work in Progress

This painting still needs a bit more work.

I’m planning to revisit it, add a few more details, and yes… probably a few more eyeballs. If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you probably saw that coming.

Hopefully you’ll see the finished version at an upcoming show.

Fresh Offerings

One event I’m looking forward to is Fresh Offerings at the Union Artist Studios.

Friday, August 7
5:30 PM
10051 McGregor BLVD, Suite 104
Fort Myers, Florida

If you’re in the area, I’d love to see you there.

Until Next Time

As I wrapped up recording this video, I had one of those moments where I felt like I was delivering a dramatic TV sign-off. It reminded me of those old CSI: Miami endings.

Maybe I need to go watch that show again.

Until then, don’t forget to be the best version of yourself that you can be.

Take it easy.

Later… later.