the-natiq-chronicle

The soundtrack of my day... message to a friend

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:17:21 +0100

Good morning ( ^_^)/

You ever have a moment of profound clarity in the midst of a hard situation that makes you feel like things just might be ok?

Today started off pretty rough. You ever have one of those days where it seems like the universe itself is trying to make you late to work? A bunch of little things kept happening that took up moments of my time that I couldn’t seem to make up. Things like, the cup of water I set on the table is knocked over by my sister bumping the table as she passes by, and the stream of water just happens to drip right into the shoe I was getting ready to put on my foot. Or like when I reached into my pocket to grab my keys to lock my door, and the key ring just happens to snag a loose thread in my pocket. My entire pocket was pulled out and all of the contents of my pocket spilled to the ground. While scooping up everything, the bus shows up at the corner, 5 minutes early, so that I just barely have time to dash the almost 2 blocks to the bus stop. *sigh*

Did I mention that it was raining, too? I was running in the rain like my life depended on it, holding my jacket, my tie, my scarf, an umbrella, the new book by Christopher Paolini, “Inheritance”, and some of the spilled contents of my pocket in one arm, and trying to stuff some, now soaking wet, dollar bills into my pocket. Wet money does NOT feel good in your pocket, believe you me. *sigh*

That was how my morning began.

So, as I put on my tie, tie pin, watch, scarf, etc, that I didn’t have time to put on at home, under the not-so-indiscreet observation of the other bus riders, I made a silent little prayer to myself…

“Please don’t let my entire day be like this.”

So, I finally arrived at my destination; the bus stop at the corner of 9^th and Liberty Ave in downtown. Feeling proud of myself for stepping off of the bus without tripping and harming myself or others, I walked the 9 or 10 steps to the corner to wait my turn to cross the street at the crosswalk. I was determined to ease my frayed nerves. I crossed the street holding my umbrella and my book, while digging out my smokes. When I was safely across the street, I quickly ducked under the nearest storefront awning. Now out of the rain, and still trying to find my smokes, I feel the I-pod Nano that I always seem to have on my person. I absently pulled out the tiny, screenless MP3 player, stuck the earphones into my ears, flipped the switch on the bottom to the ‘on’ position, and pressed play. At first, there was no sound, but that’s to be expected. Songs don’t always start immediately. I finally found my smokes and pressed one to my lips. The music start just as I found my lighter and was about to spark the flame. It was the piano solo, “Solitudes”, played by Hashimoto Ichiko. One of my favorites.

I swear that the first notes sparked one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever experienced in life.

In those first chords, it seemed like the world around me slowed to the same legato tempo as Hashimoto Sensei’s improv. The sights and sounds of the city seemed to come to life all of a sudden. The flame from my lighter seemed to caress the tip of my cigarette, the hiss of the paper seeming to take on a greater significance than was ever intended. I saw a pigeon take flight in slow motion and marveled at the way the raindrops seemed to gently explode into tiny upside-down worlds as they touched the tips of its wing feathers. I saw a man in the passenger seat of a car, yelling at the woman driving. However, with the world under the influence of my music, he appeared to be enjoying a long and relaxing yawn. A saw a beautiful Asian business woman struggling with her hoop earring while appearing to glide across the street. Though my mind know what was really happening, it seemed she was simply trying to more clearly hear the tune from my I-pod.

All around me, the world seemed to bloom to life. The bricks of the building were as red as the sweetest cherry, the cloud-filled sky seemed bluer than indigo to me… all of existence seem saturated with rain-soaked color, more vivid than reality. I had a moment when I thought…

“Wow. The city is so beautiful.”

And then the last chord was played. And the world snapped back into place. Time began again. And all was well in the world.

Natiq...

Grace in Roses - 10/08/11

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:20:20 +0100

I just finished my latest traditional commission. It was a 36 x 48 acrylic on canvas. It was for a good friend of mine, Jeff Levis. He'd requested a painting of his wife, but he didn't just want it to be a copy of a photo.I worked on it and though it took a bit of time, I was please with the results, and he and his wife loved it. It was a lot of fun working on it. Here is a picture of it. I took the picture with my cell, so it's not the greatest. I'll post better pictures soon.

I am opening up commissions for the Christmas Season. I am only accepting a limited number of clients so let me know if you'd like some work done as soon as possible. One slot has already been taken and I may accept another five or six requests before the end of the year. If you wants some work completed, send an email to natiq@artofnatiq.com or message me on Facebook.

Griots - 02/27/2011

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 04:51:25 +0100

This is a cover design I recently completed for this amazing compilation of Sword and Soul Fantasy short stories. I worked on this under the guidance of Milton Davis, an amazing author and a man who I view as a strong mentor, and Charles Saunders, also an amazing author who I constantly had to battle with feeling star-struck in his presence, even though it was online. Please visit them here:
Milton Davis: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1793499636
Charles Saunders : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1540370156

Here's a brief behind-the-scenes look at how it came together:

This was the first sketch I drew out. The center griot was too young. Lol. And there were other changes that would follow. :)

This was the 2nd draft. The djembe player was changed to a woman. :)

This was the first color added. It was a lot of fun and a big challenge trying to bring these characters to life.

Details of the hands and arms.

The was an update I sent to Milton of the first color I added to the djembe player.

Getting there, slowly but surely.

Almost there. Just add fire.

This is the finished product. It took a while to get here, but it was a great feeling when Milton approved it. I feel much gratitude for being able to be a part of this project. I would like to thank Milton for his guidance and unending patience during this project.

Sista Soul Project - 07/07/2010

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 04:20:00 +0100

Here is some work for a talented singer from Denver, CO. She is known as Sista Soul. I had fun working on this project and I wish her the best. For those who would like to check out her work, here is a link: http://www.facebook.com/DenverSistaSoul

Front:

Back:

Opening Night at the Shadow Lounge - 03/19/2010

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:48:59 +0100

I had my first exhibit in Pittsburgh, PA. Thanks to everyone who came out to support!!!

Ben was a huge support. ^_^

This picture is blurry. Jen has been a huge support, also.

Another blurry picture. Gretchen has been a powerhouse in my corner. So a huge Thank You to her. ^_^

My sister, Latoya, and my daughter, Nasim.

My brother, Thomas, and his son Tsion.

Thanks Sarai! You're really goofy sometimes, but I appreciate it.

Had lots of prints available.

I was painting live at the show.

Here is a better angle.

Discussing an unfinished piece from a new series.

The discussion continues. Dera has been a big support also. I hope she enjoys the prints she purchased.

Some more photos from the show. Thanks again to everyone who supported me from the start and through to the finish. I really appreciate it.

Like Raindrops On My Window - 12/02/2009

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:43:39 +0100

There are few things in this life as endearing to me as the sight of raindrops on my window. We are at that time of year where there are few rainfalls left. Warmth is leaving the air and a chill is invading the night. A different form of beauty is preparing to take the stage...

...though her touch is cold, she is not without her own charms.

Though the clouds will obscure my view of the moon, I can still watch with childlike wonder as snow falls to the earth. I can allow myself to be moved by the slow motion serenity of silver lights glittering in the frigid night air and let myself believe for a tiniest instant that time has slowed down,

and this moment is mine...

...made exclusively for me.

This is coming. But for now, I'm enjoying the last of the rains.

So as I was looking at this photo my sister took of a window in my old apartment, decorated with lime candles and potpourri, I was inspired to paint. Though this piece is a digital painting, I feel the way I do when I paint with traditional media. I felt really good. I hope that my feeling come across in this piece. I hope that those who see it catch some of the intense serenity I felt as I laid down these brush strokes.

Candles At My Window

I just finished this piece a few hours ago. I started it some time ago but it took awhile for me to feel motivated to go in and finish it. It seems that the inspiration I felt with the painting of my window has continued. And so I will ride this wave of inspiration for al it is worth... until there is nothing left of it.

Listlessly Restless

That's all for now. Let me know what you think.

Natiq...

... - 11/08/2009

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:34:15 +0100

It is starting to get cold again. And the darkness is coming a little earlier every night. However, the moon manages to remain beautiful everytime I see it, even though the nights are kinda lonely when it's not there. But there really isn't too much I can do about that.

I still haven't gotten my traditional art back. But I guess I'm starting to get used to it. My canvas is now a plasma screen and my brushes have been replaced with a Wacom pen tablet. Fair exchange is no robbery, I guess. Still...

I miss it...

This is the latest piece I completed.

Though this piece was deeply personal to me, and though I put my heart and soul into it, I am feeling as if my feelings didn't shine through. I think that this one was only personal to me and that it doesn't speak to the heart I was reaching for. But I guess that can't be helped. Especially since I can never be with those I paint.

Sometimes I feel like the wolf howling at the moon--it will never know if the moon heard its voice, or whether its love song was lost in the vacuum.

Here are some works in progress:

Rhapsody of Sublime Decadence

Listlessly Restless

That's all for now.

Natiq...

I miss painting like this... - 07/21/2009

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:22:56 +0100

There are few things so deeply personal as art to an artist or religion to a believer.

I really do believe that.

This is a painting I did a long time ago, called "Beautifully Broken, Sadly Perverse". I did this at one of the lowest points of my life. Finishing this painting meant so much to me and represented so many things.

I am still having trouble with my traditional art at the moment, but I have high hopes for the future. I will get my art back... I truly believe that now.

Natiq...

I must paint my way out of this Waking Dream - 05/27/2009

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:03:33 +0100

It is now the first thing in the morning for me, and I really don't want to be awake right now, to be honest. But at the same time, I don't want to be asleep, either.

I think that today is a day that I need to paint something. I don't know what it is, but I'm sure that if nothing else, something will get painted today. It has been forever since I've completed any traditional work, and honestly, I really don't feel quite like myself, lately. Don't get me wrong, digital work is great and exciting. I am so glad to be able to do it. But I find that I am missing the feel of my paintbrushes and the texture of the canvas, and the excitement caused from knowing that there is no "undo" button. So, if fate permits, I will actually complete a traditional piece today. I have about 7 unfinished traditional pieces laying around. Its sad really.

Not many people know this yet, but I guess that whoever reads this blog will now know something more of me. Since I was a little kid, I've had very disturbing dreams. It got to the point where used to be afraid to go to bed. Eventually, I started to use my art as a way to cope with the dreams. My first "I have to paint something" moments were born from this. As was my life's work, Darkholme's Paradise. Needless to say, I haven't been sleeping well lately and my days feel more and more like waking dreams.

So today, I will paint. I can't promise that what I produce will be beautiful or anything like that. But the weight of my dreams is pressing down on me and I need the creative release. So I will paint. And we will see what happens.

Oh yeah, this is the latest poster art from DP. This is Meta4. He is my favorite of all the characters I've created (probably the most tortured too. He's an artist, also). Feel free to let me know what you think.

Ok. Goodbye for know.

Natiq...

Here's to new beginnings and long overdue endings. (Except) - 05/22/2009

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:55:04 +0100

***This was a long blog speaking about some of my personal feelings that were affecting my art at the time. I cut out all of the personal stuff and just left the art. The original post can be viewed here:

All melancholia aside… here are some of my recent pieces. Feel free to comment on them, if you so please. You can comment on me also. There’s very little I haven’t heard yet. I can take it.

This is the Logo I designed for Darkholme’s Paradise:

This is Melancholy from Darkholme’s Paradise:

This is Sodom, from Darkholme’s Paradise:

Here are some of my works in progress:

I’ve been in a Venetian mask mood I guess.

There are words that go with this last one here:

“My smile is for the world.
My anger and pain are for you only.
Only you know my true face…
Promise me…
Always return to me…
even if it hurts.”

Natiq…

Until Next time.

Natiq…