At the end of a working day its always nice to unwind by doing some nice quick art. I personally never know what I am going to do. Most of the time the subject is something that has influenced me during the day. I watch a lot of documentaries while I work or my mind usually wanders to special moments that I have experienced and cherish.

Its incredible how certain music can take you back to special times in your life. Taking you to a particular place, remember a particular object and bring out feelings of nostalgia. The same thing with certain smells. Whether it be a particular smell in your grandmothers home, your dads after shave or your moms garden.

Last night as I was working on a job, my mind wandered from horses to the mountains of New Mexico. As I thought of my extended family in Taos the smell of sage hit me. I do have several "sage smudge" bundles in my studio that I kept from several trips, but they usually dont smell as strong once they're dried. The smell of the actual sage bush and the sage brush being used as incense is very different. Both bringing out different memories. This time I smelled the plant. That made me think of the Taos Pueblo, the people I love and an amulet that a dear friend gave me. The amulet has to do with a raven, so there was my subject. As for the love of New Mexico, it continues. I was told that "the mountain" calls certain people with an attachment or ancestry with that land. Well that mountain, it calls me everyday...

MANu

I personally love to draw with a ballpoint pen. Its very cheap and found everywhere. The amount of versatility that can be achieved is incredible. If I had to only pick one art tool to draw with the rest of my life it would probably be a ballpoint pen.

The symbolic meaning of the Raven in Native American lore is described as a creature of change and transformation. In some tribes he is considered a trickster. He is also honored for these shape shifting qualities and for being a messenger.

Ravens are corvids. The Corvidae is a large family with familiar crows and jays plus magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and choughs. They are considered the most intelligent of the birds and the most intelligent of all animals. They have demonstrated self awareness tests and tool making abilities. Their total brain to body mass is equal to that of great apes and cetaceans.