Wednesday, August 26, 2009

My 1st Panel Discussion - Faith and Art

Wow... I have my first ever panel discussion on Sunday at the Mizucon (mizucon.com). I've been preparing for it all week. I am grateful for the opportunity. I was a little nervous, but I realize that this is a great blessing to me. I am going to have a slide presentation with my art and have some hip hop playing in the background. My hope is that everyone will like it and that would be encouraged. I still have a couple of more days to prepare.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A friend of mine emailed this piece of history to me yesterday. It is very powerful and worth hearing about. Please read below.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the
Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,and tortured
before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had
two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the
Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their
sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, nine
were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well
educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing
full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his
ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.

He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to
move his family almost constantly.

He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in
hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his
reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,
Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the
British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for
his headquarters.

He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.

The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.

The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his
gristmill were laid to waste.

For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home
to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and
silently thank these patriots.

It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: Freedom is Never Free!
The 4th July has more to it than beer.

Friday, July 3, 2009

4th of July

In the past, I thought of the 4th of July as just a time of celebration with our families. A time of barb-Q, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and ribs, for everyone to eat and hang out. I had the wrong mind set. I realize this now because I have close friends in the Marines who have fought in the Iraq war.

This year, I celebrate the soldiers, my freedom, and my friends/family. I praise my Lord Jesus for the opportunity to live in the United States. I apologize to all the soldiers for not considering them on their day of celebration.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Why Am I Here?

How do we really know what our purpose is? What was I made for? I believe that God created me to use my talents and art/design skills to point people to him. I believe that the main reason is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe that through a relationship with Jesus Christ God shows us our purpose.

Years ago, I started a line of urban clothing called Gmoss Seek Eternal Purpose. The line is made up of things that I like. Namely cartoons, comics, and clothing. It is fun to see a concept turned into a finished cartoon character, design, illustration, or even storyline. It is cool to see other artists excel and get better at what they do too.

I get together with other artists to do shows. We encourage each other to improve our skills. I feel like I am back in high school in art class hanging out with my friends again. Check out my site www.myspace.com/gmoss3 to see what we are up to.