It’s not often in ones life that you are able to make great, true, sincere friends. In this virtual ether that many of us spend time in I think that this is somehow even more true. Friendfeed, Facebook, Twitter; What are these things? Are we making true friends and relationships? My answer to that unequivocally is “Yes”.

Approximately, one year ago I met Christine Taylor aka mousewords on social networking site twitter. Since then I have also had the pleasure to meet her sister Stacy. We have never hugged, never shaken hands, and have never met in person.We have generated not only a friendship, but a semi-business relationship as well. Christine is often the hidden editing talent behind many of the articles and posts I have written here on the blog and for other important writing assignments. On top of her amazing writing and editorial skills she is also a very accomplished and talented painter.

Christine and Stacy are a creative tandem that have teamed up to write a book called Journey to the Rosewood House. I am veery proud to be able to announce to all of my readers that this story is not to be missed! Now, I have been privileged to catch small glimpses into the book as it has been written and I know the talent that Christine has for weaving words into a story that sucks you in and transports you to another place. Stacy adds creative ideas and helps with character development and together, they are creating something that is very special!

The Prologue and First Chapter are now available for viewing on their blog! Christine and Stacy are using their new media talents and expertise to display their new literary accomplishment. I could go on and on gushing about the work, but the fact is I really want you to go to their site and begin the story. However, I will end this post with a little compilation video of the painting and art of Christine Taylor. Watch the short video and go immerse yourself in the story that is Journey to the Rosewood House.

Popularity: 11% [?]

I was working in my shop tonight and pondering my future and what I would like it to look like. I mean, we can all go through life as is, sort of letting things happen or we can try to shape things. Now I know that there are unseen forces in the universe and I am well aware of things outside of your control. However, I asked myself this question; “Why not think Big?”

I began to think of what I would like to do, and the things I would like to accomplish. All together added up it seems like an almost unattainable task, but when broken up into manageable tasks it seems maybe my goals and desires aren’t so distant after all. The question now is, what are the small steps that will lead me in my direction. Maybe YOU can help me? Maybe YOU have experiences that would help further my growth. maybe this is a journey I need to take alone. Who knows. All I know is that I am taking it.

Below is a list of my Passions and my Loves along with my Thinking Big statements. A sort of checklist of things to accomplish and a method of accomplishing them along the way. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

My Passions and Loves

• I am Passionate about my woodturning and artistic process.
• I love sharing my passion with others through the blog, and interactive media.
• I love to teach.
• I love to experience new things and new places.
• I love my family, and I am passionate about taking care of them.
• I love to give back!

Thinking Big

• Why couldn’t I start an interactive internet show and share my passion for woodturned art?
• Why couldn’t I build a huge following and get sponsors to help cover the costs?
• Why not incorporate traveling into this show where I could go and visit other prominent artists and deliver extremely valuable content to my fan base?
• Why not teach this interactive technology to other artists? I could do this in my travels as well, contacting art councils and societies all over the world.
• Why couldn’t I provide well for my family so that we do not have to struggle on a starving artists income?
• Why not leverage my talents as a writer, an artist, a speaker, and educator to deliver value across a multitude of levels?

Why Not Think BIG?

Illustration by M-C

Also check out Marina Martin’s End of Year Goal Setting Post!

Popularity: 10% [?]

Last week I decided that I was going to take my best friend, a four legged Dalmatian named Saber for a walk. The Buffalo News Headlines have been saying that we would be seeing serious temperature drops and possibly freezing rain for the next couple of days so I wanted to get out before the weather hit. So far, we havn’t really seen any freezing rain but the temperature is definitely dropping.

Along our walk we frequently pass by my friend Jim’s house who is often outside and gives saber a treat every time we pass. Well, during this walk Jim not only gave Saber a biscuit but also said he had something for me as well. Jim’s wife travels a lot for work and recently came back from the Tropics. The exact place illudes me, but she was able to bring home a gift for me. The gift was a beautiful block of Tropical Cocobolo. A man she had met there told her that this wood was prized by woodworkers and woodturners alike for it’s beautiful deep grain that shows of dark browns, black, deep orange and reds. I told the couple that I have had the pleasure to work wth cocobolo in the past and that I would turn them a beautiful bowl.

Jim, who I speak to frequently knew about the fundraiser that I was doing for the SPCA and told me to please use the piece of wood to create something that I could sell for my SPCA fundraiser. I thaked both Jim and his wife Cathy and Saber and I both moseyed along carrying gifts.

If you are not farmilliar with my SPCA fundraiser. I would lie to take a moment to tell you about it.

Approximately a week ago, I mentioned in a blog post that from that point until the first of January that I would be giving 10% of the proceeds on all the woodturned items I sell to the SPCA. this is my way to give back during the holidays. My dog Saber brings me joy everyday when I get home from work and often hangs out with me in the shop at home. I am hoping to have an interview with the Director of my Local SPCA at some point this week. Just after the new year I will be taking a check to the SPCA for ten percent of my total earnings during the holiday season.

Unfortunatly, I have not sold any pieces as of yet and I would love this new Cocobolo Bowl to be the first in what hopefully works out to a great holiday season for the animals. I am selling this bowl exclusively here on my blog and the first person to hit the Buy Now button will be taken to Paypal where a secure transaction will take place. The bowl stands three inches high by four and a half inches across the top opening. This is not a huge bowl, but it lacks nothing in it’s striking grain and beautiful lines.

Front View

Top View

Bottom View

The cocobolo bowl is $75.00 The Bowl is now $55.00!!! This is an amazing Deal! I really want to get this Fund Drive Going!

Keith Burtis

Popularity: 15% [?]

In the arts? In a business? Both? In a few messages today on twitter I felt as if though I had a bit of a breakthrough. These are all words I understand, but maybe didn’t understand their simple complexity until now. Read the words two or three times slowly. Let me know if these words have had impact on you.

Made myself think on this one.

If you are looking or know someone looking for a creative driven, motivated professional please review my Digital Resume.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Over the past few months I have been very busy with art shows, and I have been missing you guys! A few weeks ago I learned of a Post by Chris Brogan who was responding to a post by Mitch Joel, who was making a play on an Idea by Bryan Eisenberg. The post is a very simple concept getting known around the blogosphere as Pixelated.

Essentially what these blog posts are about is Online Conferences. In the past few years conferences have become more and more difficult to attend due to rising travel costs, and have subsequently been getting more and more available online. This is great for a guy like me who is very busy but loves to stay on top of the current bleeding edge thinking and Ideas.

My Pixilated On Line Conference is going to be about Creativity and business on the web. I hope you enjoy this series of videos. Please feel free to set up your ideal conference on your blog.

#1 Benjamin Zander: Classical music with shining eyes
I have watched this amazing Ted Talk Numerous times! Speaks to Emotions & Business.

#2 Arthur Ganson: Sculpture that’s truly moving
Feeds you sculptural and Creative Side.

#3 Amy Tan: Where does creativity hide?
Art comes from Within - A humorous and serious side to Creativity.

#4 Gary Vaynerchuck - Details On A Show Idea
Why this? Gary is super creative. Artists, share your passion and take some cues from Gary!

Popularity: 9% [?]

I’m back, and my two art shows have finished up, but I have also continued to turn wood all week and have listed some items a my Etsy Storefront. I am really glad to be back online and listing items once again! Thank you for your patience and many, many more items will be getting listed for the holiday season. I am taking custom orders. Please email me with any items you are looking for.

Todays Newly Listed items are:

The Bocote Nut Bowl - Beautiful striking Grain. Turned on my lathe, and great for any nuts or hard candies you would lie to display over the fall season and into the holidays.

Quilted Tamboti Bowl - This bowl has an amazing cross grain that allows the grain to shimmer.

A Spalted Tamarind Bowl

Collectors Series Rolling Pin #3 - This rolling pin is made from Cherry and mahogany. Comes with a Numbered Certificate of Authenticity

There are five or six other beautiful items that I’ve listed at my Etsy Storefront. Please feel free to check them out. I would love any feedback you have to offer. Also, I would like to announce that from this point October 18th all the way through new years I will be doing a Holiday drive for Pets. A full ten percent of all the items that I sell in this time period will go to help support the Erie County SPCA in the area I live. On the first week of January I will present to the SPCA a check for 10% of all of my earnings during this time period. Just a small way for me to give back! I have a great Dalmatian named Saber that I saved from the SPCA 4 years ago and he has been my best friend ever since.

If you have a website and you make a purchase, I will include your link in my Holiday wrap-up post. Thank you for your time and Interest. Comments Welcome.

Keith Burtis

Popularity: 6% [?]

Hello all, I wanted to share some of what I have been up to lately. I know it hasn’t been long since the last blog post, but for me it feels like it’s been forever! This past month or two have been amazingly busy for me in having two art shows, overtime at work, and hours upon hours at the lathe every night of the week because I never feel like I’ll have enough items for my art shows. My brain says “Just one more item!”, and my body says “Go to bed you dummy!” I usually listen to my brain laying guilt on myself that I haven’t worked hard enough. Well, tonight… I’m packing it in early to share with you the last pieces that came off my lathe. I am proud of them, yet drained of physical and emotional energy. Fact is, I love you guys…the readers of my blog and I appreciate every comment, view, and passer-through. So without further rambling, here is a set I call “Fruitful”

Fruitful is made from a Japanese Yew Root. It is quite rare and very exotic in coloration and the only way I can get it is if I happen to spot someone throwing out a big root ball that they dug out of their front yard. Yep, Japanese Yew is just a common shrub, but has some of the most turnable, gorgeous colorations you will ever find.

So Really, dont adjust the color on your screen. This wood is really this striking in color. Both pieces have what is referred to as a natural edge and the thin bark is left intact at the rim of each vessel.

When this wood is cut it has a distinct sweet smell and between the smell of the fresh shavings as well as the beautiful color I had to call this set Fruitful

If you have any questions about my art, woodturning, or process please leave a comment.

For those of you that asked about my first of two art shows it went really well. If you happened to stop by the booth, thank you so much for stopping. My next show is Next Weekend at Letchworth State Park where the Fall foliage will nearly match the vessels I have here in the photos. Thanks for letting me ramble. Comments Welcome.

Keith Burtis

Popularity: 8% [?]