"Open your eyes and your ears and you're influenced..."

Bob Dylan sang, "Open your eyes and your ears and you're influenced."

Two artists who have had a real impact on my work of late is JP Morrison, her skill with a colored pencil and craftsmanship is frightening.  And Mateo Romero.  His use of image and expressionistic technique is inspiring.  I must acknowledge Mateo's influence for my latest piece.  If you see his paintings, "NeoTribal" and "Two Worlds", the influence is obvious and I must give credit where credit is due.

Otis Redding said of Aretha Franklin's cover of his song, "Respect" that she owned it, made it hers.  I doubt I have done that with this painting but I loved the simplicity of this image.

"Start with a blank piece of paper and remove everything that doesn't belong."  That quote has been attributed to everyone from John Prine and Townes Van Zandt to Ernest Hemingway.  I got this print back from the printer and saw it for its simple message.  This piece needed nothing more.

Is it art?  Is it original?  I will let the viewer decide.  The title is, "But Sinclair Lewis wrote..."