Gratitude and Attitude - Your 2015 Secret Thrive Guide Is Here

I don't want to sound like a rehashed new age guru here, but with the start of a new year knocking on the door, I feel compelled to share my own little, timely message based upon my own personal experience. 

For about the last two years now, I begin every single, morning with a silent, contemplative meditation of gratitude. Quite seriously, I do this before I even rise from my bed. It's very simple and it can be as brief, or lengthy, as you wish. You can be grateful for anything and to anything or anyone. There is no wrong way to do it. Personally, I direct my gratitude energy to the "Universe", which, in my book is what others may refer to as God - but I'm not taking that exit ramp with this post. 

The very first thing that I am grateful for is waking up into a new day, filled with new possibilities. The rest is up to you and whatever gratitude path you want to walk down. Are you grateful because you have more money than the Vatican? So be it. Are you grateful because you have a job interview that may help you pay your rent and feed your kid? Right on. Are you grateful because you have one more precious hour to hold the hand of a loved one who is on the edge of returning to energy? Blessings. See, it can really be about anything and to anything. 

As I said, it is very simple. But it's also very powerful and very effective. You may think your current life is miserable. Maybe you wake up in prison. Maybe you wake up lonely or in an abusive relationship. Maybe you wake up in poverty, or pain - or both. It doesn't matter. Find something, anything, to be grateful for and move forward from that space - no matter how tiny or futile it may feel. 

Sometimes in life, you have to fight your way out of the darkness. I'm here to tell you that this sweet, little mental dialogue will deliver in a grand way. The new year is almost here, take this little gem with you into it and see how far it will bring you. 

With much love and wishes of peace and prosperity in the new year to all...

On location: WRDE Arts & Entertainment Report with Michael Sprouse

I'm really looking forward to the next segment of the WRDE Arts & Entertainment Report (airing Wednesday, August 20th during the 6 and 11 PM newscasts.) Last night, I had the chance to sit in with and interview Paul Cullen (one time bassist for one of the most acclaimed bands of the classic rock era - the über-famous "Bad Company") during one of his recent - and very popular -"Tune Your Palate" Private Chef In-Home Events.

“Renaissance Man” Paul Cullen prepares pasta from scratch while being filmed by Nick Gruber (the WRDE Arts & Entertainment very talented and creative videographer) during a recent taping of the show.

Though at one time Paul could be found on stage playing before crowds of at least 30,000 enthralled fans, he is now completely comfortable - and quite successful - as an all-in-one gourmet chef, well-honed wine specialist and premier acoustic jazz guitarist. Groups of at least 10 guests or more can hire Paul to come into their home where he and his team will prepare a four course sit down Italian dinner which includes a region specific Italian wine pairing with an enchanting acoustic concert by Paul afterword (leave the serving, pouring and clean up to Paul and his team.) It makes for a truly enjoyable and memorable occasion and I can tell you from first-hand knowledge that the food is absolutely, knock-your-socks-off, spectacular.

You'll not want to miss the August 13th WRDE Arts & Entertainment Report to learn more about Paul's fascinating "Renaissance Man" journey from superstar rock-and-roll status to culinary arts celebrity, wine specialist and top-notch jazz acoustic guitar talent. Within our coverage area in Southern Delaware, WRDE NBC Coast TV broadcasts in HD on channels 209 and 809 on Comcast (also in Standard Definition on Channel 9 on Comcast). For viewers with Direct TV and Dish Network use channel 31. For over the air non-cable or dish viewing, use channel 31.1. The WRDE Arts & Entertainment Report will is also available for streaming via the WRDE Youtube channel.

Where is Sprouse now? On TV that's where!

It's always nice to get mentioned in the wildly popular and well-noted blog of one of DC's most influential arts journalists.

This is especially valid when the author is my friend and an incredibly talented artist in his own right - Lenny Campello. 

Daily Campello Art News: Where is Sprouse now? On TV that's where!

New Season. New Career Move.

What could cause a guy like me to jump off the radar of his own blog for two and half months? Four paintings, five web design projects, three logos – oh, and yes – a brand new career move as the On Air Arts & Entertainment Reporter for WRDE NBC TV!

I’m so excited by this major event, that even I am at a loss of words. But not for long – my segments will begin to air around the first week of July.

Stay tuned for frequent updates with a side car of usual artistic flair and wit. And look for me on the air.

Cheers!

P.S. – Follow @WRDEARTS on twitter for Pete’s sake!

Stop Writing Alot

This came across my radar today and I thought it too good not to share.

I’ve recently noticed a rise in social media posts of these infographic-like of images instructing and/or reminding people of the importance of the correct usage of grammar and spelling.

Personally, I’m tickled pink by the memes and I intend to do my part to keep the momentum speeding full-steam ahead.

“Wind II″ : The Latest Work from Artist Michael Sprouse

My most recent work is modeled after a painting that I originally created close to 15 years ago. At that time, the first version of this painting (titled simply “Wind”) soon became my most popular painting to date and large-scale, fine art prints of the work can still be located in galleries around the country.

“Wind II”, 36″ x 36″, acrylic on canvas, ©2014 Michael Sprouse

But recently, it felt time to reinterpret the work with an updated vision. I enjoyed the painting process in the studio of revisiting the work tremendously. Artistically, the discovery of the nuances that became clear to me during the painting process after 15 years were genuinely surprising and satisfying.

“Wind II” will enter exhibition on April 27th of this year, but it is currently available at a pre-exhibition discounted price for interested parties. For purchase inquiries into “Wind II” please feel free to contact me here.

"Wind II" Recent Work Inspired From A Painting's Past

Several years ago, perhaps 15, I painted a work that I entitled simply “Wind.” It was an exceptionally large painting (roughly 6 feet by 6 feet) and it debuted at Eklektikos Gallery (which I co-owned and curated) in Washington, DC before traveling to the Lowe Gallery (where I was exhibiting at that time) whereupon it was purchased by the president of a very successful and well-known company specializing in discount travel and hotel rates.

"Wind II" work in process, 36" x 36", acrylic on canvas  
©2014 Michael Sprouse

Shortly after the exhibition purchase, I was contacted by a well-established, international art printing house who soon thereafter licensed the work. The company printed large-scale giclée on canvas reproductions of the painting which sold all over the United States and Europe.

It eventually became one of the most popular and recognizable paintings of my career.

To this day, some 15 years later, I still receive emails from people with photographs of prints of “Wind” that they have encountered from Los Angles to London and places in-between or requests from eager, potential collectors with the wish of purchasing the original if available or a print (the publishing company closed their doors a few years ago after the owner retired following a long and prosperous career.)

For many years, I would respond with an apologetic explanation of how the original was long purchased and the prints were no longer being produced. I further explained that I had no plans to recreate “Wind.”

That is – until this week…

For no particular reason other than it simply felt like the right time to do so, I have been busy in my studio recreating one of the most popular works of my early career.

This version, currently titled simply “Wind II” - smaller than the first painting measuring in at 36” x 36” - will still deliver all of the compelling visual elements that made its forbearer so popular.

While I don’t often publicize my work before completion, I have decided to release the news about this soon to be completed work now with the offer of a pre-completion, pre-exhibition substantial discount on the purchase price.

I’ve attached a photo of the work in process on the wall of my studio next to a print of the original version of “Wind.”
For those of you who have long thought about owning one of my original works for your own collection, the perfect chance to do so is now knocking on your door.
This discount is only valid until Saturday April 26^th at which time the work will be entered into exhibit. “Wind II” is available on a first come, first purchase protocol.

For those interested in purchase, I can be contacted via the contact page on my website at www.sprouseart.com.

Cheers and Happy Spring.