Thought-Full Art Studio

A conversation...

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New Prints Added

I’ve updated my shop with some additional prints. I’m trying to post all the prints I normally take with me to arts festivals as quickly as possible. If you do not see something, please use the Contact form and describe it as best you can and I will get back to you quickly.

Three of the prints currently listed also have the original artwork still available: The Vegan (black and white version), Catch 22, and Through the Curtain. If you are interested in the originals, please use the Contact form and I will get back with you to discuss the details.

The Randy Brodnax show that I have been blessed to participate in during the Fall had to cancel. But they are trying to put together an online “show”. Once that is set up, I’ll post information here and on Facebook on how to view, share, purchase art, etc.

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The Three Truths

According to several different dictionaries, the term “trumped up” was first used in 1728. It appears to have meant “to deceive or cheat”. It did not always have a completely evil connotation. It was also used to mean someone offering an “imaginative use of truth” (like a kid saying it was the monster under the bed that spilled his milk).

Today, truth often comes at a premium. Those speaking it can often be derided, even harmed, by those who are “unhappy” with facing that particular truth. Figuring out when we are being told or shown the truth – rather than the “Trumped Up Truth” is important.

This isn’t a political message. It is meant, like all my work, to spur your imagination and conversation. The “Plain Truth” is we all need to think a lot more about the life we live and the life we want to leave behind us. Happy musing!

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Video: Through the Curtain

A short video about my original “Through the Curtain”. This piece is available for $3000 (plus applicable sales tax). Due to the size it cannot be shipped. I can arrange personal delivery within a reasonable distance from the DFW area. Please use the Contact Us form if you have any questions/ are interested in purchasing.

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Stay Safe – Help Others Stay Safe

I’ve got a beard. I’ve had one for most of my adult life. In fact, my wife of 43 years has never seen me without one. So masks are not my favorite adornment. But I really want shows to open back up. I want my favorite suppliers to stay in business. I want my wife and I to stay out of the hospital and I want that for my friends, extended family, and my customers. So I wear a mask.

I know that there are a lot of conflicting messages out there – and especially when this all started. We shouldn’t be surprised. We haven’t had a pandemic in this country for several generations. But now we know. It makes a difference. Perfect solution? Absolutely not. We need more testing so we know who actually needs to remain quarantined and who can return safely to work, and a vaccine. But, in the meantime, wearing a mask helps. Washing our hands helps. Social distancing helps.

There are so many things I cannot do to help make this whole situation better. But I can do these three things without even blinking an eye or breaking into a sweat. So why would I NOT? The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a whole lot easier to maintain outside a hospital.

Be safe and help others to be safe as well. Peace.

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Cottonwood Arts Festival News

Update – 7/18/2020 – Cottonwood Arts Festival Fall Show has been cancelled. We hope things will be better in 2021. Be safe and do your best to keep others safe as well.

C.J. Bradford

Festival leaders are trying hard to figure out how to plan in this environment of change. One festival that has been very active in keeping in touch and promoting artists in the DFW area is the Cottonwood Arts Festival team.

I have been blessed to be part of this festival most years since 1985. I am very honored that they are highlighting my work on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CottonwoodArtFestival/videos/197180664714693

There is a special promotion for the month of June so I encourage you to visit their page and come back to shop!

I hope that you remain safe and well. I miss seeing you and interacting with you. I especially miss hearing the stories from young and old about how they are trying to explore art themselves. I look forward to seeing you down the road.

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Documentary Video

I’ve been really blessed in the last few weeks – in many ways. While I miss my art show community and the opportunity to interact with customers, I’ve found some times of real joy and peace working in my garden.

I’ve always planted lots of flowers and have had a vegetable garden since I had my first home. But typically I plant the garden in early spring and then am in a mad dash to shows, with only a couple of weeks of free time here and there. So my garden would start out lovely and by the time the shows settled down, they were overgrown, weary, sun baked.

But this year I’ve had the opportunity to really enjoy Spring for the first time in nearly 40 years. I realize that this time is absolutely horrendous on a national scale, and I would gladly give up my garden time to be back selling art and knowing that those I care about are safe from a pandemic and economic ruin. But we look for small blessings in this midst of these kinds of events and I am truly grateful for the vegetables now coming out in my little “patch”.

Also during this time, a long awaited documentary of my work has now been made available. Ms. Sissel Anderson is a college student who does extraordinary film work. She chose me as a project for a competition. She and her team worked tirelessly over many weeks to put this together. I’m so excited that she won 3rd place in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association for Excellence in Texas Collegiate Journalism! Below is a link to her YouTube. I have also posted the video on my Facebook Page

A Documentary by Sissel Anderson

I know we are going to see/hear more about Sissel in the years to come. Hope you enjoy the video!

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Stay Safe

All spring shows have been cancelled. While several hope to reschedule in the Fall, we won’t know for some time. My prayer is that each of you remain safe and can avoid this disease.

My wife and I are practicing shelter in place. We are grateful for the world of technology that allows us to stay in contact with friends and family by telephone, email, and virtual meetings. I hope that you are finding ways to stay connected.

To the health professionals, first responders, and the many people who are continuing to work in essential businesses, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your service is critical for us to get through this. We know that an unprecedented number of people are suffering terrible economic issues and that is heart breaking.

We are going to beat this thing. We must practice social distancing and do our very best when we must get out to protect ourselves – and to protect others – by respecting the laws of science in regard to this virus. The more we do this, the quicker this will be over and the faster we can all get back together and work to rebuild what has been lost and damaged.

God bless you and keep you during this time.

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Corona Virus and Show Impacts

Please visit my Show page for information on Spring 2020 shows. As would be expected, it has become necessary for show officials to postpone and/or cancel large gatherings as everyone works to stop the progress of this virus within communities.

I want to encourage everyone to at least take the minimum precautions when out and about in your communities. Each of us can have a positive impact by simply maintaining responsible behaviors toward ourselves and others.

  1. Wash your hands longer and more frequently.
  2. Keep hands away from your face and the faces of others.
  3. For now, a shoulder bump is better than a handshake.
  4. Stay informed and stay calm.
  5. Respect those who are in high risk categories (elderly and/or those with preexisting health conditions) by following the previous suggestions.
  6. And stop hoarding toilet paper. Really. Stop.

Be safe and be kind and I look forward to when this is behind us and we can once again have a fun time at some of the great festivals around the country.

And a reminder – you can order from me on this website! Thanks!

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Spring Shows Now Listed

Hop on over and visit my “Shows” page for the full lineup. I’m excited about the schedule and looking forward to a busy spring. Winter has seemed particularly odd this year – too much rain, lots of cloudy days. Ready for some sunshine! Mark your calendars and I look forward to seeing you at one of the shows coming up!

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Happy New Year!

I hope that each of you who read this will have a safe, joyful, and blessed New Year. I look forward to seeing you at shows this year! My spring schedule will be posted right after the holidays.