Hey! I just saw your comment on my page. :) I see that you are an actual artist where I am just an appreciater of art. I would love to be able to paint or sketch with any level of skill, but alas I cannot. I like several of the pieces in your gallery.

I will have to agree with Charlotte, I have not a single artistic bone in my body, however I did really enjoy your gallery. Also, I have some of the "Be Indypendent" stickers in my house, I think it's a great idea, just wish more people were aware of it.

Yes Essex, starting more dialogue between the artists on this site is important. I too am an artist, although I fall under the more corporate variety. I think Indy.com has a lot of potential for helping artists promote their work, although we still have a lot of functionality to add in this area. We'll be adding features continuously and I hope that we have time to really make the site useful for artists.

Yeah, you only say that because you haven't seen my 'art' however, the medium I do have some talent (at least enough that I'll put it online) is writing, and if you'd like a sample, check out my page, there you'll find my one and only post which has a sample from a book i'm writing. Let me know what you think, always looking for feedback!

Yes you did draw me!

Thanks for checking out my book! I'm so glad you liked the part you read. Yes that section is pretty far into the book, but it was a scene I really liked. I have about 70,000 words, and I need around 90,000 to be a novel. Then I'll have to find an editor and see if I can get it published, or self publish it. Either way it's looking like at least another 6 months (i've been working on it forever, but since it's my first ever attempt at writing a book, I'm giving myself a break) before it's even close to the end. When I get it done, I will certainly post every detail of book signings and where to buy etc. I'm so excited you took the time to read that portion, and you don't know me, so you have no reason to lie to save my feelings ;)

I'm a fan of art, so I thought I'd be a fan of you. OK?

I especially like your We Won't Work Without Words...I also really dig the fish piece and the abstracts.

Hi-! i saw your comment to all the Art lovers- i also am more an art lover than a creator- i enjoyed your gallery very much- thanks for including me!!

I had the good fortune to be able to visit my daughter in Florence Italy last fall- this statue is part of the wonderful garden at one of the Medeci palaces- the name escapes me at the moment- It was the trip of my lifetime- i have many great photos- this one just struck me as so much fun- i will have to do my research at home to remember his name!!

I'd say you are a very perceptive man! :-) I like to think I have an artist's spirit - and if I may I'd love to borrow this phrasing from you. Your work.... I really like it. Have you heard of or considered entering the contest www.art4God.com ? I only just came acrossed it recently & was impressed with what I saw. BTW my Grandma had Iris' too - thanks for the "grandma memories smile". Take care & God Bless :-)

Art is PLENTY to have in common!

Thank you for the message. For whatever reason, I can't open up the Gallery section of your site...or of mine. I will check it another day so I can view your pics/art.

I love the Indy music and art scene...so, I am sure we will run into each other soon at an event.

Have a great week!

Bella Louisa

Hi Essex thanks for connecting. All of us artists and art lovers need to stick together to keep making it happen here.

The word "Tool" is not allowed under the political correctness handbook rules and regulations.

thanks for the note! seems that you and i have a lot in common :) a love for the arts and the tropics! take care

Hey! If you have a pre-existing work that you'd be interested in submitting, please do! The contest is open to receive submissions until midnight tonight!

Thanks for your interest!

hey the Key is playing Creature from the Black Loagoon this weekend(friday and saturday night 10 p.m.) be there!

Hi, I just looked at your gallery pics...very nice...thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Bella Louisa

Hi essex thanks for the comment on my page. I am new to the area and the art scene in indy. I made my page so I could meet other artists in indy.

I just checked out your gallery and I especially love the icon and the bahamas pieces. great work!

thanks for the welcome! :) and i was kinda hoping someone could tell me lol. - but if i do find something i'll let you know and vice versa! take care!

i like your approach! Us artists must stick together. :-) If you're a fan of the Caribbean, you must be loving the snow! lol

I think the shared interest of "art" is definitely reason enough to add someone! Thanks for the add!

haha, sounds like a fine plan to me! And thanks for the welcome!

May I ask, where did you come up with the name Essex?

I like Etsy, and recommend it to anyone interested in showing and selling their work. It is a great place for exposure and and I also like the look of the site and the way it operates. Flickr is nice, too, but doesn't have the option for selling your work.

Oh ok, haha well I was asking because in my small hometown there is a factory named Essex. It's a wire factory and it's one of the top three highest paying jobs in that county. I figure they employ a third of the population. Ha ha! So I just wondered if that meant you had worked there or something odd like that, since I know so many people that do!

Hello, fellow artist. I like your rubbings a lot and also, We Won't Work Without Words.

Hee. Thanks!

Art school drop-out, hairstylist extraordinaire, movie junkie, basement studio artist, fashionista, who's never been to the Carribbean. Thanks for the welcome.

I was just looking through your gallery again and your self portrait caught my eye. I really like it. What medium did you use to create this?

Well, thanks. I am glad you can appreciate someone who tags art!

happy new year! Thats a great idea!

Maybe there is a way we can meet up this first firday if you no something that is going on this week. Happy New Year

Thanks for the welcome message on my page. I am looking forward to getting more connected into the art community in Indianapolis. I have always been more of a closet artist, but am excited to get more out there.

Best wishes in 2008!

Thanks:)

A Flash developer is a person who uses Macromedia (now owned by Adobe)Flash either alone or in conjunction with other technologies) to create RIA (rich internet applications), Games, portions of websites (like this one) or even entire ones, this is just a little of what one can do with Flash. One of my favorite projects was a stand alone kiosk, very much like the BMW one that was once (haven't seen it lately) in the Castleton Square Mall. I am actually a "complete" sorta guy, skilled in most web design/development areas along with most of Adobe's product offerings, (having worked for them prior to the release of CS.) But "anyone" can be a "web designer/developer" Flash however takes a little more skill. I realize there are large number of people in this field involved in Indy.com. It is my hope that I have presented an accurate view of the field without offending any such person.

Well, I hear Vincent hangs out often in Amsterdam, not too far from the Anne Frank House. Maybe you should drop by for a photo.

We ran across each other a couple of years ago dealing with ATCs. I sent one or two to you for a trading show thing, and you sent me a couple in return.

Good to cross paths again.

I was happy to help out someone, who was helping out younger someones. Kudos to you.

hellooo, Essex, your name reminds me of my brother, Jammy (enymze00) And the way in which you talk about art reminds me of my teacher, Larry Hurt. Thank You and i hope that you have a very good day

Thanks for my first comment/fan. I love art - as a web designer but I also hand draw a little on the side. I just wish I had more free time to play around.

Thanks for the fan, Essex! I listed art because of my (our) passion for identifying with the way that people from a similar background express themselves. Short films are a great way to make a connection with people, and I'm proud of the films and Artists who have and will be showcased by our little show.

I really hope you get the chance to come see us on the 23rd and 24th!

hello, i believe i am friends with your daughter, holly - i too am an artiste. :)

hello! and thanks for the welcome wishes! oooh, that trip you and holly took to france looked maaaaarvelous! i can't wait to go back there someday ::sighs::. those j-term trips are pretty swell. :) i'm hoping to trek to barcelona and ibiza - it's just finding travel mates - we shall see ... i WAS in pam's intro to journalism class my sophomore year of high school at ahs! good memory! she's partly responsible for getting me on the road i am on today! (i fell in love with writing/journalism in that class! :)).

Essex,

Thanks for stopping by. I'm new to this site but it seems very accesible. As an artist I guess it could be a great resource. I think it interesting that total strangers can interact and possibly form relationships over the web with an ease that most certainly doesn't exist in the real world. Anyways, nice "meeting" you.

OH, THANK YOU! i have yet to actually spot it! ha. :)

Thanks for the fan add, Essex. Yeah, not too many "pop tab" artists out there. I guess it's my way of recycling, and making people smile. Did you happen to see my 8' tall Pop Tab? It is covered with over 5,700 pop tabs...Pretty cool.

Scoped out your gallery, and I must say, that I really enjoyed your works...Especially your rubbings. Inspires me to try that method. Beautiful use of color in your pieces. You are very talanted! Thanks for sharing with us.

Keepin' it real~ Cheryl

great gallery. i noticed you have an icon image, so you took M. Katherine's class--that's great. i actually go to the Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church where M. Katherine goes to. I took her class about 3 or so years ago, i started on the first Mother of God icon, unfortunately never finished (it was right in the middle as she was switching her technique). anyway, i would love to hear more about your interest in the Orthodox iconography. Great to meet you.

sorry i missed you at the church. hopefully i'll get you meet you sometime soon though. so, where do you perform during st. Patrick's? Connor's pub?

Thanks for becoming a fan. Go Grizzlies!

Hey, thanks for being a fan. You don't happen to be the dad of John Essex who went to Plainfield are you? It's great that you're trying to connect with all the art lovers on here. I appreciate art, but also try to create as well. I love painting murals, especially illustrative ones for children's rooms/areas.

I thought so! My maiden name is Mason and I graduated in '00, so I think he was two years ahead of me? I really enjoy the artwork you have posted.

I love my avatar. It's an illustration by Patricia Storms, who writes a blog I read titled "Book Lust". I'm a pretty avid reader, and I thought the girl in the drawing looked like she fit my personality.

"You being a fan of art is certainly enough for me to be a fan of yours. Okay... I'll bite. What is a FLAG tee?"

It's short for "I F*CK LIKE A GIRL" It's quite a conversation piece. LOL