Bruce Katlin Creates And The Running Artist

Mechanical Toys

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 14:53:00 +0000

New Automata Toy Making In Progress

Taking a turn in the creative process to make these fun and innovative and functional wood sculptures. Imagine a mountain lake with boats and birds bobbing along on a cool summer's day.
More to come....

A Virtual Outdoor Studio Tour

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Sun, 31 May 2020 17:33:00 +0000

Gyrate to Your Left

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 20:57:00 +0000

"Lady of Angels." Calls me Home.

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 22:11:00 +0000

"Lady of Angels." Oil on board. 19" x 24".

I came across The Mission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula ("Mission of Our Lady of the Angels of Porciúncula") from an Instagram post and I was immediately intrigued.

The mission served the people of the Pecos Pueblo, near modern Pecos, New Mexico, from sometime around 1619. Of course, there are two sides to history and this area and its peoples have much pride and integrity no which side you're on.

"Lady of Angels." Oil on board. Signature.

In approaching this subject, my intention was to have the viewer's eye drawn between the two foreground walls then along the right wall following the the dark shadows to what would have been the pulpitum. I chose to portray the energy that I feel bounds from the ruins hoping that viewers will say, "I've got to go there and see this place!"

Why It Feels So Good

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:28:00 +0000

To run and paint at the same time is Bliss to me.

The evidence is in and it's all very good news! Aerobic exercise increases divergent thinking, creativity, Vo2 max, longevity, happiness, and overall health. Combining exercise and creativity will blow your mind!

Finished painting from above run & paint session.

Try it and get some good vibes!

Center of the Moon

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:52:00 +0000

Created while running!

Why Stop?

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:01:00 +0000

You have come this far, why stop now?

Many people get so close to achieving their dreams, goals and desires and stop short. Don't stop. Keep moving. Shoulder any any all of the responsibilities of achieving your goals and remember, no else is responsible for your happiness except you!

Never Give Up!

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 23:17:00 +0000

Never give up! The mind is a powerful tool. Use it for good! Set your intentions. Mark your target and go! When doubt or self-criticism kicks in, say to yourself, "Don't need it, get out of my way because I am getting to the top of that mountain!" No matter what you want, set your intentions and never, ever give up.

Today's 5 Minute Art Slice

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:44:00 +0000

"An Orange Field". Soft Pastels on Board

Join the 30 day creative challenge (time period is up to you) and create anything in five minutes or less. Post here or to your favorite platform using #5minsartslice

Science has proven that creativity is good for the brain. Create something!

Create Something In 5 Mins or Less

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 17:24:00 +0000

Today's 5 Mins Art Slice. "Beards." Aluminum wire, button, Bighorn Sheep fur, canvas,

Saturday's July 28, 2018 5 Mins Art Slice. "Two Heads, One Kidney. Printer's ink on canvas."

Sunday's July 29, 2018 5 Mins Art Slice. "No Waste Materials Art."

Five Minutes or Less Art

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:45:00 +0000

"Odd Man Out"

Two of this week's 5 mins art slice. 5 mins per day art challenge! Create anything in 5 mins or less for 30 days. Post using #5minsartslice

"New Mexico Morning"

Today's 5 Min or Less Art Slice

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:20:00 +0000

Today's 5 mins art slice 5 mins per day #art #challenge ! Create anything in 5 mins or less for 30 days. Post using #5minsartslice

5 Minutes Or Less Art Slice Challenge

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 23:37:00 +0000

Practice, practice practice. Challenge, challenge, challenge.

Welcome to the Five Minutes or Less Art Challenge! Create anything in five minutes or less per day for thirty days and post to you social media platform of choice using #5minsartslice.

Have fun and use a timer.

Doors Kill Not Guns

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:03:00 +0000

Did you know that school doors have been the cause of hundreds of student deaths as they intermittently and unpredictably fall off their hinges shattering student's skulls? Architects and builders of schools have also witnessed exploding hinge screws that have penetrated and shattered flesh and bones. A sober Texas Governor Abbott and more than realistic Lt. Governor Patrick were shocked and surprised to learn of the deadly doors and were quoted as sayin, "Gee, we thought guns were the problem. Whew! Thank GOD, we almost missed the elephant in the room!""

Want to Think More Creatively? Act Like A Child

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:33:00 +0000

To Think Divergently It's Critical to Think (And Play) Like A Child.

"How so?" You might ask. Have you ever taken notice of children riding a bus or a train? They're the ones with their faces pressed against the windows looking out in awe and wonderment at the world passing before their eyes. They're dreaming. Creating and innovating without any of the criticism that we adults have learned over the years. Criticism and self-doubt that at times stunts or prevents us from thinking divergently.

Kids know how to play. They have wonderful imaginations and if you're a parent, hopefully you are nourishing those imaginations. So, it makes sense that as adults when we 'play' the various parts of our brains associated with creativity come into (sorry for the pun) play.

Play can come in many forms and most involve some sort of body movement. Play is a form of exercise and when we exercise we effect how creativity works in the brain. There is a slew of conclusive evidence on the positive effects of exercise readily available for your review. I have my own evidence (non-empirical) for those of you who might be interested in learning about my personal experiences.

So if play is so important to divergent and creative thinking, why aren't we doing more of it in the workplace? If you live and work in North America most likely your work environment and work culture supports working long hours with infrequent breaks and very little 'play' time. Yes, a certain amount of pressure and stress are valuable when looking to innovate but too much causes paralysis and burnout. (See the Leadership Quarterly, Vol. 28, February 2017.) Americans work very hard but, how efficient, effective, and productive we are, is a question for another post. Playing, having fun does not mean that you are not working. Being childlike is very different than being childish.

So before you start your next meeting, try some simple play activities such as stretching, drawing on whiteboards, laughing, clapping, running in place or, better yet, whenever possible, take your meeting outside and walk, talk, and create solutions using your childlike sense of fun and adventure

I would love to hear your experiences, ideas, and approach to thinking creatively. Now, get back to work.

What Two Birds Taught Me About Determination and Passion

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 22:27:00 +0000

"Say it Phoebe." Printer's Ink on Paper.

Ornithologists have been telling us for decades what we can learn from paying close attention to birds. It’s a no-brainer that modern aviation was designed around bird anatomy and their aeronautical expertise. Bird lovers and researchers alike propound for example, that we can learn from birds on how to lead, survive, overcome obstacles and create lasting relationships. One species in particular, the Say’s Phoebe has provided classes in life lessons during this year’s spring migration season impressing me with their fortitude, building expertise, determination and ceaseless protection for each other and their families. What follows are examples of what I have witnessed this spring with the return of two-feathered friends.

Fortitude. Before flying 2,000 miles from South America to our home in northern New Mexico, these small but courageous winged creatures make a love connection mid-flight giving speed dating a new meaning. Upon their arrival the male takes his new love on a house hunting adventure showing her the best locales suitable for their home building project. They aren't much affected by humans and will build their nests on or near houses and business structures but the female has the final say of where the first piece of straw or grass will be placed. The couple who chose our house as their nesting place this spring have returned three years running. (Some pairs have been known to return to the same nesting place for five consecutive years.)

Building Expertise/Project Management. The construction of this year’s nest began with a flurry atop a sloping air vent. Flying back and forth, mama Phoebe brought beaks full of straw, grass, and feathers, which became the nest’s foundation. After a few days, we laid out various colors of thread and fabric for the lovebirds that were quickly incorporated into their now cupped shaped home. At week’s end the solid looking nest was ready for use. The proud and ambitious parents set out to consume as much protein as they could in preparation for the hatch.

Determination. It’s been said, and recent research has shown, that grit and determination is a better indicator of success than intelligence. This is surely the case when it comes to the Say’s Phoebe however, they have displayed some pretty incredible behaviors that some would consider very smart. Take for example the mother’s defensive actions. Upon opening a door nearby the nest she would take the focus away from the nest by flying about twenty-five out where she keeps a careful eye on her eggs and me. If, I approach the nest at to close a range, she’ll attack. Very clever. What’s more impressive is, when I do manage to shoo her further away from the nest when needed, she’ll fly around to another side of the house where she can’t see me. When she hears the nearby door close, she returns to her young. That’s learned behavior!

Shortly after the nest was completed the weather turned foul and a powerful windstorm swept through the Rio Grande Gorge Valley. Tumbleweeds pressed up against our front door, pine trees scraped the outer walls of our house and worse; the nest was blown to the ground where it lay torn horizontally in half. Two dime-sized eggs lay splattered on the paving stones. We were heartbroken not so much for ourselves but for the hardworking expectant parents. Our sadness we imagined, was nothing compared to what the Say’s Phoebes must have felt as they flew nearby searching and calling for their unborn offspring. Days went by with the nest on the ground, now wedged between a wall and rose bush - the aggrieved parents continuing their cries of abandonment.

Rebuilding. After considering for several days whether or not to interfere with Mother Nature, I decided to put the bottom half of the destroyed nest back into its original place and then waited to see if the parents would rebuild. Twenty-four hours later our determined friends were back applying their constructions skills and this time around, tightening the nest’s weave and raising its height to meet our home’s eaves. Again, to me, this is learned behavior that has consequences on build materials and design which, affects survival.

Their determination reminded me of my heroine Pi in the novel, Birds Like Us, The Pi Phillecroix Story who demonstrates immense courage and determination when she walks from Paris to the shores of the UK trying to save her father’s life. (I wrote the novel prior to having any knowledge of, or experience with Say’s Phoebes.)

I haven’t wanted to cause stress to the birds anymore than they have already experienced so, I have not disturbed the nest to see how many eggs have been laid. Based on the parent’s behavior I suspect that we will be hearing the chirps of newborn chicks any day now. Imagine what we could accomplish if we employed the lessons learned from our determined, passionate and effective engineering avian friends.

Life Is Precious

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 23:41:00 +0000

Abolish the Death Penalty. Visit Arkansas.

I debated long and hard before creating and posting the above and following images. The reason being, I feel strongly about injustices being perpetrated by States' Legislators and governments as a whole but do not want to create more negativity. At the same time, like so many of us, I'm frustrated and want to create awareness using art and humor; humor based on the hypocrisy, stupidity and fear that many legislators and governments worldwide are basing their decisions and subsequent actions upon.

End Discrimination. Visit Texas.

Fear is driving many decisions; fear of losing something we have or, something we want and won't get. In order to protect ourselves from the perceived fear we then need to place blame, blame on "others". ""They" are taking our jobs. ""They" are causing wars and committing crimes." ""They are what scares me most because "they" are so different from me."

End Discrimination. Visit North Carolina.

There's absolutely to wisdom involved when making important decisions based on fear. Of course, first you'd have to be aware that you're making fearful decisions and that takes a willingness to look deep inside. It's called self-actualization. How many lawmakers do you know that make decisions based on wisdom and not on fear, arrogance and stupidity. (I use the word "stupidity" not to suggest that lawmakers are stupid, but rather that they are not operating from a place of wisdom when making decisions that in general, do not support and help the needs of the citizen they represent.)

Instead of operating out of fear creating division, what would happen if we started from a point of understanding ourselves first, what we're truly afraid of and then question our thoughts, actions and behaviors? What would happen if lawmakers and governments around the world sincerely valued each and every life? What would happen if their decisions were based on courage, empathy and abundance? I know what would happen; we'd stopping harming and killing each other at such an alarming rate. We'd produce more life affirming goods and services based on understanding each other's needs, We'd use wisdom to make decisions that affect living beings instead of fear, self-centeredness and selfishness, and lastly, we could have real happiness.

There are very good, upright, caring, considerate, kind, and helpful people throughout this Country and around the world who just want to live in peace and be happy. We need to let our elected officials know that they need not be afraid, there's 'enough' for everyone; and that more money, power, and policies and laws based on discrimination will not create lasting happiness.

Oh, what a world it would be. For now, make a difference. Start by taking a look at yourself, questions your motives and what they're based on. Fear begets fear which drives hatred and violence which, is good for no one. Tell your policy makers to take a breath and choose wisdom instead of fear. Considering supporting the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the United Nations Human Rights Fund, and the Southern Poverty Law Center because life is precious.

Speed Painting!

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 17:14:00 +0000

"Blues in C Minor" Oil on board. 4'x6' (121.92 cm x 182.88 cm)

Painting Product Page

"Blues in C Minor"oil on board 4'x6' (121.92 cm x 182.88 cm) One week of painting sped in less than 5 minutes.

Watch full video here

It's amazing to watch everything come together with fast motion video. Many times I think to myself, "I have know idea what I'm doing," but somehow it works out. Sometimes I'm happier with the intended results than others. (I did have intentions going into this painting.) Watching this video it amazes me what can be accomplished with 'slight-of-hand,' paints, brush strokes, and placement of colors. We humans are a very creative bunch!

Watch full video here: https://youtu.be/v8VGZEOLbtk

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 02:48:00 +0000

From Run-to-Paint session. Oil on board. "Aquilegia Explosion, NM." 36x24. The Stats: Elevation: 12,000', calories burned 4823, miles ran, 10, steps 2120, a ton of sweat, 100 lbs pack back weight, a lot of paint; Joy quotient: 110! Purchased the painting here. Watch the video here.

This was one of the most challenging run-to-paint sessions that I've tackled to date. The pack was extremely heavy and the altitude and pitch of the trail were very steep. Nevertheless, the above painting was created and two days in the wilderness was worth the struggle.

Happy trails! - Bruce

How To Manage Time & Energy

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 16:33:00 +0000

How to Coach Yourself to Success and Happiness. Tip #11. How to Manage Time and Energy. Please send me your suggestions, topics or questions regarding a particular challenge, struggle or goal that you'd like help with and perhaps, I'll address it (with your anonymity insured) in a future video. I hope you find this video tip as well as the others helpful.

Need help? Want more tips on how to succeed and be happy? Contact me.

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:28:00 +0000

How to Coach Yourself to Success and Happiness. Tip #10. How to Deal With Difficult People. Please send me your suggestions, topics or questions regarding a particular challenge, struggle or goal that you'd like help with and perhaps, I'll address it (with your anonymity insured) in a future video. I hope you find this video tip as well as the others helpful.

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:02:00 +0000

How to Recover From Setbacks & 'Failures' Video Tip Below

How to Coach Yourself to Success and Happiness. Tip #9.How to Recover From Setbacks & 'Failures'. Please send me your suggestions, topics or questions regarding a particular challenge, struggle or goal that you'd like help with and perhaps, I'll address it (with your anonymity insured) in a future video. I hope you find this video tip as well as the others helpful.

Get more info here: brucekatlin.com

How to Save Money and Grow Your Bank Account. Tip #8

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 17:38:00 +0000

How to Save Money and Grow Your Bank Account

How to Coach Yourself to Success and Happiness. Tip #8. How to Save Money and Grow Your Bank Account. Please feel free to send me your suggestions, topics or questions regarding a particular challenge, struggle or goal that you'd like help with and perhaps, I'll address it (with your anonymity insured) in a future video. I hope you find this video tip as well as the others helpful.

brucekatlin.com

How to Coach Yourself to Success & Happiness. Tip #7. How To Achieve Work-Life Balance

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:30:00 +0000

How To Achieve Work-Life Balance

How to Coach Yourself to Success & Happiness. Tip #7 . Yes, I too use these tips for self-coaching and have created two of my own businesses doing what I'm passionate about while helping others receiving benefits as well. Please feel free to send me your suggestions, topics or questions regarding a particular challenge, struggle or goal that you'd like help with and perhaps, I'll address it (with your anonymity insured) in a future video. I hope you find this video tip as well as the others helpful.

How to Coach Yourself to Success and Happiness. Tip #5.

bruce@brucekatlincreates.com (Bruce Katlin) — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:27:00 +0000

How to Influence Others

How to Coach Yourself to Success and Happiness. Tip #5 . Yes, I too use these tips for self-coaching and have created two of my own businesses doing what I'm passionate about while helping others receiving benefits as well. Please feel free to send me your suggestions, topics or questions regarding a particular challenge, struggle or goal that you'd like help with and perhaps, I'll address it (with your anonymity insured) in a future video. I hope you find this video tip as well as the others helpful.