Dan Waltz

I need your help with my next book!

2011-04-06T03:16:00.000-07:00

You will remain anonymous, but your answer to these questions may appear in my book.

Say a cure for all Cancers was found. Immediately after the announcement on the News a facebook page appears under the name of "Cure for Cancer Found" What if anything would you write on it's wall?

Also what would your tweets read on twitter, providing you tweeted something about it as well?(Don't forget tweets are limited to 140 characters.)

I need live comments and tweets for my next book, your name will not be used, but your posts may. Please comment below or message/email me with your responses.

Thanks for your help and support.

Dan Waltz

email: dan@danwaltz.com

Book Cover Art

2011-03-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

I recently finished a cover design for

Gladius and the Bartlett Trial

by J.A. Paul

To see how I did a small portion of this cover

(the Dragon) from start to finish Click here.

To view more of my art demos click on the Art Demos tab above.

Another Look At Marketing

2011-03-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

There are many different aspects to book marketing. So many that it’s so hard to choose which one you should being doing first, second or even at all. One aspect that seems to get over looked more often than not is simply making your book marketable in the first place. There is lot’s to be said here, but for now lets concentrate on two issues, two very important issues.

#1 The Outside, the Cover: The old cliché’ “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover” may hold a lot of truth, but I have to say that it can certainly make or break your book when it comes to getting people to pay it some attention and buy it. I very rarely will pick-up a book with a poorly designed cover, let a lone give up hard earned money for it. I figure if the author doesn’t spend the time or the money on the cover to make the book look good, than I doubt they spent the time on the story to make it read well. Maybe just my philosophy, but I do buy a ton of books so I am a potential customer and I don’t think I’m alone in this thinking.

Cover Tip: Keep it clean, use art instead of photos whenever possible, art sells more and will look like more time and money was spent than a simple snap-shot or stock photo. If you use a photograph, make sure it’s professionally done, stock photos look like stock photos, there is a difference. Keep the type style big, bold and legible for the title. (If you can’t clearly read the title of your book from15 feet away it’s not big enough.) Your name should be big too! What do you want the reader to remember? The title or who wrote it? I know, “BOTH,” but it’s so hard to remember author’s names so every little bit helps. Now I’m not saying to be as big and bold as KING or PATTERSON. Their name’s sell. Until you get known your cover art will have to sell for you. By all means, if you’re not an artist or graphic designer, hire one. It will make a huge difference.

#2 The Inside, your text: Know your audience. Keep the language suitable to the subject and the characters. Keep in mind that most people’s reading level is eight grades or less. Learn the demographics of your readers. Do not publish a book with 8pt. type if your main audience is 45 years of age and older. Older eyes simply like larger text. Reading is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Straining to read text because it’s just too small becomes annoying, tiring and frustrating. Chances are, they won’t finish reading your book if they have to strain to read the text and they certainly won’t come back for more. Repeat customers are what writers’ strive for. Also, use spacing to your advantage when laying the text out. Negative areas (white space) are just as important as the positive ones (text) when it comes to how your story flows. Adding pictures and/or illustrations help a great deal as well.

Making your book marketable should be your one of your first steps of your marketing plan.

Dan Waltz

author, illustrator, artist

Editor, Marketing/Resources

Author/Illustrator of Kornstalkers, Corn Maze Massacre, and Dragon • Fly, A Gnome’s Great Adventure. Dan has also illustrated many other children’s picture books. With over 30 years of graphic design experience Dan has helped many authors design and self-publish their own books. Dan is currently working on two novels of his own and artwork for others. Visit Dan’s website for more information. www.danwaltz.com

Gnomeo and Juliet

2011-02-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

I took my wife to see "Gnomeo and Juliet" last night. The five o'clock show was sold out, so we bought tickets then for the 7:20pm showing, also a sell-out.

I didn't expect the crowd, especially since the trailers for the film were a bit on the corny side, but I was presently surprised seeing the film. The story of course, a similar one, one we are all familiar with (hence the name) yet quite different and very unique. The animation was top notch and the music superb, if you like Sir Elton John that is. If you don't well it could be a painful film for you. It's geared towards kids, but certainly has enough going for it to keep any adult happily entertained. It was definitely worth seeing and will find a place in my stack of DVD's when it's released.

I absolutely loved seeing the crowds interest in Gnomes as I have a similar story available in an illustrated paperback novel as well as ebook formats for Kindle and Nook.

If you love "Gnomeo and Juliet" you're sure to love my book
"Dragon•Fly, A Gnome's Great Adventure" as well.

Pick a copy up today! You'll be glad you did.

Click here for more information.

Endangered Domain

2011-02-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

Endangered Domain

A Short Story

Written by Dan Waltz

Cover Illustration by Dan Waltz

Hello, I would introduce myself, but my name really doesn’t add any value to this story, and besides, if you’re like most, it would be forgotten shortly after I told you anyway, so why bother. I will tell you, though, that I live here, in this abandoned building. I know, the windows are covered with plastic, most of which ripped to shreds from the prevailing winds. The brickwork could use some tender loving care as well, but this is my home. I know it’s nothing special. There is no furniture inside, no luxuries, mostly rubble as looters have taken most everything that had any value to it at all, including most of the light fixtures, which really doesn’t matter much, since the power company turned the electricity off years ago; probably for the best. In my opinion, this place is nothing but a huge fire hazard and I would really be nervous if there was still power here.

There are many rooms here, far too many for me to count, but I would guess that this old high-rise once housed several hundred travelers at one time. I’ll even bet it was quite nice to stay here, back in the day. At night it gets pretty scary, though, and I try to hide as high as I can get while still having shelter over my head, as bad people come and deal their drugs and pimp their women in the disgusting rooms below. At times, gangs would show and start campfires on the ground level, and they would throw loud parties. I can smell the smoke from the campfires all the way to the rooftop, and I try hard not to get asphyxiated, while I worry about my home going up in flames. I don’t mind that they come here, though, as they always leave me a little something behind, something for me to clean up after – a few breadcrumbs here, an open bag of potato chips there. Food is food after all, and when you’re in my position, it’s hard to be picky. By morning, the drug dealers, gang members, and the partiers have all gone except for the ones left in their drunken stupors, wandering aimlessly, running into walls and tripping over debris. Eventually, things become peaceful; except for the noise of the construction workers busy renovating the building for future dorm rooms for a nearby college. They have a lot of work to do, and by the looks of things, they are going to be here a very, very long time.

The workers don’t scare me much. I can pretty much always stay hidden from them. After all, they’re here to do their jobs, and with the exception of a couple of mean ones yelling at me to get out of here when I’m seen, or maybe a rock or two thrown in my direction, I’m OK with them being here as well. But then I have to be; after all, this is my home. There are plenty of rooms to hide in, and I can always go to the roof when things get hectic, and I have, more times than I can remember. It’s safer up there anyway, and on sunny days it’s quite nice. After all, it has a perfect view of the cityscape and the river below, where I bathe and drink. There is never a problem finding a crevice to hide in when it rains as long as others aren’t doing the same. At times, it can get a bit crowded up there, as everyone tends to flock to the rooftop on hot, sunny days.

I’m worried nowadays. Not because of the economy, like most. It doesn’t really have much affect on me, although I have to admit that the economy is bad here and many people have left the city, in search of jobs. I’m worried about the ones who don’t have permanent housing like me, the ones who come and go here as they please. The “drifters” and the “homeless” is what some call us. Yes, we do get our regulars here, ones who do call this old abandoned palace their home, even if they only stay a night or two and then move on to who knows where, only to return at a later date. Even though we hardly talk to one another, we do pass each other in the hallways, in the rooms, and quite often on the rooftop. At times we spook each other, not knowing the other is there. Then we flee in separate directions in a flurry of dust, only to realize that it was just another one of our own, someone else trying to keep warm at night with whatever shelter is available at the time. What I’m really worried about is that our numbers seem to be dwindling here as well, and believe me, it’s not because we are out looking for work. We choose to live as we do. I’m worried because I’m seeing less and less of us each day, and I hate to say it but rumors have it that a killer may have moved into our wonderful domain. Some have said they’ve seen something, but they say that it happened so quickly that it’s like a blur. One minute you’re there, and the next second you’re gone, without a trace, except for a little stirred up dust and maybe a loose garment that fell behind. Most of us just keep silent, hoping not to be the next victim, and hopeful to get passed by as if it were the black plague. It seems more of us disappear every day. Now we live in fear.

One day I saw him for myself, the assumed killer that is, and when I did it stopped me dead in my tracks. At first, I couldn’t believe my eyes and rubbed them several times in disbelief, but it was true. A killer had indeed taken up residency here in my building, in our building, for those of us who were still left. One day I was up on the rooftop when I overheard some chatter off in the distance. I moved closer for a better look. I neared the edge of the building, being careful that the gusting wind didn’t push me over the edge. The wind was very strong and it was a long way down to the street below. As I got closer to the edge, the noise I heard got louder and louder. My curiosity got the best of me and I dearly hoped that it would not be the end of me. I peeked down from the rooftop to a ledge, no more than four feet below. There he sat. I froze in place and hoped to Heaven that he couldn’t hear my knees knocking together as I stood there in fear, shaking like a leaf. The killer was huge, bigger than most who pass by here. He was a monster in my eyes and probably in the eyes of many. He looked strong enough to rip you apart with no effort at all. I knew I had to get out of there and head for shelter, but shelter was a ways away and I couldn’t get my legs to cooperate. I knew if the killer’s eyes locked on mine I was a goner for sure. There would be no escape for me. His size and his speed would simply overtake me in no time at all. My only comfort was that I knew if he did catch me, he would hit me with such force that I would die a literally painless death. I tried very hard to take comfort in this thought, but it wasn’t working. I truly was petrified of this natural-born killing machine.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, they did. A large shadow appeared on the rooftop, accelerating toward me at a high rate of speed. I knew what it was in an instant, as a lump formed deep in my throat. There wasn’t just one killer on the loose, there were two. By instinct, I did my best to flee the scene. I darted one way, then another, trying to avoid the inevitable attack, but I knew deep inside that a mere Pigeon was no match for the masterful hunting skills of a Peregrine Falcon. Once again, I tried to take comfort in knowing that at least it will be a painless death.

The end.

Author’s note:

April 2009, a pair of Peregrine Falcons nested on the top ledge of the old Durant Hotel in Flint, Michigan. I had the pleasure and the privilege to witness and document this event from Memorial weekend to the July Fourth. I took a lot of photos, and I witnessed many things, including the rearing of their young. The feeding and, of course, their skillful hunting abilities. It was during this time, this story was written.

I painted a picture for this story and wanted to include it in this book, but didn’t because it would give the story away. Feel free to view the painting on my website www.danwaltz.com or for a direct link go to www.danwaltz.com/peregrinefalcons.html

This story is a work of fictional literature,

any resemblance or similarities to places,

or real persons, living or dead, purely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, in whole or in part,

in any manner without written consent from the publisher.

D.W. Publishing

226 McFarland Street Grand Blanc, MI 48439

www.dwpublishing.com or www.danwaltz.com

email: dan@danwaltz.com

E-BOOK -- Digital Edition

Also available for download on your Kindle Click Here!

Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption

2011-02-08T15:43:00.000-08:00

Zombie Apocalypse:
Redemption

A film that I played a zombie in last year premiers March 31 in Royal Oak, Michigan, during Zombie Invasion. I can't wait to see the movie! It was an experience that I will never forget and one that I probably won't do again, but I'm glad I did it this time.

Here is a link to the event on facebook Click Here!

Marketing Intro

2011-02-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

Made my first posting on the Pentalk Blog this morning. It's on Marketing your book. Take a look if you like. Click here.

Repost from Pentalk......

You've worked hard on your story and it's finally coming to an end. For most of us we're succumbed by bittersweet emotions. Part of us happy the story has been told and part of us sad that it about finished. Writing the book is fun, laborious and tedious. It takes a lot of time, stress and most of all dedication. I hope you enjoyed the ride because your work has just begun.

"So, what do you do now?" Well hopefully you have already started marketing. If you have other books, then your marketing strategy should not have ended when the new book began, but should have simply rolled over into the new book even before you start writing it. It's never too early to start building up hype and letting your followers and readers know what you are up to, how it's coming along, and the joys and the struggles you’re having throughout the process. If you involve your followers/readers in part of the process, even if it's just responding to their comments, their more likely going to want to see and/or buy the final result.

"I believe in the book business you don't
just market your book, you market yourself."

There are many reasons why people buy and read books and it’s not just for the story, although a good story will help bring your readers back. One of the reasons why people buy books is because at one point in time they found you, the author, to be interesting. They'll want to know more about you, and they know there are pieces of you in every story you write. You maybe written clearly in the message or subliminally hidden within, and sometimes you are simply hidden in between the lines.

This is why it's so important now days to be involved in as many social media platforms as you possibly can, and there are plenty of them out there to choose from. Make sure you start with Facebook and Twitter, two of the best and they work hand in hand pretty well. Try and take advantage of all the free advertising opportunities that the World Wide Web (WWW) has to offer. In the past to be successful you had to advertise. Which meant huge advertising budgets. Not anymore. The Internet makes it an equal battlefield for competing against the big shots and best of all it can be FREE. Did I say battlefield? Maybe that’s not the best choice of words. I believe there is room for all writers and every book written and we all should help spread the word about each other’s books and successes. Word-of-mouth advertising is still the number one way to advertise and the Internet makes it so easy to tell thousands of people about you and your story with just a single post. Tell them who you are and what you're up to. They will eventually respond.

I will go into this and a whole lot more in greater detail in future posts. In the mean time go out and make friends, gather some followers, and create some hype. Remember, no one will sell more books than the author.

Believe in yourself and believe in your work.

Dan Waltz
Editor, Marketing/Resources

Help me paint/build Troy Snowman

2011-02-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a cute game I designed years ago for a book. Your kids will enjoy playing while you're watching the big game today. Play online for FREE here http://tinyurl.com/6crf38y

What did January bring?

2011-02-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

January is behind us already. Where has time gone? It’s been a busy month for me. As you can see my blog has a new look and I hope to keep it updated regularly now that I like it. I also designed a blog for a writing community, which I’m proud to be a participant of. Its call Pentalk, and I will be writing a bi-weekly column there about Marketing. If you like to write I urge you to join, you’ll be glad you did. Check it out here pentalkcommunity.blogspot.com/

I also have been working on the layout and illustrations of a book called “Stories From The Bog.” A book on "Madness, Philosophy, & Psychoanalysis.” Written by Patrick Kavanaugh. I have about 12 illustrations to do for it + the cover design. The cover I completed first, now on to the rest.

Speaking of cover designs, I also designed a cover for my short story “Endangered Domain” and a cover for my next book “Viral Bound” an apocalyptic novel. A genre I enjoy the most. I’ve been working pretty steady on it lately and its coming along very well. If all goes as planned, I hope to release it this summer or fall, at least in ebook format if not paperback.

Speaking of ebooks, I’m excited to announce that my books "Kornstalkers" and "Dragon•Fly" are available as ebooks now, in Kindle and in Nook formats. I’m pretty excited about the ebooks as I got a Kindle for Christmas and I never dreamed it would be so much fun. I see a huge market in ebooks and look forward to keep heading in that direction.

Other things that January has brought us, is a new zodiac sign that I’m sure confused the heck out of you as well as the Zodiac Killer. By now he should be wondering if he had killed the right people or not as most every ones sign has changed. I know it confused the heck out of birds as around the same time thousands fell from the skies to their deaths across the world. And, fish and crabs have died by the millions. No explanation I guess is needed, because we never really got one. Not all that sure we should be good with that.

I had the pleasure of Jury Duty this month, hoping to at least get a good story out of it, but the criminals plead guilty before I got a chance to hear the whole thing.

We also had the biggest snowfall of the year recently, which closed schools for two days, made the roads a mess and I got to spend some quality time with my snow blower. Not complaining, I love my snow blower, and Michigan has been spared greatly this year from bad weather, but it sure has been cold.

Which leads me to my Consumers Energy bill. They only want an arm and a leg this month to heat my home, so if you need a painting done I suggest getting a hold of me soon while I still have an arm to paint with. At this rate I may only be able to paint for one more month without having to hold the brush in my mouth. Unless, I can convince my wife to volunteer her arm and leg first, she is a very giving person after all.

That was part of my January. I’m looking forward to what February brings.

Follow your dreams folks. I’m following mine.

Dan

p.s. Hoping to start a new painting demo soon!

Pentalk Community: Meet Dan Waltz!

2011-02-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

Pentalk Community: Meet Dan Waltz!: "DAN WALTZ author, illustrator, artist Award winning artist, graphic designer, illustrator, and author with works published in and/or on ma..."

It's all how you look at things.

2011-02-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

Mountain ranges like this one popped-up all over Michigan overnight

and continued to rise throughout the day.

Painting Greyhounds

2010-07-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

Final touches need to be done yet, which could mean a lot or it could be a little. Find out when the final painting is revealed in just a couple of days. To be announced! See how it is done on my Painting Blog - From Start-to-Finish here http://www.danwaltz.com/bloggreyhounds.html

Old Abandoned Shack Painting

2010-06-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

Old Abandoned Shack Painting by Dan Waltz

Watercolor painting: 16" x 20" image size

See how it was done step by step: Click Here

Prints are available on my website. Click Here

Interview with Gregg Braden 2 on Fractal Time

2010-03-04T03:24:00.000-08:00

Interview with Gregg Braden 2 on Fractal Time

Squirrel Painting Demo in Progress

2010-02-15T04:10:00.000-08:00

My Squirrel Painting Demo is going well

and will be coming to completion in just a few days.

Make sure you check it out when you get a chance.

http://www.danwaltz.com/blogsquirrelpaintingdemo.html

Wasting Time

2010-02-05T17:34:00.001-08:00

Wasting Time

by Dan Waltz

A large yellow school bus comes to an abrupt stop, flashers on and a stop sign attached to a long arm swings out blocking on coming traffic. The door opens and a six-year-old boy jumps off the bottom step of the bus, barely clearing a mud puddle and runs up the walk to his house. He crashes through the front door exited to be home, and skips up to his father.

"Hey dad, what are you doing?" He asks.

"Why I'm doing what I usually do son. I'm playing video games." Hi thumbs busily working small toggles on the game remote. Sounds of gunfire blare from the flat screen television hanging on the wall.

"That's really cool dad and you’re really good. When I grow up I want to be just like you." The dad smiles proud and plays on with know interruption.

The child then walks into the other room and notices his mom curled up on the couch watching TV. "Hi mom, what are you doing?" He asks.

"I'm watching TV son, just like I do everyday when I get home from work."

"That's cool mom. I want to be just like you when I grow up."

A few hours go by and the father finally gets up from playing his video games. He approaches the boy’s mother. "What's for dinner Hun? I'm starved."

His wife just glares back at him and refuses to be pulled away from her TV program. "Can't you see I'm watching my show? How rude.”

"Don't you mean your shows? You've been watching TV since you've got home. How can I not interrupt?"

"And what have you been doing? Looking through the want ads for a better job?” She says somewhat sarcastically. “No you've been playing those ridiculous video games for hours. You fix dinner!" She snaps back. Head turned towards the set.

The child watches on as dad angrily breaks away and turns towards the kitchen, only to return to his video games with a half eaten bag of potato chips and an ice-cold beer.

"I'm hungry too mom." The little boy says after witnessing that very uncomfortable spat.

"Oh alright. As soon as this is over I will make you something. Okay?"

What choice does the child have anyway? After all, the boy is barely tall enough to reach the kitchen counter. The boy turns and joins his father and steals a few chips for himself.

Almost an hour later the mom interrupts the guys, now playing video games together. "Dinners ready." She announced and returns to the TV in the other room while she quickly flips through a stack of unpaid bills she got in the mail. She shrugs her shoulders and tosses them aside. The bills can wait. Half of them are probably late anyway what’s a couple more days going to hurt.

About a half hour later the boys tear themselves away from the game that they were playing and enter the kitchen to find cold macaroni and cheese on the stove. They scoop some onto their plates, lightly microwave the noodles, grab a couple of drinks, another beer for him and a juice box for the boy and rush back the video game that they left on pause.

Several hours later the typical evening winds down and they call it a day. The father sent the boy to bed around 10pm because he has to get up early for school the next day. The mom comes to bed after the 11:00 o'clock news and the father follows shortly after. Before they knew it the alarm goes off again and again. After the fourth time of hitting snooze, the mom gets up and drags her son out of bed. “Time for school little man.” She says. The boy plays sick and wants to stay home. He doesn’t like school. Forehead feels fine; he’s going to school. She lies back down until the snooze alarm rings one more time. Both mom and dad drag themselves out of bed this time.

The dad passes by the boy’s room and notices the boy still in bed. “Get your butt out of bed boy, you’re going to be late.” He bellows running his fingers through his bed head, hair sticking on end. He grabs a baseball cap, pulls on some jeans and a t-shirt with some rock band printed on it.

The mom rushes to get her son ready before he misses the bus. No time for breakfast once again. She pushes him out the door. Off to school he goes. The mom and dad leave shortly after to go to their jobs that hardly pays their bills and that neither one of them enjoys. Another morning successfully orchestrated with the parents being fashionably late to their jobs once again.

This is a typical day in the US of A as this scenario repeats itself five out of the seven days of the week. The only changes are on Saturday and Sunday when the family have even more time to waste in front of what is known as the "idiot-box."

By the time an average person in today’s world reaches the age of sixty, he or she would have sat in front of the television (the idiot box) playing video games and/or watching your favorite sitcoms, sports, soaps, news or reality shows for fifteen straight years with no breaks. Doing the math with the average life span of seventy years means that the average person would have wasted almost 1/4 of his or her life.

When I heard these statistics in a book I was reading, I felt they were staggering and couldn't possibly be true. After researching it myself I found them to be quite accurate.

We all share more than this in common though, we all make excuses day after day and say more often than not that “we don’t have time to do the things we like doing.” Weather it's work related, hobby related or something else. We always say "we don't have time," or "Sure if there were more hours in the day." We've heard them all and we've all said them, me included.

I know the first thing your going to say is "Dan, I like watching TV and I enjoy playing video games." All I have to say to that is this; I hope you have a job that you really enjoy, that supports you and your family well. I hope you have reached all your goals and have used up all of your potential. I hope you are happy and proud of the legacy you’ll be leaving behind. If this is the case, this story isn’t about you.

I used TV for this essay simply because the ratings and the numbers were readily available and are pretty accurate for the average person living in the US. Myself, I don't watch much TV and I'm sure that this doesn't apply to everyone, so please don’t be upset. This may not be about you either, only you can decide that. But we all have our crutches, we all do things that are pretty meaningless and are simply a waste of time. We all can probably manage our time a little better, enjoy life a little more and find the time to do things that we really love doing.

“Lets stop with the excuses already.” Life is short, sometimes shorter than we realize and at times cut off short unexpectedly. We all need to make time to do the things we enjoy and pick jobs that we enjoy doing. There’s time for everything.

If this story does apply to you, think of what you could accomplish in fifteen years time?

“Not enough time” is a pretty lame excuse not to do what you want to do in life.

Lets get motivated, be an example to our youth and as always…

"Follow your dreams!"

It’s time for me to run. I have more stories to write, more paintings to paint, and many more books I would like to read…

P.S. Need even more time? By getting yourself up out of bed one hour earlier each day will give you fifteen extra full days a year, to spend however your like. It’s like giving your self a two-week vacation, or an extra fifteen days to accomplish something special.

Cover quote:

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”~ Robert Browning

This story is a work of fictional literature, any resemblance or similarities to places, or real persons, living or dead, purely coincidental.

•••

D.W. Publishing226 McFarland Street Grand Blanc, MI 48439www.dwpublishing.com_or_www.danwaltz.comemail:_dan@danwaltz.com

E-BOOK: Digital Edition

Groundhog Day!

2010-02-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

We've had a couple of very cold weeks here.

Lets hope he doesn't see his shadow.

Common Spring!

Squirrel Painting Demo!

2010-01-30T10:47:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, title "Inspiration" you'll see a photo that I took of a squirrel looking in on me while I worked on my computer in my living room. It inspired me to lay out my next painting (layout above). This is a combination of several pics that I took into photoshop to come up with the layout for my next watercolor painting. It turned out a bit more complicated than I like for demos, but I'm going to try it anyway. You'll be able to see it step by step right here on my blog when I get started.

The Painting Demo has started! Keep up with the progress by clicking here Squirrel Painting Demo

Inspiration

2010-01-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

Finding inspiration for a painting can be difficult at times, but I feel thats mostly caused by the mood that you're in. Sometimes you just don't feel like being inspired, or your mind is somewhere else at the time and you miss out on great opportunities. Sometimes you think that you have to go to a special place to get inspired, maybe travel the world, go to another state, or town. Maybe you don't need to go that far at all and all you really need is an open mind and look out in your own backyard.

Then there are times when inspiration comes looking for you.

This cute little guy was looking in my window at me as I worked on my computer yesterday.

"Paint me, paint me!"

I might just do that.

Twitter Background Images

2010-01-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Twitter Background images can be found on my old blog. The link is posted below...

Twitter Background Images - Standard -vrs- Widescreen formats

Make a difference.

2010-01-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

I watched a short special on horseshoe crabs this morning. If you're walking along the beach and see one lying on it's back. Be kind and reach down and flip it over. If you don't it will die. It goes to show that "One very small effort on your part can make a huge difference on the lives of others."

Will Smith

2010-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite actors, Will Smith, has something to share with you that I felt was were sharing. Enjoy, and as always "Follow Your Dreams!"

Prize Winner!

2010-01-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Art of Dan Waltz Congratulations goes out to Lorna Wojczynski Pierce. She is the first winner of my first Facebook Fan Page prize giveaway. Lorna thank you for your interest and support. Winning Prize is a signed Winter Chickadee Art Print. Thanks to everyone who joined. Next drawing will be made when I have 201 Fans on my page. All you have to do is join the fan page to be eligible to win. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Dan-Waltz/283167838664 See official rules on this blog.

Painting Demo's

2010-01-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

My painting demonstrations are located on my old blog and can be accessed through the links below....Enjoy!

Storytime Painting from start to finish demo.

Pileated Woodpecker Painting from start to finish.

Peregrine Falcon Painting from start to finish.

Chipmunk Painting from start to finish.

Thanks for looking!

Prize Giveaways!

2010-01-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

*THE ART OF DAN WALTZ FACEBOOK FAN PAGE PRIZE GIVEAWAYS!

RULES:

I first want to thank everyone for joining my Facebook FAN Page. The response has been awesome and I really appreciate all your comments, questions and posts.

Now I want to make things FUN! I want to have a PRIZE GIVEAWAY!

Here’s how it works:

Your name will be automatically entered into a drawing when you become a Fan of my Facebook FAN Page and remain in the drawing for any future prize giveaways. Every time I reach another 100 fans on my page I will give a prize away. I will continue this drawing for every 100 FANS up to 1000 Fans. Prizes will either be one of my signed art prints, signed books, or one of my many other products that I have (Sorry, my choice). After I reach 1000 fans I will then give a prize away after each additional 1000 fans, up to the 5000th FAN. I will then give away a grand prize of one original painting (Again, sorry my choice). Now you don't have to be the 4000th, 100th, 300th, 2000th or even the 5000th fan to win. You just have to be a FAN of my work and join my Facebook FAN Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Dan-Waltz/283167838664).

BONUS! If you are a Fan on both, my Facebook FAN Page and my BLOG (http://danwaltz.blogspot.com/ ) there may also be a bonus gift given so make sure you sign up there too, just in case.

*All are eligible and everyone will have equal chance of winning and yes you can win more than one time. Who knows, there may even be some prizes in between.

Now, the more FANS, the more PRIZES, and the faster the FANS come, the faster the PRIZES will come. So you all know what you need to do. You need to tell everyone you know about me. Send them to my website (http://www.danwaltz.com/ ), and send them to my Facebook FAN page ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Dan-Waltz/283167838664 ). If they like what they see they may become a FAN on my Facebook FAN Page and that would be that much closer to another prize giveaway. Lets get this ball rolling. First prize will be given away once I reach 100 fans, which is getting very close.

Thanks again and good luck!

* Sorry, shipping of prizes to Continental US addresses only. If you live outside the Continental US and you are a prizewinner you will be given the option to accept or decline the prize. If you accept the prize you will be responsible for all shipping and handling charges. All prizes are final and not exchangeable or returnable for cash value. Rules are subject to change without notice.

Crush It! Book Review

2010-01-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

Crush it! by Gary Vaynerchuk

(Audio Version)

Gary brings to you an unbelievable amount of positive energy that you can't help but to get involved and get in gear, or simply get out of the business. He tells it like it is with no sugar coating. When you're done listening you'll want to listen again and again. There's a lot of information, good information, and sometimes you may feel the same information you can read in other books, but this is brought to you in a way that you will want to take action and not just say it was a good read. There's a lot of extras in the audio version that you won't want to miss. It's very personable and it makes you feel he's talking to you in the same room. This book is for everyone who wants more out of life, and not just for business owners who's trying to get ahead.

Thanks Gary for sharing your experiences.

American Idol

2010-01-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

Well, what did you think? American Idol on again for another season. Simons's last season for what I hear. And, what's this I hear that Ellen Degeneres taking Paula's place? As much as I like Ellen, I didn't know she had any signing ability. I wonder what qualifies her to be a judge. Maybe she sings in the shower and I just don't know. It should be interesting. I enjoy Idol and look forward to each season. I always enjoy watching people, especially young people "follow their dreams." What's stopping you from following yours?

50 Authors

2010-01-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

I signed up for a co-operative story project here on Facebook. 50 Facebook authors are collaborating on a story. Each of us is to write about 30 words to create one short story. I'll have to practice writing shorter sentences. I'm author number 43.

AVATAR

2010-01-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

AVATAR by James Cameron

Have you seen Avatar yet? Well if you haven't you are really missing out. You don't have to be a big fantasy or science fiction buff to enjoy this movie. I watched it for the second time at the Imax today. It was just as good as the first and if I get a chance I will go see it again. It's simply an awesome film. Great story line & great effects which are two things that usually don't go together in todays movies. This maybe a strange way to look at it but it kind of reminds me of a cowboy and indian movie set in the future, instead of the wild, wild west. Don't worry you don't have to be a cowboy & indian fan either. There really is nothing else like it. Go see it, you won't regret it.

GFAC Members Art Show

2010-01-09T16:09:00.000-08:00

My Perigrine Falcon Painting on exhibit now through the first week or February at the GFAC Members art show. Downtown Flint.

Deja BOO

2010-01-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

One year ago this evening was the last time I worked on a story that I set aside for one reason or another. I guess I'll pick up where I left off 1 year 2 hours and 20 minutes later. Ironically the story is called Deja BOO.

Pileated Woodpecker

2010-01-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

A jolly large Bird with a red cap visited the feeder on Christmas day; a male Pileated Woodpecker. Looks like it could be one of Santa's little helpers.