The ceremony today has reinforced one of my major goals in life “to paint heartwarming, unique portraits, drawings and murals for our military personnel” so that they could have a unique artwork to cherish and appreciate.

In my artistic adventures I have learned that there is a magic in a work of art that no photograph can capture, no computer program can reproduce, and no trophy or plaque can accomplish. The human touch of paint on canvas, the tenderness and careful brushstrokes reveal a humanity and a warmth that dances for the owner each time he or she takes a few moments to view the work of art and admire its beauty. Several months ago a lady looked at me with tears and pride as she first saw and held a custom Robert Howell portrait of her veteran father – the look on her face was priceless…

If your a returning Soldier and would like to capture a glimpse of your heroic service on a detailed acrylic canvas, or a 1SG wanting a mural for your unit dayroom, or a spouse wanting to surprise your returning champion with a unique one-of-a-kind gift than consider my artwork for an affordable, detailed and intriging work of art.

Each painting  is a beautifully mastered custom acrylic painting of your Soldier using your supplied photo. I also paint Unit Symbols, PCS Awards, Farewell Gifts, and gifts for Military Ceremonies.

Thanks for checking out my blog and Happy Veteran’s Day. To commission a unique gift for your Soldier give me a call at 254-317-7331. Also check out my website at roberthowelltx.com and “like” my fanpagehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Roberts-Murals-of-Inspiration-a-Touch-of-Intrigue/131103453578011?v=wall

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Hey, thanks for checking out my blog. It is difficult to see the news today and feel like there is anything positive. So,  I wanted to share some inspiring words from another time written by Orison Swett Marden. Quite a contrast from everything in the media and one that feels great to think about…

Resolve with all the vigor you can muster that, since there are plenty of good things in the world for everybody, you are going to have your share, without injuring anybody else or keeping others back. It was intended that you should have a competence, an abundance. It is your birthright. You are success organized, and constructed for happiness, and you should resolve to reach your divine destiny. – Exerpt from”Pushing to the Front” by Orison Swett Marden

In my own thoughts I have discovered that there are two types of thinkers. The “abundance” thinkers and the “lack” thinkers. The advantage of “abundance” thinking is that it inspires people to act to bring good things into their lives. Their really is no advantage to “lack” thinking as this thinking only results in blaming, pointing, envy and no action.

I also like the way Ben Sweetland phrased this concept…”The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car, a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.”

As for me I am bringing a steam shovel…how about you???

Check out my inspirational murals at www.roberthowelltx.com

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It´s been a long road, getting from there to here.
It´s been a long time, but my time is finally near.
And I can feel the change in the wind right now. Nothing´s in my way.
And they´re not gonna hold me down no more, no they´re not gonna hold me down. 

Cause I´ve got faith of the heart.I´m going where my heart will take me.
I´ve got faith to believe. I can do anything.I´ve got strength of the soul.
And no one´s gonna bend or break me.I can reach any star.
I´ve got faith, I´ve got faith, faith of the heart. 

It´s been a long night. Trying to find my way.
Been through the darkness. Now I finally have my day.
And I will see my dream come alive at last. I will touch the sky.
And they´re not gonna hold me down no more, no they´re not gonna change my mind. 

Cause I´ve got faith of the heart.I´m going where my heart will take me.
I´ve got faith to believe. I can do anything.I´ve got strength of the soul.
And no one´s gonna bend or break me.I can reach any star.
I´ve got faith, faith of the heart. 

I´ve known the wind so cold, and seen the darkest days.But now the winds I feel, are only winds of change.I´ve been through the fire and I´ve been through the rain.But I´ll be fine. 

Cause I´ve got faith of the heart.I´m going where my heart will take me.
I´ve got faith to believe. I can do anything.I´ve got strength of the soul.
And no one´s gonna bend or break me.
I can reach any star. I´ve got faith.

- Russell Watson

This song helps me to keep a cheerful disposition and if I find myself in a rut these words help…do you have a favorite song that keeps you in a sublime mood? Send a comment and share…

Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my artwork and murals at roberthowelltx.com

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Thanks for checking out my blog. As an artist I am always looking for different ways to see things and today I need to rant a little. Many people today are focused on their past or most likely on another persons past. Try applying for credit or convincing an old friend that you have changed and you’ll see what I mean…The message broadcast is that if someone did something before than they will do it again – even more destructive is the idea that you as a person are locked into those previous behaviors. These viewpoints are all negative, destructive, and they don’t consider the truth in that people learn things, people grow, people have boundless potential!!!

Orison Swett Marden puts it this way in his book “Pushing to the Front“; If you made a botch of last year, if you feel that it was a failure, that you floundered and blundered and did a lot of foolish things; if you were gullible, made imprudent investments, wasted your time and money, don’t drag these ghosts along with you to handicap you and destroy your happiness in the future.

Resolve that you will close the door on everything in the past that pains and can not help you. Free yourself from everything which handicaps you, keeps you back and makes you unhappy. Throw away all useless baggage, drop everything that is a drag, that hinders your progress.

No matter what other people think about your ability, never allow yourself to doubt that you can do or become what you long to. Increase your self-confidence in every possible way!

The Bible says this in several different ways but my favorite is 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

So if someone doubts your abilities or if you doubt your own than don’t. Focus on what you want in life and not what you don’t have. Our potential as people is for the most part unlimited and that means YOU too.

Thanks again for reading my blog. Check out my website at roberthowelltx.com and while your there click on my facebook fanpage to check out my latest painting adventure.

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The days come to us like friends in disguise, bringing priceless gifts from an unseen hand; but, if we do not use them, they are borne silently away, never to return. Each successive morning new gifts are brought, but if we failed to accept those that were brought yesterday and the day before, we become less and less able to turn them to account, until the ability to appreciate and utilize them is exhausted. Wisely was it said that lost wealth may be regained by industry and economy, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance and medicine, but lost time is gone forever. – Excerpt from the book “Pushing to the Front” by Orison Swett Marden

Thanks for reading my blog – visit my website for inspirational murals at roberthowelltx.com

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…the answer is simple but profound? The story that prompted me to write this blog was told by my favorite author Earl Nightingale in his CD series called Lead the Field. In this CD Earl tells an interesting story about a man who has a very busy and active boy named Johnny. This man was trying to get some work done one evening but his son kept interrupting so he took out a picture of the world in a magazine and tore the page into pieces and said Johnny put this together. He thought that should keep his son busy for a while but within a surprisingly short amount of time Johnny said “ok – I am done”. The dad marveled at how quickly his son had put the world together and asked his son how he did it. Johnny said “It was easy dad – on the back of this page is a picture of a man and when I put the man together the world came together”. I couldn’t help to think about this charming story when I read the following quote by Confucius…

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right. – Confucius

Thanks for reading my blog – also check out my website at roberthowelltx.com

I wanted to offer this because I take great pride in honoring our Soldiers. I recently had the opportunity to complete two custom paintings presented to the leaving Commander and Command Sergeant Major of Darnall Army Medical Center at a recent Farewell Ceremony. These new paintings proudly display our American Flag, Darnall Army Medical Center and personalized quotes special to each Soldier. Each painting is unique and represents a one-of-a-kind gift. I also paint warm and lifelike Portraits/Paintings for returning Soldiers, PCS Awards, Farewell Gifts, and Military Ceremonies. These drawings or custom painted portraits are lifelike, inspire great conversation and will often induce joyful tears and smiles warm with pride. This year give a Military gift that will STAND OUT and be remembered. Imagine the hugs that you’ll receive…

Thanks for checking out my blog. To commission a unique gift for your Soldier give me a call at 254-317-7331. Also check out my website at roberthowelltx.com and “like” my fanpage http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roberts-Murals-of-Inspiration-a-Touch-of-Intrigue/131103453578011?v=wall

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Hey, thanks for visiting. I am starting a new series of blogs that I will post occasionally that focuses on fun facts about famous artists…

Did you know that despite Dan Brown’s best-selling book “The DaVinci Code” that referring to Leonarda Da Vinci as “Da Vinci” is not the correct way to shorten his name?  It would be better to use “Leonardo” as “DaVinci” only means “from the town of Vinci”.

Thanks for visiting my blog and check out my website at roberthowelltx.com

Do you have any interesting art fun facts or some personal stories. Leave a comment and share a little…

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I wanted to share about a book that I stumbled on a few weeks ago called Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude. This book was written by Napolean Hill and W. Clement Stone several years after Napolean Hill’s classic book “Think and Grow Rich” became a best seller. There has been some debate over the years on which book is the best. I haven’t finished reading “Positive Mental Attitude” yet so I can’t fully judge for myself which is the best. I first read “Think and Grow Rich” several years after my divorce. I remembered waking up one morning with what felt like a black cloud lingering over dreary and depressing thoughts. I felt tortured by my own thinking and worry was something that I thought was something that I ought to do.  That day I wandered if there was a different course, a different way to see and experience life. I discovered many of my answers by reading Napolean Hill’s works and the Bible. Of course negative thinking still reaches my mind but after reading these great books it is easier to get out of the ditch of worry and sometimes miss it entirely. The idea in “Positive Mental Attitude” that inspires me the most is that if we choose to view events in a positive light than we often go the extra mile or add that “something more” that extra bit of work that gave the Wright Brothers a flying plane, or Edison the first bulb. So if your interested in a richer thought life than I encourage you to go grab a copy at your local book store!

Thanks for reading my blog. Send a comment and let me know if you have experienced depression and how did you get out of it?

…check out my website for inspiring murals at roberthowelltx.com

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I invite you today to take a moment and reflect about your life, your journey and how this adventure always starts with something as simple and profound as a door.

Enjoy the new imaginations, inspired thoughts, and the comfort in knowing that what your about to read can jolt you into finally walking through that door, inspire and transform your life into your greatest most exciting dreams…

1. A clever, imaginative, humorous request can open closed doors and closed minds. ~ Percy Ross
2. Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ~ Dr. Laura Schlessinger
3. Every wall is a door. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. Fortune knocks at every man’s door once in a life,. ~ Mark Twain
5. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it – Bible qoutes
6. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls – Joseph Campbell
7. Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don’t even remember leaving open. ~ Rose Wilder Lane
8. Happiness sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open. ~ John Barrymore
9. If a door slams shut it means that God is pointing to an open door further on down. ~ Anna Delaney Peale
10. If God shuts one door, He opens another. ~ Irish Proverb
11. If I see a door comin’ my way, I’m knockin’ it down. And if I can’t knock down the door, I’m sliding through the window. ~          Rosie Perez
12. Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go. ~ Catherine Marshall
13. One door is shut, but a thousand are open. ~ Argentine Proverb
14. Prayer is the key that opens the door to all that is good in life. ~ Author Unknown
15. The doors of wisdom are never shut. ~ Benjamin Franklin
16. Happiness to a dog is what lies on the other side of a door. ~ Charleton Jr. Ogburn
17. The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live. ~ Flora Whittemore

What words do you enjoy? What door is it that you haven’t opened?

Thanks for reading my blog and check out my inspirational murals at roberthowelltx.com and like my facebook fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roberts-Murals-of-Inspiration-a-Touch-of-Intrigue/131103453578011?v=wall

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