Art for Life

The Art of Success

2011-02-08T22:03:00.002-05:00

The "Art of Success" is sometimes as simple as being willing to "color outside of the lines" and ditching one's eraser. Life is like drawing in ink, if one makes a mistake, he or she must learn how to work it into the composition and press on.

About Art Advocacy

2009-10-30T23:50:00.001-04:00

During a time when art is being under funded and under exposed, there is an urgent need for more artists to take their art out of the basement, off of the family room wall and share it with the world. If you agree, do it now. There is no time to waste. The world relies on art in every way. Nothing can exist without the creative process.It is a well-known fact that many artists are struggling to

Characteristics for reaching your goals

2009-10-12T11:27:00.004-04:00

8 Rung Ladder for Success:Ineffective Traits (Failure)UnawareBlames othersComplacentPassive / HesitantEffective Traits (Success)Self awareAdaptableMotivatedProactive"One must buy into one's own ideas, before selling them to others."Michael Riley, Artist

Art and Design in Wilmington Delaware

2008-11-07T21:40:00.004-05:00

New art exhibit opening at Nzinga's Cultural Connection in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The turn-out was super. Met a ton of new art patrons. Thank you for your support. Also debuted my best-selling poster "Our House". Prints available online at the Afromine Store.

Knowledge Capital® Your New Road to Success

2008-07-19T13:40:00.004-04:00

Business trends are always cyclical. In the old days, deals were sealed with one's word and a handshake. Oh, how things have changed. Today, sometimes even having things in writing is not enough to ensure a satisfying and productive business relationship. With all of the legalese, disclaimers and small print, it is often hard to determine whether one is truly getting a fair deal or if the

The Pet Corner

2008-07-09T14:14:00.006-04:00

Anyone who has had a pet living in his or her household for any period of time will agree that they are loving members of the family.Pets have their own "personalities" and sometimes act like children and other times act as if they are the number-one breadwinners. You gotta love'em.When I was a child, my dad brought home an adorable little lad - a two-month-old pure-bread German Sheppard. I was

Artists and Perception

2008-07-08T10:08:00.011-04:00

Un-Common Designby Delaware Michael J. Riley - Afromine.comArtists, by nature, are adventurous and sensitive individuals. Many folks may wonder why artists are that way. One possible reason for many artists’ adventurism and hypersensitivity could be that they are designed to rely heavily upon their sense of perception.By design, artists are charged with the task of transforming raw emotions and

Current Art Events in Delaware

2008-07-02T12:17:00.003-04:00

The exhibit at the North Wilmington Library featuring artist Michael J. Riley and introducing 14 year old sensation, Dameir Davis has been extended from June through the month of July (possibly August). I am encouraging local residents, visitors and supporters of the arts to please stop by the library located at 3400 Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware and see how art has no age limits. In fact

Drawn to Drawing

2008-06-30T04:33:00.004-04:00

During a recent television appearance, I was asked about my favorite medium. The answer was quite simple enough. When it comes to available art supplies, my preferences range from oils to crayon. So, naturally, I replied that I love them all!The interviewer posed another question. “With which medium did you begin to draw?” As do so many budding young artists, my drawing experience began with

Welcome to the Good Life!

2008-05-14T17:20:00.003-04:00

Life comes at us in many different directions. One minute it is looking pretty good and at times... not so good. But, I have come to realize that no matter what comes up... Life is good. I used to work at a particularly difficult job. It got to the point where it was a struggle just to give a darn about anything there. See, my eyes finally were opened and I no longer liked what I was seeing. But,

June 6, 2008 Art Exhibit

2008-05-07T14:08:00.005-04:00

Delaware based artist Michael J. Riley will be the featured artist on the Wilmington Art Loop for the month of June 2008 at the North Wilmington Library location. He will be debuting several recent works in oils and other media.Visit Afromine.com for sneak preview.

Black Delaware Artist Story

2008-05-07T14:01:00.005-04:00

I appreciated reading an article in the News Journal on May 6, 2008 concerning Mr. Harmon Carey’s efforts to gain exposure for local Black artists. The article was extremely well written and for some, possibly a revelation. However, unfortunately, I am too familiar with the article’s subject matter.Society needs to realize that whether an artist is Black or White has no bearing on the quality of

New Fishing Blog

2008-04-28T13:55:00.002-04:00

A new blog about (real) fishermen and the wonderfully crazy things they do.http://fishingbros.blogspot.com

March 2, 2008 Television Appearance

2008-03-04T06:16:00.002-05:00

January 6, 2008 Television Appearance

2008-01-11T17:44:00.000-05:00

Matinee at Tabernacle Full Gospel Cathedral

2007-12-10T19:51:00.000-05:00

Michael J. Riley, Artist / Poet

"In the Spirit Awards"

2007-10-23T09:01:00.001-04:00

Not everyone will agree, but I think Wilmington needs to pay MORE attention to the positive energy and events that are happening in this city. I got a charge from being around the awesome crowd at the "In the Spirit Awards" held at Mother African Union Church's Serenity Gathering Place Cafe on October 20, 2007. There were so many beautiful people who came out to fellowship and enjoy one another.

In the Upper Room Interview

2007-10-23T08:52:00.000-04:00

"In the Upper Room!"

2007-09-19T08:15:00.000-04:00

I am excited about an upcoming appearance on the television program "In the Upper Room," with Anthony and Terri Carter. This dynamic duo understands how important it is for local artists to gain exposure for their work in order to be successful. I appreciate the interest that Anthony and Terri have show in my work and I hope that you will tune in and check it out.DETAILS: Channel 28 at 7:00 PM on

Couldn't Ask for More

2007-04-26T20:31:00.001-04:00

It felt great to be back out on the Art Loop. I haven't shown for over three years. I had an opening April 13 at Nzinga's on Market Street Mall in downtown Wilmington. I want to thank all of you who came out to support the event. It is always an honor to share my work with you. I am not one to measure success simply by the numbers. I would rather be in the company of ONE sincere, down-to-earth

Brett Oates on Radio

2007-01-07T18:07:00.000-05:00

Had a great time Saturday listening to my friend Brett Oates on his sports talk show. It is streamed over the internet out of Alabama every Saturday from 12 - 2 PM at http://www.900goldwatv.com/index.shtml. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Brett is a natural at his craft. Even back when we were in the same elementary school class (5th grade at Sarah Webb Pyle Elementary), he would hold court

My Way to Unwind

2006-11-19T20:51:00.000-05:00

I am so glad that I decided to take a step back and enjoy my favorite pastime, drawing. I don't think that it is too good for me to only do what is necessary all of the time. So I thought that I would share a little folly with the rest of the world. Hope all who see will enjoy!These are my latest sketches.

Wal-Mart Must Pay Workers $78.5 million

2006-10-14T12:50:00.000-04:00

This is creepy! I think it portrays a system of abuse through indifference and neglect. The following is a quote from Wal-Mart's attorney, Neal S. Manne during closing arguments: "I think a lot of employees who had short or missed breaks did it by personal choice." This is a pathetic statement and because they are guilty, Wal-Mart deserved to lose the case. If you are going to reap the benefits

Lost Art

2006-07-09T09:21:00.001-04:00

My favorite piece of art has been lost! Momma said there'd be days like this... Yesterday started off okay (I woke up). I took my daughter to Battery Park for a nature outing and a little fishing. Even though she had a little drama, we enjoyed being there. As we were leaving, I accidentally spilled the cooler in the trunk of my car. The water almost landed on top of one of my prized portraits - I

What Gives? Not Them!

2006-07-06T22:03:00.000-04:00

The energy industry is not the only one engaging in price gouging. Entities such as 7-Eleven have been doing it for years, marking up everything and then justifying their prices by asserting that they are affording the luxury of convenience. My belief is that if the owners and workers actually had ties to the community that extended beyond their coveted cash registers, then they would care more

Gone Fishing

2006-05-23T08:04:00.000-04:00

Anybody who knows me knows that the Pisces in me requires some serious shore time. Sunday was such a time - A great time! My older brother Darrell and I took our gear and headed down to Silver Lake in Dover. The day was beautiful and the fish were biting. The catch of the day was a 5 1/2 pound large mouth bass. I wish I had a picture of him to share (seriously, this is no "fish story").

Take it Easy

2006-05-13T13:52:00.000-04:00

I had two close calls today... Both involved my almost getting hit by inattentive or reckless individuals.The first incident happened as I was walking to my car in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I didn't handle that one too well (plead the fifth). The second occurred as I was waiting for a chance to turn off of Lancaster Avenue. A car came barreling towards me from the rear. I saw that the driver was

Ah, Haaaa!

2006-05-01T19:42:00.000-04:00

So, today I found out something. A little nugget of insight that has eluded me for years... Just what the heck does one have to do to get ahead on the job. What, you may ask, did I learn? Well, it seems that folks in high places seem to prefer a mixture of the sweetness of Polly Anna, the cunning of Hanibal Lector and the savvy of Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery... Oh, Be-haaave....

Clarence "Sonny Bono" Taylor

2006-04-02T08:54:00.000-04:00

I almost feel as if this story is sort of like a post-dated check. It could have been written prior to the fight, but it wouldn’t have cleared until today. Now, you can take it to the bank.Sonny Bono came by this morning following his spectacular knockout victory over Luis Santiago at 1:18 seconds of the first round at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Good

2006-03-31T17:51:00.000-05:00

It's good to report positive stuff for a change. I returned to my office this week (after a year of working from home). Man, at first there was the moaning and groaning of being torn away from my humble abode, but then the inevitable embrace of my pending fate. Lo and behold, it wasn't that bad after all! I saw some new faces and some old friendly ones, plus I managed to avoid the usual

F.Y.I. Before You Buy

2006-03-27T11:42:00.000-05:00

Okay, here is the scoop. You're sitting at home hoping to see at least 10 minutes of actual programming during your favorite television show's 30 minutes of allotted air time (the other 20 minutes will consist of commercials). All of a sudden, you hear the disturbing blaring of a high-pitched guitar screaming at you through your surround sound system. "What the heck is going on!?" you may ask.

Just Wrong

2006-03-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

Okay, in the grand scheme of our world's current state of affairs, this pales in comparison, but nonetheless, it still gets my goat! I have been trying to work this 40 plus year old body back into shape by playing a little basketball. Sure, I could join a gym, but the basketball courts inside the gyms around here are usually either tied-up by special interest classes or overrun by NBA wannabes

Follow me, I'm right behind you!

2005-09-01T08:18:00.001-04:00

Ah, science... sweet science... leaders of industry...I love to read. I'm sure that over the years, if I add up all of the snippets that I have perused, I have managed to accumulate a couple hours of study time. I may not have read entire books, but at least I did open some covers, which seems to be more than I can say about some of these eggheads who are still trying to convince me that I was

Off-the-Cuff Stuff

2005-08-26T18:46:00.001-04:00

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Enough!" I know that I have. I remember when T.V. actually went off-air at the end of the day. We used to study the television guide as if it were a map to buried treasure. After all, who wanted to make fifty trips across the room to turn the dial, if you discovered that the programming you selected was junk! Quite frankly, with all of the B/S being slung