Blog Directory for 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016
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I Draw (Blog Introduction - 1/19/2016)
Faces in the Crowd (About Phillip's Blog Graphic/Icon) Help African Teachers Expand School and Clinic |
Wander My World With Me blog by Phillip Martin
Blog Page (Current Blog Post by Phillip Martin) 2016 - 2019 Directory |
2019
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
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January
2019 |
Could'a, Should'a, Would'a Missed the Polar Vortex
Columbus, Ohio, USA - There is a polar vortex whirling around Ohio right now. Let me assure you, I do not belong in this kind of cold weather. I could'a been in the Caribbean! I should'a been painting two murals in Jamaica! But, there are a few amazing things that happened while in the polar vortex. Read all about my original children's book, "Pick Me!" Cried Arilla"; my newly illustrated collection of Liberian Folk Tales; and my plans to travel back to Liberia to paint murals. 1/31/2019 |
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March
2019 |
Shine
Columbus, Ohio, USA - There really hasn't been much to write home, or blog, about in February and March. Yes, the polar vortex departed. I have two books in various stages of unusual publishing, a third in the process of illustrating and a fourth just waiting for me to work on. Once Upon West Africa is a collection of fifty Liberian folk tales and my other book, "Pick Me!" Cried Arilla, is a whole lot shorter. Arilla is currently in the works at a self-publishing house. 3/30/2019 |
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April
2019 |
My Memories of Notre Dame
Paris, France - So, I was on my way to Notre Dame and not as one of its million upon millions of tourists. It's one thing to say you can draw, and it is certainly nice when your friend can put in a good word for you at a cathedral. But, I arrived at Notre Dame with my website and clip art to show examples of my work. I didn't know exactly what I'd be doing for the people at Notre Dame, but right away it was clear that I had what they wanted. As it turned out, the project was to illustrate an interactive computer presentation that explained the history of the cathedral. The whole experience in Paris was a piece of heaven on earth, which I guess, Notre Dame is supposed to be anyway, or it was until April 15, 2019. 4/16/2019 |
Easter
Columbus, Ohio, USA - Easter has always provided special memories for me. When I was a kid, we always went to my grandparents home for a family reunion. Always. It was like a Norman Rockwell painting. Easter included a house full of cousins, Easter baskets, chocolate eggs, egg decorating, an egg hunt before church. My favorite memory of Easter as an adult took place in Eastern Europe where I painted a mural for orphans in Romania. My host and sponsor was a devout member of the Orthodox Church. "Taste" the food they shared and see how the table was filled with meat wrapped in cheese, as well as a dish that was sort of like potato salad. And, if you really want to taste it, Monika's Potato Salad recipe is included in this blog. 4/21/2019 |
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May
2019 |
a Mazed Artist
Columbus, Ohio, USA - Sometimes there is a lot of "same old, same old" going on in my life in central Ohio. But, there are times when life is a-maze-ing. Netcare didn't exactly want a mural. They wanted an a-maze-ing labyrinth where people who strolled their courtyard could peacefully wander. I was commissioned to paint a maze. It is much, much easier said than done. The maze came with a diagram and around 80 numbered rectangles of a stencil pattern that needed to be adhered perfectly on the cement surface. It took an entire day to get the 80 stencils applied with a-maze-ing perfection to the concrete surface. And, as you may expect, a mazed artist completed the task and it simply looks a-maze-ing. 5/20/2019 |
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June
2019 |
Kicking and Screaming
Columbus, Ohio, USA - Who knows? I may be the last person in the United States. It feels like, due to all my travels, that I could even be the last person in the whole world. Kicking and screaming, I finally bought a smartphone. What a story - I had to give up. There was no other choice. It was time for that dreaded smartphone. I must have communication. That's obvious. I knew it was something I needed, especially for international mural projects. So, come on, Universe. I'm now prepared and ready to go. And, once I figure it out, there is a handy dandy app that translates words - both written and oral - into English. That'll rock my traveling world like no other convenience I know. Yep, I can't wait to find that app. In the meantime, I guess I better learn how to actually place a phone call on my new smartphone. I haven't done that yet. 6/25/2019 |
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July
2019 |
People Still So Very Along My Path - Patrick
It's time to pound on your homemade drum, climb a tree to harvest some palm wine or, at the very least, dance around your computer. Yep, it's time to celebrate. It's completely official and the paperwork is done. Patrick Gono has come to America. He was invited by the Dayton Society of Artists as well as their Sister City Association for an artist residency in Ohio, of all places! Dayton is about an hour and a half from my home. (If you need further clarification, that is a public transportation ride from Monrovia to Kakata.) As far as I'm concerned, it's right around the corner and in my neighborhood. 7/6/2019 |
2018
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
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January
2018 |
T.L.C.,
Barbosa Ferraz, Brasil - Meeting Alessa - It's all a matter of T.L.C. (If English isn't your first language, that's Tender Loving Care). 1/10/2018 |
Oui Oui,
Kamina, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Coming face-to-face with malnutrition. I never knew that its effects would last a lifetime. 1/17/2018 |
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February
2018 |
Still Painting with Little Stevie Wonder,
Playa del Carmen, Mexico - I wanted Stevie to have a real mural painting experience. 2/5/2018 Still My Turn to Cry,
Barbosa Ferraz, Brasil - When Claudinei's wheelchair was rolled out to the mural location, I rearranged things until he was finally able to paint on the wall. 2/16/2018 |
Frozen in Tugbaken,
Tugbaken, Liberia - Nothing is frozen in Tugbaken. "Do not move until I can take your photograph!" 2/13/2018 |
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March
2018 |
This is Me,
Columbus, Ohio, USA - "No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else." P.T. Barnum. 3/06/2018 |
Late Bloomer,
Columbus, Ohio, USA - Show and Tell began with my art. "When we show Patrick's work, we would like to exhibit your art as well." 3/18/2018 |
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April
2018 |
Not April Fools,
Portraits from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras - Most people who know my art only know about my cartooning. I like to draw portraits of interesting faces that cross my path as I travel. Each portrait has a unique story and I’ve gotten into the habit of drawing them every time I travel. 4/1/2018 |
Three's a Charm
Columbus, Ohio, USA - I've had a very good 24 hours, and it's as simple as one, two, three. 4/9/2018 Sometimes You Win, Sometimes.....
Columbus, Ohio, USA - I'm so very happy to tell you that my art was voted into the top four in this competition - PromoWest and Columbus Makes Art 2018 Exhibition. Thank you all for your support. 4/26/2018 |
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May
2018 |
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!
Earth University, Costa Rica - I came too far to ever consider turning back. In fact, I was having a grand time of it all. I know that you’re supposed to be careful what you wish for. It might come true. Well, this time, it was better than I wished for. 5/1/2018 Mural 55 - Tremont Elementary
Upper Arlington, Ohio, USA - It was obvious as soon as I entered Tremont Elementary, that this was the kind of school anyone would want their child to attend. 5/15/2018 |
Ndayishimiye
Rwanda, by way of Columbus, Ohio, USA - a tale about an Earth University student who painted with me while he was in Costa Rica. Gerard has what I consider to be the greatest last names ever. 5/5/2018 Memorial Day
Worthington, Ohio, USA - My introduction to the Thin Blue Line flag. In case you haven't seen it and don't know what I'm talking about, it's a black and white version of Old Glory, with a thin blue line crossing the middle of the flag. It's meant to honor the men and women of law enforcement. 5/28/2018 |
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June
2018 |
Raging Bull
Columbus, Ohio, USA - We have to learn to get along with each other. We need compassion, compromise, kindness and understanding. We need a very large dose of the Golden Rule. 6/14/2018 |
Expected at Mural 56 in Ashville
Ashville, Ohio, USA - You never know who might recognize my art and help lead the charge. At Walnut Elementary, in the farmland around Ashville, that job fell upon a librarian who had used my clip art for years. She was thrilled I contacted her. I was thrilled somebody recognized my work. 6/24/2018 |
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July
2018 |
Crackers and Lemonade
Columbus, Ohio, USA - I don't expect a lot of adventure to happen to me while in Ohio. I've traveled to too many exotic corners of the world that make the Buckeye State very calm in comparison. I certainly don't expect anything of interest to happen at the gas station. But, that's just what took place recently. 7/20/2018 Wheeling and Dealing at the Dentist in Cancun
Cancún, Mexico - Well, I’ve learned that it never hurts to ask, even your dentist. 7/18/2018 You Almost Can't Go Home Again
Playa del Carmen, Mexico - I stayed in Playa del Carmen for a month about two years ago. I didn’t know what to expect upon my return. During my last visit, I had a taste of the Day of the Dead. I took a photo of a beautiful 'dead' senorita and then drew her portrait. This is about finding a way to give her a copy." 7/20/2018 |
People Along My Path - Lucas
Cancún, Mexico - "I was looking for a last-minute bargain in accommodations as I headed to Cancún, Mexico. I have learned that Airbnb (Air Bed and Breakfast) is a pretty good place to start. But, finding a place for two weeks during peak tourist season in a high demand tourist location was not so easy and then I found Lucas." 7/20/2018 People Along My Path - Shane
Gjirokaster, Albania and Melbourne, Australia - There were no such things as travel guides about Albania. On my fourth visit to Albania, in 2014, one morning at my breakfast table, I met Shane from "Down Under". He was interested in my mural project and followed me to the school. 7/29/2018 |
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August
2018 |
No Thanks, Simon or Garfunkel
Columbus, Ohio, USA - You can't do it all alone. This became ever so abundantly clear to me recently. In 1624, Donne first penned these words, "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." 8/28/2018 |
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September
2018 |
Enough Already!
Columbus, Ohio, USA - I learned my lesson. And, unfortunately, it seems that I have to learn lessons the hard way to actually learn them. When given the opportunity to hug someone you care about, do not let the opportunity pass you by. 9/29/2018 |
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October
2018 |
Missing
Columbus, Ohio, USA and Liberia, Africa - In the past few weeks, when one of my friends "fell off the map", I was a wreck. What do you do when someone disappears? I mean, besides panic. After two weeks with no communication, and a serious weekend of fret, I found out what happened. Lesson learned. When something happens, there should be someone everyone knows to call. Someone to check in with. Someone who cares. 10/18/2018 |
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November
2018 |
A God Thing
Columbus, Ohio, USA - Over the summer, I painted nine mini-murals at a very rural elementary school in the Columbus area. It's smack in the middle of Ohio farm country and the drive getting there is simply beautiful. Not every fifth grader had the chance to paint, but I'm pretty sure they all wanted to. One student named Barret asked me if he could paint. I leaned a lot from talking to Barret about how someone so young could have have such strength, grace and determination. 11/1/2018 |
Snakes and Bugs
Africa and Columbus, Ohio, USA - It's my observation that bugs don't get any more respect than snakes. There are some that serve a very useful purpose. Others are simply beautiful. But, most people don't want them in their homes. And, that's the same in the United States and across the far corners of the globe. But, some bugs are good. I just got a big bite from one of the not-so-dangerous kind of bugs. I went to my all-time favorite play, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". It was my fifth time to see the play, and I got a serious bite by the acting bug." 11/12/2018 |
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December
2018 |
An Early Christmas
Columbus, Ohio, USA - This Christmas gift included an ambulance ride and an overnight in the hospital. It truly feels like a second chance in life when I didn't even know the first chance was about up. I know my guardian angel always works overtime. I just didn't realize I had to make him work so hard close to home as well in far corners of the globe. I plan to sing Hark, the Herald Angels Sing with a little more gusto this year. 12/14/2018 |
2017
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
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January
2017 |
February
2017
2017
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be ... BELIZE,
Xunantunich, Belize - Something I drew, zip line and more.
2/8/2017
Xunantunich, Belize - Something I drew, zip line and more.
2/8/2017
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March
2017 |
Something Foul Afoot,
San Pedro, Belize - Every now and then I have problems with my feet. 1/15/2017 The Tie that Binds,
Marumbi, Brazil - A young man with a charming smile who wore a tie to the A Gincana jamboree. 3/23/2017 |
Howdy, Partner,
Mambore, Brasil - Brasil's state of Paraná. In search of a cowboy portrait. 3/15/2017 |
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April
2017 |
Not Just February 14th
Put down your cell phone. Turn off the television with the remote control still in your hand and find time to schedule no video games. 4/9/2017 |
Mother Teresa's Sister,
Tirana, Albania - I saw this sister from the Missionaries of Charity. 4/26/2017 |
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May
2017 |
Gjirokaster Gjyshe,
Gjirokaster, Albania - In Russia and Moldova, you say "babushka". In Romania, it's "bunică" and in Albania, you say "gjyshe". 5/14/2017 |
Remembering Memorial Day,
Columbus, Ohio, USA - The Field of Heroes is a unique experience for people in Central Ohio. 5/28/2017 |
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June
2017 |
Oh, La, La Louvre,
Paris, France - When in Paris, you go to the Louvre plus "You be the judge of Hammurabi's Code" 6/1/2017 Dutch Ears,
Amsterdam, Holland - This young man sat at a train station in front of a portrait of Vincent van Gogh, also known for unique ear fashion. 6/14/2017 |
Great Scot!,
Edinburgh, Scotland - Walking the Royal Mile and Princes Street in search of cashmere scarves, cobblestone streets, men in kilts. 6/28/2017 |
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July
2017 |
Turkish Tea,
Istanbul, Turkey - What's the largest city in Europe? And where can you find the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia? 7/6/2017 Baked, Sizzled and Steamed,
Istanbul, Turkey - Seeking out the traditional Ottoman meal prepared in a ceramic bottle and going to a Turkish Bath. 7/18/2017 |
Belgique Chic,
Antwerp, Belgium - Antwerp was the home of Rubens, van Dyck, Pieter Brueghel the Elder and my personal favorite Van Gogh (for four months). 7/23/2017 French Fedora,
the French Riviera in the South of France - Magalie's determination for me to paint a friendship mural at the at Lycée Emile Zola School and a young man who was part of the video crew with his fedora. 7/30/2017 |
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August
2017 |
The Calm Before,
Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali - Memories of a vacation adventure including a bus crash and more. 8/20/2017 |
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Woman at the Wadi,
Petra, Jordan - The most memorable person on the way to Petra, "the Rose-red city" 8/13/2017 |
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September
2017 |
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October
2017 |
I Am Beasty,
Columbus, Ohio, USA - This mural is uniquely different from all of The Mural Man's other murals because it is all lettering for a school and painted alone. 10/7/2017 |
Drinking Lemonade,
Columbus, Ohio, USA - Do you know how hard it is to impress high school students? 10/24/2017 |
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November
2017 |
Mural 53, Ohio USA,
Trevitt Elementary School, Columbus, Ohio, USA - Calligraphy with over forty inspirational words and six featuring core ethical values. 11/15/2017 |
Brazilian Heart,
Barbosa Ferraz, Brasil - Part of the People Along My Path Series - I observed right away that hugging was a part of every day life, every day in Brasil. 11/26/2017 |
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December
2017 |
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2016
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
Directory of Wander My World With Me
by Phillip Martin
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January
2016 |
Faces in the Crowd 1/20/2016 (Blog Icon Introduction)
Ben Frozen in Iceland 1/26/2016
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Sohvi's Choice Tallinn, Estonia 2/19/2016
Karma & Chocolate No-Bake Cookies Liberia, Africa 2/24/2016
Calgon Moments and Bucket Baths Zwedru, Liberia 2/26/206
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Tea or Terror Zwedru, Liberia 3/25/2016
People along my Path - Joshua Zwedru, Liberia 3/27/2016
The Long and Winding Road Traveling to Zwedru, Liberia 3/29/2016
Hey It's Great to be Back Home Again Zwedru, Liberia 3/31/2016
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April
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May
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Cassava Leaves Please Tugbaken, Liberia - Seriously, a food processor was not an option.
5/22/2016 |
To Thrive or Not to Thrive, There Is No Question Thriving in Africa and discovering motorcycle taxis Liberia
5/24/2016 |
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June
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To Read - or Not to Read,
Transnistria, Moldova - In the region of Transnistria, all . . . well, okay, 99.99% of any text, anywhere, is in Russian. 6/10/2016. People along my Path - Olga,
Transnistria, Moldova - A home cooked meal and more about the story about a student I nicknamed "Peter the Great" 6/12/2016 People Still Along My Path - Patrick,
Zwedru, Liberia - Patrick created his own solo mural! 6/14/2016 |
Expect the Unexpected Tiraspol, Moldova 6/18/2016
People along my Path - Octavian Chisinau, Moldova 6/26/2016
This Is How You Do It Chisinau, Moldova 6/28/2016
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July
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Babushka in Moldova Chisinau, Moldova 7/7/2016
It Never Hurts to Ask Heading to Fiji 7/9/2016
Have Ticket Will Travel - Have No Ticket Will Still Travel
Fiji 7/12/2016 F.Y.I.J I Fiji 7/13/2016
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Tapas Fiji 7/19/2016
People along my Path - Kuku Friends Kuku, Fiji 7/21/2016
Kava with the Kukus Kuku,Fiji 7/23/2016
Lovin' Lovo Kuku, Fiji 7/25/2016
Mile a Minute Kuku, Fiji 7/29/2016
Muraling in Fiji - Mural 47 St. Giles Rehabilitation Center, Fiji 7/31/2016
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August
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Muraling in Nauru - Mural 48 Yaren, Nauru 8/7/2016
Saving the Best Till Last in Nauru Yaren, Nauru 8/9/2016
Travel 101 8/21/2016
Guardian Angels 8/29/2016
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September
& October |
How to Meet Your Neighbors Mexico 10/15/2016
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Santa Muerte & Peluqueria at Your Own Risk Mexico 10/21/2016
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November
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Climbing Coba Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico 11/13/2016
A Very Long 5456 Kilometers from Cancún to Brazil - Brazil 11/16/2016
Mural 50 in Barbosa Ferraz Brazil, South America 11/18/2016
Terere Paraguay and Brazil, South America 11/23/2016
Computer Problems in Portuguese Brazil, South America 11/29/2016
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The "A Gincana" Funeral Barbosa Ferraz, Brasil 12/1/2016
La Mia Flight 2933 Brasil 12/2/2016
Midnight in Marumbi Marumbi, Brazil 12/3/2016
Mural 51 at APAE in Barbosa Ferraz Brazil 12/8/2016
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My Turn to Cry Barbosa Ferraz, Brazil 12/10/2016
How to Import a Gringo Brazil 12/12/2016
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