February 15th, 2007

Hey everyone,
It's been a while since my last entry, but better late than never, right? Recently, I had the huge honor of painting with kids that are being supported by the Charlie Foundation. It was so amazing to just sit and talk with them and listen. I know that art therapy is a big thing right now and I would highly recommend giving it a try no matter how bad (or good) your situation is. In the case with these children, it absolutely broke, melted, and then lifted my heart to work with them one on one.

If you want do some good for the world you don't have to go very far. Just look for some kids in your area who need a good role model / mentor / friend and go spend quality time with them. I promise you won't regret it :) Peace, Travis

Peace and Love,

Travis

May 17th, 2006

Dear Friends and Family,
Giving isn't always an easy thing to do. A very famous man once said "it is better to give than to receive". In our culture today there are advertisements and messages everywhere screaming "GET, GET, GET....and you'll be happy!!!!". Most of the time, they are correct: the minute you get something you ARE happy....but that momentary happiness lasts for about a week and then you are over it. I have to admit that even I sometimes get caught up in all this 'getting' and every time I experience the same thing: momentary happiness.

Thankfully, we can look to ancient wisdom from past generations for advice on this matter. Famous words recorded over 2000 years ago talk about a different experience called Joy. One way to have joy is to give! I recently read about giving and all the benefits that come from it, so I thought I'd give it a try. I gave away a huge painting for a benefit in Franklin, TN, held by The Charlie Foundation. The Charlie Foundation raises money to help abused children. What a great cause!

I really wanted to attend the event but I was told that the cost of the tickets were very expensive and they were all sold out regardless. Later on, the lady in charge found out that I really wanted to be there. She decided that because the painting was so huge, that she could squeeze me in and ended up giving me two tickets to the event! At the event, I got to meet the world famous boxing champion Joe Frasier! Just a few hours before the event, I quickly finished a painting of a pair of boxing gloves and Smokin' Joe himself signed the thing! I was like, "Wow, man"! All that because I made a choice to give up something. Please understand this: I am not trying to make myself look all great. I have been just as selfish and greedy as anyone else this world. I am simply trying to explain that I tried this thing called giving and it really worked out great...for everyone! I could never put a value on being at that event and meeting Joe. I still have Joy in my heart every time I think about that night and I think that is the difference. No one can take away that experience.

In conclusion, while living in this world of 'get, get, get', try something dangerous called GIVING. You never know who YOU might meet or what you might do while on the adventure. Go ahead and try it. You won't regret it, I promise.

Peace and Love,

Travis

May 10, 2006

Hello friends, Welcome to my first Journal entry! I am so excited to share with you what's been going on with my art work, my music and my life. Recently, I have been working on getting this website finished with an amazing graphic designer named Dustin Adams. I think Dustin has done an excellent job so far and there is still more to come. Dustin and I met in college at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas back in 1996.

Over the past 10 years Dustin and I have had many amazing adventures together. As guitar players, we helped start the infamous rock band Pillar together (www.pillarmusic.com). We also were involved with a campus ministry at Fort Hays State called Campus Crusade for Christ. We were both groomsmen at eachothers weddings and to this day continue to 'dream big' together, putting no limits on what God can and will do through our combined talents. Overall, Dustin is a great guy with tons of talent and it is an honor to work with him. He has been one of my closest friends over the past decade and I look forward to working with him for many years to come.

Dustin and his wife recently moved from Columbus, Ohio to Fort Collins, Colorado where he is currently working at a design firm there. To see some of Dustin's other work check out a great start up page that he designed at: www.upstate-media.com

Well, it was nice chatting with you all. Please don't keep my website a secret as all of my business is done by word of mouth! If you have have any friends (which I know you do :) please forward this link to them: www.travisjenkinsart.com

Have a great day!

Travis