Being a bit late on the declaration of a resolution, I figured the news better get out before I changed my mind. For years, resolution after resolution, with the combination of lent, has gradually increased my awareness of self evaluation and change.

We all make resolutions, promises, changes, and declarations that yield any change at all. Yet, for the past few years, each resolution has been accomplished. For years I wanted to conquer alcohol, now it is under control. Even longer I longed for a healthy body, I have finally obtained one after two years of intense training, with the prospect of constant improvements. My diet has been altered into something that is healthy, nutritious, and surely an increase in longevity. So to make a long story short, my New Years resolution is a Renaissance of sorts, a striving to become a better artist, mind and soul. For years, ever since grade school, my path was chosen. Unfortunately, with life and practicality always dragging its responsibilities against me, I have made small increments of progress as an artist. The year of 2001 was one of academic successes and failures. The only artistic endeavors in the past year was the radical revision of this site and my spontaneous outburst of new music in August. Looking back, 2001 was the year I became a jock, not a horrid thing, but a vain accomplishment.

But we all need something more, we all need a calling, a call to action, a plan. Hence, this year will be the year of the "arts." Starting this week, I shall expand my defunct art site and start a new sketch book of all new drawings. The defunct site has always contained images made post art school. Many have asked what works came from that institution. Being I have always wanted to forget that part of my life, I cannot deny its inspiration, no matter my outlook. The years in Art school were a peak in my creative powers. Its always when we do not know the rules, that we are more prone to break them and experiment. Although a true master of the trade learns the rules before they break them, I cannot deny these years of inexperience and ambitions any longer. Hopefully finding these lost treasures will give those interested an opportunity to see the fruits of my labor.

Its funny, we all strive for that degree, we all want to be the masters of our respected trades. Yet, being an art major, I have not taken one art class, since Art school. I have not seriously done a large scale work in about 4 years, which was my wall moral, now painted over. Hopefully, my new planned sketch books should reveal some new lessons, inspirations, ideas that will be very interesting to the viewer. I have always been a non-traditionist in my works. These days, although increasing conservative, will reveal a more ambitious, ready artist.

Other plans, after talking to many of my friends in the field, will be tackling the art of programming a competent, comprehensive web site that needs only moderate attention. I am tired of updating every page when something changes, when only had I invested the man hours in learning the code, instead of ignoring technology, which is something that is not going to go away, no matter the situation.

Even more ambitious than my art projects, will be my new music. I have been putting off making that "CD" for almost four years now. It is time to make a list of completed tracks and out takes from the web site, make a set list, and call it my first album and begin anew, fresh and liberated from the pressures of releasing the first. Sophomore efforts have always been a mixed bag, yet I feel my skills as a guitarist have greatly improved and I am willing to take a gamble that this year's music will far outweigh anything currently on the site. Focus of interest, will be incorporating counterpoint, that is another trio or a sonata for two guitars, and of course, I will finally release my sonata for guitar in E minor. So stay tuned, watch for the updates, wish me luck, and, always send me comments, reflections, ideas, or criticism to damon_jasso@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,