I could tell you about dance parties in 1999. And 2000 zero zero. The stories are probably only interesting to other DJ’s.
But as for dreaming (real sleep dreams)
I have this recurring dream. I go into a gallery and Lo and Behold! My artwork is on display. The only catch is. the artwork is in my old style, which I abandoned long time ago.
These are the only examples I have left, although it makes a guest appearance from time to time.
Heavy on design, not so much on realistic drawing.
So, I’m going to go back for a while, with the affirmation, “I a financially successful artist”.
Maybe that will work.
Winter Visitors
16x20 inch drawing, matted to 20x24 for easy framing. Lightfast colored pencil drawing on archival 100% cotton rag paper
Am I tired? You betcha. Synapses barely firing. I don’t know why. The weather maybe. Don’t know, but I’m tired.
Everybody goes through this I know.
Anyway, while I’m tired, I have to make a monumental, earth shattering decision. Okay, not exactly earth shattering, but doesn’t any decision feel that way when you’re tired?
I found I have one piece of paper left, until around July 30.
I finished this little drawing. It has potential to work out as a full sized piece. So, do I use this paper to do this, or cut the paper up and do more small drawings? Ah, that is the question.
In the past I’ve done this:
EPSON MFP image
And this
This..
I’d like to get back into drawings with more of a design element. Feels more like me.
But I’m tired. Did I mention that? A decision to make another day.
This is so exciting to me. A real vote of confidence, and a real shot in the arm.
Of course, since now I am working small, I thought I’d show the small drawing that this is derived from.
I’m proud of them both.
Just to let you know, I was planning to use this time to draw. The cat was in my working space, sleeping.
As always, the cat wins.
But back to the real subject..
Some drawings that are small work out very well……others? They bomb as a big drawing. Just not a powerful enough idea to hold up to the size of the statement. In other words, they bomb as a big drawing. Sort of like dropping a several tiered wedding cake on floor.
I’m not really proud of this. I didn’t even name it. Here’s the sketch:
Sometimes, you have to look squarely at your failures. It keeps it real.
One of the success of mine though, really makes me happy.
This…….
Became this…………..
As for rainbows, here’s another small one:
What I like about this is the simplicity. I don’t think it would hold up as a large piece.
One of the pluses of working small, is that it isn’t an overwhelming task to redo a drawing.
The drawing of the yellow basket ball really didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped. I went too far, it became muddy. The leaves were too cartoony. So, I redid it, and I’m much more pleased.
A much fresher look, and more what I had in mind.
I haven’t redone a drawing in a long time. I had a lot of large drawing that I wanted to redo, but no time. A large drawing takes a lot of time, not to mention money. The cotton rag paper I used costs about $7.00 for a 22×30 inch sheet. That gets to be an investment after a while.
But when I had more money, and paper was cheaper, I did redoes all the time. For instance:
An oldie but goody. In one previous version, she looked more like a ballerina, which was not the look I was going for.
Another fascinating art business fact: Green art doesn’t sell. So I’m told. That’s why the mat on this drawing is blue, to cut the greenness.
Makes sense in a way. Most people buy art to decorate their homes, and not many people use green. Of course! Can you imagine it? Sitting in living room. surrounded by green walls? It sounds like something out of the Twilight Zone to me.
That diminishes the saleable subject matter….I can’t imagine too many landscape artists can follow that caveat.
As for me, I have a few pictures that are left to my Sale repertoire. Such as:
Having grown tired of cats, I saw this little scenario, that had possibilities. So, I did a little picture of the little scenario.
Yellow Basketball
So, my mind got onto the subject of balls. Nothing dirty here, please folks.
Then it occurred to me, that I owe a friend a birthday card, which she specifically said she wanted it to be artwork of mine. So, this, that and the other thing (the other thing being my day job) and it’s now a belated birthday card. I didn’t have to think far for an idea…..balls!
As in, have a ball.
Here we have an old drawing of mine, for a high school year book. I did this in 1970 (not 1870, as you might think).
When I did this, once again, my mother despaired about my lack of knowledge of composition. I don’t know why, it looks fine to me.
I thought about doing this image again, but looking more colorful. Much like this:
Floral Overload
Okay, so what did I come up with? It’s your (belated) birthday. HAVE A BALL!
Cat Pictures. I realize, at least for now, drawing small cat pictures is the most soothing thing for me. Sounds odd, I know, but it works, and it’s a lot cheaper than a vacation in Bermuda. I don’t know, can you even go to Bermuda under the current restrictions? I get so confused.
Of course, most of my drawings are of Pumpkin. I’ve lost most of my other cat references when I moved.
Sometimes, I think I could do little cat pictures for the rest of my life. Of course, I will really get awfully bored. But for a time of healing, it works.
Hey folks, I know it’s been awhile since I posted. Truth is, the stress of COVID-19,caused me problems. It caused a lot, if not all, problems for people in general.
I also ended up with a huge, but well needed dose of humility.
But back to drawing! I started back slowly, by breaking the block with my favorite subjects. You got it. Cats!
I’m thinking of staying with small sketches for a while
Tux with tulips
Tux was one of the wonderful kitties that came by to be fed. Last I visited the old neighborhood, she was still around and healthy
Tux with tulips, full size
Ok, I am a little disappointed. I wanted to make it a cross between this
And this
Pocket Paradise
Ah the challenges of an ever changing styles and self doubts.
