Tag Archives: artwork

Day is Done

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It seems to be a new thing with me. I get tired, brain fried, and that seems to be the time I decide to write a blog post.

Take from that what you will. This time I am reasonably well rested.

The subject was trees,wasn’t it?

Well,this is the newest one. It’s the complete version of the one I just posted

I started out thinking titles like “Late Afternoon ” and “Early Evening “.

Then I realized it looked like lights out at a kids’ summer camp.

So,I thought of “God is Nigh “, but that sounds too much like death.

It joined this group of drawings

The last picture of summer, here and NYC. Because, “Day is Done ” is probably the last full size drawing until fall.

Maybe I will actually do a Halloween drawing…

REserved!

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I’ve been under quarantine, waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test. Bit of a hairy time, but I’m negative.

Which gives me the feeling of the sun shining through. It would anyonej.

I can think of all sorts of songs with lyrics of that…but it suddenly occurred to me: Am I violating copyright doing that?

Best to be safe.

But something I have copyright on is my own work. So, here are some drawings of the sun shining through.

And my most recently finished work it this:

Not surprisingly, this is titled “Reserved”.

Okay, back to the drawing board!

Reserved

16x20 inch drawing, matted to 20x24. Lightfast colored pencil on archival 100% cotton rag paper. Shipping included.

$250.00

“I was dreaming when I wrote this…….”

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That’s been my earworm today. Prince’s “1999”

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

$250.00

Sheltering in place

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So, what are you all doing in self quartine?

Reading? Yes!

Facetime? Yes!

Video Games? Yes!

Hobbies? Yes!

Housework? Errr, um

Surprise, I actually am doing housework, among other things. You see, I had scheduled this week off since January. A friend from overseas was going to be visiting. So. due to COVID-19, he wasn’t able to come. I have a week to get things done.

It’s spring now, and I can hear spring birds tweeting. Ironic, huh?

So, besides cleaning, I’m going through my artwork, seeing what to do with what. I’ve decided to do small stuff for a while, since I’m not too pleased with the full-sized pictures I’ve drawn.

So, into bottom of the flat file we go!

As in, what should I do with this?

All my Danbury Rocks? That sure went nowhere
This, too…
The whole Namaste Series. It was fun, while it lasted.
This cute little thing was a label for a friend’s holistic products.
There’s that damned crow again! But I have a lot of work, that just didn’t turn out to my liking.

That flat file seems bottomless…we’ll see how it goes

Bicycles in the Dandelions , 5×7 matted to 8×10 inches, $35

Available at Small Stuff

Throwing Away My Art Training

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As I start this drawing, I’m reminded of the words my teachers would say to me.  “Don’t draw every leaf.  Make a pattern of the light and shadow of the foliage, and just give a hint of texture”.  Okay, yes, that makes for wonderful landscapes.  However, what if I do want to draw every blessed leaf?

In abstract art, people often talk about it being the process, not the result.  It’s a cliche, and as I always am aware, words become cliches because there is truth to them.  Even very naturalistic artists talk about being in the zone, where there is nothing but the artwork and themselves.

Which brings me back to Zentangles….yes, you remember me talking about Zentangles.  The “zen” part of it, relates to the state of consciousness that you get when you concentrate on a repetitious task. So, considering the process, and the state of mind in the zone, I damned well am going to draw every leaf.

Case in point, this drawing I did when I was approximately half the age I am now.  I took my teachers’s advice on the trees, but the grass?  I drew every blade, and I don’t regret it.  It was relaxing, and on top of it, I discovered I could make the grass in a pattern that complemented the composition.  Yes, it was all very Zen.

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And Suddenly….A Cat!

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After grumbling about the day job, and not getting enough time to draw….I finally got some quality time in with my paper and pencils.  So, I have started the drawing of Pumpkin.

Cats are getting pretty easy for me, now.  I’ve gotten used to the structure of their fur, ears, paws and such.  So, somehow, without my really concentrating very hard on it, Pumpkin emerged…somewhat as the Cheshire Cat did.

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In terms of art in general, I’m considering doing a Youtube series on drawing instruction…the tips I have learned over the years, and a bit of humorous insight, as I go along.  Right now,  I’m trying to get past the Christmas rush at work, and get the apartment into a more reasonably organized set of piles…when I get past that, I will start making plans on how to go about doing it, and to not be too boring in the process.

Anyway, in the tone of voice of Joan Crawford shouting “NO MORE WIRE HANGERS”, I hope, next year to be screaming : “NO MORE RETAIL JOBS”.

(Wish me luck).

On the Subject of Rainbows….

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Another more modern association with rainbows is gay equality, diversity, etc.  Oh yes, it’s a fertile metaphor

BUT!

I see so many rainbow drawing that are just wrong, and do not capture the spirit of the promise after the storm.  First of all, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rainbow against a blue, sunny sky, as so often is portrayed. That’s just wrong!

rainbow-1No wonder people shy away from the subject in serious art.

Not only that, rainbows seem to be pale and pastel in real life.  They’re made of light,  of course.  So, enough of the bright colors!

(Of course, one way to get around both cliches is to portray it in black and white….especially if it helps the plot line)

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So, now my drawing is in the late evaluation stages, waiting for me to come back to it with a fresh eye. In the meantime, I hope you have gotten some perspective on the serious subjects on rainbows.

Now back to real life, and real problems.  Terrorism, homelessness, global warming and other subjects.  Even if I spout fury on the subject of rainbows, it’s a good break.

Ahem,….While We’re Waiting

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Well, still my pencils and papers are in limbo, between dwelling places.  As an old friend of mine would put it, I’m “jonesing” on lack of creative time.  My eyeballs are bulging, and the veins in my forehead are throbbing.  So it feels, at least.  Recently, I’ve been reading that simple coloring relaxes adults in a way similar to meditation.  I miss my coloring!

I also have a long, thoughtful, and hopefully not boring commentary on rainbows to present..but it doesn’t make much sense to present that without the drawing to go with it.  Hmmm, well, back to the other subject.  My flight from New York.

Digging through old artwork during my move, I came across an old drawing of mine, devoted to the dream of somehow, someday,  going to live and succeed in New York.  At the time, I thought it was impossible to achieve.  However, it did happen.  How many people actually have a dream come true?  I’m one.

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Happy Holidays and All That Jazz…

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I’m getting ready for another Black Friday in retail, today, but in Connecticut instead of NYC.  Yes, the move is final now…..I’m in Connecticut.  I had my first Thanksgiving with a working oven in about 10 years..and let me tell you, turkey cooked in a crock pot, just isn’t the same.

Ah, Connecticut…..

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Home.  🙂

So, when last I was working on a drawing, it was the rainbow from last summer.  Let me tell you, I am itching to work on it again…but right now, I don’t have my drawing materials all in the same place.  Artwork is similar to an addiction for me, if I don’t do it, my peace of mind shatters and I get into a a withdrawal type funk.

But life goes on.  I said I’d never leave New York, but after 20 years, I did.  So, I won’t say I will never go back…if the circumstances are right.  Let me tell you, it’s a city where you need lots of $$$ to live a decent life, otherwise, it’s the dumps.

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