I’m going to have to take a break from artwork for a while. I have ideas, but all of them contain lots and lots of foliage. You know what? I’m sick to death of drawing lots and lots of foliage, and I’ve also about run out of green pencils. So, until I either come up with different ideas, or feel like drawing foliage again, I’m going to be on vacation. So, here’s a blast from last year, and I bid you au revior.
Sunday morning seems to be the worst time for publishing a blog post. So, here I am, and raring to go. Maybe my readers are still sleeping, or worshiping, or maybe going to a pleasant brunch! So…
I finished the strawberry note card last night. I’m trying to decide whether it would make a good, full-size drawing or not. Here it is:
Wow, that’s big…even bigger than the actual note card is! Mentally shrink it folks.
It just hits me that my style has changed, and I’m not sure if I like it or not. It seems more realistic than it was, but is missing the fun, design element that was a signature of mine. Maybe I’m overthinking it, maybe it’s a natural progression.
I was going to go out, yet again, to draw the park. It’s going to be 90 degrees plus, though. I’m one who realizes that you may have to suffer for your art, but heat exhaustion is not in my plans.
So, I may work on the strawberry patch, full size. I want to do it again, with the design element. On the other hand, if I do that wrong, it will end up looking for a fabric design. I love a challenge.
As Summer arrives with the ending days of June, we look forward to the end of the Fiscal Year. That’s right folks, while you’re enjoying the Fourth of July, and trips to the beach, people in retail are getting ready for the December holidays. Even artists are starting to look for the venues for art/craft shows in November and December. I am no different.
I’m thinking of doing what is named the Pumpkin Festival, which is a large fair at a local church. I have a while to think about it. I’m going to give whatever venue I plan to do, my best shot, with my best moneymaker, which I realize now is hand drawn note cards and holiday cards. So, that’s that.
I’m working now on note cards, because the weather here went from way too cold and rainy to go out drawing, to too hot and sunny. So, while taking the trash to the dumpster the other day, I found a sweet surprise in the condo complex. Wild strawberries! So, I’ve done one note card, and am working on another. I may eventually do a large version, like I did this:
And tried to do, this:
Here’s the photo I’m working from, which I like as a photo almost as much as I do a reference for a drawing….
Happy Summer Solstice!
So, I’ve been working…okay, intermittently working on this drawing. I was rapt about the possibilities I could use to render the abstract shapes in the leaves. I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed doing this picture. No doldrums, no boredom, I was on a roll. But all good things (and yes, bad things) come to an end. And so I’ve completed this yet nameless drawing. I’m hoping for the light to break through to my mind with the title, the way the light breaks through the trees.
If only I could add the sound of hot weather insects….
A lot has changed since I posted last, in my personal life.
First of all, Hannako has left us. We nursed her to the end, and she went peacefully.
Also, I was laid off from my day job. This seemed like a good time to make a break, move back to Connecticut by myself (with a little help from my friends) and start over.
In the process of leaving, I left behind a lot of artwork, as well as other personal belongings.
Now, I’m searching for another day job. I like a steady paycheck, as well as the freedom to create the art that I want to create.
So, a replay. I’m going to have to rephotograph a lot of my work…but in the meantime:
So, I’ve started on …what’s the name? Too many to choose from. The rock singer. As I originally thought, I’d do a loud colorful drawing, somewhat in the same vein as this that I did a long time ago.
But it’s the time of year when I turn mellow and sentimental. I call it the bittersweet time of year. It’s the time left of summer between Labor Day, and the Equinox. So, a mellower type of healing appealed to me.
So, perhaps “Love Ballad” will be its title. Tranquility, reflection and all that good stuff.
Here’s the sketch.
As I was going to work yesterday, our landlord came bursting out the back door. He wanted to show us that there were berries falling all over our car, and to be careful. Then he pointed out a tree I hadn’t noticed before. A mulberry.
Mulberries are found in Connecticut. There were two in my childhood yard. Like magnets, they attracted birds and squirrels looking for a good meal. I wouldn’t be surprised, if at night, they were scavenged by raccoons, too. That is, when the raccoons were finished knocking over the garbage cans.
So, on the left side of the drawing, I included a mulberry tree. It gave me a chance to put in some red and pink colored dots to break up the green. I softened the tree on the right, put in some finishing touches, and Voila! Connecticut Fantasy is finished.
