This black ink relief print needed something, so I added a little color. For me, this imagery is about high energy and cheerful discussion? singing? teasing? What do you see in this?
Back in time #1
So I dip briefly into the past. I plan to select and feature thoughts about an older artwork somewhat randomly, to see what it evokes for now, years later. Since I will browse my images, I will pick something that resonates at that moment, in hope that I will have something to say about it 🙂
This is a painted hollow duck or goose egg, about 3.5″ in length, completed about 5 or 6 years ago. I created a series of eggs at that time, and have never shown most of them.
The hand is up & alert, but is this a warding off gesture or a sign of alarm? The figure is loosely depicted and could be a child or an adult. The curves make it seem female. It is hurt or despairing… the circle could be a nest, or it could be a prison.Yet the egg is protective and implies safety. Somehow I love the wonky fingers!
The eggs in the series are duck, goose, chicken, and even a smaller banty egg. Some are hollow, some filled, and a few are cast “eggs” made of cement. I carved a couple of the cast eggs before the cement was fully cured. I still have an unpainted ostrich egg I look forward to painting!
I used a several different media and techniques on these eggs. Many are on display in my studio, but some of the smaller more delicate eggs are put away.
Why Most Artists’ blogs Fail
Well this is an interesting article at Gaping Void. Blogs are about words, not images per this theory.
What happened to a picture is worth a thousand words? Darn!
Yes, I do think art sales success is by personal connections, either with the artist or with a trusted art enthusiast (who then generally has the connection with the artist). A really successful art gallery provides the bridge to the artist and the buyer. Art customers usually do want more than just the picture.
So if the premise is sales, most artist’s blogs fail. And if the premise to reach an audience, ditto. No one blog will be found on the internet without some fortuitous notice or concerted marketing effort, no matter how amusing. And if a blog is abandoned quickly, that is probably a sign of failure.
On the other hand, there is my blog. My blog is personal, a diary and a record for myself, but not a private one. It is shared with friends, or anyone who chooses to peruse it. It provides me with a visual history that I love having!
My first site was hacked after about six months, and I lost it all. I felt bereft. Although I probably have all the images I posted there on my computer (and backed up), I did not have the comments or the sequence. I like having that. So I started over, and make backups now. So not a failure, I think 🙂
Rock Cave II further work …
Rock Cave II
An exercise in inadequate realism, I fear. Not sure why I am doing this, but it may just be necessary. This may never be something I hang on my wall, though perhaps others may enjoy it more. I want more drama, more mystery, more something beyond the reality. So even if I manage to capture the scene well, it will never achieve what I really care about in my art.
Yet I may grow fond of these solid but soft rock pillows.
I do have great interest in the subject matter: I have drawn several rock caves since a tiny copy of photo captured my attention several weeks ago! But I am not sure this version can evoke the magic fantasy that draws me to the cave… The light & dark magic are important, I do know that!
I don’t have any information about the original inspirational photo at left, but I wonder if this is West Kennet Long Barrow, Wiltshire, UK.
Rock Cave III
Photo (a magazine clipping) that got me started!
Enjoying the Negative …
Three Siblings… Red Shoes
Red English Sandals
When I finished drawing this sketch, I decided this was me in the middle, with my older sister on the left, and my younger brother on the right. We were three, and we did wear (brown leather) English unisex school sandals that look a bit like these shoes. I even found a Wiki entry about T-bar sandals.
Sketchbook finishing touches…
My Arthouse Coop 2013 Sketchbook
My sketchbook is (almost?) complete!
Sketchbook 2013 Title Pages
I have it scanned the pages and you can view all these images on the Sketchbook Project website. I can still tweak things a little if necessary, but only three more days for that: I need to mail it on Monday!
Sketchbook 2013 End Pages
And back to that mysterious cave …
Rock Cave II draft 1
From a visual image/memory while taking that afternoon “nap”. I love it when I actually remember/hold on to an image and get some version of it on “paper”.
This is drawn on a gesso coated masonite board, and will get a lot more work soon.
The drawing above was created from memories of this fabuous photo of West Kemet long barrow entrance, found again after much Internet searching:
This photo of West Kennet Long Barrow is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Rock Cave Triptych
