Flowery Language

I'm finding myself involved in too many things.  This situation happens to me frequently.  I'm interested in this, I'm interested in that, and pretty soon I am running out of time no matter how much I chase it.  I've overextended myself yet again--will I never learn this lesson?!  I find myself in a tizzy as project deadlines scamper on down the road, and well, you know the score, I'm sure.

And even though I'm in this state, I still feel a pull, a tugging at my sleeve--or rather fingertips--that I MUST make something.  Draw something, paint something, before I forget how.  Well, I don't think I'll forget, but let me just say, I know exactly how Alan Bates' character (the painter Saul) in the film "An Unmarried Woman" felt when he said, if he stopped painting for one day, he may never paint again.

Anyway, here's the fellow that came out of me today--a tortured Mr. Reginald.

Nearly driven insane by unrequited love, 

Reginald STILL spoke in flowery language.

(acrylic, India ink, gouache, pastel)

I really liked the look of this stripped-down version below.  

I thought it had a "letterpress-feel" which I loved.  

Alas, I couldn't stop myself from bringing forth those flowers.

Sauna Scowler

Gide felt anger rising within him until his muscles flexed and sweat droplets quivered in ferocity.  How dare those new hotel guests invade his early morning sauna?  He threw them his most smoldering of scowls to send them on their way.

Myrna, Her Bike, and Her Floppy Straw Hat

It was spring so Myrna decided to take her bike and her floppy straw hat out for a ride.

Happy St. Patty's Day

Deaglan was feeling a little low on this St. Patrick's Day, missing his homeland a little more keenly than usual.  He felt his face fold into furrows as he scowled against the cold wind.  Winter was giving a last little gasp, and this Irishman wasn't too happy about it.  He was just about to resign himself to feeling cranky all day when someone on the street turned his frown upside down with the offering of a free Shamrock coffee.

"My luck is changing, Deaglan thought.  He felt his wrinkles soften as he accepted this serendipitous gift, and reminded himself of a saying from his homeland, "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough."  He was.  Hope you get lucky, too. (-;

Summer Pierre

Back at the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, I was in quite a deep state of sadness.  A growing unrest and unhappiness had been building in me, and all I knew was that I wanted to draw, bake, and read.  I wrote it in my journal, I said it aloud, I felt it in my heart.

Now, I had been creative throughout my life, painting as a child, but writing most of all.  I really began to draw and paint around 1997 and came to be viewed as an artist by some people a few years later. Still, I didn't entirely devote myself to art until about 5 years ago.

That mantra (draw, bake, read), along with the pledge to dedicate myself until death to becoming the best drawer I could be, saved my life.  I read Patti Smith's, "Just Kids," and I came alive with her beautiful words and dedication to art.  How could it be that the "godmother of punk" had felt the way I was feeling about being an artist?!  I've written about Patti several times before on this blog, but that's not who I want to talk about now.

There were a few other inspirational people whom I began to run across, and one of those was Summer Pierre.  She is a cartoonist, an illustrator, author of two wonderful books, and a formerly touring indie rocker.  If you are unfamiliar with here, please do yourself a favor and check out her website HERE.

I ordered Summer's books, "The Artist in the Office:  How to Creatively Survive and Thrive 7 Days a Week" and "Great Gals: Inspired Ideas for Living a Kick-Ass Life" and further felt driven--and INSPIRED, and dare I say, CAPABLE OF, living my life as an artist.  I still am an "artist in the office," but Summer made me feel that I was not alone in this situation.  And isn't that just the greatest gift?  To know that you're not alone in this world when you feel exactly the opposite--that there are others who know your struggle even if they don't know you?

   

I began to follow Summer's blog, and her honest posts.  She did not shy away from sad thoughts or hard feelings.  I liked that.  A lot.  I mean, I loved that.  Because somewhere in my past, it probably was from Natalie Goldberg ("Writing Down the Bones")--yes, it was--who said that it is your obligation as a writer (artist) to be honest.  I took that directive to heart.  You risk a lot by doing so, people thinking you're bi-polar, too open, embarrassing, but you know, whatever!  If Patti Smith, Natalie Goldberg, and Summer Pierre can risk it, I can, too.  Besides, what company to be in, no?

So, Summer is becoming more and more famous for her witty, insightful, and intelligent comics. In one of her posts, she invited readers to exchange postcards with her, which I did.  I'm trying to cut to the chase, peeps.  On Monday (3/9/15) of this past week, Summer posted this comic on her website and also posted IT online at Medium.com.  I'm in it, people!  I'm the painter from IL writing about peaches!  What an honor to be included in something written by someone you have looked up to and admired.  Well, there are just no words.  Please check out Summer for yourselves!

Doodling Maryann - Not Available

My co-worker was talking to me the other day, and I decided to draw her eye.  I can't stop myself from drawing when the moment hits, so I just go with it.  Anyway, we were discussing something rather involved, so I just kept drawing--taking advantage of a moment when she was on the phone--to continue doodling.  I did have some struggle, as she was constantly shape-shifting--turning her head, looking up, looking down at the computer and keyboard.  I did my best to be a ninja doodler--stealthily trying to hide my lines from her.  Here she is with my rudimentary tools- a pen and a few mini-colored pencils I had in my desk drawer.

Oh, yeah, there's also a little birthday cake drawing for me, too. (-:

By the way, Maryann is such a good sport.  I am continually humming and singing,

"All day and all night, Maryann, 

down by the seashore sifting sand"

These are the only verses I know, and yet she STILL has not screamed, "stop singing that!"  Only time will tell if she can continue tolerating my mindless serenade. (-;

Connie, Our Sweet Tornado - No Longer Available

Our dear co-worker and friend, Connie, passed away suddenly this week and our hearts are shocked and broken into bits.  She was ever-ready to help others, professional, capable, a whirlwind of energy, and a leader.  She is still leading us--teaching us to appreciate every moment and droplet of our days on this precious Earth.  We may have to let you go, Connie, but you are forever in our hearts.

watercolor, watercolor pencil, pastel, graphite

*****

Framed.

Spring - Real or Bottled?

Spring - Real or Bottled?

Miss Tess and the Talkbacks

Last Wednesday, Kman and I went to see Miss Tess and the Talkbacks.  What a great group!  Here's their website so check them out.  How shall I describe them?  Patsy Kline/Stray Cat-like Brooklyn Hipsters with a blues-bending guitarist?  I don't know.  All I know is that I loved them, and they were probably one of my top groups I've seen at a local venue.  Loved their song "Downtown," the way their harmonies would swell together.  Good grief, it looks like all of my clips from that night are too big for Blogger to upload correctly.  Well, check out the 1st for about a 5-second clip to prove I was there. Ha!  Ignore the 2nd--I can't remove it for some reason.  Just check their website for more.

I drew a quick sketch of their gear before they began, and wanted to draw each of them.  I only managed a bit of the guitarist.  By the time I got to the bassist, I was getting lost in the music and put that pen down, people.  This one is a fairly rudimentary drawing, but you know, just trying to show how I'm always at it and how you should be, too! (-;

Full Circle

Happy March 1st!  

It's been snowing since last night.  Snow on top of snow.  It feels warmer, though, and the snow is gentle.  I feel hope that Mother Nature is about to turn a corner.  Nonetheless, I don't think She wants us to forget that all seasons are favored, and She isn't about to short shrift the current one.

I thought I had finished this last night, but ended up putting more contrast into it this a.m.  I was listening to Led Zeppelin's, "Rain Song" while doing so--it's gentle, beautiful strings and gradual crescendoing underscored the cyclic nature of the piece (or at least it did in my mind.)

My husband said on his phone, he initially couldn't see the face in the roots.  I darkened it a little below to enhance it.  I used circles because of their symbolism:

The circle is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, original perfection, the Self, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, all cyclic movement... (Hermes Trismegistus)). 

In any event, I'm very happy with this one...took a long time, but I was in a meditative state so it didn't matter.

Here are a few other pictures of what I woke up to this Sunday morning.   Pussy willows wearing a coat of snow.  March, I'm glad you're here.

Led Zeppelin's  "The Rain Song"