Brooklyn Art Library's Sketchbook Project 2015

Hey out there, are you joining in on The Brooklyn Art Library's Sketchbook Project for 2015?  This time around, my theme is "Ladders."  Here's a little look at the front and back covers.

Front Cover

Back Cover

I really struggled with choosing a subject, and almost went with "Circa."  Gawl darnit!  I mean, I can think of 20 things I would do with that now.  Oh well, one step at a time...Ladders--get it? Ah, ha, ha!

I've been participating in The Sketchbook Project since 2010-2011.  Here they are in order:

My first--I think there were 80 pages in this one and I filled it to capacity.  Sketchbooks after this year had about 30 pages.  This one is called "Coffee and Cigarettes."  I'm not a smoker girl, but I love Jim Jarmusch's quirky, independent film, "Coffee and Cigarettes" SO much, that I was OBLIGATED to make it my theme.  Anyway, up to this point, that one is my favorite.  Super loaded with words and drawings.

"Coffee and Cigarettes"

Oh, and guess what?  Here's my tribute to director Jim Jarmusch within this baby.  I talk about seeing his great film, "Mystery Train" at the Art Theater (where Roger Ebert used to have his annual film festivals. Chaz, his wife, continues the tradition).  Ah, memories.  

And P.S., do you remember my recent painting called "Picasso Baby" inspired by Jay Z's song of the same name?  Well click here and go back to it, and you can watch the video of it.  Jim Jarmusch is IN that video, too.

I completed two more in 2012: "Sandwich (I dubbed it "Sandwich & Sandwiched Between") and "The Last Word Spoken."  A piece from the latter was included in a published 5-volume set called "The Sketchbook Project - Limited Edition."

"Sandwich"

Here's two tidbits from "Sandwich" - "Sandwiched between work and home":

Below: Based on a real sandwich:  The Twinkie Wiener:

"The Last Word (ever, ever, ever, ever) Spoken"

Here's a few selections from this one (I figured I'd include some of the most memorable words every spoken as well. That's the instance of my inclusion of Coco from "Ice Loves Coco."  By the way, where did that show go?)

Below is the Sketchbook Project's "Limited Edition."  I have all volumes. My piece is in Volume 5.

Songs to Draw From - Talking Heads - "This Must Be the Place" (Not Available)

The Brooklyn Art Library's Sketchbook Project always offers so many great projects and challenges (free and otherwise) to inspire the world to make art at every turn.  Today is the last day to participate in their latest offering, in collaboration with Diner Journal magazine, but you still have a few hours to get inspired and get something in the mail.  Here's the link:  songs to draw from.  Check it out to see everyone's outcome.

Here's my contribution to their latest challenge (fuzzy, original 1983 video at bottom)--

My interpretation of the Talking Heads song, "This Must Be the Place."

My first rough sketch--shoot, now that I'm looking at it, I forget to include that love hammer to the head!  Oh well, c'est la vie.

This Must Be The Place

Translation in progress. Please wait...

Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me around
I feel numb, burn with a weak heart
Guess I must be having fun

The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground, head in the sky
It's okay, I know nothing's wrong, nothing

I got plenty of time
You got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money, always for love
Cover up and say goodnight, say goodnight

Home, is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home, she lifted up her wings
I guess that this must be the place

I can't tell one from the other
I find you, or you find me?
There was a time before we were born
If someone asks, this is where I'll be, where I'll be

We drift in and out
Sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view

I'm just an animal looking for a home
And share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead

Eyes that light up
Eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head

Songwriters: BYRNE, DAVID/WEYMOUTH, TINA/HARRISON, JERRY/FRANTZ, CHRISTOPHER

This Must Be The Place lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

A Drama in 12 Words - Brooklyn Art Library

I've been participating in projects with the Brooklyn Art Library since 2010 when I did my first sketchbook for them called, "Coffee and Cigarettes."  I followed up in 2011 with "Sandwich" and 2012 with "The Last Word Spoken."  I've also participated in a canvas painting exchange which I blogged about during my 365 day project (Day 235 Be Proud of What You've Got), and also several other free projects that they've offered. 

They're a great organization trying to foster creativity not just among American artists, but artists worldwide.

Last week they offered a change to write a drama in 12 words, then asked you to tweet it or instagram it.  Ever the romantic, here's mine:

Train jolts, eyes catch.

Lost love, now found?

"Truly me," said she.

Click here for other submissions to this project:  12 word dramas.  Fun, huh?  Now join in these projects yourself and keep your creativity flowing!


Brooklyn Art Library- The Pen Pal Painting Exchange

Hello peeps.  Do you remember my painting from Day 235, "Be Proud of What You've Got"?  (Here's the link to the story:  http://livedrawpaint.blogspot.com/2013/08/day-235-be-proud-of-what-youve-got.html.)  It's about our heroine not having the prettiest face, but she has lots of attitude when it came to posing nude as an artist's model.

Here is the painting:

I did that painting for an exhibition at the Brooklyn Art Library.  It was a Pen Pal Painting Exchange.  After the exhibit in Brooklyn, which you can see here at the Flickr link:  www.flickr.com/arthousecoop, we received our painting pal's canvas in the mail.  Here is mine, which I received today, by Hannah Cook from New York.  You can find her other artwork on tumblr@hannahdoesart and instagram@hccook92.  It's called, "When Did You Decide to Be Straight?"