Organization! Oh Joy!

I am feeling great today because I had a terrific lunch with C, then successfully ran errands, went for a nice long walk along the lake with the pup, and now I get to organize my fabrics! The stash has been piled up for so long, I forget what I even have. Every so often I paw through and pull out my favorites of the day, which end up creating their own stacks elsewhere until they are shoved aside in a continous, unorganized cycle. But I've had enough! Not to mention, Ramona has discovered the joys of chewing on stuffing materials, and I am somewhat afraid my fabrics will be her next victims. So today bins were purchased, and now I am off to sort and fold and tidy. Its all pretty exciting.


This drawing has nothing whatsoever to do with anything, but I don't like to leave you pictureless!

Drawings and Sketchings and Playing in Photoshop

These are two copies of one of my drawings, scanned and minimally messed with in Photoshop. Nothing fancy, just a little color. What I think is neat is how different they look with the different color schemes.


I would like to do some serious color theory studying, one of these days when I have nothing else to accomplish. Along with my serious dive into graphic design theory and how to effectively illustrate and how to make the perfect chocolate cake. Why must I have so many interests?


People think artists live an easy life, playing with paint and doodling in ink. Any serious artist can tell you it is sometimes closer to a curse, this overwhelming drive to create against all odds.

Ay me. Do I sound a little scattered? Its been a long day. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to show you some little people who have recently come to stay with me...

Pen and Ink

"Cam in front of the American Flag" ink on paper, 2007

I like this drawing because it is ironic - to me that is. Our flag has complicated significance to me, representing all the incredible things that are the United States of America, as well as the horrors we have committed and endured. The drawing say this to me, while I imagine that to anyone else it is simply a sketch. I guess the simplest things can have extended meanings in the right circumstances.

Neat!

Check it out - I'm the featured artist on the 1 Mile Project site - have a look! I don't know how long my piece will stay there, but if its gone and you want to see my little sketch, its permanent home is here. Funny little drawing, neat project! You can join in too by submitting a drawing (there are instructions on the site).

(this isn't my drawing - I did the funny looking birds. This is the official 1Mile.org button. Click it to learn about the project!)

Another pen sketch

Vases in a Window

My original ink drawing...


With some colors...


And a bit more color...


I call it Vases in a Window. I have decided I am a pragmatist artist. Perhaps I can start a new movement; pragmatic art. Ordinary scenes with literal titles, made and shown without any extra fluff or hoopla. Maybe by adding color I am selling out before the movement even starts? oh dear.

Obsessive?

A question for you...

The first, the original. A drawing I did recently, quenching an (obsessive?) impulse for minute pattern-ing.



The second, after scanning and Illustrator re-imaging.



I can't decide which I like more. What do you think?

Creativity and the Computer

That title totally sounds like I'm beginning a scientific research paper. Not anymore! Now it's just something I think about and worry over. See, I spend a lot of time on the computer, my job involves mainly graphic and webdesigning work, and I have a growing obsession with reading blogs. So many inspiring people out there!

But I find that after hours on the computer - and I'm sure many are aware of how addictive internet browsing can be, and how fast the time flies in that activity - I am inspired by the wonderful things I have seen, but my own creative impulses are drained.

Case in point: I used to draw constantly. Everywhere I went a sketchbook went along, and doodles and scribbles were on every piece of paper I could get my hands on. Now, and I really think this has to do with my increased computer graphic work, I am finding sketching difficult. The results are never satisfactory, and the lines just don't come as easy as they used to.

My new resolution, therefore, is to draw every day. A little sketch or a large finished drawing. Just something!

I better go start!