These snow storms have forced my weekends to get divided into two categories; shoveling and painting. Alright, that may be a bit of an exaggeration but still I have had the opportunity to get some image done. The image below was absolutely not meant to be anything more than a sketch. I literally drew while making dinner hence the integration of cabbage and fry like shapes. Enjoy and see you next time.
For those of you that are not aware, New England has had an astronomical amount of snow, 6 feet in two weeks to be exact. Having grown up here I consider myself a true New Englander but this would test a lot of people. I will say that I have had more snow days in the past two weeks than ever before in a season granted if we were to really get into it, I just work for a better company now that seems to understand that my job is not worth risking my life. Thank you current employer! Anyway, this image started with a rant about snow which quickly developed into something else. In the process of clearing out my house of snow I have started sculpting the snow into unnatural shapes but there is something about the idea of taking what is natural and tweaking it a bit to make you stop and question whether it could actually have occurred naturally or had a helping hand. I always think back to playing at the beach or in the woods where out of human habit we pile things up or lay things down. After a while it become part of the surroundings but there is still an unnatural quality to it. Enough. Enjoy and see you next time.
Full Version Two Hundred Ninety Five
Cropped version Two Hundred Ninety Five
It’s a bugs life….. well maybe. This started because I wanted to draw a cricket but at the time I got overwhelmed by the cricket, hence the incomplete bug at the top of the image. Naturally I chose a new bug, a beetle to be exact, which one? who knows, who cares to be quite honest. I just know that I enjoyed painting him. Maybe this is because of my recent run in with Lady Bugs. I don’t know where the come from but I always seem to have one in my house. Mind you its mid winter and approximately 20 degrees outside. A little concerning but that’s what Terminex is for! Enjoy and see you next time.
Sticking with the furry critters, I tackled a new rabbit friend. I like how official he feels standing so straight up. I love animal behavior especially when it contradicts their natural movement. Saying that I am fully aware that rabbits can stand like this but it seems a bit awkward. I just imagine him delivering a little speech soon arms raising up to emphasize his story. Naturally, the small addition of the bow was necessary, a full blow vest would have been ideal had I not already drawn in the fur. Next time! Enjoy.
Full Image Two Hundred and Ninety Three!
Switching gears, focusing on some character drawings instead. I know it seems somewhat strange that I jump from totally random or abstract imagery to this but I love the result of these studies.I want to integrate the two but until then I will work on them separately. This little fellow was too cute to not draw and in regards to the wheels… I have no idea. Maybe next time he will be driving the cart these wheels belong to! That would be a pretty great image. Enjoy and see you next time.
Full Image Two Hundred and Ninety-Two!
Let’s revert back to the tree like imagery once again…. Not a fan but I am trying to just go with the challenge and not edit what I post. Based partly on the view from my back window, which currently comprises of snow mounds 4 feet high and the tops of fences and shrubbery peaking out from behind it. I will say that I was able to integrate some thoughts which always feels good. I love journaling and this is a way for me to integrate that idea into my works. Enjoy and see you next time!
Full Image Two Hundred and Ninety-One
Cropped Version Two Hundred and Ninety-One
Based originally around those tree’s I spoke of the other day, that was how this image started. That being said it quickly moved into a different direction using the star like shape on the right and some sort of bulb-like shape on the left. Since I haven’t been painting I’m finding color difficult which is why there is such a rainbow feeling. Hopefully I will get that under control soon. Enjoy and see you next time!
Full Image Two Hundred Eighty-Nine
Cropped Image of Two Hundred Eighty-Nine
I have been making sketches of these tree rings for years now. It is almost like an obsession. I love the repetitive yet different experience you get with each new layer. The concept of it depicting the life of something has always intrigued me. This image is a mess, but I enjoy the bottom half. The cropped version of this image is what I enjoy the most. There is something about the washes on the bottom right that really draws me in, maybe it is in its simplicity.
Above Full version of Two Hundred and Eighty-Eight
Above cropped version of Eighty-Eight
Well here we are, image one of the newer version of my challenge, 79 images in 55 days. I haven’t worked in so long that the imagery just felt so sparatic. I like the range of marks and the use of color. It is funny what initially starts a piece for me. For this one, it was inspired during my drive home. There was a row of trees on the side of the road. I loved the way the trunks shot straight up into the air and then became entwined in a web of branches. I cannot really speak to the other elements they just started to develop.
Above full image of Two Hundred and Eight-Seven
Above Cropped version of Two Hundred and Eighty-Seven
OK, first off I would like to say that I feel like a slacker. I have not painted or drawn in months (other than the quick doodle on a notepad) and all I can really put it down to is mental state of mind. I have thought about picking up a pencil or paintbrush and just putting some marks on paper but then I always get discouraged. I couldn’t necessarily tell you why but I am done with that and it’s time to move on.
Yesterday on my drive home I decided this was going to be the final year of this actual challenge. Almost 3 years ago I started this challenge with the original goal of completing 365 drawings in one year starting on April 2nd 2012. Now it’s February 6th of 2015 and I have exactly 55 days to complete the remaining 79 images. I think it will be tough but as my husband pointed out it all depends to what degree of finished I expect them to be. I mean there were many images over the past 286 that took 5 days to complete.
So, what I propose is this. 79 drawings over the next 55 days. That’s about 1.5 drawings a day. When all is said and done that would mean 365 drawings over 3 years, which when you think about it is a drawing every 3 days, sounds pretty good actually.
Now I am not saying that when I complete this task I will put away my paint brush or burn all my remaining paper. That is not my intent at all. Basically I will just move onto the next project. For years I have thought of using all of these images as a starting point for a more finished body of work but would not allow myself to really go there until the first project was complete. That day is quickly approaching, let’s hope I can make it. This will be a sprint to the finish line!
As always thanks for dropping by and I hope you will visit again.
365 Days 1 Year 