Burnt Wood and Natural Elements

The Gift

2011-06-25T13:38:00.003-04:00

"The Gift" - Osprey

Charcoal and Carbon on gessoed panel. 24"x 48"

Home Stretch

2011-06-20T13:28:00.003-04:00

I am finally getting this drawing finished up. Except for the trout, this piece will be ready for framing and delivery to an upcoming exhibition. I haven't been really satisfied with it until the last two hours of work. It took that far into the piece for me to reach some approximation of my original vision for the drawing. Normally I have a much better idea of the success of the effort long before it is completed but the last few I've done have only come together in the home stretch.

Litmus test?

2011-04-14T12:41:00.004-04:00

Well... getting work done on this thing but at this point my usual anticipation of success in a work usually sets in by now. A couple of things are at play here as I try to decide if this is going to pass my own criteria for a quality work. As I have written I look for certain things to happen with a piece and so far this one is not sparking my imagination. There is no boldness, no strong lines or interesting light. Yet...

Perhaps one thing to consider is my history with this subject and it's design changes. I have drawn a few variations already and maybe I'm just tired of the whole thing. Perhaps I'm just in a funk about recent events in my life and career. Maybe the damned thing is just not worth the effort. Perhaps I'm just not clear in my mind just what I'm looking for or expecting from this piece to count it successful.

I have decided it is not worthy of submission to it's intended exhibition jury that I had planned it for. At least not at this point. Having let go of that deadline has taken the pressure off and I do have every intention of completing it. I just have to step back, focus, and forge ahead. I've faced greater challenges with works in progress so I'm determined to persevere.

Give and Take

2011-04-08T12:12:00.003-04:00

So far, so good. I have struggled a bit getting into my groove on this work but things are starting to come together. I blame that on being rusty and the fact that I've been pushing the boundaries of my technique over the last several drawings. Sometimes I'm in control and sometimes I'm not. I've written quite a bit on the battle that occurs during the course of my drawings. I'm trying to maintain my grip on the work while at the same moment trying to let go. Go figure?

I call this carefully planned spontaneity. I attempt to create a drawing that looks like it is created with effortless freedom but in order to achieve that I feel I need to keep an iron grasp. Yin Yang? Contradiction equals balance? Good thing my wife is getting her Psychology degree. By the way, I agree with her that "The Suitor" is a better choice for title.

The Suitor

2011-04-07T08:27:00.004-04:00

The female is nearly complete and I wanted to get started on the male while I was in the groove. This suitor is presenting gifts to his prospective mate. While I was observing and photographing this pair he would bring nest materials and finally a nice trout. "The Gift" is the intended title. Planning to work out his head next, a second critical aspect. Once that is in as well as the fish the most difficult part will be accomplished.

Critical Aspect

2011-04-05T16:48:00.002-04:00

The face of a bird or animal is always the most important aspect of a successful wildlife artwork. I handle this area with a great deal of precision and detail compared to the rest of the drawing. A few blog entries ago I posted the abandoned drawing of this subject. I reversed the orientation for this new version. I was very pleased with the earlier results of the females face so I'm attempting to capture the same look.

A New Project... Finally.

2011-04-04T20:04:00.003-04:00

I can finally get back to what's important. I have been faced with many challenges over the past few months and I'm pleased to get back into my work. This is an osprey drawing I've attempted before in a variety of ways. I've done a number of different studies and drawn a few variations on the design. All of which were not completely pleasing to me. I need to have the composition engage me. I need it to be dynamic enough that I will not lose interest no matter how many times I view the piece. The drawing itself needs to be exciting in the way the strokes appear, the lines need to be strong and decisive, the light unique... everything needs to be powerful! I'm fairly demanding on myself. "Myself".

I have always wanted to work full time on my artwork. I've spoken about that a number of times on this blog. I've made a decision about that. I've decided to get part-time work enough to support myself that will leave me the freedom to focus the majority of my time on artwork. (That's the silver lining). Therefore I will not need to completely rely on selling art to survive. That's the important part. I draw to please myself, first and foremost. Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass what anyone thinks of it. I've lived by that philosophy for the past twenty years and I feel that's why my work has developed the way it has. I've never drawn to sell. Why start now?

Silver Linings?

2011-02-25T20:41:00.006-05:00

On Saturday morning February 5th I woke to find this sight of buildings burning directly adjacent to our bookstore and gallery. Just twelve hours earlier I had delivered all of my original works to the Old Forge Art Center for my first one person exhibit. I took a small bit of solace in this fact. The bookstore was a dream and labor of love of my wife Shay and mine. The smoke and water damage has rendered our dream moot.

This original was the only significant one I lost that day. There were a few other unframed works that didn't make the ride to Old Forge.

It was a large drawing measuring 42" wide. To me it was strong enough to seriously consider creating it again. My imagination was not lost with that dream.

Now with no day job to fill my time perhaps I'll use this "opportunity" to take my shot at becoming a real full time artist. I mean, what do I have to lose at this point? Every step I've taken to support myself while I developed my career has washed out with soot and water.

I see large pieces of charcoal on the sidewalk where patrons once entered the store. As I pondered this burnt wood I couldn't help but think of new drawings that are already in my thoughts. Now I actually might have the proper time to create them instead of only drawing in my mind. This picture shows the building debris next to our front door and Wildroot sign.

New possibilities present themselves in strange disguises. Fortune presents gifts contrary to expectations. I intend to accept this oddly silver lined wrapped gift with open arms and make the absolute best of this new reality.

As the pieces of my life get put back together I'll be creating again with new resolve. Life changes when we least expect. I am not fond of the thought that I might miss this chance to become who I truly am. An artist.

Exhibition!

2011-01-20T13:05:00.015-05:00

I am honored and humbled to have been invited to exhibit my wildlife drawings at the Art Center - Old Forge located in the scenic Adirondack village of Old Forge, NY. The Art Center just moved into it's new building in January and my work will be among the first exhibits in this tremendous new facility.

The Art Center - Old Forge, "Where Art Meets the Outdoors" is dedicated to making the visual and performing arts an integral and accessible part of the lives of residents and visitors of the Adirondacks, inspired by and reflecting the beauty of our natural environment. The new facility is a LEEDS-certified, green-built and green-run building. The Art Center continues it's long established tradition and will host exhibits, performances, workshops and special events.

The exhibit will hang in the Foley Gallery from February 12 - March 12 and will be complimented by the Regional Ceramics Exhibit. This showing will mark the first major exhibit of my work and will feature numerous pieces of my most recent drawings. I'm very excited about this event and hope that if anyone is in the area this winter that you'll stop in to see the new Art Center and take in the exhibit!

Otis Technology®

2010-12-05T09:53:00.004-05:00

I'm very pleased to be able to finally post this commission drawing which was unveiled last evening. Otis Technology manufactures the most advanced gun cleaning system in the world. The company celebrates it's 25th year and I was very honored to recreate their iconic logo by bringing it into 3 dimensional life. The companies support of our military armed forces is exemplary and it seemed very fitting that our Soldiers be featured in the drawing.

Five weeks of graphite work led up to this posting and I am very happy with the results. All my best to Otis Technology, may you all enjoy many successes in the future.

Video Portfolio of Drawings

2010-10-20T14:43:00.000-04:00

New Arrangements

2010-09-26T18:22:00.003-04:00

I have posted this part of the aborted attempt to illustrate a point about how many artists work. If an artist has integrity and honesty about what they create then the thought of ending a work before it's completion makes perfect sense. There is absolutely no reason to continue one moment further if the artwork in question is not meeting expectations. Sure I had many hours invested but if the finished work doesn't fully engage my imagination then the only time wasted would have been the few hours left to complete it.

New Drawing Plans

2010-09-19T15:19:00.005-04:00

Many years ago I photographed a pair of osprey during mating season. I was in my kayak trying to hand hold a 600mm lens so the shots were crap. Enough to get the overall shape of the birds but little else. The male osprey continually brought items to the female to impress her I guess. Sticks and finally a nice trout. He would call, she would call and flap her wings each time he came close.

Over a number of years I've filled in details and worked out several compositions like the one at the right. I've never been too happy with this design even though I came about 75% complete on a very large charcoal based on it. I turned the board over on the table and forgot about it for quite a long time. Not wanting to give up I've worked out something different that I'm much more excited about.

2010-09-19T13:44:00.003-04:00

"Mountain Sentinels"

2010-05-30T12:33:00.003-04:00

Dedicated to our 10th Mountain Division Soldiers and their Families for all they do to ensure our freedom. Finished drawing measures 24" x 16".

An hour left.

2010-05-29T15:01:00.002-04:00

Ran out of clock today with about one hour left before I can call this finished. Tomorrow I'll wrap this up for scanning on Tuesday. Prints, then framing for pending special events.

Another few hours progress

2010-05-25T20:27:00.002-04:00

What difference a few hours makes at this stage of the drawing. I have most all areas roughed in and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully I can get this completed by the end of the week as planned. Saving the weapons for last since I am intimidated and challenged by them.

Mountains!

2010-05-18T19:01:00.002-04:00

Just a subtle start on introducing the background mountains and landscape. Helps to start to pull the whole thing together. Keeping it all balanced properly will be the focus of the next few days work.

Filling in some blanks

2010-05-17T18:44:00.008-04:00

Here is the before and after of a few hours work. Pushing the contrast to suggest strong sunlight. Adding the landscape next before finalizing each Soldier in order to see how they relate to each other and the background then on the weapons and that will do it.

Technical Drawing

2010-05-07T19:10:00.005-04:00

Moving along quite rapidly on this drawing as a deadline looms. Nearly finished with the first Soldier and now detailing his weapon.

Precision is the name of the game with this type of work and I've relied upon my technical illustration skills for accuracy. This gun is a bit different than the 410 shotgun I bird hunted with years ago. I have it roughed in and have started to bring up the volume gradually. You may notice that I've added protective eye wear on our young hero. The circumstances surrounding the creation of this new work are interesting and I'll be telling more about that in the next few postings.

Second Sentinel

2010-05-05T20:02:00.002-04:00

This addition reveals more of the overall composition. A good friend of mine, Command Sergeant Major Hibbs explained that the top Soldier should have his glasses and gloves on. Ooops, I'm considering adding clear ones later. I'll think it over. It's important to be accurate with this subject matter because Soldiers are some of the finest professionals I've ever met and they really know their business. CSM Hibbs is a very talented photographer and has advised me on work in the past. So glasses and gloves on this 2nd Soldier for sure!

Who is this Soldier?

2010-05-03T21:32:00.003-04:00

As I work on this drawing I'm wondering just who this Soldier actually is. This part of the composition is based on an image from the US Army website. I'm pretty sure he's a Specialist and definitely a Division Soldier. I don't have the details of exact location aside from Afghanistan, or a name. Anyone who might know this young warrior and can inform me of his identity would be entitled to a free print from the limited edition as well as a print for this young hero. I can be contacted via my website.

New project

2010-05-01T17:10:00.006-04:00

For those that are familiar with my work will have seen these patches before. Bravely worn by our devoted Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division. Once again I'm proud to create a drawing to honor the sacrifice made by them and their loved ones back home. Stay tuned.

"Trespasser in the Dominion of the Tyrant King"

2010-04-08T20:19:00.006-04:00

It's been a long haul but I signed this drawing today. The title is unusually long since I normally use only one word to name most pieces. All the work on the bison only to prepare for the addition of the main subjects, being two Eastern Kingbirds. When I was in Yellowstone National Park excitedly photographing these fantastic animals I was only peripherally aware of these highly agitated birds flying about.
As I later realized, one bird was hitchhiking through an others territory on the back of one of these lumbering beasts. The territory holder was repeatedly swooping and calling at the other. Of course the bison were totally unaware of this drama unfolding around them.

As for the title... I reference the scientific name of this fascinating bird. I love the fact that it's thought that birds are descendants of dinosaurs and that this bird in particular is named Tyrannous tyrannous. The 'lizard king' as it's referred to seemed an appropriate choice to name this aggressive and territorial little flycatcher. I simply could not resist the grand title to honor this wonderful bird. The bison are just there as supporting actors.

Art of the Animal Kingdom XV

2010-04-04T13:50:00.004-04:00

As I put the final touches on the bison drawing I've received word that "Sovereignty" has been accepted into one of the country's most prestigious animal art exhibits in beautiful Bennington, Vermont. Dates are June 12th through August 8th. Shay and I always enjoy a spring visit to Bennington.