Saturday, May 21, 2011
Day 212
Very simple and very quick this time. Nothing more to say...
#212 May 20, 2011, Ballpoint pen
Friday, May 20, 2011
Day 211
I love sharing the inspiration for this self-portrait. In our living room, we have a signed and framed poster of the Avett Brothers hanging on the wall (I have a very cool lady who likes the same sort of things that I do!). The photo is similar to this. Pure and simple, I borrowed very heavily from the image.
I also decided to revisit ink wash again tonight. This time it was a little different from the previous examples in this project since I used a pen very minimally and chose to focus on mark-making with a brush and various shades of black ink. I think the end result is a pretty decent likeness of me (which is not always what I'm going for), and frankly, the art-making process was very relaxing tonight.
Every now and then, it just doesn't feel fun when I'm making some type of art. Sometimes it feels forced or not exactly genuine; of course, this is a natural by-product of a project like this where I am, well, forcing myself to make art every day for a year. But times like this where everything just flows almost effortlessly are times when I feel absolutely like I'm home...
#211 May 19, 2011, Ink wash and pen
Sounds: Van Halen, 1984
I also decided to revisit ink wash again tonight. This time it was a little different from the previous examples in this project since I used a pen very minimally and chose to focus on mark-making with a brush and various shades of black ink. I think the end result is a pretty decent likeness of me (which is not always what I'm going for), and frankly, the art-making process was very relaxing tonight.
Every now and then, it just doesn't feel fun when I'm making some type of art. Sometimes it feels forced or not exactly genuine; of course, this is a natural by-product of a project like this where I am, well, forcing myself to make art every day for a year. But times like this where everything just flows almost effortlessly are times when I feel absolutely like I'm home...
Sounds: Van Halen, 1984
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Day 210
The story behind this self-portrait is simple: I was thinking about the events from the past couple days/weeks/months, and a smile spread across my face. Sure, there is a recurring annoyance floating around almost daily, and that issue will be dealt with shortly. But other than that, life is pretty great!
#210 May 18, 2011, Ink
Sounds: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Garage
Sounds: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Garage
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Day 209
A couple of the choices made during the making of this drawing are slightly interesting.
First of all, it occured to me that most of my self-portraits portray me in a frontal viewpoint. Frankly, this is the easiest way to look at oneself in the mirror, but it does get a little monotonous. Sure, I try to mix it up with different materials or the addition of other elements (the birds, the birds!), but sometimes it's a challenge. That explains the 3/4 view today.
Secondly, straight ink - when applied with a brush - is a very linear medium, so I usually tend to just draw lines in the irises to add the "color" of the eyes. But tonight I simply didn't want to do that; therefore, I returned to my old friend, the ink wash. This was a good choice because it completely transformed the appearance of the drawing for the better by adding a couple additional tones to the pure black and white.
Another realization that I had at this very moment is that a good amount of the comments I make in the text that accompanies my self-portraits is actually geared toward the non-artist. Perhaps this is just the teacher in me, or maybe it's just my natural tendency to over-explain things. I believe a new goal that I should add to this project should be to strike a good balance between the "educational" aspects of art-making and the musings of a productive fine artist. I'll keep trying...
#209 May 17, 2011, Ink wash
Sounds: Sam Bush, Glamour & Grits
First of all, it occured to me that most of my self-portraits portray me in a frontal viewpoint. Frankly, this is the easiest way to look at oneself in the mirror, but it does get a little monotonous. Sure, I try to mix it up with different materials or the addition of other elements (the birds, the birds!), but sometimes it's a challenge. That explains the 3/4 view today.
Secondly, straight ink - when applied with a brush - is a very linear medium, so I usually tend to just draw lines in the irises to add the "color" of the eyes. But tonight I simply didn't want to do that; therefore, I returned to my old friend, the ink wash. This was a good choice because it completely transformed the appearance of the drawing for the better by adding a couple additional tones to the pure black and white.
Another realization that I had at this very moment is that a good amount of the comments I make in the text that accompanies my self-portraits is actually geared toward the non-artist. Perhaps this is just the teacher in me, or maybe it's just my natural tendency to over-explain things. I believe a new goal that I should add to this project should be to strike a good balance between the "educational" aspects of art-making and the musings of a productive fine artist. I'll keep trying...
Sounds: Sam Bush, Glamour & Grits
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 208
I think all artists find themselves in this predicament every now and then.
Sometimes a musician just has a bad performance.
Occasionally a stage actor has an off-night.
And every now and then, even the best visual artists make some really lousy art.
There is not really anything that I like about this self-portrait. I made it very late at night through incredibly tired eyes and mental exhaustion. Sometimes a person puts things off because they just can't motivate themselves to do a project, and sometimes they have more important priorities. In this case, it was the latter.
So, I stand corrected: there is ONE thing I like about this drawing. The reason that it was started late (which led to its poor overall quality) is because I was having a great time with my kids and my lady*.
* In answer to the question I asked in yesterday's post . . . she said YES!
#208 May 16, 2011, Ink
Sounds: The Avett Brothers, Live, Volume 3
Sometimes a musician just has a bad performance.
Occasionally a stage actor has an off-night.
And every now and then, even the best visual artists make some really lousy art.
There is not really anything that I like about this self-portrait. I made it very late at night through incredibly tired eyes and mental exhaustion. Sometimes a person puts things off because they just can't motivate themselves to do a project, and sometimes they have more important priorities. In this case, it was the latter.
So, I stand corrected: there is ONE thing I like about this drawing. The reason that it was started late (which led to its poor overall quality) is because I was having a great time with my kids and my lady*.
* In answer to the question I asked in yesterday's post . . . she said YES!
Sounds: The Avett Brothers, Live, Volume 3
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 207
Dear Readers,
I appreciate each of you for reading my thoughts and looking at my images. Whether you are a daily visitor, or you check in only every now and then, I am so grateful for your interest in what I do.
With that said, I'd like to beg your indulgence today because you're visiting on a rather special occasion. Of course you're all more than welcome to read along, but today's self-portrait and the accompanying text is meant for one person only.
Dear Shana,
I've thought long and hard about what I'd like to say in this situation. When it comes down to it, I decided that I would probably say some of the same things I already say to you all the time.
I could mention how each and every day, something happens to remind me how lucky I am to have you.
I might tell you how incredibly much I love you...and how I love you more and more with each passing day.
I could tell you how I constantly strive to make myself a better person because of you.
Chances are, I would tell you how much I appreciate all of the love and encouragement you give me - how much I love it that you're my biggest "fan." (Even this project would likely not exist if it hadn't been for your inspiration, support, and understanding!)
I would probably tell you that I adore you, that I am smitten by you, and that I "LIKE" you.
I would certainly tell you that you're an amazing partner and that I love sharing a life with you.
But you know, today I think I can do a little better than all of that...
Shana, I'd like to ask if you would please give me the honor of being my wife - will you marry me?
Yours,
jim
#207 May 15, 2011, Pen
Sounds: The Avett Brothers, Live Vol. 2
I appreciate each of you for reading my thoughts and looking at my images. Whether you are a daily visitor, or you check in only every now and then, I am so grateful for your interest in what I do.
With that said, I'd like to beg your indulgence today because you're visiting on a rather special occasion. Of course you're all more than welcome to read along, but today's self-portrait and the accompanying text is meant for one person only.
Dear Shana,
I've thought long and hard about what I'd like to say in this situation. When it comes down to it, I decided that I would probably say some of the same things I already say to you all the time.
I could mention how each and every day, something happens to remind me how lucky I am to have you.
I might tell you how incredibly much I love you...and how I love you more and more with each passing day.
I could tell you how I constantly strive to make myself a better person because of you.
Chances are, I would tell you how much I appreciate all of the love and encouragement you give me - how much I love it that you're my biggest "fan." (Even this project would likely not exist if it hadn't been for your inspiration, support, and understanding!)
I would probably tell you that I adore you, that I am smitten by you, and that I "LIKE" you.
I would certainly tell you that you're an amazing partner and that I love sharing a life with you.
But you know, today I think I can do a little better than all of that...
Shana, I'd like to ask if you would please give me the honor of being my wife - will you marry me?
Yours,
jim
Sounds: The Avett Brothers, Live Vol. 2
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Day 206
This self-portrait was based on a photo I took to use as reference material for a painting I'm working on. I was sitting a cool little coffee shop with my sketchbook, and decided that this would be a good image to work from. (I don't drink coffee, but the hot chocaolate was fabulous!)
I occasionally like to work in different places. I was once having a conversation with Richard Babb, who was a local sign painter and an incredbible artist. I told him about a house that I lived in while in college, and how I had fashioned makeshift studio space under the basement stairs. His comment was: "You'll always remember making art in that space."
I can't say that I often think about that place, but he was right; I have some great memories of different artworks made down there. With this project, I have settled in to working at the dining room table for the vast majority of self-portraits. But every now and then, it's fun to "take the show on the road" and make art elsewhere!
#206 May 14, 2011, Ink
I occasionally like to work in different places. I was once having a conversation with Richard Babb, who was a local sign painter and an incredbible artist. I told him about a house that I lived in while in college, and how I had fashioned makeshift studio space under the basement stairs. His comment was: "You'll always remember making art in that space."
I can't say that I often think about that place, but he was right; I have some great memories of different artworks made down there. With this project, I have settled in to working at the dining room table for the vast majority of self-portraits. But every now and then, it's fun to "take the show on the road" and make art elsewhere!
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