Day 325

This drawing evolved pretty significantly as it was in the process-phase. I love the star imagery and frequently use it in my own art. At one point or another, I decided to put one of my eyes inside a star. (I really like the loose lines used throughout, but especially on the edges of the star!)

As I was nearing the end of brushing on the ink, it became clear that the drawing was lacking something. That something revealed itself as the need for some color.

I don't know how or why it happened that I blackened the eye, but I will say that it ultimately wasn't an accidental thing.  In other words, I had the idea and then put it on paper.  This is different from the time a person in one of my paintings received a black eye simply because I dropped some blue paint near their eye and as I tried to remove it, I liked how it looked!  (Incidentally, the meaning of that painting changed dramatically at that very moment...)

I like this image a lot, but as always I'll leave it open to various interpretations.  I will say this, however: a black eye can represent many different things so this self-portrait can and does have many different meanings.  One idea that I'm drawn to as I write this, though, is that sometimes a person might feel like they are repeatedly beaten down, yet they keep coming back for more.  Personally, I think that perserverance and tenacity are pretty great and admirable character traits...

#325 September 10, 2011,  Ink and colored pencil
Sounds: The Rainmakers, Flirting with the Universe

Day 288

I know it's a little cheesy, but I love Las Vegas. They say that Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, but I respectfully disagree; my choice is Vegas.

There's a lot to be said about the commercialization of the Strip. Hell, even "old Vegas" - Freemont Street - barely retains its original charm because of the ceiling, complete with giant video screens. But I'll still take it. I love to stroll the street and imagine running into Frank or Sammy or Dean stumbling out of a casino...drink in hand and a woman or two on their arm!

So, this is my tribute to one of my favorite places. I sure hope I can get back there soon...

#288 August 4, 2011,  Prismacolor on paper

Day 200

As I look back over the past 200 self-portraits, one thing that strikes me is a distinct lack of color. (That's part of why it's here today.)  A bit of an explanation: I would dearly love for each piece to be a fully realized work of art. But in reality, I simply don't have several hours each day to devote to making the artworks in this series.

Fortunately, one of the unspoken goals of this project is being met: while making an artwork each day, my drawing skills are getting better and better. I realize this sounds like an little amateurish statement, but every artist should strive to improve their skills each and every day, whether they are a hobbyist or a Michelangelo. 

I know I've mentioned this before, but something that has come as a welcome surprise is the fact that many of these self-portraits have become "sketches" for larger scale artworks.  I like the ideas that this one is giving me...

#200 May 8, 2011,  Watercolor and colored pencil
Sounds: Pearl Jam, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003)

Day 146

It's that time of year again: baseball teams are in Spring Training gearing up for a fresh new start. In theory, every team has an equal chance of finding success. With the disparity in team payrolls, it's clear that this will never again be the case, but each season seems to find a unique club that defies the odds and becomes the story of the year.

To me there's something very special about the game of baseball. I never was a great player, but I love the game. I love the way a baseball feels in my hand - it just feels natural for some reason. I love to watch a third baseman make a diving stab down the line and rifle the ball across the diamond to get the runner by less than half a step. I love to see a curve ball that breaks so much that it appears to have been affected by supernatural forces. And I love to watch a centerfielder run an impossible distance to make a dazzling play for the final out of an inning, only to be the first batter when the team comes to the plate.

To me, there are two only two sports seasons: baseball season, and the time that I'm waiting for baseball season to begin.

#146 March 15, 2011,  Pen and colored pencil
Sounds: Avett Brothers, Mignonette

__________

Happy Birthday to Juliet Gayle -
I hope you had a fantastic birthday!!

Day 144

This drawing started out the same as so many others have, with my expression appearing somewhat sour. As I've said so many times, it's simply easier to maintain a frown than a smile for the time it takes to make a complete drawing.

Then something very nice happened: my lovely gal made me smile. And that smile remained. The drawing had to be altered midway through, but that was definitely not a problem. I think this self-portrait now looks a little more like "me" anyhow.

So thank you Shana, for putting a smile on my face. And happy birthday, baby...

#144 March 13, 2011,  Pen and colored pencil

Day 113

I'm not particularly fond of the candy that comes from these kind of dispensers. In fact, I find it a little disgusting the way it appears to emerge from a slit throat!

It's fun to get reacquainted with an "old friend," in a manner of speaking.  I recently mentioned how much I love working with Prismacolor colored pencils. I've been a fan for years, and it always feels nice to use them after a time away.

I wish I had taken two scans of this self-portrait: one with, and one without the orange background. I initially had the face and "body" finished, at which point I contemplated what my next move would be...or if the drawing was simply completed. I chose to add the additional color to surround what was already finished - and it popped! The orange was a good choice...

#113 February 10, 2011,  Colored pencil
Sounds: Avett Brothers, I and Love and You

Day 105

I felt a strong urge to get back on track tonight. While I enjoyed yesterday's self-portrait, I've felt a sense of something lacking in the quality of my art from the past couple days.

This drawing came to me in a bit of a "vision", if you will. After a long day of shoveling snow, accomplishing some housework, and doing a marathon task of grocery shopping, I was pretty much drained by the time the evening arrived. Making art was literally the last thing on my mind as I collapsed onto the sofa!

Then something strange happened: I sat up knowing exactly what my self-portrait would look like. And without much deviation, the finished product looks almost exactly as I had pictured it in my mind. This is an amazing process, where it almost feels like my hand is being guided by someone or something else. I don't have a lot of interest in getting spiritual or metaphysical right here and now, but it was a unique feeling that I always welcome when it comes along.

#105 February 2, 2011,  Ink (with brush) and colored pencil on colored paper

Sounds: Yes, 90125

Day 92

I have a rule that I make my students stick to during group critiques: they are not allowed to say anything bad about their own artworks. After all, if the artist says negative things their own artworks, then how can they expect their viewers to say anything positive?

With that said, I'm not sure how much I really like tonight's self-portrait. I will admit that I had no idea what I was going to do when I sat down to draw. And I will also admit that while I like certain characteristics of this drawing, there are some parts that I can't decide what to think about them!

Although I didn't set out to prove a point with this drawing, I think it does a nice job of demonstrating a concept that I've mentioned before: not everything that an artist makes is a great success. I've recently been riding a bit of a high because I've been incredibly pleased with the past five or six drawings in a row. I think that some people have the impression that each artwork should always be better than the one before it - and that just isn't always the case.

I think I'll leave it up to the viewers to decide whether this drawing is any good or not. Who knows, maybe I'll have a better opinion the next time I look at it. As for now, I'll just be thinking about what the next one will look like...

#91 January 20, 2011,  Ink and colored pencil

Day 88

I love it when art happens like this.

The idea for this self-portrait came to me when looking at a loose sketch that I made a couple years ago. It wasn't a self-portrait by any means; it was really just a drawing of some kind of eagle-like bird that had antlers and a cat's tail. And for some reason it was also wearing a pendant that looked a lot like a penny. I'll be honest: I have no idea when I did this drawing or why; it was simply something that I found in an old sketchbook and I really liked it a lot.

However, there were elements of the drawing that I incorporated into this one, the main thing being the scarf that's being towed by bumblebees. In fact, the moment I rediscovered that old sketch, I got the idea for this drawing. The idea was so strong that I knew exactly what today's self-portrait would look like. And with very few exceptions, the vision in my head perfectly matches the end result.

It seems to me like it's been awhile since I've done a self-portrait that is a little "trippy." I think it goes without saying that this drawing was a lot of fun to make...

#88 January 16, 2011,  Colored pencil on colored paper
Sounds: John Mellencamp, Whenever We Wanted

Day 71

I've had a lot of things going on today, so it was difficult to make time for a drawing until later in the night. Once I sat down to work, a pretty serious case of artist's block set in - and I was frozen. Ultimately, I referred to a "reserve list" of ideas that I've accumulated in my sketchbook in order to get the process going.

The idea I chose was a very good one - an idea that I've been looking forward to making a reality for some time. And then, something strange happened.

This particular concept requires the portrayal of me with a somber, almost sad face. I tried three different versions of the theme, and it just didn't work. A little while later while I was taking a break from attempting to draw, Shana told me that I sure seemed overly happy tonight . . . and then it hit me. I couldn't make the drawing I wanted to because my mood was TOO good!

Often times, I look at art making in the same regard as acting. Sometimes the artist has to get into character in order to make a particular artwork. And while it generally works for me, tonight was not the case. I simply needed to make an artwork that showed me with a smile!

#71 December 30, 2010,  Pen and colored pencil on brown paper bag

Day 37

Back when I was in college, I spent way too much money on a pinball machine called "Funhouse." It featured the head of a a ventriloquist dummy named Rudy, who repeatedly insulted the game-player. Although I loved my classes and the whole college experience, the memories wouldn't be complete without Rudy.

There's also a great Twilight Zone episode called "The Dummy," in which a ventriloquist dummy ultimately trades places with his controller. I like the fact that the dummy is the one who wins in the end.

I think sometimes people feel a little controlled by other people or by certain situations in general. I know I've had that feeling many times throughout my life. And while I can't personally relate to that situation right now, it is also part of most people's experiences that cannot be ignored.

#37 November 26, 2010,  Pen and colored pencil
Sounds: Big Smith, Big Smith

Day 29

I'm gonna be honest: I really don't like today's drawing. When I started this project, I took a lot time to think it through and predict any problems that might arise. One of those instances happened during the making of this drawing: I simply ran out of time. I had big plans for a different artwork (one that I've been pining to do for the past three days and still WILL do), but the only explanation for what happened is that LIFE happened. There was dinner to be made, kids to be picked up from basketball practice, and so on and so on.

I originally told myself that throughout this project, there might be some drawings are completed in only five minutes due to time constraints (and yes, this one DID take longer than that), but I may not always be pleased with the results. One thing that I remember from my college days was when a professor told our class that as artists, 90% of what we make will be crap! And while I tend to believe that her number was extremely high, she made a good point that should always be remembered: as much as we may try otherwise, each artwork will not always be better than the previous one. This is a fact that artists must live with all the time. That doesn't mean we have to like it, though...

#29 November 18, 2010,  Colored pencil on black paper

Day 13

It was a nice change of pace to use some color today. I'm a big fan of working monchromatic and the red-violet pencil is one of my favorite colors. So I suppose it's no wonder that my expression changed a little as well!

#13 November 2, 2012,  Prismacolor
Sounds: U2, Achtung Baby