Day 74

This was a fun drawing to make!

I like the concept of working in a stream-of-consciousness manner. This drawing was completely unplanned from start to finish, beginning with the little heads floating near left-center, and ending with...uh, I can't remember where I finished!! It's great fun to get an idea, which leads to another, which leads to another...and so on.

I made many drawings like this several years ago and decided to revisit the style of art-making again today. The real difference is that those previous drawings were actually not self-portraits - and this one is. While it's not accurate to say that every single character is "me," some of them are. And as you may have already guessed, I'm not telling which is which!!

#74 January 2, 2010,  Pen
Sounds:  Marilyn Manson, Mechanical Animals

Day 73

When I started this project, I made a prediction that's not even close to coming true. I said that I loved using Ebony pencils so much, that I was certain that this material would be used on the majority of my self-portraits. Then I discovered using pen, and everything changed.

I've used pen so many times that I've had to forbid myself from using it from time to time. For this drawing, however, I granted myself permission to use pen once again, this time with the added dimension of a regular pencil. Under normal circumstances, I never use these materials together because the blacks are so different: a pen makes a black black, and a pencil makes a gray black. Since I was after a particular effect, I thought it would be okay this time...

#73 January 1, 2011,  Pen and pencil on paper
Sounds:  Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever

Day 72

As far as "the self-portrait project" is concerned, 2010 is ending with a bit of a whimper. While I certainly enjoy celebrating the changing of the year, I've never been one to look at the symbolic importance of "a new start." I figure that if there's something a person needs or wants to change, then why wait until a particular day to make it happen? The time for change is "now!"

With that said, I suppose I have a few "resolutions" today. And it should come as no surprise that I am NOT sharing them here!

#72 December 31, 2010,  Pencil

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 70

Today's self-portrait is one of the silliest ones that I've done for this project. I've always been a fan of the completely off-the-wall song Fish Heads, which I've loved since I was in middle school. At some point earlier today, I had the idea to use a photo of myself and couple of my oldest buddies, Eric and Pat...and to go with the Fish Heads theme. This is one of those cases where I will simply say: don't ask, because I sure as hell don't know!

Fish heads, fish heads
Roly-poly fish heads.
Fish heads, fish heads,
Eat them up, yum!

#70 December 29, 2010,  Collage

Sounds: Dane Cook, Rough Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden


Day 69

The good and the bad:

I originally started this self-portrait with a clear idea in mind. But, as is often the case, the idea changed and became something else. Honestly, I love it when this happens because I think it's fantastic when art is allowed to grow on its own and the idea is allowed to become one of the infinite possibilities that it can become.

On the other hand, the original idea was very similar to yesterday's drawing. Call it a "sequel," if you will. As the changes started happening, the drawing became what seems to have become my "style": underdrawing in pencil, drawing in pen, bold heavy outline. While I like the idea of creating a "personal style," I most definitely do not want to become a one-trick pony, a-la Bob Ross.

Perhaps it's time to experiment a little more...

#69 December 28, 2010,  Pen
Sounds: Daughtry, Daughtry

Day 68

I haven't made a habit of giving titles to these self-portraits. Sure, most of them should just be called "Self-Portrait Number Whatever." On the other hand, some of them have had a pretty clear theme. That is the case with tonight's drawing.

Perhaps a good title for this one would be "The Spoken Word Filter." I think that every person alive has wished for a device of sorts that would allow them to make changes to what they said in certain situations. Maybe they wished to be more gentle and caring toward people close to them. Or perhaps they would choose their words - or the way they were spoken - just a little more carefully so there wasn't a misunderstanding or hurt feelings. And sometimes a person thinks of the exact thing they wish they had said long after the moment has passed.

I think that whenever this project is over with, I'll work on inventing a spoken word filter. I personally think there's a pretty good market for something like that...

#68 December 27, 2010,  Charcoal
Sounds: The Avett Brothers, Live, Volume 3