Monday, January 30, 2006

"Good For a Diversion"
9:13pm

This entry will be light on words. Not that I haven't been chatty, though. One of my yahoogroups has been especially active, to the tune of 72 new posts in one week. I added four of them just tonight. I vented my spleen very well, gracefully, I hope.

Anyway, I'm figuring you're not likely wanting a rehash of all that. So I won't bend your ear off on that. Erm, EYES. But art should always been good for a diversion, right?

This little odd doodle resulted when I was 'killing time' during a download of the latest I-tunes:

I'm not sure what it means. The cuddling couple seem to look uneasily out at the borders.

Meanwhile, here is a more 'conventional' drawing:

I will admit I got inspired by another journaller's photograph. There was just something about John Banks' photo that begged to be drawn. I like his sites for I enjoy seeing pictures from Tucson, where we spent nine happy years.

It is hard to believe, Julia and I have now been in Yuma for over four years now. So far, we are enjoying it:

deco at a Yuma hotel

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

"Waiting"
7:13pm

Another strange little doodle:

She seems like she's waiting at a window and watching to pass the time while she waits for...what?

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 A

"Most Fabulous?"
6:55am

This self portrait was inspired by this week's 52 Fragments question:

1.29.06 :: You are your own SUPERHERO! Create a self portrait of your most fabulous self.

'Most fabulous'? Obviously, this takes a bit of idealization. I took a good photo of me, and shaved quite a few pounds off, amongst other refining alterations, thereby making the result more of an idealized self:

There's a larger version under this one...

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 B

"Self Portrait"
8:12pm

This morning's effort is my 'idealized' self. The lighting was just so, I was originally posed by a pro, and then the photo taken by that pro. I took that result, edited out a few of my 'flaws', to complete the idealized view. Tonight's effort is just as I saw in the mirror, looking up at it, between looking down at my paper.

The first began with linear emphasis, then colored. The second began with only considerations of light and dark patterns, having a strong, singular light source, and any linear aspects incidental.

Which is better, the ideal or the real? Or are they both aspects of myself?

Here they are, side by side, for better comparision:

Thursday, February 2, 2006

"Advice to the 'Whatever Generation'"
8:15pm

I found an interesting question posed to me when I checked my email tonight. 'Joseph' asks:

"In your opinion, what is the greatest contribution the "Whatever Generation" can bring for the future?"

I've not heard the phrase 'Whatever Generation', but I assume it refers to today's youth, who often reply "Whatever!"

And here is my answer:

WAKE UP! Pay attention, think! Get curious. Get involved. Don't do 'the minimum required'. Take pride in yourself. Do the things that bring pride. Think beyond 'the moment'. Find ideas and people you care about. Explore why you care about them. Stretch your brain, stretch your mind, stretch yourSelf. Find as many ways as possible to improve yourself.

Friday, February 3, 2006

"Chair"
7:27pm

The Friday Illo theme this week is "Chair". I had a couple of old drawings I played with to get this:

You may recognize the chair in the upper left hand corner as one I enjoyed while in NYC during last May. I drew the other chair back in July of 2001, because it was a 'bad chair'. Laura fell while in it. However, she had a bad habit of leaning back in it until the chair became unstable. However, as I look at the arms of the chair I am now sitting in, I realize it is that very same 'bad chair'. As I mostly sit cross legged, I do not have the instability problem that plagued Laura so.

I like this illo, but it seems a bit too Andy Warhol-ish. So I thought I'd try one of the spontaneous sort:

Ahh!

Although more simple, I like this one a bit better.

Saturday, February 4, 2006 A

"Sofa"
5:05pm

Our new sofa has arrived!

Ahh!

As Julia and I prepared the area for the new arrival, I took note of the old one. When its cover was off, I could see the sunken frame, and even parts of the inner springs poking out, pressing against the upholstery back. Truly, it was time for it to go.