Back To Basic

I've been told, by someone very close to me, that my older work is preferred. He said: "Your older work is quirkier, and more 'you'." I think, for a time, I'll look back into my early years, to see if I can recreate a thing or two. Who knows, it could be something fantastic! Here's a picture of an older piece. I always loved the placement of her hands, and the curvature of her figure.

Commission: Finale

Here she is. I finally completed my commission. It was quite an effort. The actual artwork came easily, but it was a great expenditure of mentality that brought this particular piece to fruition. I think that one of the main reasons was because I virtually had to create four pieces in one. Typically, I just come up with a figure, and build the work around him/her. In this case, I had to form a figure, build another completely different figure next to her, and then another, and another. Like I said, it was like four in one. I feel that it was worth the effort, and definitely plan to produce again....soon.

Livestock...apparently.

Another idea I've thrown around for a while....branching out into illustrating animals.

Here's an example, from a birthday card I've just completed. I like the direction that this might go. *SHRUG* We'll see.

Architecture with a twist...literally.

I know, I know...Halloween, right? I also admit it...there's such a strong Burton influence, that there's probably more him in this piece than there is me. I can't help it, I think that Tim Burton is genius.

I've been considering a branch out of fashion illustration, and whatever else it is that i've got going on in my work. Don't get me wrong...I'll never abandon my elongated, curvy figures. I thought it was time I explored something else at the same time.

One of the important aspects of work, to me, is exaggeration of prominent attributes. Architecture, for example, is typically a construct of lines...usually horizontal and vertical. I like to pull those out of the images, and cause them to do something that they can't do in real life. When I was young (heck, whatever...I still do this daily) I used to imagine myself in possession of the ability to break the laws of gravity and reality. I used to fly, stretch, teleport, change colors, etc. My mind made possible what my body could not. I guess the same rule applies in artwork. I can make happen, on paper, what I wish could happen in life.

I always wished to live in such a town.

Commissions

Well, I've started my first commissioned piece. It's taken a little longer than I'd first anticipated. As I create, you see, I form the image in the process. I'm not one of those who already has the image in mind, and then is moved to put it on canvas. No, I'm one of those who sees a blank, white piece of canvas or paper, and feels the need to decorate it. With that frame of mind, I begin with a single line, and build from there...until it looks "right". That process can take a few hours, or it can take weeks. And, in that sense, my works never appear to be done, to me. I always see something, down the road, that needs a little modification. I have to force myself to leave a piece of work alone, once it's been officially "finished", or I'll continue to change it.

This particular piece is far from complete. I began with the figure at the left, and went building to the right. The figure in the middle still feels "wrong" to me. I've still got much work to do with her before I can call it good. The one on the right is only just in its beginnings. I've still got work to do on the face, the clothing seems wrong, and the broach needs isn't finished at all. I'm thinking of making her some sort of head-dress as well. There is still a blank spot on the right, which will house one or two more figures. I'll begin their construction soon enough. Until then, here is a picture of the unfinished work.