"Kissing the Wrong One"

Oddly enough my art work mirrors my thoughts. At this moment i'm puzzled about someone which i believe fate lead me to finishing this drawing that i've been working on. I imagine that no one really thinks about it moments before they do something. Especially if that thing is a kiss which can be a powerful thing. I can admit that in the past right before the moment of "the kiss" i thought to myself this is a bad idea, but still i did it anyways.

I borrowed this picture from my friend Nicole because i thought it looked interesting. The longer i stared at it the title came to my mind. My main point of this piece was to show how love is fleeting. I purposely used color to represent the girl and shades of gray with everything else. One thing is sure, nothing is certain.

"Mike's F****in" Saloon" (pic & sketch)

Actually for once i can credit myself as being the photographer. I took this picture the night that Tabatha allowed Mike, Devon, and myself to cut her hair. I knew Mike was handed with pastel but i never imaged that he would be so handy with clippers.
The idea to use this imagine came from Noah and his playful approach to using the group's photos in a comic strip form. Plus it has been some time since I've created a sharpie drawings. I always seem to throw something else into the mix. I don't make it a habit of using adult language in my drawings in though i feel i should. I guess it's the kid in my not wanting to upset the wrong people. However i can say Mike using it and quite frequently as well so it fits.

Norfolk Drawing Group 38

It was a rainy cold day this past Tues. Honestly i was glad to have off of work. It allowed me a chance to do somethings around the house that i needed to do. The appearance of me being a clean organized person is something is an impressive i attempt to give. Part of me that night wanted something magically artistically to happen. For me to finally have one night where i didn't have a bad drawing. Don't get me wrong none of this drawing are "pack your bags and never come back again" worthy but i was aspiring for something better. I know that i'm quite fond of drawing back images because they give the illusions of nudity but i simply couldn't find my stride. Especially in the final reclining pose.

"Burn After Reading"

It goes without saying that movies revolve around my life. I watch them over and over again filling up voids. This past fall, i was excited to see Burn After Reading, not because of the clip of Brad Pitt dancing with headphones but because it was directed by the same brother who made No Country For Old Men. Which just so happens to be a movie that not only do i love but i own also. I'm a sucker for clever movies that point out intelligence, but still was a dark comedy with an all star cast. I'm not demanding that anyone go right out and buy the movie but it's worth a look over.
About the sketch.. i had originally created a better sketch for a letter cover that i mailed to a friend. Now that was a little more direct than this one. I did have more fun being loose and overplaying the obvious this time around.

Sarah (pic & sketch)

I've drawn countless friends from my past. I call it my past because i rarely see them if at all. I had the pleasure of working with Sarah during the last of my TJ Maxx days. My fondest memories were of her going on and on about her boyfriend that she was in love with. She always referred to him as "HER MAN." It's been year and few things have changed about her. He was always good company and not to long ago we had a check up lunch together. Where all the important "what have you been up to" questions were hopefully answered. After that lunch i almost felt guilty for passing up on this picture when i originally saw it. With a steady pen, a little wash technique and white color pencil this is the final result.

Vacations can be a good thing....

it gives a mind like me a chance to reflect. I've be on vacation less than 1 day already and i've been watching movies and creatively aggressive. i perhaps watched a movie that i should not have given my present state of sadness. I found myself watching End of an Affair, which has spawn numerous ideas of painting, sketches, and even produced a poem while wrapped up in the moment. I'm glad it's Tues and i can hopefully channel this emotion because i feel something special will come for it. It's been raining most of the day which only enhances my mood of personal soul searching. I'll end this blog with one quote that i find appearing in my mind over and over again. "Just because i don't see you any more doesn't mean that i don't love you" the leading lady said to her lover as she walked away. Who knows maybe that's a painting in the making.

Ann " The Powerful" (pic & sketch)

I would be lying if i said there wasn't something special about Ann. It has nothing at all to do with the simply fact that i've drawn her more than any other female friend that i have. There's something interesting and mystic about her that i don't quite understand yet. When i saw this pictured i thought of a classical Roman like drawing that could be created. Perhaps it had something to do with me watching Clash of the Titans but maybe it didn't at all.
Honestly i didn't expect to draw this picture at all. I had a picture tacked up at my work desk for some time and that i had sketched out on illustration board but not committed to. The worst part about being an artist with a scattered mind like my own is that it's all over the place. Uncompleted drawing, thoughts and ideas clutter up what should be an easy job. Hopefully in due time that will be done and posted.

"This means war...."

Daffy Duck use to tell Bugs Bunny in the WB's cartoons as they went back and forth in slap stick combat. I was always a fan of the old ones that had Mel Blanc doing all the voices. It's a shame they don't really show them any more on tv.

This started off as a simple tongue and cheek approach to drawing. Noah (one of the guys that attending the drawing group with us) had used some photos to sharpen his skills since he wasn't able to make it out Tues nights. Believe it or not but any artist can draw from a photo but it takes a little more creativity to put your own little twist on it. He has drawn quite a bit of people momentarily taking a the place of the well renown artist Walt who has gone MIA for a while. I admire the way he created detail drawings with simple lines that carry weight. It takes a skill mind and control to do such work.

this is Noah's sketch

this is mine of Noah.

PS. I don't think this battle is over quite yet..lol

Norfolk Drawing Group 37

Last Tues wasn't a pretty bad sketch session for me at all. It possibly was the fact that i did the dreaded gesture drawings that i so hate. Maybe I really wanted to be there and i need to be there as well. I'm not sure but i do find that Tues nights are my stress relief from my everyday grind session. Tues i was treated to one of Emily's friends Renee to model for the group. I wish i actually could show you how in touch with each medium i used as well as the subject matter.

Daphne (pics & sketches)

Often i stumble upon pictures that are draw themselves, and the same can be said about this sketches of Daphne. I touch bases with most of associates to gain a greater knowledge about what roads people take to be where they are. That in itself is a power statement to think about all the positive and negative moments lead to directly to this moment right here right now. It's mind blowing! During our talks at work we've shared experiences and opinions and i'm glad to say she came to Old Navy to work.

The first sketch was a quick one that i complete in about 20 mins, give or take a few.While the second one i attempted to use color pencils and some left over scrapbook paper that i have to do a realistic portrait.

Zonin' (pic & sketch) plus Spittin' (pic & sketch)

I know i haven't done enough fun sketches in a while that actually allow me to express my heritage. By no means have i ever figured myself to be a rapper or a writer but i'm more of a poet. I write whenever the mood strikes me and more than anything else i love the in the moment atmosphere that spoken word brings. These sketches are extremely rough because i wanted the marker lines to be in the moment as well.

Angel (pic & sketch)

Angel is one of the women that i look up to spiritually. Hands down she is more of a religious person that i can ever imagine to be. Even though we are from 2 separate faiths overall we both believe in the same goals and teaches. Since we work closely together at work and we have countless people in our store that are there to steal. Which always brings us to the topic of Karma. I know Angel is a good friend and patience will bring her nothing but the success she needs in her life

Sheilla Q... (sketch & pic)

Yet another one of my Old Navy family. I can say there's something about Ms. Shiella. I have a chance as i often to do to sit down and talk personally with associates about not just life but their lives. Shiella moved her from the Philippines and what i'm most proud about her is the simple fact that she believes in her family. So often people move away from there family and forget about them but she never has. I won 't go into great detail about her personal life but i can say that she's is an example of what it means to be a great human being. I have nothing but respect for Mrs. Shiella Q.

Norfolk Drawing Group XXXVI

This believe it or not was my first drawing session of the new year. It felt great to be among friends again. The word friend is tossed around so loosely i think kindred spirits fits a little bit better. Actually that Tues night wasn't a great night for me as an artist. I had some hits and i had some misses also but my goal is simply to get better. I put down the color pencils for one evening and picked up one of the loosest mediums i have charcoal. I want to do more charcoal drawings. I have gotten away from doing them since i've been doing various projects (some of which are still in progress).

"Simply Emily" (pic, sketch, painting)

I have many pictures tacked up on my board in my dining room/ art studio. Most of them in the early sketch stages when it comes to being complete. This drawing is not to far behind. I borrowed it from Emily's photo album because I'm always on the hunt for new material. The best thing that i like about this painting is that i completely got away from my original idea creating someone noir. I wanted something that dark and playing off the lights in the image. As i started to paint i realized that it called for color. Instead of my only introducing 1 or 2 colors i have many more. I didn't eve know that i was being taken on this journey but there i was going along with my emotions. Overall i would say I'm pleased with this sketchy style of painting because it allowed me to be free.

Old boy!

if i had one movie that i could recommend for all to watch it would be Old Boy. It's surprising how under the radar this movie to a wide base knowledge of movie watchers. Without giving away to much of the plot i can easily say it rivals any Shakespearean play.

Since i'm already on the topic of movies i would like to give my own personal list of movies for 2008 (in no certain order).

In Bruges
Wanted
Role Models
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Incredible Hulk
The Fall
Rock'n Rolla

i almost forgot this quick sketch i did in 15 mins while watching Straight out of Brooklyn on tv.

my Last...

drawing of 2008 came a couple of hours before midnight. I was tired, mental exhausted and i pulled out a white color pencil and drew one quick self portrait as a farewell to the year. I feel now the same way i felt then. If i had to label it i would call it emotionally numb. It's hard for some to believe but i simply feel nothing at all right now. No happiness or sadness but simply empty. I glad i have off work tomorrow so i can attempt to deal with it and get back to myself before work on Tues.

"Matt is Rockin' Out" (pic & sketch)

Matt, i actually met through Leah. Mon night has been designated as "Taco night" at the beach for the simple fact they serve $1 tacos. For $1 it serves it's purpose and surpasses Taco Bell. I could easy classify Matt as good company. So often you find yourself talking to people with narrow views of life and the world without ever opening their eyes. I can't say the same for him though. After Leah's going away party which we met up again, i thought it would be a good of time as any to borrow one of his pictures.

"Mickie & Rolando"

When you really think about this world is a really small place. I say this because normally you would think that two people you know wouldn't know each other. Somehow i'm wrong because they do. I had some classes with Rolando at NSU and i work with Mickie at Old Navy, two totally scenes. They managed to make it and strive in a loving working relationship which should give everyone hope.
The drawing of Mickie i did a couple of months ago but i'm been simply to lazy to post it. Actually it's drawing is actually about 3 ft tall . The sketch of Rolando in his "Malcolm X thinker" pose was actually done a year or more ago.

Rick Ross (sketch)

When i was in high school and college i was enjoyed doing caricatures more than anything else. I would attempt to take a photo and twist and turn it into my own style. Over time i got away from doing so drawing because academically it wasn't part of my major.
I sketched out this quick hit of Rick Ross the rapper while i was on break at Old Navy. I originally was going to do one only in pen or pencil but i found some lost crayola color pencils. This is the result.

Madonna (Marly) & her Daughter" (pic & sketch)

When i started this blog i promised myself that i would attempt to be as honest as possible. The story about how i first met Marly is an odd one. The entire time i went to NSU i was working as well as going to school. So i have never little or no interaction oustide of my normal school hours. It was one day before my final semester i was in the computer lab as were many student tied together their last projects. I remember zoning out staring into a project that there was no way in hell i know how to create it, but looking up and seeing Marly. I just recall a feeling of being awe struck by how beautiful she was, but still frozen at the same time. The following semester i had a chance to sit and get involved more with my classmates but that moment stands out.

This is my version of a sketch of Marly holding her daughter. Even though it doesn't have any true ties to being a Madonna and Child piece it still embodies the spirit.

Darkman (pic & sketch)

I know most people would question why i have a sketch of Darkman? The answer is a simple one. I liked the comic book style in which the movie was shot. Part of me can connect with the main character because i also have lost something important. Quite often it's due to things that were out of my control. It's puzzling how one thing can seem to push people over the edge into something new. I wouldn't go as far as to say improved but into a hyper sense of emotional interaction. The same rage and anger that Darkman feels in the movie is the same feelings i channel with i draw.

Alison (sketch & sketch II)

I have to apologize to myself for actually missing this weeks painting session. I don't like to make a habit of missing to many opportunities to draw. But something things come up that you simply have to deal with.

Alison is actually one of the regulars at Tues night's drawing session. I like to think of her as the silent assassin. While others you can't get them to be quiet more than 5 mins, she on the only hand hardly says a word. It's the quiet ones i've heard you have to watch out for. I can say that Alison is clearly the coolest vegan i know other than Moby.