Cara:Graffiti project

It's funny the way my mind works and comes up with ideas of how to do different things. I'm not a great portrait artist but i can capture likeness. It doesn't take much for me to do that but adding different elements is what ups the level of creativity. I originally drew a picture of Cara's friend Andi and since she was fond of street art i scribbled down her name as artistically as possible. That was so years ago, now i had a photo of Cara that i haven't not drawn or used yet. I wanted so tap into the same energy that i felt with Andi's picture and still show Cara's personality. Cara loves taking baths and enjoys the relaxing nature that it gives her. I plain portrait of marker, color pencils, and pen would be to easy therefor i pushed the image even further. I created a world for her to relax in. The bubbled from her bathtub would raise high in the air and pipe would bend and curve to create her name. The world would be her pearl.

Push & Pull

Sometimes, i draw not because i want to but because i must. This is one of those times. I did something that i probably shouldn't have done. While i was in Texas i stole a photo from my friend Cara. She had been trying over and over to draw this image in charcoal. Trying not to show her up but to see if i could draw it i borrowed it. I had some pastel paper lying around and i decided to test myself. I didn't put at much detail into his body as i would have liked to but i think i put enough to show the image. So then though i started this sketch at work, worked on it some more at Panera i ultimately finished it at home.

I found the title of my drawing from one of my favorite songs by Nikki Costa "Push & Pull." I heard it not to long ago while watching the movie Blow on tv. The lyrics so that song are power and great and sum up some of my feelings about love and relationships.

Walt (pic & sketch)

I enjoy Walt because he also enjoy making fun of others members in the group. I really wouldn't say making fun of us but pointing out the obvious. That's what we all do as artist. So 1 turn deserves another. So this is my attempt to capitalize on a photo taken of him.

Jeff (pic & sketch)

i messed up my last graphite sketch i did of Jeff. Green is one of my less used colors while drawing. That combination worked will with a missed opportunity and a unused color to create this drawing of Jeff.

Norfolk Drawing Group #70

I've been playing around with alternative usage of mediums so i don't have to focus strictly on painting or drawing. This is a hybrid of sorts, a little color pencils, highlighter, marker, acrylic and pencil. I'm not happy with the finished product maybe because it was rushed but it's just a stab at a way to create a better piece of artwork.

Un-motivated

Sometimes doing artwork for others is fun while other times it can be challenging. It's hard to find the mental juice that you need to focus on creating something great. I can that with these 2 sketches both are like night and day.
the real sad part is that i'm helping a friend out by doing artwork for their book and i'm yet to actually get on the ball and do something creative that i know i can.

Norfolk Drawing Group #69

I don't make it a point to miss good models. Angel, is one of those models that has the "it" quality that you simply can't put your finger on but you know it's something special. So i made my way out to the group late due to work (yet again). I don't think there's anything special about any of my sketches but it just goes to show you that i'm trying to improve. I'm always trying to get better because my goal is to always knock it out the park. If i had to give myself a grade i would say C+

"bundle Up!"

Some how this sketch is fitting for the cold weather i experienced in Texas. I sat there in between flights from Little Rock to Baltimore and drew this sketch. I watched the clouds as they appeared to be white and full of life. My mind drifted and reflected on how innocent it look, almost like the snow on the ground below me. Some feelings you can never take away, just like the first breath of cold air that fills your lungs.

Scarlet Jo.. (pic & sketch)

It's funny the things you come up with as you sit on an airplane to keep yourself entertained. I decided to not to buy magazines this time around because i really won't read them but use them to draw out of. As i sat in a very cramped seat as about wide as my shoulder in between 2 people i drew this sketch. I finished it somewhere through the next flight and 3 hour delay. But not bad for a little sketch book drawing.

trapped in Kansas City

The good thing about being trapped in a small over crowded area with plenty of people is that there's always subjects to draw. The bad thing is some people know that you're sketching them and do everything possible to make it hard on you. One guy went as far to not just put on his hat and sunglasses as he ate his fold with his wife. Others for the most part simply don't care. So this is a couple of my sketches that i did as i spitted upon $2.50 20 oz. Sprite. That's highway robbery but you're at their mercy. On the bright side i was trapped there with the Kansas Unvi. females volleyball or basketball team. Now that's a true story highlight. Just kidding!

Norfolk Drawing Group #67

This was the 1st of 2 vacations that i would have during the new year. Heading into this sketch session i was relaxed. Some might say to relaxed because i didn't make it out to the gesture portion of the drawing group. It's been a while since we had a male that was skinny but it proved to be little if any problem for me. i'm not 100% pleased with my sketch but then again that's why we sketch in order to get better.

Afterward we all headed next door because it was cold and raining. We shared stories as my fellow artist got me or attempted to get me hyper for my trip to Texas.

Norfolk Drawing Group #67

Last Tues was painting night, and i strongly against painting at this moment. Not because i hate doing so but because it's so taxing in my eyes. It take forever to lug all those supplies out and then it take just as much time to put them all back. So this time instead i played around with my medium of choice at the moment color pencils. The model was great this evening and i feel like i almost got a good sketch done. The facial features are almost spot on but then again it shows why i still have more work to do at the drawing board. I'm still not satisfied until i create the perfect drawing. The hunt continues....

On a side note, the after drawing session included multiple conversations that i will just ramble through. What certain single members of the group would use Apple's latest invention the Ipad for (porn), why Avatar is a great movie, why i seem continent with not approaching females, which sex has the upper hand in relationship, where are the female artist at this evening ( a table full of guys), drunken sexual advances and rejections were all covered in about a 3 hours span.

Norfolk Drawing Group 65 1/2

In a very small private drawing session, i got together with from of my fellow artist to draw. Regardless of the rain outside and the sick feeling that i had i still drew. Drive and dedication is something that separates the people who do from those who won't. Even though it's not the best sketch i could've possibly created it will hopefully give me some kind of reference to use for future pieces.

Norfolk Drawing Group # 66

Last Tues was one of those weird nights were drawing just didn't seem as glamours as it should. I went to the group late due to the fact that i got out of work almost 7pm instead of 6. Armed with my new sketch pad i walked into the group. This was one of the few times that i didn't give Bernard grief about scheduling a male model. Male model night is never truly a good turn out. Theses are 3 of the 20 mins sketches that i was able to complete. I didn't take part in the final reclining sketch to pure laziness and talking. I guess i was ready to eat dinner and as always we closed down AW Shucks. After the entire group had left it was just Devon, Chris and myself chatting with the waitress. No amount of encouragement would get Devon to approach her that evening but there will be others.

Norfolk Drawing Group # 65

Even thought i was on vacation this past Tues night was especially hard to make it out to. I've been under the weather for some time attempting to bring myself back to life. My throat felt almost completely closed, while my ears were clogged up, and it was plan to say i felt miserable. Still i had to make my way out. Already an hour into the session this is what i came up with.

Clint & the Noose (vers. 2)

this is my 2nd attempt to fix the mistakes that i made on the first sketch. I hate doing back and redoing anything that i've already felt i've completed.

Ann Margret

I recall many of my morning was spend when i was growing up watching The Flintstones. As with everyone we all have our favorite episodes and the one with Ann Margret is one of mine. Oddly enough last week while i was at Panera write a poem and simply trying to unwind i began to draw a photo of her. I've always been a fan of noir movies and photos so it's only natural that i would have brought a pin-up book called "Va-Va-Voom!" Countless models widely known and rarely known danced off the page into my sketch book. There i was staring at an innocent photo of Ann before i knew it i almost had a complete sketch drawn.

Getting back to my roots

I came up with the bright idea this morning to create yet another blog. I've spend to much time posted all my thoughts in this one small area when it was suppose to be decided strictly to my artwork. Yes my ideas whether deep or more whining and complaining explain why i create my artwork . However, I still should have more focus my energy.
So from here on, i'm only posting artwork HERE,

i post my thoughts at http://tlipkins.blogspot.com/

and i plan to post my poetry strictly at http://tommy-lipkins.blogspot.com/

we'll see hopefully this will settle my hyper mind down a little big

Escapism defined

I mentioned in my last blog that i was going to peel away the layers of the poem and show you it's true meaning. My scribbles will show that i didn't do much to modify this poem at all. I simply wrote what i felt and allowed it to take shape on it's own. I remember Mon feeling mentally unable to focus as i sat in Panera. People all around me were talking about trivial things. Some early 20 year old girls were talking on and on about how their love for their boyfriends would stand the test of going away to college. One of the girls was going to attend the same college as her high school boyfriend. At that moment i thought to myself do all women talk like this and if so i don't think i'm prepared to live in that world. I pushed that thought aside and began to add more lines to this poem. Ultimately as i made the 5 min drive in silence back to my apartment i finished it.

It's been almost 4 or 5 years since i;ve wrote to a co-worker of mine. We use to share idea, thoughts, and notes back and forth between us. It's no mystery that i don't enjoy seeming my friends troubled. Especially if i feel there's a situation that they can escape, but this time around she didn't have that option. Thoughts of how would she pay for school arose, work was straining, and the threads of her family were coming apart before her eyes. There's only so much you can do as friend and i hope during her time i helped her escape. Therefor this poem is a way of letting her know that i think about her from time to time.

In general Escapism.. is a way of getting away. Some people drink, use drugs, go to the movies, write, draw, surf the web or tv, and ultimately do anything to detach from everyday life. In lines 1-5 that what i was referring to. I wrote about not to such being a "knight in shining armor" but a lighthouse in lines 6 -10. Relationships and friendships are all about give and take and what else do you have in to offer when you feel all else is lost. The belief that a true friend would do whatever it takes to take someone happy. In line 11 and 12, i wrote about how i hate texts and email. Honestly i don't really hate them because i use them often. There are times when a letter is a good thing. You can see, touch, and feel each stroke of the pen. I'm a very passionate person therefor i want those around me to feel and match my emotions. I also make hints in lines 15 - 16 to my love of movies by making mention of 2 movies that had plots of Holy Grails. One of those movies was a comedy while the other had an adventure theme(Monty Python & the Holy Grail & Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark). Lines 17 - 21 are all about what the perception of love is. In theory most guys approach women with the idea of only trying to get their numbers, have flings, or having numerous kids. So when i said from the bell is a nice of way of saying from the start that i only wanted to love you. After the romance, wedding bells, and death my thoughts of you won't stop. That's an idea that is lost, because often i hear people think that once relationships, romance is over that feelings are lost. Often they're not, however they might be misplaced.

Escapism

I spoke a friend yesterday about his poetry. I tried to explain to him how liberating writing can be. The best thing about poetry is that you don't write for someone else but you write for yourself. Your thoughts and idea may be directed in one direction or another but ultimately it's to unburden your soul. I'm still flirting with the idea of getting my act together and writing more often. Even going to open mic nights to overcome my fear of being in front of crowds and feeling so emotionally naked. I offered the same advice to him but understandable it's an overwhelming experience.
In theory i guess my job offers me with the ability to share with i've learned with others. Some may call me a teacher but i prefer to call myself a student because i'm also learning each and everyday from others. It's been a while since i've wrote something that quickly that seemed to write itself. It seems odd but that's what happened. This poem wrote itself.

Escapism

Even after all this time my pen has never left the page
but it open doors of locked cages
Can't you hear me calling you
Far away from traffic jams, fear of old age
Thoughts of what's for dinner and endless days barely above minimum wage
Allow me to set the stage
where normal days end.... mines' begin
Pouring out my dreams, thoughts, and ideas... so say when
Prepared to lift your head and remove your hands from your chin
Stop thinking about whether you will break or bend
I'm against sending texts and emails
because there's no way my essence can be shrunk down to scale
Emptiness and loneliness aren't harbored here to dwell
Ships named Disappointment and Sadness have sailed
When i utter your name it's not a comedy or adventure
it's like reaching the Holy Grail
I'm not just here to say hey, that's for farmer's bale
So when you round your love ones up from the bell
Until you left a veil of engagement bells
Even after a coffin receives nails
My thoughts and aspirations won't fail.

Hopefully later on this evening if i'm not to tired i'll explain the meaning behind this poem because could be viewed as cerebral.

Norfolk Drawing Group #64.2

You know how sometimes certain things go on you. Well i hope shortly i can say the same thing about this oil pastel sketch. For some reason i'm just not feeling what i thought ishould have been feeling that night. some parts pop out while others just seem flat.

Clint, myspace, and me

Apparently , myspace isn't to fond of my work yet again. somehow they removed it citing that it either shows nudity, violence or some other random reason. go figure. Well anyway i like Clint Eastwood's western movies. this just so happens to be a picture from one of them. the more i look at it the more i realize it not even a good one. I need to try harder.

Learning to Laugh at myself!

I will start of by telling you a good story about this brown shirt. We all need laughs every once and while and this one just so happens to be about this henley thermal.

Occasionally i prefer to wear looser clothing but the current trend in the fashion world is to wear more form fitting clothing. Since i watched I Am Legend and i felt that i too could look like Will Smith in the movie. Therefor i set out to buy more fitted henley to show off my lack of physic.
Granted i am the furthest thing from being built or Will Smith.

As i was at work yesterday one of my co-workers came up to me and asked me did i shop at the Baby Gap. While another customer as i rung her up played 50 questions: What time do you get off? Are you working all weekend? What do you do for fun?

I gave her the cashiers version of speed dating. Opps, time is up! So was the shirt a good choice i don't know?

Sketch pads thoughts of the group

Oddly enough it's painting night and and i had 2nd, 3rd, and 4th thoughts about going. Forcing myself to head out i left the paints at home because i was in a oil pastel mood. 3 Hours of drawing is to long for me to focus on my work without beginning to mess up what i created. Therefor i began sketching other members of the group around me as they painted and drew. Of course they didn't stay still, like most people that you attempt to draw without them knowing they never do. There are just some very very rough sketches from this past Tues.

I Saved the World Today?

It's not mystery to anyone who knows me that i was a huge fan on all the HBO series. I have Curb Your Enthusiasm, Oz, Flight of the Conchords, Six Feet Under and others in my personal collection just to name a few.
This song in particular was part of the closing credits for the Sopranos as Tony assuming thought he had fixed his problems. As this song reflect to how life can be. Troubles arise and we find solutions to those problems. The sky opens and for a moment at least everything seems perfect until you have to do it all over again.

What are you working on this year??

Outside of the other many sketches that i have lined up this is one attempt at painting that i'm doing again. It's been a while since i've picked up a brush. I'm still trying to work the acrylic so hopefully soon i can reel the painting in.

more helena

I love this photo not because it leaves more to the imagination. Is it a grown women or a little girl hiding over the covers? Especially with the type of weather we've been having lately it makes me want to hide right under the covers.
I know it's been a while since i used a pencil the way i know how to. I've shied away from it because i quickly became jealous of others' application of this medium. I flip through pages of artist magazines and i feel like an amateur when i attempt to use pencil. I also envy the way that pencil was the only medium my sketchbook knew. So this is my lazy attempt to claim some of the shine i once had.

Kimbo Slice

Rarely do i watch UFC at all. I guess because in my small world it's the exact opposite of my favorite past time (wrestling). I know it has a gladiator feel to it as 2 men are inside a small cage trying to destroy their opposition. I see the grand excitement because it's more physically demanding than being int he boxing ring but just as if not more brutal.

A couple of years ago my friend Art forced me to YouTube Kimbo Slice. I've heard his name and seen it here and there but really never paid him any attention. The YouTube videos of his street fighting were very interesting. He wasn't a grapples, kickboxer, submission specialist but just a raw gritty fighter. Today while in Barnes and Noble i saw a magazine cover with his picture of there and this is just a facial sketch of that photo.

Norfolk Drawing Group #64

i got there late due to work again. The first sketch as you can see is in a very rushed state and doesn't show the structure that i nomrally like to show. Overall it was a good night!