"Lenore" (pic and drawing)

I'm not sure why i haven't posted this drawing because it's been laying completed in one of my many sketch pads for some time. The best part about this is that there's a story behind it all on how i ended up with a single pen & ink drawing.
Lenore is one of the ladies i attend Norfolk Drawing Group with and when i first started going sometime back in spring i was fascinated by her line work. I recall when she drew her lines always seemed to fall into the perfect little place and very rarely went off course. So yeah i'm slightly envious of her control. So as what happens with most people she disappeared from the group and there was some time in which we didn't hear from her much. I hate to see this happen up a group of friends but people come and stop coming for no reason at all. One evening i was flipping through Bernard's flicker site of the group and i stumbled upon this picture. I mentioned earlier that i'm a picture junkie because it allows me control on how long i can spend on a subject matter. My previous conversations with Lenore lead me to believe she was a very interesting person. My first attempt of this drawing was going to be a styling of her own. A very simply but delicate line drawing. As i began drawing i quickly realized that my version would be rather flat so i changed it into an all out pen drawing.

There was something in the way she looked at me

I had this sketch pad out at work and some of my fellow co-workers were flipping through it. After they got done flipping one of them asked me why i always drew women. That's a fairly easy question to ask. There is something very natural about the female body that i feel appealing. That i really enjoy drawing. If i was attracted to anime like most of my friends are then i would draw it. Almost like other paint landscapes etc etc but i enjoy someone more of the human natural because it's something we all can relate to.

The original picture was something that i found through a friend's myspace pad and i kind of stuck with it and it stuck with me. I loved the pose and the way that she was almost hiding from the camera but not really. This is one of the better self taken photos that i've seen in some time. Devaughn, one of the guys i attend drawing group with always draws in pen. His drawing and control with the medium is unrivaled at the moment. I wanted to see if i could get close to or obtain the skill in which he has and the photo gave it to me.

Norfolk Drawing Group XX

So i know that i haven't posted any new artwork in a while yet alone blog but i've been busy. Never to busy to draw but busy enough that i've been able to find a quiet moment to think. These past weeks have been a whirl wind of work and play.
This past Tues night was my first night that i've been to drawing group in some time. Either life has caught up with me or i had other things to do that evening. I know i missing some amazing model and more importantly my friends along with my drawings. After hours especially, but my drawings were fair for someone who hadn't been drawing live models in some time. My favorite one out of all of them is the last one that i did the green color pencil sketch. It's easy on the eyes and shows a relaxing classical pose that i'm attracted to.

Ann (pics and drawings)

(a drawing of her self photo)

Ann (Mother) & Child

These are both drawing that i've started and finished this weekend. It was one of those situations where i finished these drawing quicker than i began them. It's was a small opportunity to take a break between this massive painting that i'm attempting to finish. This actually was fun to do.
I'm not sure if i told this story before but of all the people that i've met my last work related trip to North Carolina she was one of the most friendliest. I've loosely keep in touch with her over the last year. I can honestly say that i don't have any unattractive friends. That isn't merely limited to being physically attractive.
I'm getting off the topic because these drawings i actually used a set of pens which i haven't used in a while. These pens are more expressive and ink flows better than your average BIC pen. I also wanted to see if i could create more expressive lines. I somewhat accomplished my goal by leaving complete and uncompleted shading but it could be better. Overall i'm pleased with these drawings and i hope that it does Ann and her son justice.

Janet (Searching)

Around the same time i started drawing the pencil sketch of Amy, i was drawing Janet. I was drawn to the original picture. I've only have a couple of small brief conversations with Janet and to the best of my knowledge she seems to be a very upbeat person. In this photo i saw something different. If you're at a party or a small gathers you most likely mingling but instead this snapshot shows her dialing away at her phone. Not saying this story is real by any stretch but my take was that she appears to be mentally somewhere else. That's where all the blues and purple come into play to create the drawing. It's a small theory that some people feel so alone that even in a crowded street they are still by themselves. So with this small bit of knowledge is she searching for someone via phone or searching to find herself. I guess you have to form your own opinion.

Amy

Every story that has even a little bit of interest starts off with a friend of a friend. Well this story is no different. This is a drawing of Amy and i've been friend with her online for some time. I yet to draw any pictures of her. It has a little to do with the fact that i've really never flipped through any of her galleries but not to long ago i did. It had a little to do with her wonderful sexy haircut (this is coming from a guy but it's nice). Especially the way her face fell on her eyes leaving a hint of mystery to her. I didn't want to do as i always do can create a complete drawing. I wanted to allow the paper to breathe a little. To finish the circle of comments, Amy is a friend of Ashley's mom Janet, and i use to work with Ashley. I long circle but that just how life is.

Bundle Up

This drawing done in markers organically comes from a magazine image that i liked. I was searching for something deeper than me just scribbling down some marker lines. My original theory for this blog seems back to how a lot of my females friends allow their feelings for guys to cloud their normal judgement. It's a large part of the reason why i draw females often. Not because i'm some sex crazed guy who's single but because i wanted to empower them. What better why then through a drawing. I went to dinner a couple of Sun's ago and when i was there i chatted with one of my friends about a guy she was dating. If you know someone appears to be a bad choice and you know he's a bad choice but yet you won't leave? I'm vexed to say the least.

Even more recently this past weekend i love going to Richmond if only for one night. I hung out with some of my Old Navy buddies. One of the most awkward things you can do at a club is bump into an ex and as you can imagine that happened to one of my friends. There is even more drama mixed up in this tale that i'm not bring forward but my point still remains that people on a whole don't trust their gut feelings. If something inside of you tells you not to or to do something then it's probably in the best interest.

I can speak openly on this topic because not to long ago i allowed numerous females to do the same thing. I don't mean for months i prefer to say "years"

Norfolk Drawing Group XIX

I know these drawing were taking some time ago and to be honest they didn't even come out that well. To be honest with you, it wasn't a great drawing day. It could have a little to do with my skipping the geture portion of the drawing session. I never truly found my groove. I honestly had a better time in the soical session we had later that evening.

Inside Me Vol. 1: Rising Never Falling

The wonderful thing about this vacation is that it's allowed me plenty of time to think about all the things that i really didn't get a chance to do so. One of the largest revelations over the last couple of weeks has been my ability to let go of the past. I harbored a lot of anger and bitterness towards a lot of people. Whether it has been ex-girlfriends, friends, or workers I've allowed me myself to come to terms with what has happened and no longer blame them. The funny part about it all is that my artwork is driven by this hurt and pain, so where does that leave my artwork now? I've even went as far as to reconnect with an old friend and tell her that the past is the past (i don't think anyone has ever hurt me as much as she did).


I'm not sure exactly why i hold on to some mementos of my past but i do. I was searching through some letters and photographs of a friend that i haven't seen in a while. Within moments i remembered all those wonderful times and experiences we shared together. Some of the best experiences that I've ever shared with a female has been emotional ones. It's hard to believe that not because it's comes from a guy but due to societies standards on what intimacy or relationships really mean. In one theory in life certain people have mental connections that even though they may not see each other if the emotions are strong enough they will know someone else is thinking about them. I wonder if she knows?


I'm still scared to carry my drawing book with me everywhere i go without any insecurities How else can i record some of the randoms that occurs within my life without? I've experience more than my share of randoms. I'm even more terrified to carry a camera with me and i understand that this a huge flaw because snapshots are life's little reminder about events. From this moment forward i plan on working on both of them.


I love movies and at the same time i have a hard time watching movies that shake up and jar emotions within me. I rented "Definitely, Maybe" this past week and I've been watching bits and pieces here and there trying hard not to relate it towards my own life. Part of me feelings it's the right movie for me to watch at this moment and time so i HAVE to watch it. Hopefully it's help me grow as a person a little bit more. Ryan Reynolds has a very dry comic humor to him that i enjoy watching. With that being said i have to finish the movie before i return it to the movies store on Tues. So wish me luck.

Friday Night at the Fairgrounds

i had to draw the guy in red on purprose because everytime i tried to draw the guy singing he got in the way. He ALWAYS was on his cell phone!!

I had no clue that when i went to the Fairgrounds this past Fri night that it was going to be live music. Apart from being at a normal coffee house setting, people that listen to music actually don't move as much. The mood overall was very light i fit nicely into a small ledge that i drew on. I call it a ledge because not only would my smallest drawing board not fit up there but my drawing notebook barely fit as well. I sat on a stool as everyone around me seem to meet and greet each other. It gave me a great opportunity to draw the musicals and the onlookers. I also had time to think about what type of women that I'm attracted to. I guess you could say artist because I'm an artist but it's anyone who's a singer, musical, poet or anyone that has an emotional outlet. I was listening to two girls sing and i felt comfort behind their voice. It's hard to say what it was i was entranced.

Colley St's Starbucks

I had coffee with Sarah who is one of my best female friend. I love going to Starbucks not for the coffee because I'm not a coffee person. It gives me a chance to people watch and being as busy as it was this Sat there were more than enough people to make up stories and tales about. Anyone who's familiar with this Starbucks knows that it's in the Ghent area of Norfolk where people are always walking, running, riding their bikes, hand and hand with children. It's a nice mixture for any artist to fall in love with. There are just some of the small sketches and i knocked out in what little time i attempted to do so. Hopefully the next time i go there i'll do a better job and getting sketches done.

"Nude vs. Naked"

I know my mom doesn't understand this theory at all but i enjoy drawing nude models. I don't pin point the reason for anyone at all but it's something that's indescribable about it all. I have to tell this story because the picture is actually involved in it. Not to long ago i ordered a book of nude models for me to practice and study my craft of drawing. I left it downstairs in the kitchen and my mom ran across it as expected she didn't get the theory behind it. "Oh my god" she said as she tossed it on my steps that lead up to my room. Her extremely closed Christian mind didn't understand why her son would draw nude people. I wish i could say it's something sexual and I'm just acting out on my romantic fantasy but that isn't it at all. It's more sensual than it is sexual. There's something semi-private that you're sharing with the world. So often people hide behind almost everything that conceivable but without any clothes where can you hide?

Just to make it clear the difference between 'Nude" and Naked" is that nude is done tastefully (for example playboy or playgirl spreads) while naked is something that is extremely rough.

i almost forgot the name of this piece is "She Found Comfort in His Clothes"

Hellyboy (sketch)

I draw alot during while my breaks at work. It's a way of venting and a way of releasing why i'm frustrated. I had this picture of Hellboy that i wanted to draw and i want to have somewhat of a teaser type drawing. I wanted to allow the white of the paper to show and fade into the background. It's simply Liberating!!

Norfolk Drawing Group XVIII

For all those who are on vacation at the moment i know they can really understand how i feel. It feels good to have to do nothing at all today. I haven't done much. I cut down my television experience for today and I'm currently attempting to finish a book in 2 day. I'm not a true reader who devours book after book. I'm a nibble style reader.

Normally i try to skip out on gesture drawing not because i don't enjoy quick sketches but because i enjoy taking my time while drawing. Rushing is the worst thing possible for my style because it starts off so sketchy that i need the time to force. Some of the others in the drawing group do rather quickly and once they had their first hard line it's pretty much a lock. Hannah was this past meeting model and honestly i remember her for one of my earlier sessions. Needless to say at the time i knew no one at all let alone remembered any one's name but i recall sketching her in oil pastels. Not a good one..lol She was a fantastic model for a first timing and i applaud her for having the courage to model before a group of people. So if she ever see this cheers to Hannah.

I'm a Libra!!!

i know i'm only suppose to be posting new artwork but this digs a little into my personal life. Yesterday was my sister's b-day and funny enough i drew this picture some time ago because it symbolized all things that being young should be. The whole world is laying out in front of you and everything seems to be at your fingertips.
I've had these thoughts rolling around in my head for some time but i never got the chance to actually write out what i was feeling. I know this maybe seen as a ramble but it's a blog. I feel that we all are looking for our equals and we generally drift towards each other until we find one. In the movie Unbreakable Mr. Glass, the villain was looking for his counterpart in the hero played by Bruce Willis. I'm in the same sort of search but somewhat. If anyone was to ask me why i'm single that would be the reason. I haven't found someone that compliments my style. Yes, i've come pretty close over the years but never anyone who matched me 100% for an extended amount of time. Oddly enough my life is centered around being balanced and it just so happens that my astrology sign is scales. I attempt to balance everything within my life no matter how small or big. I guess that's part of the reason why i'm single because i enjoy my freedom. Oh well..

"Touching the Core"

I don't want to say that i stock pile drawing but i have plenty of different drawing that i would like to draw that i have yet to complete. Actually this picture of Cara is from her online profile that she used. I've learned when you draw people as often as i have you have a connection with them. The connection grows deeper once you know them on a personal level. The more common things become the better the drawing becomes because it transcends color and lines on a surface.
This drawing started off as simply a pen drawing (something which i haven't attempted in some time) and grew into stretching/reaching for markers to complete it. I tried my best to use the color sparingly so they didn't' become the focal point of the piece.

** Now what really happened which luckily is a good thing for me is i got a chance to talk to Cara about this piece. Sometimes you need a 2nd set of eyes to see what is actually not working with art work. She pointed out some small details which i corrected (her chin was to long and her bust was extremely stylized.). So now this almost looks like a finished drawing.**

"Tightly Closed Eyes = Wishes" pic & sketch

I't goes without saying that i draw Ashley V. alot. I've plugged her website before because she does take amazing photos. When i first saw this picture i knew there were something special about it. Just as easily as i'm drawn to people i'm also drawn to photos of people. I enjoy drawing people because that's something interesting about the human form that can't come across the same way as material drawings can.

"Angela Seriously?!" pic and drawing

The funny thing about working at Old Navy is that it teaches you to never expect anything is going to last forever. Just as easily as you could be accustomed to working with someone for years it all can change within days, hours, or minutes. Angela is no expect to this fact. The last thing i remember is that she was on vacation before i was and then when i got back from my own personal vacation she was gone. Her position was eliminated and she chose not to stay on board with the team. This isn't a tribute to Angela it's just a picture that i took one day not knowing that one day i would end up drawing it at Old Navy (of all places).

"The Lab"

I often refer to my room as 'the lab" because it's where i do most of my artist endeavors. For example, i basically never sleep thru the night unless i'm sick or tired. Somewhere around 2 or 3AM i'll awake and and begin painting or drawing. Simply doing something creative. Just this morning i finished a pieces i had started and pushed to the side. My main problem is that there's so much that i have yet to finish laying around my room because my brain be all over the place from time to time. Just from looking at the photoes there are at least 1 unfinished piece in each of the pictures that i've yet to finish. So much work to do so little time but the good thing is that i'm on vacation next week. Work will not be a good reason enough to slow me do. Just me and my art work.

"Steph Luva"

This is actually the 2nd time I've had the opportunity of drawing Stephanie. it's funny how when you rewind time in your mind that the smallest things blossom into something bigger. More than 6 years ago i had just changed my major from education to fine arts. My first semester in a room full of people that i would later call friends i met Stephanie. Hundreds of gesture drawing and behind my drawing board listening a a CD player i noticed something special about Stephanie. I had no clue what it was but it was something. Faster forward some years later inside Lynnhaven mall i saw her walking by Old Navy's store window. The curiosity alone made me look at her page and filter through her photos.

Shannyn Sossamon "Shannyn was a DJ" (pic and sketch)

I'm in awe with people who seems to struck others with their beauty. Shannyn is one of those people that once i saw her in the movie Knight's Tale. I was amazed at how pretty she actually is but it was something more than that. I truly haven't met this woman nor do i know anything about her personally. With that being said, i was watching the American version of One Missed Call and i was reminded of her. My brain works a little differently so i then proceed to find pictures of her in which to draw. My love of music and dj-ing something that I've never tried lead to draw this pictures.

Norfolk Drawing Group XVII

I apologize for not posting in a while but my time has been a little stretched at the moment.

I'm a little upset with myself for actually not being at the drawing group on time. Unfortunately work has come to first,but that's another blog all together. This past weeks model was one of the more pleasant ones than we've had in a while. Not to many of them will actually go out and chill with us after the drawing session is over with. My only complaint if any was that all the guys were talking to her which in turned caused her to respond and it was a little hard to draw her face correctly with all that going on. These sketches aren't bad but they could be better

"Melody" & "classy"

It was this past Monday when i hit my artist stride to say the least. I was sitting in Fairground drawing and trying to find my artist vibe. It was the perfect way do something useful with my day off that wasn't sleeping. I have 2 other drawings that i haven't posted due to one being unfinished and a small error in the other.