Scenes From a Sketchbook: Volume 2

Recently I took a trip to the doctors office. While patiently waiting (pun intended) in the examination room for the doctor to see me, I couldn't help noticing all my old friends staring back at me. Lined on the walls and set all over the counter tops were all the products that I used to mindlessly put into bins when I used to work at a health supply company. Since the doctor always takes forever, I decided to get out my sketchbook and draw some portraits of my old pals.

Examination Tools

Ink

Depth Relationships on a 2 Dimensional Surface

It governs everything around us.

It tells us how we see the world.

Even blind people have the ability to see it.

Since it can transcend the eye, everyone can see it differently.

It has a place in art as well as our conscience.

It weighs upon us.

It can shift and change.

It is a master of illusion.

It can be first, second, or third person, or any number of points.

As we grow older we gain more of it.

Sometimes we look to the past to gain a better view of it on our future.

It's the intangible manifestation of one's ideas.

It has laws, but all laws can broken.

But most importantly,

Without it the world as we know it would not exist.

PERSPECTIVE

Perspective is everywhere, it can even change when you put on a cool pair of sunglasses.

Antique Sunglasses

Watercolor

5 x 7 inches

Endangered Species

Why do we love the things we love? Why do we attach ourselves so strongly to things or ideas even when we cannot explain why we do it? Is it possible to love something too much? And in the process, do we knowingly or unknowingly, set ourselves up for our own destruction? Our physiology presents us with these questions we cannot answer beyond the realm of instinct or reason. If history has taught us anything, it is that what we do not understand, we tend to destroy. Maybe it is the misunderstanding of ourselves that causes us to do the things we do or make the choices we make.

Life flies by with meandering intentions and no matter how cruel or unusual they may seem, they happened for a reason. You just have to believe that everything will work out in the end, because it usually does. Someday, all things in life must come to an end, but while one thing withers, there's always another beginning to bloom.

Until it comes, I'll patiently wait for my time to bloom once again.

These are some quick sketches that I sketched the other day at the Field Museum.

Tiger and Rhino

Ink

You're Beautiful, I love how asymmetrical your face is.

How many times have you actually heard anyone use those words in a sentence? Unless you live in a vanity free world, I'm guessing never. If there is anything that the media machine has taught us, it's that perfection is beauty. Could you imagine your favorite actress with both of her eyes on one side of her head or having three ears instead of two? The sad truth is, the only place she would be starring, is in a sideshow at a carnival. Symmetry runs our physical world, from our ideals of beauty to our everyday dependence on things working the way they should. However, in the art world, it's quite the contrary, symmetry is boring. The first rule of composition 101 is to stick to odd numbers, and avoid equilibrium at all costs. It is one of an artist's most useful tools, and it is how some of the most beautiful and awe inspiring works of art are engineered. Asymmetrical compositions create tension, heighten drama and above all else, they're just interesting to look at.

It's fascinating to think that two polar opposite views on aesthetic can rule their respective worlds, yet coexist harmoniously. What if art really did imitate life or vice versa? How would our views on the world around us change? Would our society still be in a seemingly never ending endeavor to achieve perfection? Would cash and materialism still fuel the media machine?

"Asymmetry is Beautiful"

Watercolor

Aquaboard

Scenes From a Sketchbook: Volume 1

So I guess since I'm going to be a professional artist I have to start doing things professionals do, like actually writing in this blog. With that said, I am going to try to write in this thing on a more consistent basis.

Spring is here and the weather is following suit here in Chicago. I was lucky enough to find the time the other day, when one of my classes was cancelled, to get outside and enjoy the world in something other than an Eskimo outfit. Lately I have been trying to rekindle my love for drawing architecture and with a myriad of influences all around you, the city is the place to be. Sitting in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Millennium Park, I managed to sketch this.

The Bean

Ink

Nutcrackers. And no, I'm not referring to a group of angry feminists...

So, the holidays came and went. Not to mention, along with it my svelte figure thanks to an overload of holiday eating. But, thats neither here nor there. The holidays bring with them a lot of traditions that we all participate in, even if we're not sure why or where they came from. I have always wondered about how certain things become synonymous with a holiday or event.

My mom has an army of nutcrackers lined up on the mantle above the fireplace every Christmas. I have no idea of their origin or why my mother loves them so, but I do know they have been the staple of our fireplace decoration for as long as I can remember. The history of the nutcracker is a mystery to me, and so is how they became attached to Christmas. I'm sure I will be compelled to research them later, but for now, I just like to ponder about them. Have you ever really looked at a nutcracker? Yes, I know you've seen one, but I'm talking about actually looked at one without all your preconceptions. I don't know about you, but if you ask me, they are extremely goofy looking. Crazy 1970's Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka hairdo, teeth that would give a dentist nightmares, and not to mention those mustaches. Ok, well maybe those mustaches are pretty cool. Do you think anyone actually uses nutcrackers for what they're actually supposed to be used for? They seem more an aesthetic since I have never seen anyone actually use one. I guess one wouldn't need to since you can buy already shelled nuts. Unless, the nut factories employ thousands of these nutcrackers to shell all the nuts they sell. That could be a definite possibility. A little food for thought.

"Her Majesties Secret Service"

watercolor on watercolor paper

Ripoff or Sign of the Times?

So I realize it has been quite some time since I last posted anything, my apologies. My website and school have been monopolizing my life as of lately. But, on that note, my website is about halfway done and I hope to have it up and running soon. Now, onto today's topic at hand.

I walked into Wal-Mart today in search of new PEZ. I can always count on them for their reliable selection of new stock and am rarely disappointed. Today was no different, they had a large selection of new ones, but I couldn't help but be disappointed. I noticed that they have changed their packaging into a smaller more compact version. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for new package design but I can't tell if I'm feeling this. The new version is about one third of the size and comes with one less candy pack. Now while the packaging itself doesn't bother me that much, it does bother me that it costs the same price as the larger versions that come with three candy packs. I can't help but feel a little cheated. Then again that seems to be the way of the world these days. Portions go down while prices go way up. Ripoff or sign of the times?

Since we're already on the topic, I thought I'd put up a little preview of what I am currently working on. I'm doing a series of Christmas dispensers for my advertising illustration class. Here he is, in all his glory, Santa Claus.