November 2nd is The Day of The Dead and we must create these memorial images of those we want to remember. I'm playing with the interpretation of this awesome Mexican tradition, but I want to pay tribute to a creative inspiration: Jean-Michel Basquiat. Perhaps doing an Ofrenda in a style similar to his will do … Continue reading Ofrenda for Basquiat
Old Man Facing The Wind
I was in need of filling a little time and didn't feel like getting dirty with charcoals, so I sat on a bench not far from this older businessman. He was enjoying the breeze and sunshine on his face. Well, that's what I think he was doing and probably what it would have looked like, … Continue reading Old Man Facing The Wind
Mesmer, or some other freak who turned me into a chicken in Las Vegas
I think I just woke up, refreshed and not remembering a thing about being a chicken... I have no clue what deep dark corner of my mind pulls this nonsense into the light of day, but here it is. Say hello to the Kramer of hypnotists. Capable of doing great things, but somehow, just like … Continue reading Mesmer, or some other freak who turned me into a chicken in Las Vegas
Hellish Hair
Ok, this one may be more imitation than inspiration... well, I'm not sure. I was looking at charcoal drawings and saw someone make a portrait of some guy with messy hair. It followed closely after some stupid fashion ad on Instagram of people with "stylishly messy hair". Anywho... the drawing was done in a more … Continue reading Hellish Hair
The Inner Beauty
What is the collective vision of beauty? If one finds themselves beautiful, in opposition to societal standards, can we accept their vision above ours? The label is on the inside and this figure wears it proudly and infectiously. They define themselves by their own terms. And with this confidence comes a new reality. They have … Continue reading The Inner Beauty
Spirit At The Crossroads
Charcoal plays all sorts of tricks on the eye and mind. Here the figure started much smaller, and yet with each new viewing, it appears closer to you. The scenery is also evolving as one watches it, revealing the figure to be standing at a crossroads, waiting to bargain a deal. There is little in … Continue reading Spirit At The Crossroads
Fading Memories
Ghost or fading photograph? You decide. The dust of time is blowing across this sweet girl of centuries past. Her clothes give us a hint of where and when, but there must be more to her story. Who was she? Who loved her and who did she love? I once heard that when we see … Continue reading Fading Memories
But A Reflection…
A reflection, yes, but of what? Is the subject looking at himself and seeing what the mirror reveals of his soul, or something else? Perhaps he sees in the eyes of his interlocutors what they see of him: a strange, dark, and compelling interest. The image appears blurry until one squints at it and then … Continue reading But A Reflection…
A Serious Fellow
I'm really loving charcoal sticks! can you tell? They are deliciously messy and sloppy, but allow me to express so much more atmosphere. The figure comes alive on the page. He is no longer just a portrait of some creepy Victorian gent. He has become the tragic protagonist of an Edgar Allen Poe novel. Seemingly … Continue reading A Serious Fellow
Urban Manitou
He was meant to be an amalgam of Golem and some Japanese forest spirit hiding in the dark corners of my mind. The Manitou, as I understand it is an amazing transformation spirit animal. As this one is at least partly human, I felt the forest spirit had become an urban one. This one is … Continue reading Urban Manitou
The New Renaissance Mindset 