Pencil Sketch for Women in Autumn

From Women In Autumn

73cm x 52cm, 28.75" x 20.5", pencil on 300lb Arches watercolor paper.

Women in Autumn - barest pencil sketch of the same figures I've used in Women in Spring, Summer, and Winter. The figures who are all one figure. One nameless woman that I spent 2 or 3 hours drawing in November 2006 at a drop-in lifedrawing session.

This was drawn maybe a month ago but I haven't posted it here since I thought I could take a better photo by placing the drawing against a window when the sun is streaming in. Only I forgot about it, and now, ah well. Here is the sketch for the final painting in the series, Women in the Seasons, which can be seen at my website (scroll down).

                                                

Shaman of the Feather - sketch

A sketch inked an hour ago while sitting on my bed (gingerly gripping the open ink bottle - oh those white sheets). I wanted the feather to be his spine because he is shaman of the feather. The dancing will is determination. When finished he likely won't look like this, though this is the backbone. Shaman of the Feather, 11"x15", 27.9x38.1cm, Strathmore cold press Watercolor. Click on image to view larger size.

shaman of the feather
healer of the soft touch

into the storm eye
opens

power of the dancing will

ghost rattle

                                                

Earthlight

A tiny ink and paint sketch, Earthlight, 11"x4.5", my Black Madonna, light of the earth. I'll probably use her as a bookmark in Carl Jung's huge, The Red Book. Drawn in the madness of Baghdad in those hours past midnight. Click on image to view larger version.

I don't know why I didn't colour in her hair, probably because I liked the contrast. But her skin - rich honied earthtones, golden and chocolate - yes.

My intention was to write of the new direction my artwork is taking and to add a little sketch for interest. But the sketch became a poem painting and with the colours of the letters festive (there were letters like coloured lights strung along the bottom which I had uploaded but changed my mind on seeing in the post). Perhaps the energy of poem painting is upon me, but if you'd like the mantle for a bit, I'd be honoured to pass it on.

As I release myself from having always to draw from life, I find I am able to compose drawings and paintings from my imagination.

This makes working in visual media easier. As a homebody, nay 'recluse,' enrolling in art classes is difficult (especially since unemployed at the moment, and even when employed the salary is small). I reuse my old drawings from lifedrawing sessions over and over. I think about what I would like to do but cannot afford models or to arrange scenes as I would like them.

I think my artwork has not progressed as it might if I hadn't had this problem.

Now the possibilities open.

                                                

For Baghdad

2009, 11"x9¼", 28cmx23.5cm, 
inks, oil pastel on archival paper
(I wrote into the drawing as I was
drawing; later I edited the words 
slightly into the poem that
accompanies the image)

throw bones

bone men
char men

cartilage has no
nerve endings

Baghdad is burning
-the bombers are coming-
hide your children

the god of fire thunder is upon us
the god who eats men

armor yourselves for it is useless
shrapnel sharp spinning
from the god's eye

cease & desist
cease & desist
cease & desist