Day One Hundred Seventeen

Listening to the drum of rain on the steps of the front porch punctuated by the frantic click of laptop keys as I type faster than I can think. If I could be any closer to this rain without drenching this computer, you would find me there. Storms have always both calmed and excited me; the change in pressure and the darkening of the sky as clouds sweep quickly across it making my heart race as I rush for a camera. As the clouds burst open, and drops begin to fall, excitement gives way to tranquility; every breath becoming increasingly deep, pulling in the scent of rain on brick and wet earth. The largest portion of this one is over now, I believe. There is only the occasional flash of lightning and crack of thunder. I suppose I’d better continue on, and fulfill the original purpose of this project.

Before I begin, I’d like to announce that Page 177 has broken free from the binding of this old Webster’s pocket dictionary, and will be cared for as tenderly as it’s the two other pieces of what was once one. (Meaning, for those of you that have not seen the careless manner with which I treat this poor book, not very tenderly.)

As I looked back on some of my older work, I realized that much of my current art has been put under the awful restraint of reality. Striving to “improve” my technique, I had lost some of the strangeness that is seen more clearly before I began to be concerned with miniscule details like the realistic portrayal of a human being. Darn this focus on technique! I decided to, little by little, peel away the layers of restraint and bring back the “weird”. Today’s word and the tools I had at hand provided the perfect opportunity to do just that.

be-smear v. To soil; to smear.

I began with a drawing in pencil of a strange character. For inspiration, I drew on the dress style I have come to love (only real women have that many buttons) and the small, dark-eyed, wild-haired creature that stared back at me from the mirror after a long, long day in the wind.

After completing the sketch, I lined it with paint to aid in the “besmearing” process, and stepped out onto the porch. Holding it out into the wind while the freezing (okay, not freezing, just cold) rain battered the both of us was not an entirely terrible process. It was oddly invigorating to be clinging to a soggy piece of watercolor paper by the light of a few windows on an empty street. Who knows what the neighbors think of me, but I’m pretty sure they’ve come to realize by now that this family is just strange. Anyway, I ended up with a very warped, very soggy, fairly interesting piece of work.

I really wish she would have smudged more; the rain was slightly too cold and separated the paint into pieces as opposed to making it run. Ah, well. There will always be another rainstorm and another sketch.

Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed today’s post and your weekend.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Thirteen

I cheated.

Today, I broke the rules.

Scratch that, I bent them.

Now, before you click away in disgust at this blogger’s shedding of artistic integrity, would you like to know what happened?

Since this is really a one-way conversation, and I’d like the chance to explain myself, I’ll go ahead and tell you anyway even if you really don’t care to know.

So, it goes like this...

I collect my ripped and pathetic dictionary from its resting place on the floor under the couch (what a poor abused little book) and stop on the first page I come to. My eyes rest on not one, but two words! Both incredible, both great sources of inspiration, both incredibly fitting! This is where I bend the rules a little...I read the definitions, I ponder, I brood...and I PICK one of them. Although the words are intended to be chosen randomly (so as to keep this artist on her toes) I believe making the choice between “flounder” and “flounce” was a necessary and meaningful one.

flounce n. A gathered piece of material attached to the upper edge of another surface, as on a curtain. v. To move with exaggerated tosses of the body.

I illustrated a strong, determined character to incorporate the choice between “flounder” and “flounce”. Despite a certain amount of floundering, I wanted today’s character to choose to flounce. To choose the light, the airy, the bubbly, over the frustration, fear, and discontent.

As usual, the hemline came up a bit short (I tend to draw the mile long legs last and, as such, have no way in which to cover them up to a decent height.) but I like the way this turned out. I incorporated my new favorite shade of orange, adding bits of pink into it to redden it up and make it blend more successfully with the bright raspberry color of the rest of the dress.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post, and can someday forgive me for rearranging a few rules.

As always, thank you for reading.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Three

First off, I’d like to explain the recent drastic changes to the look of this blog. I spent most of the day yesterday (as I said in yesterday’s post) working on an online portfolio for my work. Published within that portfolio will be my new, shiny, clean Ink Drop blog! As soon as I have my domain name secured, I will be posting a link to my website to enable all of you readers to have one art-filled location to explore.

Onward! Following a long, long day kayaking on the Kansas River, we collapsed at home.

Yay! Crazy face. 

Rolling off the couch full of enchiladas, I decided I’d better get to work on today’s piece. Having had younger brothers, (Well, I guess I still have them. But, ya know.) I really identified with today’s word.

tug v. To strain and pull vigorously; n. A hard pull; a strong force.

It made me remember having long hair and, also, having it yanked, pulled, and tugged by the younger kids. Gah! I remember how, after a while, I began to get used to it and stopped reacting. Around this time, I think, was when they stopped being amused by it. (There’s nothing fun about getting zero reaction when you’re trying to bother someone.) So, for today’s piece, I decided to illustrate this (somewhat fond?) memory.

I liked that the person doing the “tugging” was much, much smaller than the girl. I thought that her expression was adorable; she’s kind of in pain, but also confused by the rather strange little character tugging on her hair.

Thank you so much for reading; I’m looking forward to getting to show off my new portfolio soon! Have a great night.

Xx

-r

Day Thirty Eight

Worked a little bit on art stuff today. The whole day seemed to slip away. Oh well. It’s Friday!! Anyone else looking forward to a three day weekend??

 If only I was here:

Southern France: 2010

I opted for a simple pen and ink sketch for today’s piece. I absolutely love today’s word. Not because it’s particularly exciting, but it makes for a cute cartoon.

lamp  n.  A device for generating heat and light.

I decided to just begin by drawing a lamp...

I decided to add a couple of characters around (and inside) of the lamps. For a little extra, I added some Edison bulbs.

I hope you enjoy today’s post, and your night!

Xx

-r

Day Thirty Five

Saying today was cold is like saying getting shot in the knee might sting a little... Deciding to walk to my hair appointment was maybe not the best of ideas, but well worth the touch of frostbite.

couldn't help it...gotta to show it off

Time to curl up a few inches from the space heater and defrost just enough to scrawl a sketch onto a piece of paper. (okay, now I’m just being dramatic) Today’s word made me think of some unwritten social rules, and the almost ridiculous way that people follow them.

dis-tance  n. Separation in time or space; the degree of separation between two points; the space that separates any two specified points in time; the quality or state of being distant; aloofness.

Phew!!

Anyway, it made me think of that awkward hug people give each other when they’re practically strangers. The one where they stand about 3 feet apart and lean in and pat each other on the back... I can’t stand that hug. I mean, if you’re going to hug someone, actually hug them. If you’re not comfortable enough to do that, you shouldn’t be hugging them in the first place...that’s what handshakes are for, people!

Okay, enough ranting about “air hugs”. I decided not to sketch the scene I just described, and instead to go for something sweeter and arguably much more awkward...

 I like that they are leaning so far, they are about to fall.

Hope you are enjoying your read, your night, and your warm house. It’s harsh winter days like this that make me extra grateful for what I have.

Xx

-r

Day Thirty

OH boy!! This is a late, late, late post!! Due to a lovely evening in Kansas City (ah, how I adore meeting other artists), this post was postponed (haha. Get it?). Yeah, okay. Anyways, today’s post is just a quick little sketch. I bet you thought today’s post would be something special...you know...because it’s day thirty and all...

But artists get busy like everyone else, you know?

veg-e-ta-tion  n.  Plants or plant life which grow from the soil.

I often have trouble drawing organic things in a way that they are believable... So, vegetation seemed like a good word to use for some practice.

I like the little bug guy. Although it’s a rough pencil sketch, the idea was decent enough that I followed through with it. I hope you enjoy the post, and didn’t get your hopes up too much.

Thanks for reading!!

Xx

-r

Day Twenty Nine

I took my time with today’s piece. Not intentionally, at first, but when it comes to art (or anything, I guess) it’s always a treat to sit down and really take your time doing something.

I found a lovely, smooth and bright white piece of paper to use for today’s project and, in the spirit of today’s word, I decided to change what I’d decided was getting boring...

Using a new technique I just picked up (thank you, google) I “antiqued” the paper using some old coffee and grains of salt. After what seemed like an eternity of blow drying, the paper was ready to be used:

Oh yeah, the word! Getting a little ahead of myself here...

re-bel  v.  To refuse allegiance; to resist any authority; to react with violence; to take arms against a government.

My first thought was, honestly, of Princess Lea. I can just hear Darth Vader growling “Rebel Alliance”. Okay, enough with the nerd talk...

Bored by images of punks and hippies, and inspired by the antique look of the paper, I decided to do a sketch of a woman wearing bloomers. Working from a faint memory of history class (something about a woman wearing bloomers as pants so she could run around and not be restricted by a dress) I turned to Wikipedia:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_dress_reform

Anyway, I decided to do a portrait of a brave woman deciding to rebel against the “acceptable” way to dress in order to be free. I really admire women (throughout history) who have stood up and decided to try and change things. Thanks ladies, for battling for freedom so I may sit here in my skinny jeans, with my blue hair and complain about getting an education. But seriously, thank you. 

not sure exactly what happened with the paper to the right...oh well.