Day Eighty Six

I had an interesting, semi-productive day today. I managed to churn out yet another sketch and attend a play at an old school...

That's me, on the right. Well, my feet.

For today’s project, I attempted a different, more abstract style of illustration. Maybe it’s just the constant episodes of Project Runway and Next Top Model that air on afternoon television, but fashion (as an art, an idea, a way of life) has sunk it’s perfectly manicured nails deep into my all-too-willing brain.

So, at the risk of becoming every other young woman my age, I’ve decided to indulge this recent obsession with all things (good or bad) fashion related and continue to illustrate and study. Why not, right?

far-ther adv. To or at a more distant point. adj. Most distant; farthest.

Without thinking, I just began to sketch. I was inspired by a few dresses I’d seen today, and a vintage-y look. I used the runway to illustrate the concept of “farther”.

I like the way this turned out; it was very freeing to draw a simple sketch of the (greatly exaggerated) human form without obsessing over how each curve looked and if everything lined up in a semi-realistic way. I like that the runway is as long as it is; it makes the whole experience seem larger than life. In a way, I think, it is some kind of unreal, fragile existence. It’s fascinating that so many people dedicate so much time, energy, and obsession for a few moments and a short (often devastating) career. All for something that does not feed, heal, or house anyone. But, in a way, it does all of these things (except feed...I would really argue the opposite). It’s an interesting dilemma; does something so superficial and pointless on the surface really have a deeper meaning? Maybe I’ll never figure it out; that’s alright. I don’t mind being perched between cynicism and awe.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thank you for reading!

Xx

-r

Day Thirty Six!

Holy cow!! I have never before been this close to NOT posting!! Oh boy..came pretty close, there. I was wondering to myself if anyone missed me? I was curious if there had been any readers checking in only to find...nothing... Well, to those readers (if you do exist) I am very sorry.

Would you like to know what happened?

I’ll tell you anyway.

As you may have guessed, The Ink Drop is far from being my only artistic outlet...

Recently, I have been attempting to master (or at least become friends with) the art of silk screening. Tonight, I was finally able to come close. I’d burned a screen with two images on it to save time (before printing one, I’d tape over the other) and decided to do three print runs in one night. The results?

This is a print from a high contrast photograph I’d taken of my younger brother in France. I burned it to a screen and printed it on 5x7 backing board.

This is a print from a photograph taken last year (date unknown) in an alley downtown during a construction project. (Those of you who live in Lawrence: that stupid “night club” called Tonic...this was the construction of their back patio...you know...the one with the giant fake palm tree...)

I decided to play around with some 80’s style pop art colors. I hand-painted the background, did the first layer in pink (or green) and then did another layer over that in black.

I then had to wash out my screen...

My small army of paint:

Now, back to the reason you are here...

Today’s word is PERFECT. I could not have picked a more perfect word for today...

sat-is-fac-tion  n.  Anything which brings about a happy feeling; the fulfillment of a need, appetite, or desire; a source of gratification.

Ahh...just the way to describe my evening.

I decided to use some of the paint that had been sitting around, and draw the sound that came to mind:

I painted the girl (over a pencil sketch) and left her face in pencil-the brush was much too large for that fine of detail.

I hope you enjoy tonight’s post! (Most of you will no doubt read this tomorrow) For now, I will be sinking into bed and not moving for at least 10 hours.

Good night.

Xx

-r

Day Thirty Three

I am steadily approaching what I believe could be an artistic breakthrough. If not, at least I will have attempted to explore the many styles and techniques in the area of silk screening. We shall see...

Before I sink into bed, I will tell you a little about today’s project.

tan-gly  adj.  To be full of tangles.

Maybe it’s just the influence of the Doors phase I seem to currently be stuck in but I thought of a wild, tangle-haired child. 

I decided to draw just this. For some reason, in the time between completing the first drawing and beginning today’s piece, my artistic skills seemed to take a nosedive. Oh well, you get the idea...