Day One Hundred Sixty Six

Good evening, everyone. This post comes to you from the living room floor, as your author attempts to keep from moving one single sore muscle. After signing up for junior roller derby yesterday, I figured I’d better get back on skates.

A few hours later, I managed to stay upright long enough to build up some momentum in the gym and really get skating. I fell and slid across the floor less than half a dozen times, so I’d count it as a good, albeit bruise-y day.

I took a few liberties with today’s word; bending it a bit to fit the character as it evolved. It feels great to be drawing something un-girly, though.

Today’s word is interesting, but comes off as a bit of an exaggeration when you see the final piece.

el-e-phan-tine adj. To have a lot of strength or to be great in size.

I liked the idea of illustrating a rather fat character; someone loveable and chubby. Although I’m not sure anyone would really refer to this poor man as “elephantine”, I like the way he came out.

I decided to keep his face blank and mannequin-like after I had traced a pencil line so as to be able to draw the face at a particular angle. I liked the way the simple line complimented the rest of the character.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; have a great night.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Sixty Three

So, I’ve managed to get this here blog started a little earlier. Maybe I can actually stay awake until the end of this post. Phew! I’m not sure how today went; it was a little strange. It did end with Hesher, however, which I highly recommend seeing.

So, today’s word was pretty tough to figure out. Because it, in its very nature, is a form of art. Therefore, I could have simply created today’s word in a literal sense. But, being overly self-conscious about my skill level in that area, I decided to stick with illustration instead. Okay, I think I’d better try to undo the confusion I must have created here...

po-em n. A composition in verse with language selected for its beauty and sound.

I decided to illustrate both a poet and a poem for today’s piece.

I like the way this came out, and the way the character is both self-conscious about and proud of his creation at the same time.

Well, everyone, I hope you enjoy your evening and your Friday!

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Forty Six

Oh, boy! Super, super late post...

Today signaled (although, not in terms of weather) the start of summer. It passed slowly by with that languid, dream-like quality that (usually) only summer can provide. I hope, this week, to have school finished so that I may really kick back and enjoy myself. For now, we labor on. (haha)

Once again without my dictionary, I grumbled over to the thesaurus to find a usable word for today. I ended up with a word that really had nothing to do with my day, but also everything to do with it. (I like to make sense on this blog.)

en-dure v. To continue.

I set out to illustrate a very solid, resolute illustration. Lacking evidence of pain, fury, or troubles in need of overcoming, I wanted someone who quietly endured. It really spoke to me to present a character who, despite being in the midst of turmoil, remained calm and at peace.

I decided not to include arms or any extraneous detail, in keeping with the sense of tranquility I sought to convey through this illustration. Once again, I have drawn a speck closer to being able to illustrate rain in a way that made sense to me. For today’s attempt, I sketched lines ending in water droplets around the character, and then blended various shades of blue pastel over the inked lines.

I kind of like this one, I think.

As always, thank you.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Thirty Eight

I’ve spent the last few days feeling an intense need to write. Unfortunately (with the exception of this blog) everything I write either ends up erased, scratched out, or crumpled up... I’m not sure what’s trying to make its way from my subconscious to paper, but it’s definitely an interesting, not to mention extremely frustrating experience. Despite this frustration, today was a lovely day.

Today’s word was a little strange and threw me creatively quite a bit. I toyed with several rather disgusting ideas before settling on a milder take.

in-nards pl. n. Slang The internal organs or parts of the body; the inner parts of a machine.

Inspired by the antics of my four brothers, I was tempted to go all-out, road kill nasty on this one. However, sedated somewhat by a heavenly mixture of chicory coffee and vanilla ice cream, my mood called for something a little less graphic.

I went with a more subtle, funny take on “innards” by emphasizing the absence of them. She seems a bit shy, and a little confused by the fact that she misses her middle. I added the sketchy background to balance out the negative space. Although unintended, it ended up reminding me of the Northern Lights because of how the lines formed into ribbon-like patters.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post; thanks for reading.

Xx

-r 

Day One Hundred Thirty Seven

Today was spent how most good Saturdays should be spent; outside getting sweaty and dirty. We spent the day on the sailboat; removing the current covering of the boat’s interior walls. Dusty and dirty, we huddled inside the bow, masks on, scraping away.  

Settling down, exhausted and glassy-eyed, I began today’s piece. Today’s word really resonated with me, and I knew immediately what I wanted to portray. I hoped to avoid the hipster, Kerouac-wannabe take on today’s word and so decided to do an old west take on it.

way-far-er n. A person who travels on foot.

With only a chewed-up pen at my disposal, I gave up on planning and simply started to draw.

 Beginning with the image of the man, I worked outwards from there to create the shaded path. As an afterthought, I added a small moon and a few stars in the sky.

I like his bowlegged stance, and the dusty weight of the trail stretched out in the night behind him.

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

Xx

-r  

Day One Hundred Thirty Six

I believe today is Friday.

 Looking back, I cannot say how I really felt about this week, but I’m truly glad it’s finally over.

I spent the rainy, dreary portion of today writing a (not so short) short story; only to realize I wasn’t supposed to be writing a short story after all. So much enthusiasm, so little time [to read directions properly]. Ah, well...at least I got an interesting creation out of the deal.

So, after a long day/week/year/life, I settled down in front of the television (because the best art is made while ½ your brain is slowly microwaving) to find today’s word. The “word” ended up being “words”, as I found a set that pulled me back into the winter. As much as I despise the red-nosed, shivering, whiny creature I become in the depths of winter, I really do enjoy the layering; the beauty of being able to wear all of my favorite clothing...at one time...

bundle up v. To dress warmly, usually using many layers of clothing.

I began to draw a Russian-looking character; bundled up close against a harsh winter.

I added sort of outrageous pink pastel to her cheeks to emphasize the sting of a cold wind. As an afterthought, I colored her legs a flat red; the idea of bright colors in the snow (Are they tights? Or perhaps a union suit?) and I think her legs stand out as sort of a strange element. I like the way this turned out, but I’m glad to be heading away from all of this business for a little while.

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

Xx

-r 

Day One Hundred Thirty Four

Today ended as all days should end-under a blanket with a hot cup of tea. Sleepily, I fetched a piece of tagboard, pens, and a few pastels. I flipped through the pages of my old dictionary and settled upon a rather ordinary word.

ap-ple n. The round, red, yellow, or green edible fruit of a tree.

I thought about the word apple, and the imagery surrounding it. Deciding against a simple pastel sketch of an apple, I thought more about apples and their various uses. Then, I hit upon the idea of an apple, atop a head, being used for target practice. Giving it a little twist, I decided to have the person balancing the apple be enjoying the tension, and smiling in an almost mischievous way.

I like that she seems to enjoy the (imagined) reaction of the viewer and the (probable) hesitation of the shooter. I used thin lines of pen to give texture to the background, as I was going for an out-in-the-yard-against-the-shed look. I also like the addition of the goggles (as if they’d provide any protection).

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

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Thirty Two

Today was a good day. Although, any Monday in which one does absolutely no work automatically counts as a good day but I think this one was good despite (and partly because of) that fact. So, I returned home to throw a record on the turntable, brush the notebooks, jewelry and odd antiques from my desk and start in on some art.

Today’s word delighted me. I loved the way it sounded old and unused. It fit right up there with words like “jitter” and “bop”. Sure enough, a Google search later, this word was (approximately) in prime use from the years of 1940 to 1945.

table--hop v. To go from one table to another in order to talk with one’s friends such as in a restaurant.  

I loved this! I decided to illustrate a café at which some table-hopping was occurring. Inspired by Edward Gorey (though not nearly anywhere within the same spectrum of artistic talent) I used cross-hatching to convey a sense of nighttime and depth.

As I finished, all I could think was Oh, boy. This man must have used so many pens... I kept the color confined to the match to emphasize the action taking place. I like the subtlety of the woman sitting at the table, partially hidden by the “gentleman”. I can just imagine a drawn face; red lips pursed beneath narrowed eyes as she watches her date “table-hop” on over to another lady. Hah!

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

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Thirty One

We spent today (or at least the beginning of it) setting fire to a vast expanse of prairie. As it is time to burn the native grasses to allow them to grow back taller and fuller the next year, I headed out into the country to photograph this taking place.

Returning home exhausted, windblown and smelling strongly of smoke, I sat down to work on today’s piece.

I decided to launch right into the art today, without thinking too much about what exactly I wanted to end up with (which is ironic, considering today’s word)...

care-ful adj. Exercising care; cautious; watchful.

I threw aside my pencil (and with it my ability to edit the piece along the way) and picked up an old pen. I went with the idea of a character being careful and whimsical at the same time, and decided to illustrate a balancing act.

I like the simplicity of this piece, and may continue to work with this idea so as to polish it further. (Maybe a pencil would help, after all...)

Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Have a lovely Monday!

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Twenty Nine

I spent today working (observing) in the print shop, huddled away from the drizzle and the gray gloom that has fallen over our little town. Aside from the cold and the somewhat bitter wind, today was just marvelous. The rain fell in a light mist for hours, and the sky clouded over with a heavy, bluesy layer of cloud. I can honestly say that I wish there were more days like this. Oh, well. I will have to enjoy them as they come along.

After an ice cream sandwich and a cup of very strong coffee (because the only thing better than a sugar high is a sugar+caffeine high) I was ready to begin writing for today’s post. The dictionary offered up a rather plain word today, but it led to an interesting and unintended result.

pin n. A small, stiff piece of wire with a blunt head and a sharp point, used to fasten something, usually temporarily; one of the rounded wooden clubs serving as the target in bowling.

Now, today’s piece came about as the result of a misunderstanding on my part. I thought of a “pin” as a “button” (the colorful type of button that pins onto clothing, not the kind that keep your shirt on ya). Without thinking, I began to illustrate a rather sullen character, decorated in my changed version of “pins”. 

Only as I finished did it dawn on me that I had, in fact, drawn buttons! As I pulled back from the page to look at my new creation, I realized that the stance of the character makes him look as if he’s “pinned” in place. He leans slightly forward, as if wanting to move but not knowing just quite how to do so. This piece really struck me; as it embodied recent experiences and a desperate desire on my part never to be “pinned” like this character. It’s always been fascinating to me-things about yourself that you may not intend to translate through your art come through without you intending them to. It’s as if I pick up a pencil and get lost in it; emerging to find a strange piece of art.   

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

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Twenty Eight

Ah, the rain has come and gone. I feel caught in some sort of strange limbo; having all the time in the world and no time at all. Is this what comes with managing your own life? Hmm. I spent the day sifting through old 45’s, finding so much music I didn’t know I owned. It was like Christmas all over again. Well, I believe it’s time to get started on today’s post...

Today’s word reminded me of the best kind of old man. (What a sentence, eh?) The kind that sits grumpily in an old chair, puffing away on a smooth, worn pipe. I could imagine such a man slowly sighing out adventure stories between draws of smoke. I thought I’d put a twist on this scene for today’s illustration.

Oh, yes. Knowing the word may help you to understand what I’m talking about...

puff n. A brief discharge of air or smoke. v. To breathe in short heavy breaths.   

In keeping with my usual characters, I decided to draw a somewhat strange, spunky girl for today’s piece. I liked the idea of her acting masculine while being truly delicate and feminine.

I added the bowtie and shoulders to give a little more to the piece, and prevent the “floating head” look. I like the way her eyes came out, and the attitude with which she is smoking.

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

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Twenty Seven

Ah, a lovely day with lovely people. I managed to get a bit of work done, and headed home from the lake to work on some art! I am currently drowning out the history channel in the living room with the sounds of Edith Piaf...so far, I am unsuccessful. Oh, well.

Today’s word made me reflect on all of the alien movies I’d seen (most of them, admittedly, corny). Although it’s a subject that has been churned through the systems of society for longer than I care to imagine, I enjoyed working with today’s word.

UFO n. An unidentified flying object such as a space ship from another planet in science fiction films.

I thought about that moment, when characters are “taken”-beamed upward into the mysterious interior of a space ship. No matter how distraught they seemed before, or how intent they were on escaping, their bodies always seemed to relax; to have this peaceful look as they were pulled upward into the air. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but that’s the way I remember things. So, for today’s piece, I decided to illustrate this type of feeling.

I left her dress light and airy and her face blank to avoid distracting details. I like the way her arms are outstretched; as if to balance. I used a plain pencil to shade the outer edges of the tagboard and highlight the UFO’s “beam”.

As always, I hope you enjoyed today’s post; I sincerely thank you for reading.

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Twenty Six

As I am not sure when I’ll be home this evening, I figured I’d post early today! I, for one, am ready to leave this house and go out to enjoy the spring weather!! It’s so sunny and lovely today; I can hardly stand to sit at this desk and type away. Only for you, dear readers, only for you.

So, today’s word went along well with the new people in my life, and allowed me to venture outside my usual illustration subjects.

tem-po n., pl. –pos or –pi Mus. The rate or speed at which a musical composition is to be played.

After a failed (and seriously strange) attempt at a salsa dancer dipping backwards, I decided to go with something a little more edgy. I thought about the various uses of “tempo” and the things that could be associated with it. Then, it hit me! Among the many things I cannot yet do are play any form of musical instrument, dance, or keep tempo! Despite this, I’ve always loved music, and it’s been very central in my life. The instrument(s) I would most like to play has always been the drums, so I decided to illustrate a chick drummer for today’s piece. Before I let you see this thing, I must apologize to anyone I know (or don’t know) who plays the drums for my poor representation of their gloriousness. With that in mind...

I actually like the way this one came out; it’s kind of strange and comical. I shaded the areas around the drums to give it a grungy feel, and because it’s pretty much always dark around the drummer.

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

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Twenty Five

There probably is not a way to tell you that I spend the entire day cleaning my room without it reflecting badly on my room-upkeep skills (and/or my concentration skills), but that is the sad truth. Ah, well. It needed to be done. I took a break for dinner and the last few seconds of House, and then got down to business.

I wasn’t really sure what to do with today’s word until I read through the definition. At first glance, it seemed rather boring but not without potential; after reading a little more, I knew the perfect use for it (or a variation of it)!

drawer n. One that draws pictures; a sliding box or receptacle in furniture. drawers pl. An article of clothing for the lower body.

After a short-lived internal debate over freedom of artistic expression and maintaining a certain level of appropriateness (guess what won?) I began to draw.

I love the simplicity of this drawing, and the (almost) innocent way in which it is provocative. I kept the color to a minimum; wanting to avoid busying-up the piece, and wanting to highlight the...er...“drawers”.

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

Xx

-r

Day One Hundred Twenty Four

Goodbye and good riddance, Sunday! Not that today was bad, but I’m ready to give this whole work-week thing another shot. (I’m pretty sure last week’s effort amounted to about 3 hours of actual work time...oops.) I spent the day with my mother and younger brothers, planting seeds, jumping cars, and, well, dressing up:

So, with it being this late and all, I think it’s about time I begin today’s post.

The word of the day was just awesome for the jerky transition to spring we’ve been experiencing here in Lawrence. As the weather turns from snow, to rain, to blistering heat and back again, we all struggle to adapt.

ther-mo-stat n. A device that automatically responds to temperature changes and activates equipment such as air conditioners and furnaces to adjust the temperature to correspond with the setting on the device.

Hah! I couldn’t help but chuckle as my eyes settled on this word. I decided to use the relentless wind that battered us all day as inspiration for this piece, and incorporate also an element of weather that I have always enjoyed-rain.

I sketched the piece first, and then went over it in pen. I then used an old bottle of diluted blue paint and dripped it onto the page. I like the contrast between the stillness and peace of the paint droplets and the stormy chaos represented in the illustration.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post, and thank you for reading.

Xx

-r