Day Two Hundred Forty Eight

Today, the bit that I saw of it (note to self: get your ass outa bed before noon) was wonderful. It was rainy in the late afternoon and, by the time I got out of the house, it had cooled on and that kind of rain that you don’t mind was falling down between bits of sunshine. I wandered down to Mass street to check things out. Ended up perching up on an old doorstep in an alley for a while...trying to get to the end of the Henry Miller book I checked out oh-so-long ago. The sky was really, really dark at that point, and the air was almost chilly.

Just the faint hint of the coming fall.

In between rounds of Scattergories, I found and illustrated today’s word. I hadn’t intended on a humorous take on this word-in fact, just the opposite, but art is strange that way.

sweep v. to touch very lightly; to remove or clear away with a brush, broom, etc; to move with an even action.

As I got to drawing, this turned into a sort of funny illustration about passing the time while working.

Hah! I remember getting my first ipod, and stepping into our living room to find my mother very, very into a Beastie Boys song while sweeping our living room floor. Oh, the old days.

Xx

r

Day Two Hundred Forty Seven

Oh, jeez...I waited a little too long for today’s post. Let’s hope I can make sense through this entire bit of writing.

So, today’s word applied perfectly to a sort of conundrum I’ve been in lately.

lon-er n. A person who avoids the company of others.

So, most of the time, when the word “loner” comes up, it’s in a negative context. As someone who prefers to spend time alone, I really don’t believe that being a “loner” should be considered an issue. I wanted to illustrate the fact that being alone, without people, does not mean you are alone, without happiness.

To be honest, although I wouldn’t want to spend all of my time without people around me, when I am alone...I don’t feel as though I am missing something. With my art and my work, I don’t always want or need anything else.

So, I think I’ll go to sleep now.

Xx

r

Day Two Hundred Forty Six

Well! A refreshing day off from working was just enough to make me want to dive back into my art.

I’m thinking about starting a new project. Maybe large format. I dunno yet. Maybe I should finish one of the other things I’m working on before putting another iron in the metaphorical fire. Speaking of projects, I’d better get started on today’s...

string n. A strip of thin twine, wire, or catgut used on stringed musical instruments; a series of related acts, items, or events; in Computer Science, data arranged in an ascending or descending sequence according to a command within the data.

Try as I might, I couldn’t shake the image of the bank scene in the movie ‘O Brother Where Art Thou?’... Where she’s got her children tied to her with twine. I’ve always loved the sweetness and hilarity of this gaggle of small children all tied up to their mother as she goes about her business. I decided, for today’s piece, to illustrate something similar, but simplified a bit.

I rather like the expression on the child’s face. It always strikes me as odd when I go to draw a simple face, and end up with a distinct expression.

Hmm...

Xx

r

Day Two Hundred Forty Five

Oh, jeez. Okay. Well, here I am...exhausted and covered in black paint...on the floor of my basement surrounded by piles of freshly printed zine covers. Before I pass out, I thought I’d better do this little post.

*GASP*

I’ve spilled the beans.

The new project I’ve been griping about is, indeed, a zine. Which should be coming out around the end of the month if all goes well...

So, on to the mediocre post of today.

com-mo-di-ous adj. Roomy; spacious.

Because I was in the studio at the time, the focus was larger than usual-instead of fine pens and bits of clean paper, I was surrounded by screens and squeegees, jugs of paint, and huge rolls of paper. I decided, then, to go larger with today’s piece.

“Commodious” brought to mind something I think we’re all eagerly awaiting: cool weather. Specifically the relaxed, comforting sight of fall. I got to thinking about the change of atmosphere as the trees lose their leaves. What was a solid mass lining the streets is now open to the sky-the world seems much larger and emptier without the crowded bunches of green adorning the branches.

Xx

r

Day Two Hundred Forty Four

Well, everyone...

Anyone? Hello?

Well, if you have been so kind as to tune in this evening, I’d like to let you know that, due to the long night ahead, this will be a rather short post.

Today’s word brought to mind the timeless look of black and white film-I decided to attempt to conjure up a bit of that look in an illustration.

glow v. To give off heat and light, especially without a flame; to have a bright, warm, ruddy color. n. A warm feeling of emotion.

I kept it simple with pencil-I wanted to be able to really blend and shade.

I don’t think I like this.

Xx

r

Day Two Hundred Forty Three

Another day of summer gone, another day closer to the start of school.

Spent the day looking for frames for upcoming shows this fall, and then on to the new project. My right arm is close to dead...oh, the joys of carpel tunnel at 15.

 Today’s word was just perfect-it brought to mind a movie my brothers and I have watched pretty steadily growing up.

land-la-dy n. A woman who rents and/or owns buildings or other property; a female landlord.

I wanted a frumpy, surly character modeled loosely after the landlady in Kung Fu Hustle.

She came out looking a bit sorrowful...unintended, but interesting.

Xx

r

Day Two Hundred Forty Two

I guess you could say today was quite a step up from yesterday.

I managed to drag my butt down in to the darkroom after sleeping in ‘til 10:30 (oops) and finish the prints for my upcoming shows. At least, I hope those were the last few. As it turns out, the issued I’d been having with my paper, and lines appearing on it, were due to a too-strong safelight! A few pieces of notebook paper and some duct tape later, its strength had been reduces to the point of allowing me to continue to work without ruining the remainder of my paper.

Success.

Before I continue slaving away over my writing, I thought I’d stop, find a word, and draw something...

mag-ni-fy v. To increase in size; to cause to seem more important or greater; to glorify or praise someone or something.

Inspired by the hilarity of a set of photographs that had been put through a sort of a warping filter, I decided to apply today’s word to the look of a character.

Hah! She looks rather unhappy at being stuck in this rather unfortunate...eh...position.

I think I’ll get back to work now...try and rid myself of this headache.

Evening.

Xx

r