I just got my complimentary copies of A Writer's Space the last book I did some illustrations for.
Possessed, perhaps, of a morbid state of mind, I always suspect a letterbomb when I receive a package that I'm not expecting, but this turned out to be nicer.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Progress Continues/Self-Reflection/Geeking Out
Was back in the studio last night doing a little more drawing on the megature - dogs, tigers, more spines on the snakes...
While I was creating a series of arching, fluted horns growing from the back of a floating, greyhound-like creature, I found myself in a moment of self-recognition.
backstory:
A week or so ago Jonathan Bennett came by to discuss some potential collaborative work, (ekphrastic stuff, as we say here in Wenham) and we got into a fairly in-depth talk about my artistic motivations (it was actually a little like being in therapy). At first I was a little wierded out, but eventually he explained that he was just trying to find out what makes me tick artistically so that he could respond informedly to the work.
Since Jonathan is a poet, the conversation naturally drifted to my past work in orthographies and constructed languages - what sounds I like, how I go about choosing and developing letter/character forms, etc. I have mostly abandoned such pursuits in the last few years since they're time-consuming and fairly solipsistic, but it was fun to babble about them to someone who was actually interested.
One of the languages, Oriset (the only one with a semi-developed working grammar and vocabulary) whose script is calligraphic and resembles sequences of clouds or waves, has a very complicated system of verbs, with many irregular ones and an ornate method of conjugation. The entire language from the choice of consonant sounds up to conjugations and noun declensions, was developed for beauty, flow and a rhythmic, embellished sound, which brings me back to the Persian Megature.
As I was drawing the various creatures, it struck me that I was designing the line-quality of the Megature in much the same way that I went about building the sound-quality of Oriset. I take the necessary and essential elements of the creatures I choose to include, and spin them out into a sort of attenuated Mannerism that borders on the Rococo.
So, an interesting observation - don't what what I'll do with it yet.
From The Vault
Speaking of hyperstylized linework: a rabbit grooming itself in a thicket by a pond, in the Thai style. Circa late 90s?
Illuminated manuscript, color pencil, 2004ish
While I was creating a series of arching, fluted horns growing from the back of a floating, greyhound-like creature, I found myself in a moment of self-recognition.
backstory:
A week or so ago Jonathan Bennett came by to discuss some potential collaborative work, (ekphrastic stuff, as we say here in Wenham) and we got into a fairly in-depth talk about my artistic motivations (it was actually a little like being in therapy). At first I was a little wierded out, but eventually he explained that he was just trying to find out what makes me tick artistically so that he could respond informedly to the work.
Since Jonathan is a poet, the conversation naturally drifted to my past work in orthographies and constructed languages - what sounds I like, how I go about choosing and developing letter/character forms, etc. I have mostly abandoned such pursuits in the last few years since they're time-consuming and fairly solipsistic, but it was fun to babble about them to someone who was actually interested.
One of the languages, Oriset (the only one with a semi-developed working grammar and vocabulary) whose script is calligraphic and resembles sequences of clouds or waves, has a very complicated system of verbs, with many irregular ones and an ornate method of conjugation. The entire language from the choice of consonant sounds up to conjugations and noun declensions, was developed for beauty, flow and a rhythmic, embellished sound, which brings me back to the Persian Megature.
As I was drawing the various creatures, it struck me that I was designing the line-quality of the Megature in much the same way that I went about building the sound-quality of Oriset. I take the necessary and essential elements of the creatures I choose to include, and spin them out into a sort of attenuated Mannerism that borders on the Rococo.
So, an interesting observation - don't what what I'll do with it yet.
From The Vault
Speaking of hyperstylized linework: a rabbit grooming itself in a thicket by a pond, in the Thai style. Circa late 90s?
Illuminated manuscript, color pencil, 2004ish
Monday, April 14, 2008
Down Time
I had a great weekend on the Vinyad.
There is No New Art currently, but to get in the Grant vibe, listen to Courtship Dating by Crystal Castles.
Crystal Castles is my groove and I have been rocking it for the past week without stopping.
There is No New Art currently, but to get in the Grant vibe, listen to Courtship Dating by Crystal Castles.
Crystal Castles is my groove and I have been rocking it for the past week without stopping.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Persian Megature
Working sketch for Persian Megature.
Photos of the drawing for those with good eyesight:
Composite
Snake
Ox
Thousand-Year Rooster
Really, really excited about the snakes and birds, and can't wait to see what they look like when they're done!!
Artrageous!
Here's my painting on the Montserrat Artrageous! site: Artist Listing I'm in the left column under Live Auction! :D
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Quick Tuesday Update
Vegetarian Sandwich Bar
Was replaced by an all-day sundae bar! At first was upset, but decided to roll with the punches and got a small bowl of vanilla ice-cream with strawberry sauce and plentiful gummy bears.
Two hours later, was urgently reminded that I am now lactose-intolerant! :o
Studio
Finally started work on the drawing for Persian Megature. It is coming along swimmingly. A trifecta of majestic rabbits, long sinuous snakes and of course quantities of aeromice.
Forgot the camera twice, but the graphite on silver is very hard to photograph anyway, so will post pictures once I start painting in the black.
Really want to start on Action Rabbit (and finalize its name!), but am forcing myself to wait a little while until PM is well underway, and I have gotten a quorum of the other series started on.
Ration ration ration.
Tomorrow I'm going to the alumni drawing session at Gordon, but hopefully will return in time to get some more of my own drawing done as well.
Was replaced by an all-day sundae bar! At first was upset, but decided to roll with the punches and got a small bowl of vanilla ice-cream with strawberry sauce and plentiful gummy bears.
Two hours later, was urgently reminded that I am now lactose-intolerant! :o
Studio
Finally started work on the drawing for Persian Megature. It is coming along swimmingly. A trifecta of majestic rabbits, long sinuous snakes and of course quantities of aeromice.
Forgot the camera twice, but the graphite on silver is very hard to photograph anyway, so will post pictures once I start painting in the black.
Really want to start on Action Rabbit (and finalize its name!), but am forcing myself to wait a little while until PM is well underway, and I have gotten a quorum of the other series started on.
Ration ration ration.
Tomorrow I'm going to the alumni drawing session at Gordon, but hopefully will return in time to get some more of my own drawing done as well.
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