She has hair!

It's been a while. I haven't done a whole lot but I have finally finished one of my portrait studies!


I had started this one a while ago but was too afraid to try and finish it. Hair can be terrifying! Anyway, this is the incomplete study.

 

And this is the finished piece.

 

Do you see the difference in picture quality?! I wish I could say that it's my radiant talent shining through but I must confess it's Derek's crazy scanning skills. I scanned the first one and he the second.  Who knew scanning pictures was so involved? Thankfully, the second scan is a lot closer to the actual portrait so Derek saved the bacon with that one.

I really love doing this and I want to keep going.

Fun Night Out

I haven't given much time to writing or drawing lately; actually not for a long time, a very long time. I just seem to be overly busy all the time and haven't figured out the balancing act yet. Last Friday I had a wonderful chance to get my creative groove on! Mom and Ashley found a place here in town called Wine and Design. They provide all the materials you would need to paint a picture and even some art instruction. You bring some refreshments and have a great time. I was able to go with Momma, Ashely, McKinley and Kari. It was so nice to go and have fun without worrying about making things perfect, or even good, but just enjoy painting. We had a blast, and it's inspired me to practice a lot more. I always seem to forget how much I love art until I come back to it. You think I would learn. I'm just glad it's always there waiting for me. Here's the picture I painted:

I hope we can go again soon!

Sketches

I guess I can't avoid posting any longer. How long can you keep things shoved away in a notebook anyway?

As a preface, I've always liked to draw, and I even took a beginners class in college (I'm not sure I can count my middle school art class), but I've never developed as much as I wanted to. While I may, eventually, be able to call myself an artist (philosophical arguments of the title aside), I don't have the skills or knowledge to have confidence in the title now. That being said, I have tried to practice on my own, try new things and mediums, and learn what I can from books. I have posted some of these on our family blog, a very long time ago, but I'll post'em here just for fun. My first sketches were done in charcoal, so far my favorite medium. Man I love the mess! Getting black smudginess all over you while you blend with your fingers. Ah...good times.

I did most of these while in college as a stress relief. They were just out of my head. Lately, I haven't been brave enough to bring something this messy out where little hands could borrow some and practice on their own.

I use pencil most often. It's less messy and easier to put aside when you have to chase a toddler down. These first two are from an instruction book on how to draw heads, obviously. They're from the same picture but done a year or two apart. I wanted to sketch it again and see if there was a difference. I'm still not patient enough to sketch her hair in. Who knew hair was so hard!

This next one is a sketch of a wooden figurine I have. He's a praying Buddha. I never did finish his toes did I? I should have Derek post his sketch. He has a different style than I do, and he's much more skilled than I am. I do like his more, but I like to think mine has some merit too.

This next one is my first attempt as sketching a person from a photograph. The photo is from the Ensign, a conference edition, and I loved this lady's smile. I can now see some major flaws in my picture. Maybe I should try this one again too. You can only get better if you practice right?

And lastly, for now, a little bear cub. You know how you can sometimes see shapes in shadows, or wall textures, or other random places? I was sitting at the table, kind of staring of into space, when I noticed this image on the soft fabric of the back of our couch. I thought it was pretty cool so I grabbed a piece of printer paper and tried to take it down before I lost the lighting.

I'm working on one or two more sketches but I'm not sure when I'll be able to finish them. Keep an eye out and I'll keep practicing!

Expanding practice

It's a good thing this blog is mainly for my own personal experimentation. I can only imagine how frustrating all the changes and dry spells would be for anyone else paying attention. Sorry imaginary reader! Anyway, I wanted to expand what I posted. I want to not only include on this blog the silly bits of narrative that I randomly work on, but also some other silly bits of drawing that I attempt. Having taken only one 'Introduction to Art' class in college I cannot feign any skill. Instead, these sketches are purely for me. Just for me to learn, experiment and explore, so even if you can do way better please don't rub my nose in it.

Who knows, maybe this blog will end up being a smorgasbord of arts and crafts attempts. Maybe my short attention span will one day bring another facet of exploration. For now, I hope I can make some progress with my pencil.

My Lady Fair

I wrote this poem walking home from class one day. I remember I was walking behind my friend Donya (before we had actually met) and I was thinking of all of the women in my life, and what they were going through at the time. As I was thinking I became abstract and words started gliding around my mind. I liked the rhythm that started and I just kept going with it.

My lady fair, who walks alone

down slope and dewy dale,

why this hue upon thy skin?

For where once fairies glowed

is abandoned and left pale.

Jack Frost's own nymphs follow thee

and kiss thy hallowed face,

yet cannot cool the rage of fire

nor find its hidden base.

Why these wells, springing forth untamed,

that blind your sight with tempest's rage?

Lips, who's youth spoke love,

tremble now with age.

Why thy step hindered

by some fierce weight unseen,

though you smile with love sincere,

yet counterfeit in its gleam?

Do you not speak, angel fair,

of the troubles of mankind?

These woes that burden even

the strongest of our kind.

I am here, lady fair.

I listen and obey,

for my human heart rips and churns

when such beauty can give way.

I am here, angel blessed,

who thou hast favored high,

who thou hast given wings

and kindly taught to fly.

Lay on me, my lady fair,

your burdens and your woes,

for angels should ne'er be anchored

by fallen human woes.

Hell's Beauty

This is more of a dramatic monologue posing as a poem. I wrote this while I was really angry about something, but thankfully I can't remember what. I have a bit of a temper, and when I get mad, I get mad. Writing often helped me release my anger in a non-offensive and less damaging way. I wrote this during one of those times; this is what came out:

Leave me to my solitude,

close and dark in anger's balm.

Wandering among the devil's feud,

I grow weary of your false psalm.

What?! You come to me hither!

To ask why the victim's peace

has slipped from your lowly slither,

and blemished your unholy face!

You attack with Hell's hot dagger,

slicing vein and meat and bone,

smiling in your work; would rather

kill all beauty and be done!

And what?! When lust is over

do you crawl to someone new?!

To manipulate, to trap, to hover,

blotting virtue's image askew.

Few witness this dark masquerade.

The fire behind piety's mask.

Taking part in the master's trade,

and you would shrink from what he asks?

Originally I had a different ending but I think I like this one better. The original went like this:

Taking your part in the master's trade

and you would shrink form what you ask!

I felt that it convoluted the image that evolved throughout the rest of the monologue and slowed down the emotion. The new ending makes much more sense to me.

Michael

This next entry is more of a story sketch than a complete idea. I wrote it during a lecture in one of my Roman and Greek History classes - apparently Caesar Augustus couldn't hold my attention that day - and never got around to doing more with it. I was reading one of Dickens' novels around the same time (as you can probably tell by the style and tone of the sketch, and the obvious reference). Maybe one day I'll take it up again; for now, this is it:

"Child what earnestness you have. Shouldn't children be joyful? Shouldn't they run and play? Their minds shouldn't be filled with such gloomy thoughts. Why do you not laugh and play with the other children?"
"Cannot sir."
"What do you mean you cannot? Do you not have legs? Do you not have arms to wave about?"
"Yes sir."
"Then why do you not play?"
"Cannot sir."
"If you do not give me a satisfactory answer I shall leave you to yourself. Enough of this 'cannot sir' nonsense."
"I'm sorry sir, I cannot."
"Have it your way you mischevious creature. I shall leave you alone. Fare thee well.
"Fare thee well sir." The humble child remained still as the old gentleman quickly strode past. He, the gentleman, had not gained forty paces when he was attracted by a rather rough looking shop-keep. "Beggin' your pardon sir, I don't mean any m'politness, but I thought I would check on you."
"What do you mean? What do mean speaking to me in such a manner?"
"I didn't want you to come to any harm."
"Harm?"
"Well sir, I caught sight o' you down the lane there and I began to wurry."
"Why would you ever worry about me, my good man?"
"Well... um...ex'use me for askin' sir, but what was you doin' on that corner there?"
"I was conversing with a street urchin."
"Were you now."
"Of course I was! At least a dozen people must have witnessed it."
"Excuse'n me sir, but did anyone else speak with you?"
"No."
"Did you 'appen to notice anyone actin' strangely, sir?"
"No. I wasn't paying much attention, I must confess."
"Do you know what this urchin looked like sir, what 'e was wearin'?"
"Of course I do! Why do you ask me these ridiculous questions!? What does it matter to you?!"
"Pray sir, just one more. Do you see this urchin now sir?"
"No. He must be long gone by now." With a sudden thought, the gentleman checked his pockets. Being satisfied as to his wallet's location and safety he returned his attention to the shop-keep. "Why? Is the boy a trouble maker? He must be in this street often."
"Did 'e give 'is name sir?"
"Yes, Dick, or Oliver, one of the two. No..um..ah yes, it was Micheal. I remember that now. Why do you ask? Sir, you must tell me."
"Well, beggin' your pardon sir, but there was no one else on that corner with you."
"Of course there was, as I have already explained. Michael, the boy...the urchin."
"No sir." At that moment the gentleman felt someone firmly grab his arm. He looked about to notice two men encompassing him. "What are you doing?! Get your hands off me!"
" Come sir, you'll be missing tea if we don't hurry. They'll be serving those nice cucumber sandwiches that you love. You don't want to miss that do you?" gently said the one who had a hold of him.
"What do you mean?! Who are you?! Unhand me!"
The same man answered, "Now come sir, let's not have a scene like last time."
"Last time? No! Let me go! I don't know you! Leave me be!" The other men, seeming to sense the need for it, grabbed hold of his other arm and the three men began to lead the gentleman away. "Wait! What's happening? Do you know me?! Where are we going? Are we going home?"
"Why, yes sir. " answered the same man as before, "Come along now. That's a nice gentleman." Looking to the shop-keep, "Sorry for the inconvenience sir. You must excuse this man" nodding toward the gentleman now being led away by the other attendant, "He keeps wandering off. Hard to keep taps on him. Did he say anything to you?"
"Just 'hat he was talkin' to a little boy there. But I never saw 'im, the boy I mean. It didn't seem right, a gentleman to be actin' so, so I stopped 'im to ask 'im about it."
"Was his name Michael?"
"Why yes! 'ow did ya know?"
"He often sees Michael. Sometimes as a paper boy, sometimes as a flower boy, but always on the street. What was Michael this time?"
"A street urchin."
"Well, that's a new one. But I guess it stands to reason."
"Does it now? Why?"
"Because we were reading him 'Oliver Twist'."
"What's wrong with 'im? The gentleman. What's in 'is 'head?"
"Tragedy. Something horrible happened, though no one knows exactly what, and the poor soul couldn't bear it. His brain...he became quite unwell."
"But sir, why a boy? Why this Michael?"
"That I cannot tell you. He seems to have been some dear relation. I can only guess at that. What I've heard said is a boy was killed on the street outside the gentleman's home. A falling piano I seem to remember. That's why he walks the streets I suppose."
"Well! I've 'erd nothin' so strange in my entire life!"
"Yes, well thank you for watching him and keeping him safe." The man turned to join the others. As he came closer he could hear the gentleman continue in his reverie, "Oh yes, you must play with the other children. That's how you will be happy! Why ever not!? Why can you not? Don't be ridiculous! Let some other errand boy take you missions. Why do you answer me so!?" The shop-keep watched as the attendant reached the  gentleman and gently took his free arm. "Yes, yes sir, that's right. Nice cucumber sandwiches." As the peculiar group gained distance the shop-keep strained to hear the last words floating on the breeze. "I cannot sir."