A Word About The BIrd

I posted the raven picture last night. Prematurely. I think a lot of artists fall into the habit of thinking a painting is finished and then coming back and seeing nothing but flaws. Its ok, no big thing. I worked him over again tonight, but I doubt you'll be able to see much difference. I think he's still not right.

But the post was also premature because I wanted to tell the rock and bird story but when there is a 15 year old in the house wanting to use your computer, things sometimes get rushed. I've wanted to paint a picture based on the Cowboy Junkie song Rock and Bird for years now. I tried one other time with a horrible outcome. I think I may have to try it one or two more times still. I love the Junkies, have forever. Love them when I'm happy and things are good, and especially when I'm sad and low. At first Rock and Bird sounds kind of upbeat, and then when you listen to the words, poetic, and eventually kind of sad.

So anyway...here are the lyrics that bounce around in my head when I look at this painting:

She captured both rock and bird

Tied one to the leg of the other

Kept them as prisoners

Until they knew who was master

Then she threw them to the sky.

Bird with unbarred wings disappeared

Rock with weighted heart returned

And rock became her anchor

And bird became her wings.

I'm a rock, but I've always wanted to be a bird. Maybe that's why I keep drawing the stupid creatures. I'm just looking for my wings.

Nevermore...

Stuff and Nonsense

I plan to spend my weekend with this bad boy, or a reasonable likeness of him as I try to lay it on a canvas once and for all. I'm tired of thinking about birds and rocks. Time to exorcise that particular demon. Acrylic in moleskine.

Here are a couple of mediocre and pretty silly sketches from the last week or so.

Trying to draw people. NOT my strength by any means. Poor girl has a chin for days, but I like her foot ok.

Ink and watercolor in watercolor sketchbook

Ok, another trial tonight. A little bit better but still disappointing. You know what really stinks? My sister took up sketching like a month ago and is a hundred times better at drawing faces than I am. Clearly I need some professional help. I think a figure drawing class is in order. Or at least a little more practice. Mechanical pencil in moleskine.

November sketches

From the clothes and closet sketchbook

Sketching things in my room while I was watching the tube. My sweet Gussie...

This is a badly executed sketch. Unfortunately I drew the bird in pen and had a hard time fitting the telephone pole in around him. Hey that's why I sketch things out before slapping paint on a canvas. Usually I use a pencil first and my hands-down-favorite tool, a big pink eraser. Inelegant and poo-pooed by real artists but a true friend to me.