The Sketchbook Project-Commentary1
Some of the imagery flowed without much thought as to where the story was heading. After having pasted a large graphite and ink drawing, that I had cut up, onto the pages the embellishment began.
Pages 5 and 6
The top of the face [in the center] is basically the main embellishment. The tomato-like plant at the top left was completed with ink-line, as well as the the extended connected lines leading to the triple faces on the left.
It was the painting of these two pages that made it become a fleshed-out image. Not sure where the cartoon-like imagery comes from. I usually don’t do images like this. I kind of like it!
The key was to make sure all the lines flowed together and that when it was colored, the colors were balanced in the work.
It continues with the faces as “pods” on the plants, like those found in my series of paintings ["Spirit of Place"]. It has become the “signature” of my work over the last seven years.
The next couple of pages were a bit more challenging. To complete the work with cohesion, not just in the lines or objects within the work, but also the colors utilized.
Pages 7 and 8
The Reiki-like symbol is another common element in my work. I like spirals, they go well with the subject of nature that is the basis of my “Spirit of Place” series. This one has morphed, sprouting extra appendages of eyes that look in all directions.
You will notice: “pod” faces appear again in this drawing. They dangle from sprawling vine-like plants with a bulbous base. The face behind could be a more larger “spirit” that oversees the whole of the place.
Careening down the side of the plant is another figure, feminine at that…flames shooting out from her back. That stance stating “I am here!”
In the upper left of page 7 are little spores. This indicates a fertility process…reproduction taking place.
Pages 9 and 10
In this next set of pages, 9 and 10, the original drawing is on page 10. All of page 9 is added to flesh-out the original drawing. The pink plant that straddles both pages is also an addition. Its “body” formed to appear like a female with the petals stretched upwards like arms saluting mother nature.
The face on page 10 is an image that appears in some of my “Spirit of Place” paintings. It is meant to depict the “Old Man of the Woods” or “Wild Man”. In this drawing he is melting in a surrealistic manner, morphing possibly due to the manner in which man has treated the natural world.
Along with that imagery is the face on page 9, in the plant. Its tongue out giving the “raspberry” to the viewer.
*Look for more “commentary” on my sketchbook. It’s coming…*
