Sometimes things just take time… a lot of time! Started January of 2020. Ended Summer of 2024. Four and a half years ago, I responded to a call to artist from LAC about a designing a medal for the Ontario Summer Games to be held in London ON. I had never designed a medal before. I started with taking a walk by the river for some contemplation. Next up, was some research on medal designs through out the years. What did we do before the internet? The reading and observing other designs gives a bit of context and more confidence in what I think I can do and what I want to do. Next up, sketch out some designs in my sketchbook. Next up, narrow down the ideas and execute a finished drawing. Submit. Wait. One of the hardest parts for me was the write up about my design. I know what I want to say, back getting the right words takes me more time than it should. Because there was a short timeline, it was not much of a wait. They picked my design. That was early February 2020. Then, as we all know, everything shut down, due to the COVID-19. Everything was cancelled. Stay at home.
Fast forward four years, it’s now January 2024. The world is basically back to normal. A message comes from LAC, with the news that the Ontario summer games are ago here in London, and my design will be used for the medal. Sometimes you just need to change things up!
I usually create art that is detailed and realistic. I believe drawing skills are critical. And I think it's not until you can draw realistically that you can leap to stylized and abstracted works… in my little brain anyway. So here we go... I started with some very quick sketches (mere minutes) completed on the golf course. Too little time for details. A few pencil lines. Some simple shapes. Maybe a micron pen. Maybe add some tone. Later at home, I had fun creating these colourful, stylized pieces of art. Each is approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. Inspired by a logo I worked on a few months back, where the client wanted an old feel - like a woodcut. This juried exhibition showcases original two-dimensional works of art that celebrate the artist behind the work, what the artist saw and created, "in their view", real or imagined. This means anything goes.
So pleased that these two artworks were juried into to show: "Looking at the Four Story Walkup" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 9 1/4" x 9" c2024 and "The Upper Two Floors" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 13 1/2" x 8 3/4" c2024 The beauty of traditional pen and ink is in the power of simple lines. It's a simple process, using simple tools on a piece of paper.
The downside... permanent ink is well, permanent. Sometimes you can correct a mistake, but sometimes it's impossible to correct it! These sketches are drawn from photos, the reasons being:
Spring is coming and so is the #ONEweek100people 2024 challenge!
The 11th annual Square Foot Show At Westland Gallery in London.
Grand Opening Reception: Wednesday, December 6th, 3 – 9 pm. Show runs: December 6, 2023 - December 30, 2023. LONDON FREE PRESS | WESTLAND GALLERY 470 works of original works of art by 250 local artists hang in a beautiful mosaic from floor to ceiling. This exhibition is a must-see for new and experienced collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts. My entries: "Dundas Streetscape with Figure" (India ink & watercolour & Gouache, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12” " Figure and Ferns" (India ink & watercolour, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12” "Catching a fly ball is a pleasure, but knowing what to do with it after you catch it is a business." - Tommy Henrich
Recently completed this new illustration of a "baseball glove with ball". Sometimes when you decide to draw/paint/sketch/ a subject, you think "oh this will be easy" You don't realize how much detail there is OR how complicated the subject is. There was a lot more detail in this glove than I thought, it took a really long time to complete this one! I kept thinking I was finished, only to realize, another section was not complete. But finally done and I am happy with it. Brings back memories from playing baseball (slowpitch) to going to see baseball games. This year I saw MLB baseball in both Cincinnati and Pittsburg, with both ballparks in the heart of the downtown. From that image comes a new greeting card. I look forward to continuing with the sports theme... next up golf, then hockey, then curling... |
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