The Days of Fall

Simple illustrations inspired by my favorite season.

Differences and Tolerance

Abomination 

My art is about expression. Expressing my feelings the best way I know how. While it might not convey to everyone the particular issue I am addressing at the moment, it is more than enough for me. I've heard that something always hits close to home when it affects a loved one, be it friend, family or spouse. Last weekend a problem the GLBT community has been facing hit especially close to home for me. Literally and figuratively. A family member of mine was gay bashed in my neighborhood. Around the corner where we live. Fortunately, he got away lightly by running for his life, no part of him broken or bloody. 

What's unfortunate is the NYPD, who finally showed after being repeatedly summoned but did nothing to apprehend the attackers a couple of us saw filing into a house nearby. The police officers told us to contact the detectives after my relative recovered from his attack. I was disappointed but unsurprised at the callous and lazy approach of these officers. But what truly blew me away was the powerless feeling that came over me when I saw the group of fifteen kids, yes kids, who were still looking for a fight after my relative ran away. What can one do when surrounded by such a large number?   

Anyway, this piece isn't really about my feelings of fear but came about after the incident. Any difference that is ridiculed, feared or misunderstood is still viewed as a threat. I had thought by now we lived in a society where tolerance had more or less replaced violence but it's such a naive thought. And any attempt to enlighten ignorance is deemed menacing. This post isn't meant to sound heavy-handed, nor am I trying to preach from atop the soapbox. Just the opposite. 

I have a hard time with words, so this is a bit difficult to write. But, if there is anyone reading this that is different in any way, please keep going no matter what. Don't let hopelessness overtake you despite what others say and do. Be yourself and don't give up.

More Sketchbook

I couldn't sleep one night while visiting friends in VA back in July so I broke out the sketchbook.

Insomniac

Chesire

Listless

Fun with Digital Watercolor

Lady Hop-Frog

Salient

Arrival

Whimsy vs. Angst

I created this drawing for my cousin's wife who requested something for her apartment. She loved the waves and fish on my sketchbook cover so I thought I'd make something similar for her. I used colored pencils on watercolor paper and finished it over the course of a couple of hours since it was a relatively small drawing. 

Unlike the former,  for this sketch I used a calligraphy marker. I call  it 'Inner Demon' and I may or may not replicate it on a larger scale as an oil painting. I like the sketch but I don't think it's quite complete as is however I couldn't do more to it at the time. 

A Page out of the (Sketch)Book

No completed painting so far but here are a few things I've done recently including the blank cover of my sketchbook-

Two things...

I wanted to mention:

Finally have a concept that I like, one that is my own. I suppose you could say I'm in the planning stages because I have yet to draw a sketch of what I see in my head. What resides there probably won't  be remotely close to what I lay down on paper but im hoping the message comes through no matter what. I named my blog life inspired art and I truly do want the pieces to reflect that. While the ideas may convey personal messages ultimately they are universal human experiences and therefore relatable to everyone.

And the second is that I'm sure you've noticed I have no decent banner despite having this blog for almost two years. So, in an attempt to provide an incentive and to motivate myself I decided to mention here that I plan on finally creating a banner.  Doing it this way means I can't give up halfway through or procrastinate further. I'll be working on the banner first while pondering over my next piece. Please look forward to it! :)

Don't Spill the Ink

So, I'm sure you've noticed the lack of updates. If you notice the new name, it's because I've been feeling really lackluster/listless/muse-less/useless- pick your favorite adjective. I have yet to come up with anything original or  it seems that way so in the meantime I thought I'd play around with ink while waiting for Madame Muse's appearance. The first image is based on characters created by Yuricon founder Erica Friedman and the second image(titled Encounter) sort of fell into place when I received a suggestion about 'rain' from a friend. The third image obviously isn't ink but I thought I should include it in this post since they are all considered practice one way or another and I do know I need all the practice I can get with hands.

Friendly Inspirations

MelBus - inspired by Mel over at BBE!

Bibliomania - inspired by Valisa over at Cerebral Distortion

Ambivalence

 "Ambivalence"

What happens when we're pulled in completely different directions? What's right and wrong and are they even obvious?

Stalking, Gawking Birds

Updates

While I haven't posted any recent work here, I do have quite a few things to upload. So please bear with me while I get around to that. :)

Digital Portraits