scribble people - inspired by Andrew Wyeth

Scribble People

9 x 12

sketch paper

I have been doing a lot of sketching and I really love it.  I have been dismayed, though, that my sketches never look as good as others I have seen.  I refer to my work as scribbling instead of sketching.  I never felt worthy of the term sketching.  I started reading "Wyeth at Kuerners" written by Betsy James Wyeth.  It is a book of Andrew Wyeth's sketches...As I looked at the beautiful art work by Andrew Wyeth I took notice of his sketches.  They were incomplete...messy...and absolutely brilliant.  He sketched the same thing multiple times, the same figure, the same composition with slight variations...always refining, repositioning.  Of course his finished paintings are beyond description they are so marvelous.  

When I started this sketch I decided to never let my pencil leave the paper.  It worked for the most part...I did have a pause or two but for the most part it is one long scribble line.  As I sketched I thought about who these people are and how I could relate to them.  Down the line I started with a woman in a tall hat with a cross body bag, followed with the profile of a youngster...another woman with a large hat and a feathered plume...a hard hat/helmet adorns the head of another depicting my military heritage...a chef's hat reminds me of my families love for cooking...a love that I do not share...but I appreciate that others enjoy the creativity of their culinary efforts.  The end of the line is a figure in a baseball cap leaning on a bat...my love of sports is represented...love for playing much more than watching.  

So, while my sketches are messy, I know they serve a purpose and I will continue.  

As an aside...I highly recommend "Wyeth at Kuerners" book to anyone who is interested in composition and studying the genius of a realistic, abstract artist.  

Sun Showers - Tour of Washington DC

Sun Showers

8 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

$250

This is a painting I never thought I would finish.  It just didn't seem to come together…so many lessons learned!!!  Lessons on perspective, figurative positions…light…dark…warm…cool...it was just a jumble.  Slowly and methodically I started working out each issue.  I studied angles, positions and perspectives.  It is still not perfect, but it was a great learning experience.  Some paintings seem to just flow off the brush…this is what I call one of my BST works.  Blood, Sweat and Tears!!!

The scene is actually in front of the Lincoln Memorial looking away from the memorial.  The concrete blocks were placed there during construction and are no longer there.  The first woman with the yellow umbrella was a tour guide and her flock followed behind soaking up her knowledge of our great capital, Washington DC.  Sometimes I follow these groups to hear bits of knowledge…they always have amusing stories.  

As an aside…this is is a small portion of a large piece I am working on.  "Steampunk Marissa" is the working title.  I still have lots to do on it…but I am please with my progress so far!