41 Train Rides # 18

Took the Red Line home last night from Bryn Mawr to Addison after a PFLAG benefit at T's on Clark St. On the train, the gentleman in front of me was working in a small sketchbook. Of course I could not resist, and engaged him in conversation. I asked for a peek and he showed me a series of stylized character studies made with a technical pencil. They were unique and well done, and the fact that they were in the sketchbook format made the collection more compelling. Working in a sketchbook is such a important practice, and what one has once the sketchbook is finished is a great artifact - relatively easy to store, wonderful to look at over time. And, drawing on the train, a sign of dedicated artist.

2 Small Collages

India ink on recycled cereal boxes. Images size 7 x 10 inches. Paper size 11 x 20. I'm enjoying working with these recycled cereal boxes. The material is inexpensive (free), the surface takes the ink in an unexpected and slightly uncontroled way, and the colors are warm neutrals with a surprising range of tones to them. I started by saving only the boxes of cereal I had consumed, but the material was accumulating too slowly, and I do not need one more reason to eat more 'Cocoa Krispies', the best cereal ever invented. I now daily peruse the service areas of my mid-rise building where the recycle bins are located. There is one on every floor, there are seventeen floors, and I take advantage of the climb to get in a little exercise. But there is something I really like about the material. It very much reminds me of the dry cleaning cardboard that came out of my fathers laundered dress shirts. It was a cherished commodity in my home for arts and crafts. white with rounded corners, eight by ten in dimension, it was infrequently available and did not remain unused for very long.

Three New 'Lake' Water Colors

Straight out of the watercolor sketchbook. Each painting 5 x 13 inches untrimmed.

New Drawings on Lined Paper

New Tulip Drawings

I had a client this week that was looking for some 'floral' drawings. I didn't have any on hand, but said I did, and cranked out some tulip drawings this week. The client purchased one, it's on its way to New York, but these three remain. A bit tighter than my usual work, but I really got into the veins of the leaves. I could have pushed them a bit further, but played it safe. My homage to spring.