The Straw That May Have Broke The Camels Back

My most recent drawing in the branches series. I was not only abitious to begin with, but then halfway through, I pulled out my technical pen to work out a few problem areas. Suddenly I was in obsessive detail hell and it took me four days to get out of it. This was not what I intended when I began this series and it is not a way of working that I particularly enjoy. Thank goodness there was a 'Law and Order' marathon on cable. The drawing turned out well but the process was not what I am after. I may have one more drawing of this type in me, sans technical pen. There is one other image I want to explore but then I will move on to last minute things for my upcoming show.

An Older Train Photograph

Just a reminder that I do take photos. The photograph here is a few years old but has been a popular one over time. I limit the editions of my photos to 25 and I believe this particular image is at number 19. This series came out of my first foray into digital photography and in a sense I created faux, idealized, panoramas of Chicago. This is a prime example. All of these structures do exist but not in the manner depicted. And now with the passage of time a number of other buildings have sprung up around the one depicted. There is a large five piece installation of this piece in the Gage Restaurant on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and it's impressive.

June Show at Las Manos Gallery

This week I've been finishing drawings and making framing decisions for my up coming show at Las Manos Gallery. I will be showing with Michelle Peterson/Albandoz and Paul Clark. Each of our bodies of work, while in differnt media and about different things have a really nice connetion. It should be a really good show. If you don't know the gallery you must check out it's website (http://lasmanosgallery.com/) or stop in if you are in Chicago. Las Manos is located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood on the north side of the city and it's quite little design and art destination. The address is 5220 N. Clark St. (Clark and Foster) and although the hours are limited you can always call for an appointment. I'm posting the postcard images and feel free to contact the gallery with any questions.

Two New Branch Drawings

I've been diligent this week about making work. I have a show coming up in June and deadlines are quickly approaching. Four new branch drawings were created this week as well as a new photo, (not competely assembled yet). Here are two of the newest branch drawings. India ink on bristol paper, 13x17 inches.

Branch Drawings (From Photographs)

This week I continue to make drawings of spring branches, but now from photographs. I rarely work from photos when drawing but in this case it helps disentangle the vast amount of information I have to contend with when I look at these branches. I love the systems that emerge from the chaos of the foliage. And the density and quality of contrasty black and white actually evokes the feeling of these early spring days; the budding trees and the sunlight filtering through them. All drawings are approximately 13 x17 inches, (although I may trim them a bit once the series is finished), and india ink on bristol paper.

Branch Drawings (From Observation)

I spent last week dog sitting in the suburbs. It was unusually warm for late March/early April and the dog and I spent much time in the back yard. A few trees were just starting to form buds and I took advantage of three warm days in a row to make a few drawings of the branches of the surrounding trees. The drawings are all India Ink on 14 x 17 Bristol paper and have a slightly naive and simplified quality as I attempted to make sense of the complex branching systems I was observing.

I Am Hopeful About Spring

The weather is up and down this month, not unusual for Chicago at this time of year, but I am hopeful that spring is on the way. I'm not sure when this photo was made but it fits my vernal mood. Shot from the Montrose Harbor Bird Sactuary (the Magic Hedge) look south towards the city.