Some of the drawings I do are for practicing certain techniques. In this case, a 1994 pen and ink drawing of a flower using a mix technique of “lined” outlines and shading called “stippling.” What is stippling? Wiki's definition of stippling is “the technique of using small dots to simulate varying degrees of solidity or shading." I really like the aspect of giving my art dimensions. The dimensions may not be mathematically correct as you saw in my perspective drawing on 4/26/2006 but it creates varying degrees of depth that I really enjoy applying. Likewise, I do not care for it to be perfect where it looks like a photograph. Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything. It’s all within the eyes of the beholder.

The willow tree plays the water like a harp. (1994 Pencil Drawing)

What in the world would we have done without ink? We would be trying to piece together clay tablets to get out of the dark ages in 2006. Art will remain the most astonishing activity of mankind born out of struggle between wisdom and madness, between dream and reality in our mind. The Story of Dyes and Pigments by Ber Francois, Guineau Delamare is a good book that goes through a detailed history of its early uses in ancient times, refinement through the Middle Ages and so on. It has great insights such as why purple is the color of royalty. What colors are white and black made of? My 1995 contribution of pigments and dyes derived from hematites, goethites, and manganese oxides. Push it good.

Gas prices across the nation are just ridiculous huh? That is what I was thinking when I was filling up my car at the gas station when someone yelled out my name. I looked over and I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was one of my best friends from high school who I haven’t seen probably in 16 years. What makes this so special is that he was in a hip hop group that I used to do art for. He and his group were responsible for a lot of my motivation to excel in the 80’s which successfully helped shaped my art. The hip hop culture, the graffiti, the art life, the art times. A whole lot of superstars, on this stage her tonight but I want yawl to know one thing… this is… My House. In the late 1980’s I was at my peak doing flyers, posters, stickers, t-shirts, logos, and album covers (That’s records made of wax for you bed wetters.) for the group. Therefore, it couldn’t be more fitting than to present to you, my 1989 drawing of a flyer for my friends Hip Hop group… The Legion of Doom. Shouts! Rob, Will, Mikeski, LSD, no more than four to the LOD! 151! (Pen, Ink, and Drafting Media)

Have you ever broke out one of those cheapo plastic rulers and go to town with drawing lines? Have you ever gotten to a point in time where you thought everything was too linear and boring? Drawing is the honesty of the art, even when your attempt is to be linear and perspective. This 1994 drawing spells out something, can you guess what it says? Hint: The “A” is not in perspective with the rest of the drawing.

My Dad was a blast when it came to football. He would watch games with his buddies and whooped and hollered at the TV. Maybe it was for a touchdown, maybe for a penalty. For a 10 year old, this was very emotional to me. All the action, yelling, laughing, food, drinks, laughing, did I mention drinks? Oh the good times. This inspired me to draw what all the fuss was about. The game was the 1980 NFL Wildcard Playoff game featuring the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams. Dallas ended up winning that game 34 to 13. Told you I am a good drawer, am I. Good times…

There couldn't be a better day than today to start my blog. Today is my sister Milanie's birthday! Happy Birthday Milanie! And for my first art piece to blog, a birthday flyer I drew for my sister back in 1986. This was done in pen and ink so it could be easily replicated on a copy machine and handed out as an invitation to Milanie’s closest friends. This was a slumber party as you can see “Sleeping bags and a change of clothes are required.” I was 16 at the time I drew this and as you can see a lot of improvement was warranted. Go Milanie, It’s birthday, go Milanie it’s your birthday.