Catdad meets Batman

I went to a dance performance last night at Valentine's featuring my friend Robert Tyree in a partially improvised piece interpreting the concept of conversation and applying it to modern dance. I'm wouldn't be able to do justice to the performance by attempting to describe it, so let's just say that it was very good and leave it at that. While waiting for the show and enjoying some happy hour perks I sketched my friend Ben reading a Batman comic.

Speaking of shows, check out The Nimble Owl's post on the newest installation at the Emerson Space Case at the corner of NE 30th and Emerson. The piece is based off a Curious George illustration and was done by Portland artist Luke Forsyth. We all chipped in to put it together and are pretty happy with the results.

Ani-mal-function

I've noticed a few more people are following the blog these days. Thanks a lot and welcome aboard. I hope you find what you're looking for here, as long as what you're looking for is drawings. If you're looking for something else, like pie for instance, you should go elsewhere. Perhaps here. And to all you regular readers who aren't official "followers" you might want to consider signing up. All you have to do is scroll down and look on the right where it lists "followers" and click the button! Then you'll always know when there's new stuff posted and you get to see your snazzy little profile pic in that little box. Not to mention the more followers I have, the more money I get (in my head).



I bought this book a few months ago, not quite sure what I was going to do with it. I certainly wasn't going to read it, but the illustrations inside are really cool and inspirational. Almost as much as the cover. I've decided to try using it as a sketchbook to see if I get any neat effects from the worn and yellowed paper and text covered pages. Below is my first attempt.



In other news, my computer has decided to work today for some reason, but I'm not holding my breath for long. At least this allowed me to update my ipod and eject the library cd that was stuck in the drive. Here's to not having to buy the library a new audio copy of A Confederacy of Dunces!

Figure Drawing

I recently discovered that they hold figure drawing sessions at PNCA on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30. It's free for students and a measly $5 for non-students. Being there made me realize how much I miss being in an art school environment and having all those resources available to me. Now to make these grad school musings a reality.

I felt really out of practice during my first few drawings of the session, but I think I hit a bit of a stride towards the end. I definitely plan on returning as often as my pocketbook will allow.

What the eye misunderstands the mind reinterprets: harnessing accidental art.

You know when you see something out of the corner of your eye, but when you take a closer look it doesn't look nearly as interesting as what you thought you saw? This came out of one of those moments. Sometimes the best ideas come to you by complete accidental inspiration.

"More than anything she'd like to see Paris before she dies."

This is Doris. You may recognize her as a waitress from the small town of Punxsutawney. Happy Groundhog Day everyone!

Thrown voices.

This is real. This happened. It was a Thursday night like any other. A few friends and I gathered at our local "How Can Be?" Karaoke lounge for a relaxing night of drinks, laughs, and off key renditions of classic songs. The clock struck midnight and we all knew what time it was. A hush went over the crowd as we waited for the KJ to step up to the mic for his designated time slot. Distracted by our private musings we almost didn't notice the tiny wooden puppet clinging to the KJ's right arm. Almost....

Before we had time to realize the gravity of what was actually happening, we were struck agog by a duet sung by a man - and a ventriloquist dummy. They cooed back and forth with promises of love and mended hearts while we the audience sat speechless. It was unnatural, yet unmistakably amusing like watching a bear ride a unicycle, or a hippy try to dress acceptably for a wedding. And as quickly as it had all started, it was over. And all that's left is this crudely drawn sketch. "Don't go breaking my heart"? Why, you already have senor KJ. You already have.

DIY Antler

Sometime last year Stephanie gave me an antler, which I much appreciated, but didn't really know what to do with. Well, recently I decided I had had enough of it loafing around the house and told it to get a job or I would kick it's ass to the curb. It decided to be a decorative wall mount, which can also be used to hold many things.

Long time family friend Michael Heumann graciously donated a decorative piece of wood he had lying about, as well as much of his expertise to help see this project to fruition. I stained the wood Cherry Red for a distinguished look and then added several layers of varnish to it for a nice sheen. This also darkened the piece and brought out the natural wood grain. One of the challenges was that we wanted the wood to lay flush against the wall. I found some hooks at the hardware store to achieve this, but got stuck without a router to create the grooves necessary for the inlay. Luckily I had some wood carving tools lying around for printmaking and was able to make the grooves myself. This was a lot more labor intensive, but took less time than it would have to locate a router.



We made sure to drill through the wood and the antler at the same angle so it would attach well and be strong enough to hold the weight of a jacket. In the end it came out pretty good I think. Especially considering it was my first project of this kind. Here are a few pictures of the finished product.







And this is a view of my corner of the room. That ship painting is a recent acquisition from The Union Gospel Mission thrift store out in Tigard. There are always finds to be found out there.

A is for Arthur

Well it's finally happened. My computer has shut down on me and refuses to restart long enough for me to even retrieve my library cd that's still in the drive. While I work out schemes to get a new computer/fix my old one The Nimble Owl has graciously allowed me to use her computer for all my blogging and hulu watching needs.

I've been slacking a bit recently on the blogging, but only because I've been working on some more time intensive projects as well as dealing with my broken computer. Here's a sketch I whipped up that may turn into something more polished. I actually originally intended for poor Arthur's head to be in frame, if you can believe that. Now to enjoy the last bit of this ever fading sunlight. Brief but oh so wondrous.

Ansel and Gretel : IN 3-D!

Well, not quite.

I happened upon a series of pictures of Ansel Adams in a vintage magazine, and having never seen him, I was amused by his appearance. As some of you already know I've always had a fondness for the aesthetics of the elderly. Prior to this I had actually never wondered what he looked like, and I've never really admired his work with more than a passing interest. Oh well.



After my first attempt at drawing him I decided to do a pseudo 3-d depiction of him in layered colored pencil. Sadly the only thing that will occur if you view this drawing through those nostalgic red and blue glasses is a mild headache. Happy Thursday!

New Sketch!

Here's a new doodle that I whipped up last night while waiting for my food at the Alberta Street Pub. And to answer your questions, no I have not started making endorsements for Camel Cigarettes. (Though I wouldn't necessarily turn down the offer, if any Camel representatives are reading out there in cyberspace)