Category: Art

What’s the alternative?

Sometimes I play with the idea–and it twists my mind–of being a “success” … in what that comes to in popular notions.

My worst nightmare!

To make stuff to entertain the rich and powerful, and worse–for them to use as investments.

THAT”S what “success” means for an artist.

What’s the alternative? I want people to see my work. I want to be appreciated for what I do. But the only way open to pursue that, is to make money, and of course, to do all the shit you have to do make that happen.. .which ends up… making stuff that entertains the rich and powerful–the ones who are fucking up this world and leading hell bent to species suicide, and worse… making art they can use to make even more money!

Better, give my work away. Or burn it.

Or make work they would love… but would leak poisons to melt their brains.

Oh… that I had that power.

#387

#387 002
View GALLERY HERE.

40×32 Acrylic on canvas. Heightened tonal contrast with color. Is it enough? Darkened the left side of the central column with ultramarine, a touch of cobalt yellow and drop of carbon black thinned to a glaze with soft gel and water. To the left, a glaze of cobalt yellow. Taking on the post apocolyptic feel that I like.

Love affair with Crow Quill pens

Pogo_-_Earth_Day_1971_poster

I have a love affair with crow quill pens. The finest nib… #102. with its barrel shaft, it holds ink longer than any other point–no dipping in and out in and out. Gives you time to enter what you’re working on. Delicate, flexible–draw dynamic lines… from the finest to bold, spattering static electric stutters.
Once, the instrument of choice for cartoonists. Can’t imagine Walt Kelly’s Pogo…or Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes, without a crow quill nib in their pen holder. Been nothing to compare with the quality of their drawings in cartoons since cartoonists went digital.
Stippling is mediation for me.

Who else out there loves the crow quill?

See: Example