Mission Statement

This is a blog in which I intend to reach my goal to draw/paint a thousand faces! Welcome, and come along for the journey!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Class Projects


Although I have work finished to show, I thought I'd wait until I'm a little farther along in the face count before posting. In the meantime, I was going through my closet and unearthed my graphic design portfolio from school. There were some things in there I thought I would share here. Lots of pictures will make this a long post.
      This first project was from my typography class. It was called the "single character project". Basically, one character of the alphabet rendered by hand (not digitally) in one of two fonts, either regular or italic, to form a sort of letter collage. The first pic is the jacket of my thumbnails.
And then some larger boards of the rough drafts.
For the final version of the project, we had to cut all our letter forms with an exacto knife. I chose some art papers that made it tricky.... Another typography project was the "type personalities project". Four words hand rendered in four fonts that have the personality of the words selected, to form a poster. My thumbnails are below...all done by hand.
Then, the rough drafts mounted on boards. I used a variety of materials...there are even tiny mirrors glued onto the first piece.
And then a color version of the final project. I must have done twenty different color schemes, then finally turned in the project in black and white for lack of deciding.
Two digital fonts I designed outside of type class...
This next one is a product rendering done for a design class.
There was a lot of drawing done in that class...
And some more cutting. We had to cut out a design to demonstrate asymmetrical balance, below... And another design that had to be cut to demonstrate unity through repetition of shape, flow, and value. I had some letters I wrote to my teachers I was going to share. I occasionally wrote a letter about class lectures on the backs of my assignments. I will limit it to one since this post is already so long. 
"Insight:
Even if a person were to live their entire life in a constant state of heightened awareness, and he/she were to see all they could possibly see---it would still only be a glimmer of all that there is. So much of the grand design remains concealed, and no one sees the entire work of it from its beginning to its conclusion, from an omniscient point of view. Only the "Author Of Life". The best that there is here, is only visible with the heart and mind, and soul---not the naked eye. Yet the naked eye does provide us with clues to the intangible---all around us, all the time...if a person just sees with better eyes!"
I leave with you with that thought! Until next time, take care!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Faces In Shades Of Espresso

I rendered these faces several days ago using a pastel pencil in a deep shade of espresso, and then couldn't decide if I would do more of them before posting, or if I would take these and bring them to a more finished state before posting. As it happens, I got busy and didn't do either, so I will just post them "as is" with the possible intention of doing more to these and re-posting later. They are Faces #521-#525. You don't have to make lofty New Year's resolutions of accomplishing something, when setting a goal with small steps along the way will actually get you closer toward your objective! Last January, I only had two posts. I hope to have a few more than that this year. January is the "Monday" of all months to me! Hope you are all enjoying the new year so far! Until next time, take care!

Friday, December 30, 2011

The Last Faces Of 2011

Just a few more faces before the old year ends, and the new one begins! These aren't finished pieces, but all I've been able to squeeze in over a busy holiday season.
Faces #516-#520
This face below is larger than life size, at what I would say is almost twice the average size of a head. I like to occasionally work at different scales to keep "fluid" .
Well there you have it: my faces for the end of the year! I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Shells, Shoes, And A Collection Of Ordinary Objects

I am working on a new collection of pieces that revolve around ordinary objects. These are not still lifes, and the backgrounds are more graphic and abstract. The first two in the collection are done. Both are 11" by 14". But I think I will crop the one with the shoes (shown both cropped and un-cropped). Still deciding about that. I wish they had photographed a little better. I may try taking a few pics of them in natural light tomorrow.
Christmas is really coming up fast, and I am nowhere close to getting done all I have to accomplish. So much to do. But I will try to post again soon! Until next time, take care!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Daytona Beach: A Visual Playground

I was trying to describe what it is like here, for my blogger friend Libby. I am sure that people who have never visited Daytona Beach, imagine the ocean and the beach...
Maybe they even imagine boats on our many waterways and the ocean.
But it is so much more. You can enjoy, all year round, a helicopter ride, go horseback riding, take a ride on a ferris wheel at our boardwalk, go skydiving in our county seat, and many other things. It really is a playground, with all there is to do here. But it is also a visual playground. 
We have a brightly colored lighthouse in Ponce inlet.

Then there's the Boardwalk...

The Band Shell...

Beach Street (Downtown)

So many brightly colored shops downtown...
Or if you are beach side, there are dozens and dozens of shops in many colors and shapes. And there is the colorful "Ocean Walk"...
A stunning bed and breakfast...




It is this artist's inspiration and paradise!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Not Yet...

Although I have made some progress on this piece, it is still not finished nor have I had a chance to work on some of the great ideas I have had. An upper respiratory infection, and the holiday craziness has derailed my creative efforts. You may end up seeing pictures of holiday cookies, breads, and cakes posted here instead of faces in the days ahead! That's December for you! Take care until next time!

Friday, December 2, 2011

I'll Be Glad When...

I'll be glad when I'm finished with this piece! While I do like it, I'm wanting to move on. I must have gotten at least three new ideas for other pieces I want to do in the course of working on this one. Of those ideas, only one involved faces. I may just jump in and start on some of those other ideas before this piece is finished. I'll be sure to share! 
Until next time, take care!