In July of 2022, Brianna Grier died falling out of a moving police car while having a mental health breakdown. Since Brianna passed, I have been heartbroken for her twins and family but also reflecting on my struggle with mental health. Mental health needs compassion and empathy, not police and punishment. The brunch strokes are purposeful, but I completed them with empathy in mind. I want to keep the composition simple but filled with meaning. The color theme represents vastness and loneliness, but also kinetic energy found in warm orange tones.
This comic came out of a conversation I’m having with a friend. We both found it fascinating that so many comedians and creatives come from broken and dark places. Robin Williams said, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”
Medium : Pen and ink on Bristol Board
Size : 11" x 15 "
Year illustration was done : 1987
This rendering of a broken down wagon, is part of a group of Pen and ink illustrations I did for a christian mission , for their pamphlet that was put together to imform the public about their services and ministry to the military members and their families. This mission reaches out to miltary through offering hospitality, Bible studies, holding retreats, and hosting luncheons for church groups.
Military soldier who are in training also would come out to the rach to spend the weekend off post, to rest, learn the Bible , get home cooked meals, and enjoy out door recreation.
I work as a summer missionary with this mission a couple of summer, helping with up keep of the ranch and helping with conducting the retreats.
written by Stephen J. Vattimo
I first bought some cheap soft pastels back in 2018 and did a couple of sketches. I bought a nice set of Rembrandt pastels a few months later — didn't use them. I bought some pastel pads, none if which seemed right. September 2020, I bought a couple more sets of bargain pastels and tried a couple of pieces — no good, still couldn't bring myself to use them. Jess bought me pastel pencils for Christmas — I was too scared to use them. I even bought a pad of Pastelmat which is supposed to be THE paper to use for pastel paintings in January. I was too scared to use that as well!
FINALLY, after a few unsuccessful attempts at working with watercolour (brush issues), I cast aside my fear and thought I'd mess around with pastels. Some time later, and this was the result. I've finally broken through my pastel fear-barrier.
I've got to say, I love soft pastels and I'm excited about doing more pieces in this medium.
If you’re broken hearted (pun fully intended) over Sweet Hearts being out of production this year, then this is the print for you. I made it so there would still at least be something Sweet Heart-themed available for Valentine’s Day. Now 2019 doesn’t quite have to be the year without Sweet Hearts. You can find this print on everything from cards to skirts via this link and the Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, and Threadless buttons it directs you to: https://linktr.ee/okhismakingart
Yet another senseless lynching that has me here with a broken heart. Like my other paintings on this subject, I wanted to focus on life. Tyre was dynamic and energetic, so I wanted to paint him soring. I also wanted to paint him defiant in the face of his oppressors. He was a skater, and they are no strangers to defiance. Thankfully, I found some excellent references to help me with the composition. Aesthetically, I wanted the comp to be modern, colorful, and hopefully impactful. I went for a pop art, illustration, and false-color vibe and minimized blending and refining layer edges. I painted this in Rebelle 6 and Photoshop. Much respect.
Post-Apocalyptic Pastime
In a world where decay replaces diamonds and cracked walls echo memories of youth, a lone figure stands ready to swing. Post-Apocalyptic Pastime reimagines America’s favorite game as an act of defiance—finding hope, peace, and play amid the ruins. The graffiti and broken skyline hint at what was lost, but the stance of “LEE 01” reminds us that even in the aftermath, the spirit to keep playing endures.
This picture represents that even in the darkest or messiest of times there is still a rainbow. The picture shows as someone is lost and waiting a rainbow still appears. As the path is broken, messed up and there seems to be no way out, there still is hope.
This piece was made 2 months into starting drawing. A symbolic surge of creativity and inspiration as the veil was broken down. This can be considered a personal milestone.
This poignant black and white pencil and ink drawing captures the essence of a dark, broken man with sand slipping through his fingers, symbolizing the passage of time and lost hopes. A hole in his chest reveals his heart, while beside him stands a similarly broken woman. In the foreground, withered flowers and a shattered hourglass accentuate the theme of decay and loss. The background features a forgotten playground, representing the loss of innocence, and a swirling vortex with lightning in the sky that engulfs the man's illusion of reality. This artwork speaks to the emotional turmoil and fragility of the human experience.
Life is sad as we age and our bodies tear our minds from our hearts. Memories become broken and isolated, disjoined from who we are, what we were, and who we loved.
broken hearts / death / love songs / life / everything / everywhere / all of the time | i haven’t uploaded in a while and i’ve been doodling on my arms so i decided to upload it!!
I haven't done a still life since highschool! I was finally motivated to make one after finding this black conch shell on the beach of Rimini. In the past I found one but it was broken, i feel like i've been on a healing journey and was delighted to find a complete full shell. In a way I took it as a sign of the healing graces God is pouring out on me. I also found the coral thing floating on the waves of the shore. I felt the presence of the divine through His creation that day. I picked up the other scallop shells and the red rock there too. The big snail shell I found outside the monastery, there are some big snails here! So yeah, I wasn't trying to be too precise in this still life but I wanted to jot down the idea and my thoughts from that day. Peace be with you all
This head is from a broken sculpture I found in A church of Rome when I was exploring the city, you can see a lot of these sculpture on the streets when you look around.
