I think for a lot of us, the pandemic has redefined what the definition of “staying at home” means. It has been a struggle navigating the new definition of “home” and the space that “home” occupies in our lives.
Things have been so busy of late and my output has greatly reduced. However, I have returned to oil painting. I revisited this piece I started last year and put in a few more hours to finish it. The scene was from a few summers ago when I visited Pen Arthur forest for the first time. The piece takes me right back to that day when the late summer afternoon sunlight struggled to penetrate the canopy.
Looking at Trichrug hill from the top of Pen Arthur Forest. This was my first attempt at pen and wash in 2018. I was pleased with it for an initial effort. I struggle to be loose with my art, so this was a step forward. The only thing that really bugs me was my colour choice for the distant hills - it looks more like the sea.
Face homework. This was following a couple of super uncomfortable hours trying to draw people moving in videos, which was such a struggle for me (and my deepest art desire right now!).
I was experimenting with new brushes here, and also learning to draw eyes in different styles. I struggled a lot with the nose in this painting, because it was hard to figure out proportions without the rest of the face. Feedback always welcome!
These are watercolor and pencil and ink drawings. They are 5 of 10 images of my hand from a child's board book from which I peeled the laminated pages and exposed the underlying cardboard. I have always struggled with a very large Port Wine Stain birthmark, and periodically make art about that, this one of two books this year.
I had some leftover paint pots so I experimented a little. Had a crappy few days so trying to do anything creative is a struggle. Anyone else find it hard to be creative when you're not in the best mood?
The piece covers the struggle that the LGBTQ+ community had to face over the last few centuries to get to the point where we are today - and although it isn't perfect yet, a lot of progress has been made. The articles in the background all reflect key moments in this progression including Stonewall. The two male peacocks - evident through their colourful feathers - represent the community as it stands today and is a representative of the progress made.
First Sorrowful Mystery: The agony in the Garden.
The Angel is dressed in black because it is fortelling his death and the chalice is like a bitter black liquid. Jesus suffered such agony in the Garden of Gethsenami that it would have been enough to save us all but he wanted to give an abundance of graces and spiritual gifts for our salvation by suffering for us all possible pains we could experience. So that even pain can bear fruit in our lives.
"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will"' (Mt 26:36-39).
"Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the Tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony" (CCC, 2849).
Our Father, 10 Hail Marys (contemplating the mystery), Glory be to the Father.
Gouache painting. I've been trying to paint more abstract references quickly and loosely, but I'm finding it a struggle. I'll keep trying. I finally got around to scanning this. This was painted May 15, 2020.
and now, a short poem: "I am so close to the edge, I could just take a step, and leave this lonely world behind" ... thank you, and now back to our regularly scheduled fear-mongering and brain-washing, yay!
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Made by: Autodesk Sketchbook
I have been wanting to explore the concept of creating a Vitruvian Women. Also felt like I struggled with the composition of the Reflect piece (which I am working on developing a series). Hence trying to learn from the best - in a scientific way:)
"The rumor that Elory Andara, the firstborn of her parents, a descendant of one of the most powerful magic wielders of the continent, didn't have the Gift spread quickly, but it wasn't entirely true. Elory did have magic, but it was weak, almost non-existent. No matter how many times she tried, no matter how much she struggled, she could cast nothing but a weak spark."
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An illustration for a personal project
Size 4' x 5' Painted on canvas Medium acrylic painted 1995
In this illustration i am trying to portray how active the spiritual world is in every day of our lives. How heaven and hell, these two kingdoms are battling it out to win our devotion. Even when A person chooses to become part of God's family, the believer will still have to struggle with the forces of darkness as long as we live in these mortal bodies.
The room is suppose to look like it's on fire. This is to represent the destiny of man, spending eternity in the lake of fire, if he refuses to be saved through God plan of salvation. the two people in this paint are the two leader of the two kingdoms. The Devil on the left, Jesus on the right. They are both standing at the door way that will lead to their kingdoms. They are both beckoning the viewer to go through their door. In this painting I want the viewer to understand that spiritual battle take place with every decision we face.
When we come to a spit in the road our we going to choose the right road or the wrong road? What ever road you Choose will sooner or later reap the reward. The reward will either be destruction or blessing, the blessed think is we choose
I illustrated the devil in a beautiful purple robe with gold sequence , To show He is the king of the fallen angels. Purple in the Bible was worn by king and governors and ruling authorities. The purple hood is to show that Satan is a deceiver. He will take truth and twisted into a lie , kind of the way a person will put poison mix in peanut butter to get rid of an unwanted mouse.
Most people don't recognize when the Devil is temping them, because the only view of Him they have is the movie the exorcist. But He is more effective when He appears in the form of a used car salesmen.
The gold belt He wears and the golden door way represent His tactics to side tract us with the love of temporal thing such as the love of money , fame, power.
If a person gain the whole world yet loose his soul what has he truly gained.
Illustrated Jesus dressed in a golden Robe with a golden sash. This represent He is the High priest who offered the sacrifice that appeased the requirement to deliver man from the power of sin, and restore man back to fellowship with God The Father. The door way to heaven is made up of the cross that Jesus gave His life on. If you look at the painting closely you will see holes in Jesus hands and feet. You also can seen on the cross from the blood and the spike marks where Jesus was nailed to the cross.
The devils door has endless darkness of Hell , where Jesus' door has endless light of heaven.
The rocking chair was designer to represent contemplation. Their are hearts with question marks in side them on the head rest as well the seat. I think of people sitting in their rocking chair when they have a big decision to make. So i think before we make decision, we should thing what will be the fruit down the road. If I plant thistle when it grows up it will hurt me . If i plant wheat, when it grows up it will feed me.
I live in a very small town, and one of my students is transgender. Her courage despite her struggles has inspired me. The lyrics in the second image are actually from a song she has written.
My attempt at combining the struggles of teaching with rhyme and cartoons. It is a work in progress. I am a novice when it comes to using my digital drawing tablet.
Life has been BUSY! Managed to get in a bit of practice today, slowly getting better at facial proportions which has been a real struggle for me. My next challenge is trying to find a pencil sharpener big enough for this Lyra Color Giant pencil I have been using :D
