Monday, December 20, 2010

Feel the Beat.

NOTE: IT WILL BE HELPFUL WHEN READING THIS POST TO GRAB A PAIR OF BONGO DRUMS AND TO CHANNEL THE BEAT POETS.






1.
It's morning. My hot tea is next to me. I am in my car in a parking space across the street from a Publix supermarket. My radio is on. Two employees stroll outside, lean back, and talk. They are satisfied - I can tell - to be there at that place in that moment, enjoying the cool air and warm conversation. Despite what the newsman says, all is right with the world. I pull out my pen, and smile.

Two days later I return. Once again I am in my car in the parking space across the street from the supermarket. I sip my hot tea. I pull out my watercolors and dampen the brush. Again the radio is on, but despite what the newsman says, all is right with the world. Again, I smile.







2. A new game. A chance to be creative. Collaboration with a worthy opponent who is enthusiastic and full of ideas. An opportunity to stretch reality, to laugh, to feel joy at the challenge. It feels so good to stretch.

In this game my opponent/collaborator will have an idea, and then it will be my turn to respond. Idea births idea, and neither of us knows how in nine moves it will end. I will tell you more another day and explain the game, but there have been three moves in this game so far. I went first, and this was the first move in our game:









3. Charcoal. My sketchbook. Thinking, an obstacle. Planning, unnecessary. I follow my instincts into the wild. I bury myself in a verdant jungle. But I do not think "verdant", I do not think "jungle", I do not think. I am a wild animal - untrained, unrestrained, and dangerous. An artist. When the charcoal is done, I grab my pen, but it is too late. There is no control in the grand cacophony. Spirited, vibrant, quivering with excitement, the chaos cannot be tamed. It is art, I think. It must be art.

20 comments:

  1. Doh be do do doo be do.. Oh. I should stop drumming now! To tell you the truth, I can't say which is better - your writing or your art - both enchant, and the two together are just perfect.
    The charcoal is definitely untamed art!

    The one of the chatting employees just cuts off half way down the sheet. Maybe its just my connection. Bah!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the three of them !! So different and original! Lucky you to be able to follow three different directions at the same time , so please, don't stop !!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lol - my favourite is the cartoon - I love your sketch, and the charcoal drawing has great energy but for me the cartoon stands out because it is so confident and bold. I have spent a lot of time experimenting with all sorts of styles, wanting to do everything and thinking I shold just stick to one thing. Oddly when I gave myself the freedom to do anything that appealed, I finally found the direction I wanted to go in...

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's gotta be one of the best directions, and they all got one major element involved....FUN FACTOR! =) why do art if it's not fun right? Teehee.. Have a Merry Christmas Dan, and a Fantastic New Year

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dan,

    This post is one of the reasons I so enjoy your blog. You always give me lots to think about. I love the game - are you playing it with Raena? Or do you play with others?

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the new game and can't wait to follow the steps as it develops. And I really could feel the weather as you described it - and painted it - in your watercolor.

    Happy Holidays to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cool post! There's a great energy in your charcoal page - very chaotic and like you said, vibrant (were you listening to music when you made it?). Love your cartoon drawing, it's fun and it looks perfect. Made me smile (now I want to know the story ^^).

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, how you make me appreciate the everyday! Each drawing is special, but I appreciate the humor in the cartoon. I'll soon be in Orlando-so close, but so far from Miami. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Like Maundering mutterer I don't know what I like best; the art or prose, both FAB!!!

    Happy Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  10. These paths, each with its own personality, such a delight!! What a joy to live in the moment, and then to make a record of it!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your sketch is wonderful as always, and your cartoon is delightful! And the charcoal piece is very exciting to me. I have the feeling that you will somehow manage to bring all of these various directions together and the result will be magnificent.

    ReplyDelete
  12. All is indeed right with the world. Each of these pieces are art - as are your words. Merry Christmas!

    -Don

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fabulous stuff Dan! I love them all. The sketch is so friendly, the cartoon hilarious, and your charcoal piece is SO, SO GOOD!!! And your writing is superb.
    Another winning post! Definitely ART!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I know you're not sure about the nametag of 'cartoonist', but wow! You've gone and proved the comments quite true! Love your little collaboration! Who are you playing this one with?

    Really love your top one too. Makes me feel better knowing that you're not always sure how you get your colors either! Maybe I'm not as lost as I sometimes feel!

    Your last one...definitely spirited, which of course equals art to me!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are just "in the moment" where you should be. Enjoy--stay as long as you can.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Is it cold in Florida? That worker guy is wearing a knit hat...I am used to that look here...not there. haha. I love all three of your offerings, I could never choose a favorite from them.
    Well. Alright. If I were really pressed, I'm thinking it is the stream of consciousness charcoal. I like how unbridled it looks. Looking forward to whatever comes next.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh WOW Dan, I read recently in a drawing book that the Masters of drawing know how to combine drawing from life, drawing from imagination, and drawing symbolically. I think your there! You did all three in one post! And, all are creative and artistic. Most inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Of course it is art! Great drawings.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you all so much - your comments are so wonderfully positive and encouraging. Peggy - you blow my mind with your comment, I am getting a big head - but I like the idea that I might have the basis elements that might take me somewhere. Celeste - It would blow your mind what people where here with the slightest hint of cold. Hallie - I have thought about your comment; and it is true - I am really 'in the moment' when I do art. Sandra - come to Miami! As for the game, and who I am playing it with .. it's someone you know - you will see. And I'll let you in on the game soon.

    ReplyDelete