Sunday, February 13, 2011

101st Reunion


Valentine's Day. It's a shame I guess, that many consider it to be for the young, and I can understand why someone in a settled relationship might not celebrate Valentine's Day. It is an expense for love already shown, hopefully many times over. And if the couple has children, no matter their age or distance, the couple's thoughts are often on them.

About a year ago I saw a remarkable photo on a blog - the embrace of a mother and daughter. It had been a surprise reunion; the daughter had arrived home without an announcement and somebody snapped the shot. I was astonished at the amount of emotion displayed by the mother's face even though so little of it was revealed. And I knew I would draw the embrace some day.

The other day I pulled this photo from a file and sketched it. I attempted to reach the author of the blog to get permission but it appears that her blog is no longer active and I have no name connected to the photo or the blog. If anyone knows the name of the blogger, please let me know so that I can make a proper attribution and contact her, if possible.

This sketch was done with my Lamy Safari and Lexington grey ink. I thought I'd try Lexington Grey, inspired by many of Nina Johansson's beautiful drawings - and was a little disappointed that the grey was so dark. It still looks like a black to me. Still I love my Lamy, and I like the way the ink looks on paper.

A corner of my heart belongs to the readers of this blog, and to my artist friends on line, and the Everyday Matters Group. My last post was my 100th post. That means that this is the first of my second hundred. And that is only because of you. You have greatly enriched my life and I will be forever grateful.

So Happy Valentine's Day to you!

[4/16/11 - EDITOR'S UPDATE: I've just found out that the photo was of Linda from Quotidian Curiosities and her daughter. Thank you so much, Linda.! The link to her post with the photo is here. And she liked the drawing!]
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31 comments:

  1. Mari Brown and ColourblobFebruary 13, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Really beautiful drawing Dan, I see what you mean about the mums expression... So many different emotions all in one, its warm and welcoming. You did a really good job on this one, well done!

    I hope you and your family will have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Oh Dan! It's beautiful. Your well executed flowers on the shirt of the left hand figure attracts my eye. I love your use of negative space and your pen marks are gorgeous. And of course, the sentiment is perfect.

    Congratulations on your 101st! I look forward to many, many more.
    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  3. jillFebruary 14, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    I love this drawing, Im sure you did it justice and then some to the original photo. I saw the expression on the mums face before I read your bit, this is captured wonderfully. Congrats on your 101st posy

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  4. RobinFebruary 14, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Dan, your blog and art has inspired me to take out a sketch pad and bring it with me when I am out and about (and working as a sub and on break) and yesterday I went out and bought sharpie fine point colored markers. I have never felt confident enough to commit to drawing vs. the flow of paint but seeing how your work has given me a renewed interest. The beautiful moment you have captured in today's post is touching and warm, thank you for sharing and Happy Valentines Day to you and your loved ones.
    Robin

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  5. debra morrisFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Beautiful beautiful drawing Dan. Great heart-warming post....I share your feelings about the great EDM group, I don't think I would have been so inspired and motivated without you and all the EDM members.

    Happy Valentine's Day
    Congratulations on your first 100

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  6. Vicki HoldwickFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Dan,

    A perfect post for Valentines Day.

    Congrats on 101 posts.

    xoxo

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  7. E*phiFebruary 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    This is such a beautiful drawing! It's very intense, I don't believe a photo could convey all this emotion better! You've done a wonderful job.
    Happy Valentine's Day, Dan (even though I didn't even know it was Valentine's Day already... *g*). And thank you so much. Because your fantastic blog posts and hilarious comments always make me smile! :)

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  8. Ellen BurkettFebruary 14, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    You must have totally caught the body language too, because it is chock full of emotion. And yeah, Valentine's Day is so often thought of as only for thoe who are "in love". It's clear by this drawing that they love each other madly. Great job, Dan. This is just wonderful!

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  9. ElzaFebruary 14, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    That simple line depicting the mother's eye absolutely loads this drawing with emotion. How simple it can be to convey a message if only you know how...and no eraser either. A wonderful start to the next 100 drawings.

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  10. Cathy HoltomFebruary 14, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Great penwork, you captured the moment well.
    Well done on reaching 100 posts, here's to the next 100!
    ps Lovely words about EDM and online friends, I am proud to be among them!

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  11. AlexFebruary 14, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    It's an emotional and powerful image Dan =) And it's very beautiful. Works so well on such occasion as well.
    Your comment on my recent post really made my day...teehee...macho guy like me? =) I am just a skinny tiny chinese dude. I bought my wife a bottle of fragrance...Tommy Girl..and she loved it. A good and wise friend once told me that you can never ever go wrong with perfumes...and so far, he's been quite right really.

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  12. Cheryl RazmusFebruary 14, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    I can only aspire to be that capable with ink, and emotions. It's very moving, Dan. Thanks for being part of this group that has got me drawing after a lifetime of wanting to.

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  13. -DonFebruary 14, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Hi Dan, I thought I left a comment last night, but guess I didn't click something right. You captured the moment perfectly in this piece. I could feel the emotion. Congrats on passing the century mark in blogging. I look forward to the next 100.

    -Don

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  14. Elena (Pelusa)February 14, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Congrats on your 101 post!
    And that hug image in incredible! Thanks for share it swith us!

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  15. TimareeFebruary 14, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Congrats! Nice drawing too. My daughter just spent the last 6 days here surprising her father with a visit for his 60th birthday. Surprises can really be wonderful (although since he doesn't always like surprises, she gave him a call in the morning to ease the surprise a bit!)

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  16. Celeste BerginFebruary 15, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    Beautiful drawing...expertly done! I like how you put lots of detail in..but you did not over-do. In other words, you were judicious in the amount of hatching you did..I'm impressed.
    I know what you mean about liking all the fellow bloggers...we have a kinship! Happy Valentine's Day to you....it is always a genuine pleasure to see what you are working on.

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  17. Melinda OwensFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I adore this sketch! The telling is in the embrace...my oldest daughter is leaving for college this summer and this sketch made me think of our embraces when she returns home. Sniffle. Happy Valentines Day...

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  18. hw (hallie) farberFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    I thought I left a comment yesterday. I believe it was: Beautiful drawing but where's my candy? I've enjoyed all 100 posts and look forward to many more.

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  19. JaneneFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Wow--your drawing is very evocative! I like the simple background of small dashes, it contrasts nicely with the flowing lines of their embrace without distracting.

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  20. UnknownFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    This is a really lovely drawing Dan.

    Congrats on your 101st post... I look forward to many, many more.

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  21. nanke's stuffFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    What a powerful drawing! I can see why you saved the photo to draw it one day. Well done - I got a lump in my throat when I saw it. nancy

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  22. UnknownFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    A truly wonderful drawing! It caught my attention right away and I took a long time to study it. Really great. Congratulations on your 101st post!!

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    This drawing inspires me (like Nina's work does) to try this Lamy pen.
    Congratulations on your 101st post.

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  24. UnknownFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    I've gone and done it again, Dan! I commented on this on the fifteenth and I've just realized it didn't post. Most likely my fault as I tend to hit post, then take off!

    This is so powerful! That simple line for the eye really conveys so much emotion! The tones and cross-hatching are very well done!

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  25. David R. VallejoFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    What a beautiful drawing. You handle the medium and technique very well and your expression is beyond words. Great job.

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  26. Dan KentFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Thank you all so much for the congrats and the kind comments. Go Robin - All right!! :)

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  27. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    Dan, I love your drawing. Thank you for sharing. Reminds me of the time when I hugged my brother this way when he came home from college after a long gap.

    -Pratyusha

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  28. kazumiwannabeFebruary 27, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    Beautiful Valentine presents for us readers! I love this drawing, for many reasons. Intense emotion, it's strange to see something you feel so strong in a drawing. You did a superb job drawing this photo.

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  29. LindaMarch 7, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Dan! I think that is me and my daughter! I'm still here, busy running back and forth helping her with HER baby, neglecting my "blog baby" ... What a wonderful drawing...it takes my breath...
    :-)

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  30. DynamiteJMarch 11, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    I can feel the emotion on the draw, you did a really good job :)

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  31. meeganMarch 13, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    fabulous drawing, on so many levels.

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