A Remembrance

"Three Gulls"  Pastel on paper  10" x 8"

It has been near constant rain here, which is appropriate, given that it’s been only a few weeks since the death of my father-in-law, perhaps the finest man that I have ever known.  Mario was not young when he passed - he was eighty-six – but it is a reflection of his character that it feels as though he was taken too soon.

For Mario, life was precious and his family was precious.  So we who are left, by his example, know what we must do:  We must value each day, and cherish our loved ones, until the very moment that our own stories end.

---

Mario loved the sea, perhaps more than anything.  So as a fitting tribute, my wife and I went to the beach at Key Biscayne a day or so after his funeral.  He used to bring his daughters there as children.  Although we live in Miami, we almost never go to the beach.

I brought my watercolors and tried to paint what I saw.  I tried to balance everything on my lap, brushes, paint, palette.  Occasionally I would drop a brush in the sand.  Sand was everywhere.  The watercolor was a disaster.

So off and on in the days thereafter, I laid in a pastel over the watercolor.  It was never quite right, so I worked and re-worked it.  I noted that the best pastelists don't appear to smear too much, but leave their marks confident and bold.  There is also a tremendous overlay of color in the best works.

I did not want to post until I had a work that would be a proper tribute for Mario.  So today I made changes again.  I don't believe I achieved my aim.  I will try again one day.   But in the meantime, here it is.

One Head is Better Than None

Well, folks, it's been a tough week - slogging through eating establishments with nothing to show for it but food and drink.

Moments of panic: "I've forgotten how to draw!"
Cries of despair: "I've forgotten how to paint!"

My hand and my eyes just wouldn't coordinate. The pen didn't know where to go.



Then finally from the crumbs of one half-eaten sandwich, a single head arose. It was a floating head - gazing beyond the menu towards the heavens.

And though there was that single stray line (which you might think is a pencil-thin goatee, but you would be sadly mistaken my friend) - I was redeemed. And amazingly the blue on the skin seemed to work this time, as compared to the undead pallor I'd given to that other poor girl earlier in the week.



So once again I am on my way, swerving on the artistic road - with every sight a potential target.

Hi Janey

In my first post, I thanked Janey of Janey's Journey for her inspiration and the kind words that motivated me to start this blog. Now she has not only linked to this blog's humble beginning, but dedicate a post to me and my blog. I had a feeling I would meet wonderful people in blogland - I believe I have begun with the nicest one of all. Thank you Janey!

Some time ago, I was inspired by Janey at her blog to draw a house from the neighborhood that inspired the folk song "Little Boxes". The blog with Janey's drawing of one of the houses is here. The photographs of the neighborhood are here. My effort is below. This was interesting for me because I painted loosely first in watercolor, and then applied soft pastel over it which created a gentle effect.


Janey likes that I draw people in public, so here is a small gift for her (and for you). I noticed that my new blog looked rather dull in black and white and revived a bit with some color. (As every canvas should!) Janey's blog is always full of color and is full of life. So today at lunch I drew my unknowing subject with watercolor pencils, just to see if I could draw that way in the field. Watercolor pencils can be used a few ways. I used the pencils just as I would any color pencil. The idea was to use a brush later this evening to carefully transform the pencil strokes into paint. Of course instead I managed to get the drawing wet with the condensation from the outside of my Diet Coke (the elixir of life). So I began wetting and stroking the drawing - with my finger. A bit imprecise, I'll admit. So any future work with a brush ought to be better, don't you think? So here is my first effort, for her and for you.



Whether you were invited to my blog by Janey, or came to see my first IF entry, or visited because you already know me, welcome! Some of you have left comments - this has been very exciting for me. Thank you. I appreciate your input more than I can say.

And thank you, Janey, once again.

Illustration Friday: Talisman

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is "talisman". My submission was done in pastel, with some details in color pencil.

Last week's Illustration Friday topic was "poise". I did not finish that one in time. I had drawn only the outline of an Olympic athlete in a floor-exercise pose. This week, though, I had an ace in the hole. Change the outfit, grow the hair, add the talisman and the forest and voila! It is I that have performed magic!