Sketches

I've got a little 5x8 bound sketchbook that I carry with me most places in the event that I come across time and something interesting to sketch.

I try to be sneaky about sketching people in public other than close friends, because I'd rather not have the person become uncomfortably self conscious. I dunno, maybe it sounds weird and maybe I think I'm stealthier than I actually am, and people just annoyingly play along with me...

These are quick (30- 45 minute) sketches I have done of people in public. Pencil on paper. Just trying to observe and grab a good likeness while the subject is moving around.

Goal # 1

Alright, so I know people are wondering where the heck the artwork is... I'm trying to focus on doing new stuff and that's kinda tough with a three year old and a 3 month old to take care of. I'll try to post images of sketches and such just so viewers can see what I'm up to.
So my first goal is this:
There is a great gallery in town called Manifest. I love the fact that they're one of the few galleries here in town that seem to have a connection with what is going on outside Cincinnati. Part of their mission is to engage the public with powerful and beautiful artwork, as well as to revitalize and reenergize the creativity and appeal for art in the community. They're also focussed on offering classes in drawing to the general public by knowledgeable and gifted instructors. It's a small gallery, but heck I love what they're doing and what they're about. Anyways... they have juried competitions throughout the year and on June 30th of this year is the deadline for their Painting annual(INPA). They're selecting entries from all over the world for works of Painting and/or writing about to be printed into an annual that will then be sent to various places around the country. I have an image in mind for this and I aim to try to meet this deadline and see what happens.

Last attempt at painting

So here's a detail from the last (unfinished) painting I did about 2 years ago. There are some issues with anatomy and proportion that I didn't realize until later on, but heck it was a good start and a wealthy learning experience. I hope to digest what I learned in this one and bring more into the new painting I'm gearing up for...

In the (humble) beginning...

This site for me is a declaration that I am now in pursuit of painting professionally. For a long time I have wanted to do this, but have found excuses not to, born out of fear. Don't get me wrong, I love to paint and draw, and a lot of people think I'm really good, ...I just didn't really believe it myself. Why? - I dunno. Fear does funny things to the human psyche.
There are a lot of well established painters my age that I admire, and yet I thought there was no way I could ever get to where they are since I am just starting out. I then read an old post on a blog by artist David Kassan where he says "...still have a long way to go to get there but its the journey that is the kick ass part of this painting gig."

I'm realizing it's not about getting obsessed about reaching an endpoint, but taking the journey today. It may take me 25 years to get to where I want to be as an artist, making me 60 years old before I might realize my dreams, but I'd rather have that than be 60 and still be in the same place I am now.

Another good friend of mine confronted me about my hesitation to pursue painting. He said it's like you have all the signs that say GO!, but you're standing in front of two doors; the door to painting, and the door to something else, and I'm waiting for someone else to open the door for me. I am busted.

Due to the economy, I lost my job in October(doing painting and sculpture for museum exhibits), and now that I'm still unemployed, it seems like it's time to reinvent myself.

So I can't promise excellent grammar, or anything really thrilling, but by reading read this blog, you can come on the journey with me. I'll try to post as often as I can, and please give me feedback as you like.