A, conte on dictionary page, 9x14Many artists work in series--a good thing. I attempted it once in 2006. I bought an old dictionary from the thrift shop. With conte pencils, I drew a woman on one of the pages--then I noticed the stitches and painstakingly dissembled the book. That's when the arm was added, then the crow. The hand is small (in palm reading, small hands mean big ideas). I sprayed the drawing with fixative; then attached it to a backing, had it matted and framed--and I bought additional mats for future drawings in the series.
In a box, there are ironed dictionary pages, waiting for four years now, to become "B."
I like the randomness of the illustrations on the page, and it's fun to read the meanings of the words and try to match them to my drawing. My neighbors and I actually noticed a resemblance to someone we know--scary.
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To not finish this series would be a Cadmean victory over the dictionary... -Don
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful concept, Hallie! Reminds me a little of Myrna's approach, but I like the idea of the words and definitions adding content to the painting. I'd love to see more of these!
ReplyDeleteWell, Don. You sent me to the dictionary--then Wikipedia--again. Evidently, Cadmus should be my middle name. I'm contemplating your comment. To do or not to do.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I found Myrna's paintings on calendars really interesting--so interesting that I ordered a daily Sudoku calendar from B&N. I thought painting over the grid would be fun; so far, I've worked a puzzle a night (I like numbers, too). I find that crosswords and sudokus are a good way to clear my mind so I can sleep. I did enjoy drawing on the old dictionary pages--they are very fragile, though.
Fabulous Hallie!! And Don's comment is great- I had to look up Cadmean. Last year I dabbled briefly in creating altered books- but never really got into it- however- with your sculptural background- I could see your artistry going that way. I like your colors- and your faces are great!!
ReplyDeleteHi Pam. Can you hear me laughing at myself? I was eating dinner when I realized that Cadmean Victory is the entry at the top of this drawing. I probably read in 2006; Don, I'm sure, is cracking up but this is his year!
ReplyDeleteAltered books are interesting. Indigomar at White Dog posted some of her work--she uses discarded library books; that's why I remembered this drawing that's been wrapped in plain brown paper for years.
I really like your post today--maybe it's exactly what Dave the cat sees.
Wow- there it is on top! Cadmean Victory! Don is so observant.
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate you looking at my posts Hallie- thank you. Makes me smile. I suppose my learning to draw is a bit like an adult learning to read. That's what I love about art though- you can make it anything you want.
Do you hold onto all your past work and experiments? I hold onto a lot and probably throw out just as much. Just curious if you have a system?
Pam, Hi again. I think art, like life, is about learning--we can never know it all. I think you know how to draw; you had to really observe your kitchen to come up with Dave's view (and what a neat countertop).
ReplyDeleteI admire systems from afar. I'll venture a guess that you will be smart and set one up. My system is the pile system; and, amazingly, I usually find what I need. I keep a lot of drawings and sketches marked with dates--they're in folders and in notebooks--in piles. I have some pieces framed for shows; if it's just for me, I might frame it myself. I store the framed pieces upstairs (8 or 9)and cover them with a blanket or sheet.
I find it hard to part with things; my favorite from the past is a small notebook that lay on the kitchen counter for several years during the late 70's. In it are my kids' drawings and notes ("I hate my sister/brother"), maps of where they were going, sketches by me, grocery lists, doodles, etc. It's almost like a time capsule--better than an album.
I did use my mallet to destroy some sculptures that weren't up to snuff--didn't want my name on them. Our son bought our MD house; he says he finds lots of torsos, arms, and legs in the yard. (I used the parts as planters and yard art--the pieces were more interesting than the whole. Most of my sculptures sold; I only have photographs and slides--few actual pieces.
Hi Hallie, I was wondering about the "A" and the word being "c" words...and a crow...being too literal here! Oh, I could see how someone could have fun with an idea like this! Fun comments too!
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy. I believe this was the first unwrinkled page in the dictionary. The arm wasn't part of the drawing until I took the book apart and realized I had a wide page with needle holes in the middle; then I thought the arm needed a black bird. I didn't get the page exactly centered on the mat so I added a letter--looks like it was done purposely, right? "A" because this was the first--thought I might at least get to "C."
ReplyDeleteI'm not a great planner; I enjoy happenings and was just playing with my pencils. Drawings like this (people who just emerge) fill my notebooks; I usually don't show or frame them. This woman has a wild look that I like.
Hallie... I wondered if you would pick up on my Cadmean victory comment right away, or not... I did crack up when I read your dinnertime comment to Pam. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that I had to look Cadmean victory up, as well. Interestingly enough, neither of my dictionaries had it listed, so I went to Wikipedia. As soon as I read its definition I knew how I HAD to respond to your post. It fit my thoughts exactly... Once again serendipity has smiled upon me in this, the Year of the Don.
-Don
I hope the someone you know doesn't walk around naked with her arm extended. lol. Great idea for a series. Love the use of a dictionary as a background.
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie,
ReplyDeleteLove the new layout of your Blog page.
The remnants from the stitching lend a nice textural touch to A. I''m fascinated with the marriage of text and art. It creates dimension in a work.
Don, your serendipitous comment did interrupt my dinner. I was eating when I remembered there was a two-word entry at the top left of the drawing. I thought, "Oh, crap," and ran into the computer room. I came out laughing.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan. Since she seems to be sleep walking, maybe she sneaks into town at night. That could be a tourist attraction for our small town.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is terrific.
Indigomar. I like the combination of text and art--you do it really well. This is the only time I've actually finished a work combining both.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the new look. I hate being in front of the camera. I found this photo from my summer art show. Part of my face was okay; and I found that, by lightening it, I can make wrinkles disappear.
p.s. to Indigomar. I don't mind being in front of the camera if I'm hanging upside-down or making strange faces--it's the portrait-type photos that make me nervous.
ReplyDeleteDon is just too scary in his attention to detail! i like the idea of this series Hallie. I appreciate the fact that there are pages waiting but nothing has happened yet. It seems I am always getting good ideas too that only exist in my head. I do one and then fizzle.... It seem your mind is always on the move with new ideas. I'm never disappointed when I come to your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret. Yes I think there's a term for people who pay so much attention to detail--palette knife disorder (PKD).
ReplyDeleteYou have worked on series--gardens, flowers--impressive work. I did manage to finish three doll drawings (a bit scary)--a couple bought all three ; they told me the dolls watch TV with them. I actually think I'm a bit old to choose a series now. I can just see my obit: She died while drawing pictures on dictionary pages. I'm like a kid and enjoying it: "I want to try that; wait, I want to try that, too." Maybe there's a term for me too: AADD. I so admire people like Kathy and Don who have found their subjects and just keep getting better and better.
But, when I saw your latest encaustic, I considered unwrapping my sticks and getting out the hot plate and travel iron--haven't tried it yet but it's on my list and I've read the book.
I would definitely love to see a series of these. What stops you? It is only paper--do it! If the results are disappointing well..--all that you've lost is a few pages and some hours of time. I hope you'll do it!
ReplyDeleteSuperb painting and a very very innovative concept! I loved it!:)
ReplyDeleteColor Pencil Drawing: Bunch of Roses
Hi Celeste. The answer is time--although the drawing is fast; protecting it takes longer (need a handsome young assistant).
ReplyDeleteWhen will we see your series?
Megha, thank you. I like your roses and your tulips.
ReplyDeleteHallie, love this piece, and I've had such fun reading all the comments. Don is surely the master of observation among us. I rushed to look it up online and thought how perfect a term -- then I saw the later comments about it being on the pages you used. I had a great chuckle.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit like you Hallie, always wanting to try everything with my art, perhaps because I was in my 50s when I took up painting. Then I confined myself to watercolor and limited subjects and styles. When I retired, though, the flood gates opened and I'm awash in acrylics, charcoal, conte, colored pencils, watercolor crayons, and pastels. One thing, though, that seems to remain constant is our own personal style, no matter how we make our artistic mark.
Mary. Yes, the comments are fun, and we should leave no art supplies untried. Thanks to the internet, UPS, and FedEx--all things are just a click away.
ReplyDeleteoh i love the colors :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, JRonson. I loved your pastel, Ciudade.
ReplyDelete