Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Hitting the Bottle after Taxes


Bottle, iPad painting using SketchbookX
This bottle was excavated from my back yard; I've always loved the colors which can only been seen from a certain angle.  It's sitting on my kitchen desk/bar--a Danish piece bought in the early seventies (saw it on HGTV once and it was called "vintage").  The grain of the walnut is beautiful--I see cathedrals in it.  This painting was done with my fingers in the free version of Sketchbook and still needs a bit of work; I now have a stylus, like this app, and will upgrade to the Sketchbook Pro.
 
I am still enjoying my iPad.  My friend, whose enthusiam for his iPhone convinced me to order an iPad, passed away Sunday; he had helped me with setup, and his name was the first contact on my iPad.  He was in ICU for about a week.  Since he had his iPhone, I emailed a simple drawing to him each night (some are below).  He was a joy to know--an actor, a painter, a sculptor, a musician, a singer, a world-traveler.  He leaves a hole in many lives.
 
A hell of a couple of weeks--death and taxes--and the bottle is empty.    
 
 
 
 
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27 comments:

  1. I am very sorry to learn about your friend's passing. My sincere condolences. I'm sure those fun images cheered him. I love the bottle image against the wood, and the iridescence is fantastic! I get the irony that there is a paintbrush there, but that you did this painting with your ipad and finger! You have talent for this electronic painting thing---keep them coming!

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  2. Thank you Celeste. I made THREE attempts to paint this bottle with watercolors several months ago; one was almost decent. I feel very "at home" with the iPad; reminds me of falling in love with sculpting 47 years ago.

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  3. You are, as they say, in your element. Like a duck to water. Quack.
    Sorry your friend has departed, but I suspect he'll be with you every time you put your finger on the screen. How nice.

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    1. SamArtDog--first it was you and your iPhone apps; then it was my friend. Too tempting; I had to try it. Thanks. Had he gotten out of the hospital, he would have headed straight to the Apple Store; I have one of his CDs, somehow recorded using his Mac computer.

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  4. Oh Hallie...I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful friend. That bottle would be empty for me too after these couple of weeks you have had. Your drawings are wonderful!!

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    1. Hi CrimsonLeaves. That bottle was full of dirt when I found it.

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  5. Sad news, I am sorry to hear of the passing of such a wonderful friend and person. And what a wonderful inspiration he was to you.

    I can see the immediate artistic connection to the iPad, and what a wonderful analogy to compare it to your love of sculpting. Looking forward to seeing more.

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    1. Hi Robin. I was just one of many who was inspired--he was so talented.

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  6. All wonderful works Hallie, it really shows you enjoy creating with this iPad . So sorry for your friend, but there will always be a link between the two of you.

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    1. Thanks Jane--I do enjoy the new toy. I've always spent lots of time drawing on any surface; now I just draw on the iPad.

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  7. Hallie,

    Sorry about the loss of your friend. It is always difficult to lose one, but it is good to have had one.

    I recognize the bottle, I knew it when it was full, taxes and booze...work and taxes are the curse of the drinking classes.

    Everette

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    1. Hi Anonymous Everette. I suspect you pitched the empty into this back yard sometime during the 50s--probably after a high school football game.

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  8. What a lucky guy he was to have had you sending him drawings each day as he came to his last...
    quite the tribute...

    your iPad pieces continue to dazzle...you are officially and 'el mo dern' artisto

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  9. Hi Donna. I started drawing these simple things the day I set up the iPad. I thought they might make my friend smile so I emailed one each night (made me feel a bit better).

    Thanks, I'm playing at being "el mo dern."

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  10. I'm sorry for your loss of such a good friend. Every time you pick up our iPad you will think of him and he will live in each of those thoughts. Each drawing will be a tribute to him.

    The drawing is beautiful and the sentiment in sending him daily drawings is equally so.

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    1. Hi LifeArtist. I still do the simple drawings (maybe two ) each day. Most of them get trashed unless a friend has a birthday. I've not finished the bottle drawing yet--I'm working on finishing and framing previous paintings, the parts of art I dislike.

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  11. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Death seems to be dancing a dance all around me lately, little winks, sly smiles - no one has gone yet, but the threat is there for several. I myself am untouched but shaken. I am glad you were his friend; I am sure that you were very special in his life and that your sketches brought him relief at the end.

    I am astounded at the skill in this new medium - so fast - the bottle and the colors on a clear glass surface are so beautiful and expressive. The arrangement interesting, as always, especially given the irony that Celeste highlights.

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    1. Hi Dan. Death seems to be a big part of life in a small town; I either know the person or the family--when a person's younger than I, it's sadder.

      Playing around with Corel for years has definitely helped me with understanding this sketchbook app. My time was not wasted when I was adding crossed eyes, mustaches, nudity, and big boobs to photos of friends (some weren't really appreciative).

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  12. Hallie, so sorry to hear about your friend's passing. And such an interesting person and an inspiration from your description. I'm sure your sketches were comforting in his final days. He continues forward in your good memories and all that you create.

    Your work is so eye-catching -- love the bottle and the wood -- beautiful. The connection with sculpting is definitely there. You are passing on your friend's legacy -- now I know I need an iPad.

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    1. Mary, he was definitely interesting and had a great sense of humor.

      I demonstrated my drawing app to a friend Saturday--he's had his iPad for a while but didn't know about finger painting on the screen. He may be sitting in meetings this week--drawing cartoons. He enjoyed it.

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  13. Hey Hallie...looking forward to seeing your next ipad painting....though I don't know how you can top this one!

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    1. Hey Celeste. This is where I get stuck--start another one or finish this one?

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  14. Wow Hallie. I just stopped by to pick up you URL for a link in my reply to Dan Kent and look at you go on that IPad. You've mastered it; that bottle is wonderful. I'm so glad I was thinking of you. I'm getting an IPad this weekend. I traded a painting for it, so I've been busy finishing it in time. I was wondering what I was going to do with it--but you've shown me.

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  15. Hi Linda. I have no doubt you will do some amazing things with your iPad and will love taking it with you when you travel. I really look forward to seeing what you accomplish with it; I'll be learning from you.

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  16. I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your friend.

    -Don

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