Monday, April 25, 2011

Doorknobs and Blown Fuses


Doorknobs and Blown Fuses, pencile and ink, 4x4 on steno pad      

What can I say?  I bought eight porcelain doorknobs at an estate sale.  During remodeling I bought some at $50 per set; I can't resist a bargain.  They may appear in future paintings.  My back hurts when I stand straight; I hate pain that suddenly appears for no reason--I may blow a fuse.  Back pain+doorknobs+fuses= drawing; makes perfect sense to me.

The Picasso exhibit is still fresh in my memory.   Yes, I do have good paper but steno pads are useful for grocery lists, pro- and con- lists, sketches, paper airplanes, and fans.

After Picasso

Pitcher in a Striped Shirt?

Flasher?


27 comments:

  1. Dogfood and Swiss? No wonder you need Alka-selzer. Okay just kidding. I love the steno pad art. One thing to carry--less to keep track of. Well done. And of course, far out hair. As for the back, gentle stretches. Lots of water. Hope you feel better. Fans? I'm gettin a steno pad.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi William. Not much of a list--and I forgot to take it with me, it's still in the book. If I write it I usually remember; I got everything on the list PLUS steaks and Starbucks coffee--for a total of $124. My back is better--pain is annoying. Save on air conditioning--fold on the lines and make yourself a fan!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Between the sketches and your list, a graphologist would fry cells trying to figure you out. Myself, I've sometimes thought that my lists were blackmail fodder. But I don't think anyone would pay ransom for either my grocery list or my ass.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really good drawing Hallie, and funny too...somehow it does make sense, you are right. I think there is a little Picasso hiding inside you, and your grocery list is definitely more attractive than mine!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SamArtDog, I forgot about the grahpologists who follow my blog. I think my handwriting says I'm a sculptor who listens to intuition, likes money, doesn't like frills. How did that "Z" get in there? Below the line is about sex. In the 70s I studied palmistry, grahpology, numerology--and I still have my I Ching sticks (yarrow from the National Arboretum).


    Hi Jane. Thank you. I am really enjoying the catalog I bought at the exhibition. The Pitcher with Apples is on the back cover and the book was lying on the floor as I wrote my list. It's fascinating because the pitcher is such a voluptious female form.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My oh my, aren't you eclectic! I love every one of your pieces but the facial expression in the first one is calling to me, I can totally relate.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks, Robin. The Picasso sketches were done earlier in the week; the doorknob one came with the back pain. I made that grimace every time I stood. As I was drawing I made it and tried to imagine what the mouth might look like--pulled against the teeth and groaning. And I wanted to get that doorknob into the eye socket.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Steno pads....white ones or yellow ones?
    Ouch your back must have really hurt!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bummer about back pain. Major bummer! I will say, however, pain makes for some verrrry interesting art. I would never think to put doorknobs in my eyes and fuse boxes in my cheeks...you and Picasso are "out there" and I am big big fans of you both. Wonderful sketches.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful painting! I like his hair and eyes. Wonderfully presented.:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like the way you think, Hallie. Boy, can I ever relate to this image; it rather defines me, I think. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're on creative fire Hallie! I like all of these! I hope the drawings become paintings, especially the flasher.

    ReplyDelete
  13. SamDog is right...I am a graphologist (I'm convinced every artist ought to pratice the art) and I was completely absorbed by your mark making...I adore lists for that reason.

    I go to see Picasso next Tuesday...I'm doing the 9am before the museum opens we get to go in for an hour deal...ooo lala.

    All of your steno pad sketches are fabo...do you know the work of Lynda Barry? Check er out.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Carole. White ones--and they're not easy to find. I have lots of rather expensive sketchbooks, but there's freedom in drawing on something that can't be saved.


    Hi Celeste. The pain is almost gone. I always look for ways to use my "bargains." Just one drawing can justify the buy and send me out for more. The problem is that I never pitch the stuff.


    Hi Megha. Thank you. Welcome back--it has been a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Autumn Leaves--constant pain would be hard to bear. I've been lucky; I think my fuses have been re-set.


    Thanks, Mark. I actually draw a lot of these but usually don't post. The fun is in the drawing--painting is a bit like work.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Donna. I tend to look at everyone's handwriting, too--Very angular or very tiny makes me wonder. You will love the exhibit; for me to do the 9 AM visit, I'd have to spend the night on the bench outside. I'll look for Lynda Barry.

    ReplyDelete
  17. 50 bucks a set!!
    Blown Fuse!!
    I can't wait for the next estate sale...
    alway enjoy checking in!
    as always thoughtful creations

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes, JB--that's why the carpenter locked himself in the bathroom when he broke one! I couldn't resist $1 each--I bought all seven at the estate sale, six white and one brown. Now they're in a basket keeping all my plant peg collection company. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I always love when you post your sketches and thought processes! I love the pencil sketch and when you explain it's origin, it makes perfect sense. Without the explanation, I think it still shows someone in distress. So either way it translates.
    I too studied your handwriting on your list, after I read the list. Amazing really that several of us admitted to that. We have similar lists, but your handwriting is far neater.
    It's thundering here again. I've been without internet access for a couple of days and the current storm may knock me out again. But at least I got to comment here.
    I'm with Mark... your other sketches will make terrific paintings!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Pam. Now I'm looking at my handwriting again! Looks like letters have loops if they're at the end of the word. My lists always have drawings along the side, usually of people.

    Being without the internet would be tough--might provide good material for cartoons, though. I wondered about your weather there in Tennessee. Stay dry.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh Hallie, I meant to say I hope your back pain subsides. I got so caught up in your art, I forgot your pain. I'm glad you have art to help you cope. I'm sending anti pain vibes. Hope you can feel them.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks Pam. My back is much better--I can straighten without groaning.

    ReplyDelete
  23. These are such a hoot! Especially the Door Knobs and Fuses! Somehow you've captured how we all feel at one time or another. I feel like I have my fuses blowing now. My mantra is "The end of the semester is near. The end of the semester is near."

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Hallie... I can really relate to your "Doorknobs and Blown Fuses" and to your back pain. I bent over on Easter to pour water in our animals' water bowl and suddenly felt like someone put a taser to my lower back. Regrettably, I have been laying on said back for the past 5 days. Today I can finally straighten up enough to walk around again and was even able to get into my car and drive my daughter to school. Oh, the joy that even the simple things in life can bring us. Now, sitting here typing I feel my back starting to tighten up, so it's time for me to go stretch out again. At least I've got a good book...

    All of your sketches are wonderful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

    -Don

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks Davida (lifeartist). You can't blow any fuses now; hang in there. Your class gives you a chance to do those great drawings.


    Hi Don. Sorry about your back; mine wasn't as serious--it came on after brushing my teeth. I then went to an art show reception and grocery shopped. I spent the following day in bed; then gradually got better. A backache does make you think about all those little things that are usually taken for granted. Enjoy the book. (Sometimes I think these pains are a message to take a breather--you've been really busy.)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Hallie...well I did have to get up at 5 am. and made the two hour drive to Richmond but ooolala....it was so worth it.

    Because we signed up for the special early morning private tour...I, my two pals,and 25 other visitors got to hang out with a docent and Pablo's amazingness at VMFA for a full 90 minutes before the crowds moved in...IT WAS EXTRAORDINARY!!! I was jazzed as room after room it became more and more powerful and dynamic to be with his spirit. I loved all of the quotes that were posted and laughed at the final one that said, "Give me a museum and I'll fill it."

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Donna. Glad you made it to the exhibit. I loved it; I liked the slide show at the end that showed him just having fun with sculpture. Playing.

    ReplyDelete