imagine that!

I have been talking a lot about Christmas and holiday graphics. As they are forming and some of them actually approved it is amazing to see how sometimes the things that are the most fun to do become the ones that get the go. Case in point. I was doing a series of card proposals using the word Peace in all sorts of languages. We had done something like that the previous year and had some success as no one could be offended. To make it even more innocuous, I used oranges, tans, greens, blues as colors...not the traditional green and red or yellow and blue. So, bland but acceptable. The client said, lets try this again, so I moved the parts around, make some patterns with the words et cetera...but it all still looked like a slightly better designed version of Unicef cards. And, the client thought so too. However, as a whimsical moment took me in the mix, I threw in one of my tree of life illustrations and put the word peace below it...quiet, but there. I figured, hey, if this thing is as universal a concept...across the spectrum of religions and it has to do with life (which my customer is in the business of), how could this offend unless of course, it is my illustration ability. And, surprisingly, this was the card that appealed to them. May not be that exact illustration, but the concept they dug. So, hey. Imagine that.

Color sketches to Vin here ready for the one/two/three.

Got cakes to make. Olive Oil Lemon to be specific>> The tribe of runners arrive at 4. Fresh salsa and chips. Loads of veggies and fruit. Lasagne and hot bread and cake. Carbs for big big boys. We should get Cranium out. And if it doesnt rain, they will be out on the back forty getting muddy and having fun.

more later>

(from my sketchbook, unedited--messing around with pomegranates and their flowers.)

Pomegranate is it.


Working away. Baker card is in refinement...but we have a direction. Am trying to get into a sync for the picture due Monday...and though I dont know if we are "there" yet, but I prefer yesterday's coloration...taking it a bit further than the ink drawing. I am anxious to get this further refined while doing a pagination of the book (32 pps. of the Creation story--working title, "In the Beginning"). I have posted a group of these trees in facebook here>>I am musing over spreads of all the animals, the creatures under the sea, the birds of the sky...the separating of water and land. The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was never named, as I mentioned before, and I think that fruit will be a pomegranate in this body of work. Wiki confirms this might be a nice thing to do as there is symbolism in Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions:

Judaism
Exodus 28:33–34 directed that images of pomegranates be woven onto the hem of the me'il ("robe of the ephod"), a robe worn by the Hebrew High Priest. 1 Kings 7:13–22 describes pomegranates depicted on the capitals of the two pilars (Jachin and Boaz) which stood in front of the temple King Solomon built in Jerusalem. It is said that Solomon designed his coronet based on the pomegranate's "crown" (calyx).[30] Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol for righteousness, because it is said to have 613 seeds which corresponds with the 613 mitzvot or commandments of the Torah. However, the actual number of seeds varies with individual fruits.[31] For this reason and others, many Jews eat pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah. It is also a symbol of fruitfulness.[32] The pomegranate is one of the few images which appear on ancient coins of Judea as a holy symbol, and today many Torah scrolls are stored while not in use with a pair of decorative hollow silver "pomegranates" (rimmonim) placed over the two upper scroll handles. Some Jewish scholars believe that it was the pomegranate, not the apple, that was the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden.[32] Pomegranate is one of the Seven Species (Hebrew: שבעת המינים, Shiv'at Ha-Minim), the types of fruits and grains enumerated in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 8:8) as being special products of the Land of Israel.

Christianity
For the same reasons, pomegranates are a motif found in Christian religious decoration. They are often woven into the fabric of vestments and liturgical hangings or wrought in metalwork. Pomegranates figure in many religious paintings by the likes of Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, often in the hands of the Virgin Mary or the infant Jesus. The fruit, broken or bursting open, is a symbol of the fullness of his suffering and resurrection.[32] In the Eastern Orthodox Church, pomegranate seeds may be used in kolyva, a dish prepared for memorial services, as a symbol of the sweetness of the heavenly kingdom.

Islam
According to the Qur'an, pomegranates grow in the gardens of paradise (55:068). According to Islamic tradition, every seed of a pomegranate must be eaten, because one can't be sure which aril came from paradise. The Prophet Mohammed is said to have encouraged his followers to eat pomegranates to ward off envy and hatred.[32] The Qur'an also mentions (6:99, 6:141) pomegranates twice as examples of good things God creates.

The Tburg Farmers market was gorgeous last night. We got containers of red and yellow raspberries, lemon basil, red basil, tomatillos, cilantro, and enormous organic tomatoes bursting with flavor. Rob bought a honeycomb of honey,and basswood honey, as pale as pale can be. I bought Fall flower honey, almost as dark as Buckwheat honey. There were peaches, apples, and all sorts of freerange meat (pork and chicken). It was a cool, bluesky evening. Perfect.

I am thrilled to have made a new friend through Facebook, the fabulous and madly talented Brian Dudla, CObP Design. He invited me to be his friend, and then we did a bit of chatting. He has asked me to help with a brand for the new Ithaca band, Family Knife. I am totally flattered and excited to be working together. The Knife is a reconfiguration of Plastic Nebraska without Gabe Tavares--and it shares some band members with the Horseflies. Amazing energy, amazing sound..."darker" as Brian says. Something to look forward to.

Speaking of musicians, The Chicken Chokers had a great showing at Wheatland--hooking up with other Festival people with more festivals in the future. It's great they are getting some traction--and that it is all positive in the future.

Work awaits...I feel right up against it...and its a bit uncomfortable.

Back at the Headquarters


Back from Danville. Nice drive through the changing countryside with trees beginning to turn, and fog in the valleys. Little peeks of the sky, with sculpted clouds and turkeys in the field. There are some really cute little towns like Dushore with a big pond in the middle of town and a cluster of old buildings, agriculturally inspired real estate. Meetings were good yesterday--and am happy to back at the headquarters today. Farmer's Market here in Tburg--so maybe a little trip is in order later this afternoon.

Been sporadically reading bits and pieces of "Indian Painting from Cave Temples to the Colonial Period" by Joan Cummins, MFA Publications,©2006, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Its great--addressing this stylish art with the author getting into the various aspects of the Indian style, how it changes according to geographic area, the use of Hindu reference and symbols, and the sheer way the picture frame is used and described. The imagery of trees and flowers, fish and birds, beasts and gods (and snakes!) is a great reference for this Garden of Eden work. I love the palette and the use of white space. Sometimes its wall to wall decoration, others, its a figure in a color field with a top bar or a border. The figures are as styled as the Egyptians, with a treatment in profile, three quarters view and heads on, with a really great way of handling hands and feet. If you actually tried to stand as these Indian figures do, you might just fall down. Its important to be a paperdoll to be in this mode. Its a nice counterpoint to read how Cummins interprets the images and understand how she breaks the picture and style apart. It is a prompt for me to think about these ideas to impose on my emerging body of work. The indian work and the byzantine styles are beginning to fold into themselves in my head with shifts and changes in content, palette, line treatment. Keeping going for Vin. Color comp due Monday. I am going to take it until Monday to see what emerges.

Lunch is here. Its a Christmas afternoon.

Let there be illustration



Worked more on the Garden of Eden. I think the tree flatness is getting somewhere. Need to think about the snake. Output the complete Creation Myth and am thinking of how to play this out as a children's book. You have six days of God making and doing, a day off and then the next week his shenanigans with Adam and the troublemaker, Eve. So, out of 14 spreads--I think we can do this...and it can be lush and lovely. The kick in the booty is the Indian Art which I have glued to my elbow. Paulie Z recommended Persian painting as well..which is a bit different, but their trees are more sinuous...less symmetrical, winding and filling the frame...crowding the frame...less like wallpaper (which I adore).

Genesis Chapter 1 v.20-22:
20 ¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Think of that picture...

Genesis Chapter 1 v.24-26:
24 ¶ And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
26 ¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, 1 Cor. 11.7 after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

There's another--chock a block...pack in the animals...

Today more Christmas and prep for my trip to Danville. R and Bruce looked at real estate yesterday. Alex and I took naps. K. wrote a paper on David McCullough's 1776. Very quiet day.

Sent a note to the Society of Illustrators (NY) to find out how to submit work to their show. Cannot find the link, cannot find the application. As soon as I find out, you will know. Just got a note. They are doing it all online this year...but do not have it up.

Don Hair, the treeman is here for more cutting and grinding today. He is taking down half a tree that was struck by lightning...and dying. Should be interesting to see what happens. More work on the bathroom and laundry room.

I was listening to left wing talk radio on Friday. I love it that Sarah Palin has been crowned with the name, Caribou Barbie...which works for me. It was reassuring to listen to these people call in. Race is not an issue--but class is. Interesting that this poppedup. Leadership is assumed, but having aspirational people who have education and "class" was a thread that ran through many of the caller's commentary. I wish there was content with these Republicans--its more about finger pointing outward--in a cheerleadery way. Have we all become so dull to realize we are in the state we are in because of the Republicans and the numb house and senate (peopled by shills both democratic and republican). If we are taking change...lets talk intelligence and world status. Throw all the damned bums.

More later.

Thank you Google

Check this new nice freebie from Google again! First they give us Blogger, and now this simple RSS burner called Feedburner. This will allow people to subscribe to my posts along with flowing it directly to another audience, my friends,family and future friends (and family?) at Facebook. Feedburner also offers free site statistics and other goodies. Well worth the price?!

More Lorraine Fox illustrations






Hi. I found this cache of Lorraine Fox illustrations from Flickr from an individual called, JelloKitty, who scans in old cookbooks for the visuals and humor they have. These are the chapter section pages (there are quite a few). I love the pink and the way Lorraine handle line, texture and her drawings. They evoke a time in a very stylish and current way.

Am working away on more Trees of Life/Knowledge. Working on the snake. After reading a bit of interpretations of the Garden of Eden story--here are some things that jump out. One, the apple is a fabrication. The story talks about the fruit of the tree of knowledge. So how did the apple happen? Did the Greeks and Romans make that happen? Does this stem from the Renaissance? Hmmm.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ Genesis Chapter 3, verses 1-3

The Book of Jubilees, Wiki describes as:

The Book of Jubilees (ספר היובלים), sometimes called the Lesser Genesis (Leptogenesis), is an ancient Jewish religious work, considered one of the Pseudepigrapha[1] by most Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. It was well known to Early Christian writers in the East and the West, as well as by the Rabbis. Later it was so thoroughly suppressed that no complete Hebrew, Greek or Latin version has survived. It is considered canonical for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, where it is known as the Book of Division (Ge'ez: Mets'hafe Kufale). In the modern scholarly view, it reworks material found in the Biblical books of Genesis and Exodus in the light of concerns of some 2nd century BC Jews.
The Book of Jubilees claims to present "the history of the division of the days of the Law, of the events of the years, the year-weeks, and the jubilees of the world" as secretly revealed to Moses (in addition to the Torah or "Law") while Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights. The chronology given in Jubilees is based on multiples of seven; the jubilees are periods of 49 years, seven 'year-weeks', into which all of time has been divided. According to the author of Jubilees, all proper customs that mankind should follow are determined by God's decree.

The Book of Jubilees is more mythological in their stories and detail Adam's life, and the children of Adam as well. According to this book (Chapter 3), the animals spoke to Adam and Eve prior to their fall. Afterwards, they were silenced. God also got into the tailoring business post knowledge, making fur garments/coats for Adam and Eve. Do you think they were leopard skin?

Gold and Pink


Spent some time last night looking at Indian miniature paintings and then just plain Indian Painting. I was struck with the detail but simplicity of layout. The portraits often focused on a sharply drawn face with the body being less detailed on down to the architectural frames being simple line drawings. Love the random perspective with architecture. The palette is great (I should pull swatches from it for future reference in the photoshop/illustrator chip method). So the illustration at the top is an amalgam of just visual notes from the looking and interpreting. Am working on another image to get into the swing of things prior to laying down tracks for the Vin piece.

I am loving this Indian art. There is vegetation galore, snakes,very pattern driven images. I love the use of borders from an inset that looks like an embroidered ribbon, to simple line drawings reflecting architectural molding and ogees. They are not afraid of putting a figure dead smack in the middle of a page, subdividing the background almost in half and painting one part pink and the other gilded with gold leaf. No fear of flatness...no desire to render reality as the camera would.

Look at that Shakra picture below. It is pretty much a functional graphic that explains how the shakras work and flow. Love the new orientation of the teeth in the master's face to take the reader to another place> translating the points of import in flaming frames to point out the key information. Need to look at more of this stuff and try and press it on my brain.

We are having a weekend visitor, a designer friend who is very funny and talks about all sorts of things from engine block design, to hard coding, to his relationships with people to how he tries to change. K had a sleepover with the beautiful triplet sisters after attending their mother's painting show and regaling the audience with an impromptu K and the sisters song. A. had all sorts of activity around XC and a long run this morning in the Hector Land Use area in a misty humid morning.




IF: Clutter[ed Paradise]


This is the Tree of Knowledge from the Genesis story of Adam and Eve. As you can see, it was mighty tempting to touch the tree with all this insanity going on. After all, it was the beginning of things prior to Adam's sons and Eve's daughters were thrown out of paradise to toil and try to replicate that perfect experience--cluttering up the world with the fruit of that knowledge obtained in paradise.

jewels from ebay


Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: Blossom Time (Woodstock)
Medium: serigraph/trimmed margins
Signature Placement: Estate Stamp Verso
Size: 18x24

Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: Bird & Vine
Medium: serigrah
Signature Placement: LR
Size: 17.5x12.5
Reserved: No

Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: Reflections
Date of piece: n. d.
Medium: lithograph
Signature Placement: LR
Size: 21x17
Reserved: No
Condition: good

Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: Poster for Memorial Show at WAAM
Date of piece: 1984
Medium: commercial Lithograph
Signature Placement: Unsigned
Size: 28 x 16-1/2

Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: Fruits & Vegetables
Medium: lithograph
Signature Placement: Unsigned
Size: 17.5x23.5
Reserved: No

Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: Christmas Fruit
Medium: serigraph
Signature Placement: LR
Size: 24.25x30
Reserved: No

Name: Doris Lee
Artist's Date: 1905-1983
Title: River Bathers
Medium: lithograph
Signature Placement: LR
Size: 11x16
Reserved: No

Well, dang. We were talking about Doris Lee and her husband Arnold Blanch so I went to my favorite mall, bookstore and gallery and googled her. There is an auction of prints and originals that I gleaned these images from and wanted to share with you>> I can editorialize forever on this work--her primitive forms, simple color and the twisty twirly line work that gives it a sense of humor and charm. I love how shapey it all is. My next Garden is going to be inspired from these, these very images. This work speaks to me.

Recycled Soup


Sketch above a test for the possible Baker card. I was making this with all of the images reversed out of the colored shapes, but the beagle was missing a bit of snap, so I decided to plunk the line art into the mix (just a minute ago) and we have something going. So, the amalgam of animals that the Baker develops cures/vaccines etc. for range from foxes, llamas, horses, hinnies/donkeys, dogs, cats and mice. So, this approach will allow me to mess with the scale and relationships and give them a card that is counterpoint to last years's dachshund with a bow. Plus, this gives us some images to develop some thank you cards, tote bags etc. So, more today.

Working with the Vin picture. Got something going on...and going to burn through some tissue today.Possibly may not have to get out of town for a meeting. We may do it over the phone which would be great..so I can drill down on the work coming through here. Gotta print the Chokers poster today if the touchy Epson decides to cooperate this morning.

Bruce is coming today for a few days of hanging out, punctuated by the Vintage Car Races at Watkins Glen which the boys adore. Maybe go over to the Pourhouse for sandwiches tonight. Got a big pot of "Recycled Soup"(K's perfect name) with leftover grilled italian sausage, leftover rice pilaf, and about a cup of turkey left over from last night, and a cup of frozen peas. And the team will devour it as we have 3 carpenters, 2 tree men, Amanda and Erich for lunch...so reconfigured leftovers will be delightful.

All the dead stuff is being cut out of the trees. The tall pine tree we have that was struck by lightening is going to be cut in half to see if we can save part of the tree. And there a ton of limbing up from the branches that are over the house. I am going to direct in about 20 minutes before they get going. I am feeling better as the pound of prevention with trees is well worth it with the harsh spring and fall storms, and the ice damage will get in the Winter.

More today.

Remembering Mentors


Last night I woke up and was streaming all sorts of things. I figured out what to do with the Baker Holiday card (excited about it), what to do with the Baker Annual Report next year. I also thought and thought about illustration and just decided (as always) to relax. Just let it happen. What happens in the next month is a single step that will take a year to move and change. Instead of thinking of style...I should reflect on the credo of my college and high school mentor, Arnold Bank around what makes a complete design. He would describe it using the triangle of learning chart (shown above) saying that a design or piece of calligraphy would not be complete unless all of the elements are in balance and complete. One element cannot exist by itself...and form I use as Content as it applies to illustration. You cannot have an illustration without content, design and technique (style). I have got content and am struggling with technique and forgetting the design part. Design is easy, so I should get the tracing pad out and get that resolved--and then see what happens. Don't fight it. Plus, if I take Murray's advice and roll this Garden of Eden idea into the thesis which could be a children's book (16 spreads)--or spreads, spots and page illustration--then its a complete body of work in one hand. Best to focus on that...It's not forever. It's not critical...so maybe a more graphic/flat/ Provensen/ Doris Lee/Arnold Blanch/ Matisse cut paper/ indian miniatures/ egyptian and assiryian art combo. Just need to start designing and thumbnailing. I can get a hook into that.

Plus, lets not forget...decorative illustration doesnt mean it has to be a decoration. It can be sophisticated and elegant in very simple shapes--just flat. Hmmm.

More later. My head hurts with this Palin thing. I am fearing the lovefest tonight on the television. Maybe my head will be in the garden while I watch this stuff.

In a Twist


Doris Lee
Woman in a Garden
20 x 29 7/8 inches
framed: 27 x 36 inches
gouache and watercolor on board

Doris Lee (1905-1983)
Fruit with Bottle Still Life
13 3/4 x 18 3/4 inches, oil on canvas, signed lower left

Doris Lee
American (1905-1983)
Ladies' Luncheon Club
Oil on Canvas
50 1/2 x 20 inches

"Ms. Lee once said of her motive for art making, “What I feel is a sort of violence,” a quotation that was repeated in the press far more than she would have liked. I think this “violence” was simply ambition — lots of it."
from NY Times article by Roberta Smith

Murray talked about Doris Lee and her husband, Arnold Blanch as part of the group of painters/illustrators who were setting the stage for the storybook illustrators such as Alice and Martin Provensen, Mary Blair, Art Seiden, Jan Balet. Murray said that though Arnold Blanch and Doris Lee were lesser known painters of the time, but their circle which included Stuart Davis and Milton Avery which suggests their style and approach. The New York Times in April (2008) had an article that started with almost a warning and evolving to an embrace of Ms. Lee, her work and the show at the D. Wigmore Gallery that showcased many works from her estate.

Look at that palette. Look at these simple compositions. Her figures reference (in this group) Milton Avery and in some cases Morris Hirschfield. Her palette parallels Milton Avery's late work's palette. Look at how she handles the flowers in the composition with the woman. Look at how Arnold Blanch handles the same thing (below) And Arnold's women really are inspired by Picasso. Wow. I am going to explode!

I am spinning. My head is spinning. I am trying to figure out what I am. Topsy Turvey..but with Murray pointing to Doris Lee and the list of artists I need to see...there is something there...but I have this tree to do...and am going somewhere, but down the wrong alley. But, I like Leonard Baskin, Eleanor Ness, Harry Clark and a bunch of line folks too. However, I need to keep going and make some pictures to draw my way out of this one. Heck, I got through the whole mortality thing through 300 drawings about death and mortality. This should be a walk through the garden to partake of the Tree of Knowledge. At least, there is hope.

Arnold Blanch
Two Women

Arnold Blanch

Morris Hirschfield

milestone for a boy


Today A. is 15. It is another perfect day on the lake, cloudless with the water at a temperature that doesnt entirely freeze you to the bone and allows you to float and merge for quite a bit. He had a surprise run with his girl running partner who ran with him from clue to clue to find out that there was ice cream on the end. We are celebrating with a big homemade dinner: flank steak, fresh squash, fresh salsa and chips, and ice cream (in the churn) with raspberries and peaches on the top. I made peach pancakes by the stack...so at least this big boy (now topping his dad at 6'2.5" to his glee)will have an inkling of our love and esteem. There have been presents along with a drive with our neighbor in her amazing, big, mercedes (his idea of heaven) with a little roadtime at 90 mph. Yikes!

It seems like a wink of an eye since we were presented with this 21". 5 lb. 11 oz. commander--and he is as sweet and dear as day one. When you are a kid, birthdays are all about you. As you get a bit of life behind you, birthdays are days to celebrate births, entries, and memories of those people whose birthdays are being remembered. The presents of stuffed animals with funny names (SueBear and Simkin), the ice cream truck ambling down our alley with all the ice cream all the children (and parents) could eat, the games and goodie bags and my playing the fish...all stand out.

What is the fish? you ask? Well, this is a carryover from my childhood. The fish only comes on birthdays--and comes in through the basement, so you never see him. The children (with the other parent) file one by one into the hallway where the laundry chute is. They stand on a stool and let down a "fishing line" (read rope with a sock attached). The children talk to the fish and ask for a present which the fish (read all the spaghetti pots in the house filled with water along with a big pan of water and and a glass) gargle and splash and give a small trinket, toy or candy with a big tug...an expressive tug, to reinforce that this baby was real. And man, did they buy it...until about second grade...but we really had em going. And the fish ONLY came to our parties. Nice to have that sort of exclusivity. Do you think he would buy that tonight? If the fish put $20 bills in the sock, would they pretend to believe? Maybe like Santa, they might, just one more time to let the old girl get her kicks, but somehow, I doubt it.

The birthday celebration is morphing to Wednesday dinner with his grandparents and a bigger to do with both boys and girls HS XC teams. So lasagne for 50 is in order for this mom...and ultimate frisbee. I think I better check to see if we even have one. Make note, One frisbee.

Internet Piracy abounds. We found number one pirate standing on the property line again..and the absolute boldness as she asked us why the internet wasn't working (pulled the plug, right then and there) and R. made some odd statement about the connection being portable and how it has to go with the computer as we breezed down the driveway. She made a pouting moue, expecting us in her totally entitled way to jump out of the wonderbus and jiggle some cords to let her get her connection. No way. If there had been more sharing and less of our giving and their taking as much as they could, I might be a bit nicer--but this is something they can buy too. After all, they have such grand titles and are such important people. "Did you know", she asked me, "that you can use the internet to do research." No?! Imagine. If only I could read...!(they are always surprised when I mention a book or a publication because only special people are allowed that skill in the very refined academic world they inhabit.") Now, honey...where did I put that baseball bat?

I know, I know...that isn't very charitable or nice. But hey. I am just doing them a favor...after all today is labor day. Why work?!

Enough. Off to the Garden of Eden and then a bit more swimming before the great cooking of the birthday feast.