Tropical Plant Color Doodle

I have an astounding number of markers. When visitors to my studio see them, they almost faint. How could one person have that many colors? Actually, markers are one of the least expensive means of making art, as long as you don't care about the colors fading. So wherever I turn, I can pick up a marker of any color and create...at least something. I started with red here, and then went into dark green. I wasn't thinking of anything in particular but it turned into a tropical plant abstraction. No actual plants are represented here.

Markers on sketchbook page, 4" x 3 1/2", August 6, 2018.

Crescent Street Cambridge 1984

Artist's blurb: I lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts for 12 years during the 1980s. For most of those years I lived a very bohemian life in an old house just one street away from Harvard Divinity School. I worked on art commissions and book covers, sold art at science fiction conventions, and did a lot of sketching. I often drew the houses and trees of my picturesque urban neighborhood. 

This image is of backyards and fences on Crescent Street in Cambridge. The inkwork was done on site and it was colored in the studio. I love these old wooden houses and wish there were more of them to draw here in Metro DC. Many still exist but it is hard to find a spot to draw from.

Brown tech pen ink and watercolor, 5 1/2" x 8", August 22, 1984.

What I Saw: Steampump

This fabulous assemblage was in the lower level of the rehab building where I spent my captive days. The lower level didn't have residents. It was where physical and occupational therapy was done. There was a pleasant little gym where I spent time exercising under supervision. When I saw this 3-D steampunk assembly by the elevator stop on the lower level, I knew I had to bring it to you. What was it, really? I was told that this was where the water and steam pressures for the whole building were regulated. I think I surprised my rehab keepers by my artistic behavior during my stay there.

iPhone, July 1, 2018.

Geometrikon Purple Butterfly Re-mix

You saw the purple butterfly geometrikon a few days ago. Here's the "re-mix" of it in marker enhanced with a Photoshop gradient background. I do love these colors together and you can find them in Nature in iris flowers.

Markers, with Photoshop added, 4 1/2" x 4", August 2018.

Muscleman 1975

I learned human exterior and muscle anatomy by buying and dissecting muscle magazines. I also copied and traced the models in their photographs. Even in the 1970s the bodybuilders were using steroids and other drugs to enhance their physiques. This guy came from one of these mags. I don't know his name but he wasn't famous. In 1975 Arnold Schwarzenegger won the "Mr. Olympia" bodybuilding championship for the sixth time in a row and by 1982 he was playing "Conan the Barbarian" in the movies. I still have some muscle mags collecting steroid-enhanced dust on my shelves.

Watercolor and ink on sketchbook page, 4" x 4", 1975.

The Square Star

This is basically a Colorform with extra elements added, like the twirling webs of red and the switch of colors (the circles are supposed to be yellow). Every time I set up the five-inch black square background I have something new to say. Not that it's very important to say, but there, I've said it. Many of my musical friends can make something delightful or even deep by assembling pre-fabricated sounds into a composition. Why could I not do the same with graphic design elements.

Photoshop, 5" x 5", August 2, 2018.

Geometrikon Purple Butterfly

A butterfly shape isn't the most original of designs, but that's what happened in my tiny process. I'll leave the beautiful women with flowing hair to other artists. I actually like purple as a theme color. But you don't see it that often in arty paintings. Shall I try again with a more tasteful palette? 

Marker drawing, colored in with Photoshop, 4 1/2" x 4", August 1, 2018.