Lee's Artlog

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2005- My instructor for life drawing wanted to see our skills in ink, so he made our tools that much more difficult to use. He handed me a toothpick, then took it back and broke it in half and handed me what was left of it.  I felt that the gauntlet had been thrown and accepted his challenge on this 20 minute piece. Although the aptly named Toothpick breaks a variety of rules with the head and feet halfway off the page and the hands are small and not well defined, the textured scratching and frentic pace is strong, giving the piece some quirky balance with the cloth area the model is resting on.

I had decided to return to school but really hadn’t defined a degree that I was interested in. ACC did not have an Illustration track, so Graphic Design seemed to be the closest thing to it. I was disappointed that life drawing wasn’t required for Graphic Design, but after finishing the program some 2 years later, it became very apparent as to why it was this way. I was still being trained to be a drone, just one who set type, margins and pictures.

  

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2007- I decided to mix things up in my sketchbook and put a more detailed drawing of an animal or two for my amusement. The Croaking Frog shows not only minute attention to detail but also a variety of ways to convey texture such as in the skin and tree bark while not losing the frog’s spots. I spent around 30 to 45 minutes on this piece and tried to be extremely thourough without being mechanical.  The overall result was pleasing and a brief respite from the nonstop figure drawing I had been doing.

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2007- I did this quick study from a Cambiaso painting that I saw in a book. About this page in my sketchbook, I really hit a groove, and did some sound, wellframed, time-efficient pieces.  Luca Cambiaso was a mannerist painter, but more importantly he also did beautiful sketches, (especially of architecture,) and really knew how to frame and box images, capturing the elements and events appropriately and technically on the page. An acclaimed inker as well, he also is believed to be the father of a technique of foreshortening in which the subject is divided into squares much like early cubist work.  His work really inspired me to work quickly and build frames as rapidly possible. I also had the pleasure to see his compositions and paintings on display at the Blanton in Austin in 2007.

When it comes to art, it is of my opinion that you start somewhere, build a foundation and work dilligently. After time it all comes together. I think all artists have problems with certain elements of art, whether it is in the figure or direction or the perspective, it’s the tenacity to stick with it. My sketchbooks and pieces stretch back at around 20 years. Initially just like everybody else, it really was bad, but it was my willingness to stick to what I believed in and what I love that has brought me to the point I am at today. Listen with a strained ear. Take criticism in stride but always bullheadedly keep your eye focused on your goals.