365 days of drawing ~ day one hundred twelve

I am so excited to start this portrait of my Nan and Pap.  I knew they would be a pair of souls that I would draw during my 356 days of drawing.  I did not know it would be so difficult to find a photo of the two of them together.  I looked through STACKS of photos and finally when I held this one, I felt all the happiness and love shining through.  As I held the photo, studied their faces and scenery I could feel this place was a happy place for my Nan and Pap.  I knew they had made happy memories here.  My mother thought the location of the photo was down at the beach near or at a motel called The Hawks Nest in Delaware.  A motel near Oak Orchard that made them fall in love with the area and later purchased a beach house that I spent long summers visiting.  I really wanted a better photo of their faces but this photo seemed to be the one I am supposed to draw.

Beach Life Series ~ Chapter III: Living with strangers and employment

 
In one summer I lived with eight other humans and later that summer one other person and her dog.  All different personalities, from all over the United States and a wide range of ages.  The following summer I had just two roommates.  I started off working for one shop but ended up working for another by the end of the year.  Our stand was burnt to the ground at the end of the summer and that pushed us off to start traveling with the carnival during the fall months.  Never a dull moment.

365 days of drawing ~ day one hundred four ~ Trees and Tents with Houd

The last pencil stroke has been made.  This is my dear friend Dustin or Houd (short for Houdini).  I knew when I started my 365 days of drawing that I would be drawing portraits of my dear departed friend and my family that has passed on.  His portrait started on day sixty-one.  I did not know at that time I would be incorporating the loved ones of my friends as well.  You can read more about the portraits ahead here.

A few weeks ago I was driving into the city to run an errand and as I was driving I came upon a man walking alongside the road.  He was wearing jeans, hat, long dark coat, had shoulder length hair and was wearing glasses.  After passing him and looking in my rear view mirror I nearly had a stroke.  My friend Houd!  I was sure of it.  Without thinking I immediately turned my car around and drove past him, after realizing clearly this was not Houd I felt a bit foolish.  My mind thought I saw him walking alongside the road, but my heart knew the truth.

365 days of drawing ~ day one hundred

 

I am so close to being finished, I can almost see him standing right in front of me.  I have some blending to do on his nose and a few more places to darken, but that is just about it.  I am so excited to present this to his mother.  I hope I made Houd proud.  I will get to take it to her in person and give her a giant hug.

I will be making prints and listing them for sale in my Etsy shop at $5 a piece + shipping and handling.  If you are reading this and know you want a print, give me a heads up so I can be sure to get enough made.

365 days of drawing ~ day ninety-nine *bonus

I still see a few things I want to darken and a few I want to lighten, but its almost complete.  I am very happy with it at this stage.  I am really looking forward to hanging a print on my wall. 

I am also uber excited about his upcoming journey to California.  I have less than a teaspoon full of his cremated remains that will be made into a glass bead I will wear in my dreadlocks.  When I first opened my shop on Etsy and joined the Etsy Team Deadhead Art Alliance, I met Jen.  She owns two Etsy shops Ocean Beach Glass and Pacific NW Glass.  She is the Deadhead Art Alliance Captain and runs our collective store front on Etsy.  Team members can donate their handmade items and the funds are used to pay for vending, events or help out a team member in need.  I saw Jen list a custom item with the words cremation, memorial, glass bead and immediately inquired.  Turns out she can make a glass bead with cremated remains!!  So we will be featuring the process, her shop and the bead coming soon!  The process will take a while, after she receives the ashes she will meditate, spend some time getting connected to him, prepare herself and put all the love, light, positive energy into the handmade masterpiece - all while letting his spirit guide her hands.  It is amazing and I am so blessed to know her.  I cannot wait to share all this with you.

365 days of drawing ~ day ninety-nine

Being gone for ten days, I see all the things that need to be done.  Darkening of shadows around the eyes, correction to the bottom lip and darkening of the background and hair.   I had a lot of fun while in Tennessee, my mind always wandered back to Dustin though.  I don't think I will be taking another ten day vacation from my drawing.  Next time I will remember to bring my sketch book and pencils. (both of which were a graduation gift from my high school art teacher)  With all this drawing I am doing I might have to finally replace my set, I have a small sentimental attachment to them.  My first real set of drawing pencils, they probably will go in my keepsake box.

While on vacation I was asked if I ever had any formal training.  I answered that, "why yes, my high school art teacher was also an artist."   An excellent artist, drew lots of surrealist art.   My senior year I took as many art classes as possible.  That's it folks, a little talent, a little determination, hard work and lessons from a high school art teacher.  Oh and practice, every little bit counts.  Rome wasn't built in a day.

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour with Houd

I have been away from drawing portraits for a week and a half, currently working on my friend Houds portrait.  This past week my little family traveled to Tennessee and while we were there we visited the Jack Daniels Distillery.  I knew Houd and Coyote would enjoy this trip so I brought them along......well, I brought along his action figures.