Drawing Exhibition

OBSERVATIONS  Drawing Show

July 6 - 31, 2012

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, South Natick, MA

vernissage: Sunday, July 8, 2 - 4 p.m.

I'll have about 25 drawings on exhibit and for sale. Stop by if you're in the area. Broadmoor is a beautiful nature sanctuary with many trails and things to see.

Duck on a Rock

June 19, 2012
charcoal pencil

Just one more view of Eternity… there are so many more. They just follow one after the other seamlessly like the water is this flowing river. It goes one way and the morning light goes the other way. Where they meet a mallard dabbles in a sparkling silhouette or rests on a small rock.

Three Views of the Dam

06-09-12

06-11-12

06-14-12

Here are three views of the dam done in the past week. I never tire of studying it. Hope you can get out in front of moving water this week. Bonne journée.

Mucking Around

Swan on nest, preening
Broadmoor, 06-06-12 8:00 a.m.

Swan and cygnet
Broadmoor, 06-06-12 8:30 a.m.

South Natick Dam
06-06-12 7:30 p.m.

"Crystal City"
06-06-12, 9:00 p.m.

I've been assiduously drawing from Nature since May of 2010. It just blossomed in response to emotional turmoil and the cares of life in general. I recommend it highly as a discipline and a momentary balm from things that destabilize. But still, the imagination calls to work from the Process of Working. Hence, in one day I draw swans and ponds, rushing rivers and imaginary Armenian castles. Just mucking around in Me.

Singing in the Rain

Three Geese
conté
06-05-12

Swift
conté
06-05-12

A light drizzle was falling as I drew these birds this morning. I like how the drops of water on the paper change the color of the chalk. Keeping things loose.

detail: raindrops and conté crayon

detail: two geese close-up

detail: many swifts and swallows dart and swoop over the water feeding on the plentiful insects.

Looking & Seeing

The South Natick Dam
06-01-12, charcoal pencil

The other day I thought if I spent 20 minutes drawing this view of the dam, I'd be sure to see (and presumably draw) a fish leaping out of the water trying to scale the dam. No such luck. I have seen them in the past though. It's like seeing shooting stars: it happens and some imagery imprints on your retina and the brain decodes and sends the message:  "I just saw a shooting star!" Or, "Hey, that was a fish leaping!" By the time the words have formed in my consciousness, the event has ended. I imagine it's like winning the lottery or playing the stock market: there's a small adrenaline rush.

And it makes me think about the relation of looking to seeing. When do we first "see" something (or someone)? I'm reminded of the moment, after a long flight, of seeing a new friend at the airport for the first time (having only seen photos before). There was a delirious and instantaneous shock in the brain as the circuits realigned and a new order took over and life struggled to catch up.

Wait! I just saw a… Did you see it too?

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(A large willow tree limb has gotten marooned on the top of the dam. It's been there for a few weeks now and you can see that it has sprouted branches and a lush growth of leaves. I imagine if it could just be left alone that roots would sprout and Birnam Forest would have come to Natick!)