These are random pieces that I am excited to share. I explored various subjects and themes, with the same spontaneity as previous works, in which they were created free hand, and without much premeditation. I placed the ballpoint pen at a starting point, and added whatever seemed to accompany the previous lines best. For example I would draw the shape of a head, with certain facial features and see a particular mood from the expression and suddenly develop a story or narrative regarding what should proceed. I would think "This guy looks like he is about to eat something or kiss someone " and another object (food ) or another head (kissing) would be drawn. The drawings continued to be from an improvisational approach. Sketching from memory or the imagination is like this for me. So this era of drawing was very impulsive for me, and just as therapeutic as any other period. But, there are several pieces that I did prepare more sketching and thought, to achieve a certain aesthetic. These are the tree drawings and secluded male figure works I did with the micron pens. They were definitely more tedious, and not always as enjoyable to create as the other drawings. But the results were truly rewarding, and my efforts were not in vain. Now I embrace the method completely, because it fulfills my creative ambitions the most.
1. Beneath The Sea
2. A Misunderstood Blues
3. Walk Over To The Bed
4. Autumn Oak
5. Party And Play
1. Beneath The Sea, was an interesting process with the ink washes particularly. I used a wash brush, which is thicker, with a wide, rounded edge of bristles. I created the underwater scene with my usual process of line and shadings with washes from smaller brushes, but finalized the piece with darker strokes using my wash brush. This gave the effect of being underwater that I wanted. It is a fantasy idea of two men jumping into water and removing their clothing to be more intimate. Their belongings float away as they interlock without a care of retrieving them. They have what they want most, at the moment, which seems to be each other. I of course had to emphasize the feet in this scene.
2. A Misunderstood Blues, was inspired by a little sketch I did years prior to this piece. On a scrap piece of paper ( I cannot remember was it notebook paper ) I sketched a man sitting at a bar, with his hand clinging to a shot glass, and tears running down his face, from closed eyes. He wore a long sleeved button- down shirt and had an Afro. Was this a self portrait? Perhaps it was symbolically, considering how depressed I was during that time. It was created during my high school years. My brother saw it afterwards. I wrote underneath the image " Let It Go " and it was done in ballpoint pen. He said" Travis, I like that drawing you did. " I was surprised, as it was considered to be a doodle of a piece, that I would eventually stash away, like similar sketches. I said " Really? " He replied " Yeah, that's deep. I want it. " I am sure I chuckled, because he usually teased me, as older siblings do. But I felt his sincerity. I still questioned if he really wanted it. He said he did, and I gave it to him. I later saw it tacked up inside of his bedroom closet. I remember thinking how art can impact people. I was flattered that he could relate so much to my piece, that he wanted it! I kept the idea in my mind years later, and decided to draw a similar piece with more of a visual narrative.
3. Walk Over To The Bed, is a sketch that became more of a completed piece, because of the gratifying indulgence with my pen! I remember watching porn, and there was a scene with two men standing naked together, talking during a skit before sex. It involved a porn star that I was interested in seeing more of in videos, during that time. It inspired a narrative that I wanted to do a sketch of, at least, with two men, that preludes to sex. I wanted to sketch an interior using hatching for shading, while including the human figure. I appreciate it more now, than I did upon finishing it.
4. Autumn Oak, is another drawing created during my period of drawing trees, in which I have currently continued to do, Trees have been one of my favorite subjects still, besides drawing men. It is a great subject to draw with micron pens, because I love capturing the bark textures along the trunk and roots. This piece also involves my use of the brush pen, in which I hesitate to use on final drawings, because of its potential to flatten my work! I try to be careful and apply it in a way that can effectively enhance my subject, and not subdue it, as it is very bold and final, without any opportunity for correction.
5. Party And Play, is a very exceptional piece to me, because it was separate from my usual palette of choice. I decided to get the basic colors of bottled ink I had, and mix them into more colors. I applied each mixture on Bristol board with a brush, to ensure it was the correct hue. I was determined to do this, and ordered more plastic bottles to accumulate several colors and values for colored drawings. There was trial and error, of course, experimenting with drawings layered in colored washes. I made fifty bottles of colored ink. I took a chance on creating this piece and applying the inks to see what results would appear. I was prepared for the tedious process and enjoyed working on this piece. The idea is about a couple celebrating their anniversary. I implied symbols to tell the story, such as the condoms to advocate safe sex, the gift box, alcohol, ashtray and framed picture of the couple on the fireplace mantel. I abandoned the colored inks after a few drawings were done with them, but currently returned to use them again, because of the expansion of my present ideas.
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