Copyright James E. Martin 2012: 'Lil Bit - Quiet and Precocious
Sunday, December 23, 2012
From Photos: A Look and a Feeling
This sketch from a photo is the best likeness of Daughter Number 3 I have yet been able to achieve. Not everyone agrees though. I am most pleased with the sidelong look and the feeling I get in the sketch. It is a bit of her personality, in my opinion. The chin is just a 'Lil Bit resolute. Quiet and precocious. This is a good way to end the year and four months of Daily Sketching.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
From Photos: Closer Still
Another drawing derived from a photo. Closer to the age of the subject but not precisely a likeness.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Closer Still
Friday, December 21, 2012
From Photos: Working It
Another depiction from photos. I was somewhat OK with the result as a drawing but it was not really a likeness and did not depict the age of the subject accurately. Must continue Working It.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Working It
Thursday, December 20, 2012
From Life: A Holiday Silhouette
A genteel lady in South Station readying for morning holiday travel.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Holiday Traveler
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Drawing from Photos: Daughter in Repose
I was on a roll yesterday so was able to complete another drawing from a photo of Daughter in Repose. I liked the Style even though there is a gap in the likeness.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Daughter in Repose
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Drawing from Photos: Tie-Dye Daughter
My day to day sketches haven't been flowing well and aren't worthy of publish. Have some photos from the summer with Daughter Number 3. Worked on that portrayal. I liked the result for Tie Die Daughter.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Tie Die Daughter
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Holidays are Approaching: Cafe Tables
More quick sketches at the Boston South Station cafe tables. The holidays are approaching.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: South Station Cafe Tables
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Early Morning: Train Approaching
This morning the train approached the local depot with a blinding headlamp that silhouetted some of the commuters on the raised platform. I had a quick view to the left and portrayed this impression once I boarded the train. This might become an interesting 6" x 6" painting someday.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Train Approaching
Monday, December 3, 2012
Mad Dash: 15 Seconds or Less
I have been apportioning a small part of my day at the Boston South Station between my morning commuter rail and subway escapade. Thirty minutes at a cafe table to enjoy a coffee and treat while sketching. People pass by rather quickly and so this endeavor is generally one of very fast sketching within 5-15 seconds before moving on to the next image.
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Morning at South Station 01
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Morning at South Station 02
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Morning at South Station 03
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Morning at South Station 04
Copyright James E. Martin 2012: Morning at South Station 05
Sadness: Part of the Journey
I have indirectly found out that Scott Lightfoot, a life mentor to me through his blog writings, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. I understand it to be this day in Ohio. I started this art blog because of him and gained a deeper understanding of my artistic endeavor and motivation because of his insight, feelings and expressions. We shared similar perspectives, experiences, and struggles in our Journey. Although I never met him personally, I think we were kindred spirits. I did have the opportunity to write some comments to him on his blog from time to time. I offered him one final dedication....apparently shortly before he entered a hospice. One of his best friends and an intermediary to me, Kristen Dukat, told me that she had the chance to ensure that Scott heard my final message to him through her kind intervention before his final rest. Thank you for sharing with him and for sharing to me, Kristen. My comments and letter to him below.
"Dear Scott, about 12-18 months ago, I came across your blog. It was about art, the quality of life, the meaning of life, unemployment, and daily living. It was about struggle. It also spoke strongly to the theme of what it meant to be a man. To be a provider. To make a difference in the world. To achieve. To make an impact. Many of those issues struck a chord with me during a year of unemployment as a middle aged man, potentially needing to redefine who I was or who I was to become. You are a great writer and in that sense, not just a graphical depicter of images, but a true artist.
Expressing your view of the world and sharing your perspective. Changing the views, perspectives, and values of others as a result of implanting images in their mind that affect how they live out their journey. You have changed the images in my mind not necessarily because of your graphical depictions in a media but because you have affected my worldview because of who you are as a person and what you have done with your artistic endeavor along your life's journey. As difficult as it appeared to be at times against your own true self, you opened yourself up to the world and revealed your innermost vulnerabilities. You have told the story of Everyman and Everywoman in the flow of Humanity. The weakness. The chaos. The search for meaning. The effect of the world against the individual. The seeming lack of control and influence over things that are larger than any of us alone. The deep need to have friends and family. How many artists have there been that perhaps sketched drawings or painted pictures but had no lasting impact upon humanity? They are also artists. But we start out only as practitioners of a skill. Perhaps we are fortunate enough to add some practitioner's knowledge. If we are committed, perhaps we gain experience. And perhaps one day, someone looks at what we have done and says we have ability. But is Art about Knowledge, Ability, Skill, and Experience. Perhaps. But the greatest artists have faced the Void and gone into a Realm where no timid soul has ventured before. Their bravery and bravado put the deep life experiences into their unique expression.
I am only one small witness about you and testimony for you across the country and this globe. I started a blog because of you. It is about Art, Daily Living, the Artistic Endeavor, the Journey, and reaching one's Unique Potential. It is about making an impact during our time here in the flesh. It is about asking the deep questions. Although I have returned to work in Boston, I see things differently now. I have a different balance towards my daily walk. I sketch on the commuter train and the subway. I take photos with a different view towards how they could be used in my artistic endeavor. So how is the world of art changing and what part have you played in today’s art? You have been part of the Daily Painting initiative. Art is a more "democratic" experience whereby many more people practice the craft. It is a movement. You have been a part of its early formulation. And perhaps it can be said that the daily artists influence others through their art and that they enjoy being appreciated. But perhaps you have shown it is more than that.
As you know, the truly great artists changed the world by affecting the worldview of others through their expression. And like the Olympic champions of old, we observe that the torch gets passed from generation to generation. But the Olympic endeavor message has similarities to the artistic endeavor, the triumph of humanity over the struggles of life, the noble message of pure things that are to be aspired and expressed rather than the base things, the physical/mental/emotional struggle to be the best, to reach one's unique potential, to leave a legacy, to get it right, to be remembered in the flow of humanity. We each have a part to play. I am part of your legacy. You have made a difference in my life and how I see the world and what I should do in my time remaining however long that should be. I also am preparing to pass the torch along the timeline of the artistic endeavor. But it is not just about art, is it? I am more sensitive to my frailties and my weaknesses. My limits are more known to me today. I am bounded and constrained. For me, much of your message is about how short a time we have here in this life. To surmise otherwise is a fool's errand. There is great wisdom about the human condition in your story, Scott. So I endeavor, in my small part to play on this stage, to pour myself and my life's experience into others. And may attempt to do just a little art along the way as one medium of expression. But the true artists have changed the world. Just as you did for me. Thank you. jim"
I bid him adieu and will carry on my Daily Walk one small step at a time.
Scott Lightfoot: Artist , Influence, and Mentor
Courtesy of Kristen Dukat: A Time for Art
Courtesy of Kristen Dukat: A Time for Art
"Dear Scott, about 12-18 months ago, I came across your blog. It was about art, the quality of life, the meaning of life, unemployment, and daily living. It was about struggle. It also spoke strongly to the theme of what it meant to be a man. To be a provider. To make a difference in the world. To achieve. To make an impact. Many of those issues struck a chord with me during a year of unemployment as a middle aged man, potentially needing to redefine who I was or who I was to become. You are a great writer and in that sense, not just a graphical depicter of images, but a true artist.
Expressing your view of the world and sharing your perspective. Changing the views, perspectives, and values of others as a result of implanting images in their mind that affect how they live out their journey. You have changed the images in my mind not necessarily because of your graphical depictions in a media but because you have affected my worldview because of who you are as a person and what you have done with your artistic endeavor along your life's journey. As difficult as it appeared to be at times against your own true self, you opened yourself up to the world and revealed your innermost vulnerabilities. You have told the story of Everyman and Everywoman in the flow of Humanity. The weakness. The chaos. The search for meaning. The effect of the world against the individual. The seeming lack of control and influence over things that are larger than any of us alone. The deep need to have friends and family. How many artists have there been that perhaps sketched drawings or painted pictures but had no lasting impact upon humanity? They are also artists. But we start out only as practitioners of a skill. Perhaps we are fortunate enough to add some practitioner's knowledge. If we are committed, perhaps we gain experience. And perhaps one day, someone looks at what we have done and says we have ability. But is Art about Knowledge, Ability, Skill, and Experience. Perhaps. But the greatest artists have faced the Void and gone into a Realm where no timid soul has ventured before. Their bravery and bravado put the deep life experiences into their unique expression.
I am only one small witness about you and testimony for you across the country and this globe. I started a blog because of you. It is about Art, Daily Living, the Artistic Endeavor, the Journey, and reaching one's Unique Potential. It is about making an impact during our time here in the flesh. It is about asking the deep questions. Although I have returned to work in Boston, I see things differently now. I have a different balance towards my daily walk. I sketch on the commuter train and the subway. I take photos with a different view towards how they could be used in my artistic endeavor. So how is the world of art changing and what part have you played in today’s art? You have been part of the Daily Painting initiative. Art is a more "democratic" experience whereby many more people practice the craft. It is a movement. You have been a part of its early formulation. And perhaps it can be said that the daily artists influence others through their art and that they enjoy being appreciated. But perhaps you have shown it is more than that.
As you know, the truly great artists changed the world by affecting the worldview of others through their expression. And like the Olympic champions of old, we observe that the torch gets passed from generation to generation. But the Olympic endeavor message has similarities to the artistic endeavor, the triumph of humanity over the struggles of life, the noble message of pure things that are to be aspired and expressed rather than the base things, the physical/mental/emotional struggle to be the best, to reach one's unique potential, to leave a legacy, to get it right, to be remembered in the flow of humanity. We each have a part to play. I am part of your legacy. You have made a difference in my life and how I see the world and what I should do in my time remaining however long that should be. I also am preparing to pass the torch along the timeline of the artistic endeavor. But it is not just about art, is it? I am more sensitive to my frailties and my weaknesses. My limits are more known to me today. I am bounded and constrained. For me, much of your message is about how short a time we have here in this life. To surmise otherwise is a fool's errand. There is great wisdom about the human condition in your story, Scott. So I endeavor, in my small part to play on this stage, to pour myself and my life's experience into others. And may attempt to do just a little art along the way as one medium of expression. But the true artists have changed the world. Just as you did for me. Thank you. jim"
I bid him adieu and will carry on my Daily Walk one small step at a time.