fear makes me

Having an anxious day at work, worried about lots of things. This was the result.

Which one is better?

Original version graphite and soft pastel

Time of the Butterflies, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

I doodled some ideas for a cover to accompany my review of Julia Alvarez's book about "Las Mariposas" - the legendary politically active sisters known as "the butterflies."
Then played around in Photoshop and made another version...which one do you like better?

Photoshopped version

Harp Player Has the Blues

Harp Player, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

An attempt to vary the backgrounds in sketches to see what I like. This isn't particularly dramatic but the meandering lines of the shadow area might set a particular mood. Imagine you can hear the harmonica's sound, all bluesy and sort of sad.

Storybook Character

Storybook Character, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

If I were illustrating one of the popular books kids and teens read, full of adventure and magic this might be a character in that story. I did some shelving in the Library's youth room today - perhaps a Manga spirit followed me home.

Billboard Dancer

Billboard Dancer, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

I drive past a billboard every day advertising Phoenix Children's Hospital. I so like the expression on the girl's face I always want to stop and draw her. Even though this isn't "anything special" I want to post something every day. This is it for today.

Re-read Any Good Books? Re-Cycled Any Good Art?

Read any good books lately? Trying to get back into some ART, inspired by recently read or re-read books. Julia Alvarez's "In the Time of the Butterflies" is a classic, and though it took place in a Caribbean dictatorship during the 60's, many aspects of repression, fear, and love-for-family are equally relevant to people trying to live their lives in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, or Congo. A couple of years ago I posted this illustration to depict conflict. I think it might translate well to expressing "In the Time of the Butterflies."

Maybe I can combine that drawing of Dede from a few days ago, this butterfly drawing (still on my drawing board,) and the below pillars/text to get a certain feel. I like the opposing pillars and the text. It reinforces the idea that "this is something I have read, felt strongly about, and maybe you would like it too..." Also, recycling old art is a good way to jump-start one's creative drive. Don't we always seem to find something that needs "fixing" in old artwork?

My Joyce

May Be Joyce, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

More loose drawing practice. Based on my daughter, Joyce. She has struggled with getting her masters and building her life while managing bipolar disorder. This week she gets her Masters in Library Technology! My lovely MLS Librarian. She is also married to a very sweet guy. This is part of a set of square drawings that might become tiles. I thought perhaps I'd have her looking up at something, but not sure what yet. But things are finally "looking up" for her.

Line practice

Line practice, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Sometimes I become afraid that I don't know how to draw anymore, and that my work has become simple and uninteresting. This is an exercise in putting my faith in the materials and my actions of the moment. Does anyone else feel this fear of drawing, and what does it mean?

In the Time of the Butterflies

At the library where I work we are encouraged to submit "staff picks" book reviews. While trying to summarize a book I was re-reading, I began to draw the face of Dede, the only sister who survives in the novel by Julia Alvarez "In the Time of the Butterflies."  I didn't even mean to make her expression so pensive and sad, but the book was making me feel that way. So maybe I have another kind of book review, made with drawings that express a book so you want to read it.

Dede is based on a real person, and the novel tells a true story. Dede lives in Santo Domingo during the dictatorial rule of Rafael Trujillo. Her sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa  become resistance fighters (and martyrs) known as "The Butterflies" (Las Mariposas) at the hands of the repressive regime. Dede survives to tell the story. But in this book each sister has her say.
I drew Dede, and you can see how sad she is.
On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly made November 25 (the anniversary of the day of the murder of the Mirabal sisters) the date for an International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to honor the sisters.
This is a photo of the real sisters. Dede is not in this picture: Here are Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa.


Hollywood made a film IN 2001 from the book starring Salma Hayek, Edward Olmos and Marc Anthony among others. A spanish-language film based on the book is just being released entitled "Trópico de Sangre. "