Agave Hummingbird

Agave Hummingbird , originally uploaded by askthemoon.

This little hummer was flying so fast I needed to draw him from memory yesterday. Drawing in ArtRage using a custom palette made of muted tones.

You are the Bird

Here's a drawing from awhile ago, flipped In Photoshop. It always makes me think of a mythic, epic story but one I haven't told yet. Probably, I am the bird. I dream such things too, either being lost, losing something, or escape. Is that what being a human is about? 

I'll B There

I'll B There, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

This is from the teen novel "I'll Be There"; the words are from an inner dialogue within the son.

Clarence: I'll Be There

Clarence: I'll Be There, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

From a teen novel "I'll Be There" involving a very abusive parent, a talented son, and friendship. This is the father.

Fish in a Digital Sea

Layers of color and then some whittling with the eraser tool, more drawing with white, a bunch of messing around to make water, and there you have it. I sort of like the effect, like light coming down through water onto the fish.

Little Carp

This little carp-fish was from a moment of quiet at work. As usual for work, the tools at hand included highlighters in various colors and scratch paper. The colored markers mix in interesting ways when layered.

Consciousness

Consciousness, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

This reminds me of the earliest moments of childhood when the world is still filled with wonders.

Imperial Beach Waves

Finally, I'm beginning to loosen up my digital drawing thing. This expresses pure homesickness for not being at the beach anymore, diving under waves, hunting shells, and watching surfers. I can still hear that muffled pounding roar and the cry of seagulls. All my shoes are full of sand and I don't want to shake it out. Waaaaa.

Remembered Birches

Remembered Birches, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

My cousin gave me this amazing IPad I couldn't have afforded. I've been afraid, but finally plunged into digital drawing recently with this app:  "Paper by Fifty Three." I used a fingertip for the lines and the pad of my finger for the tones. If feels almost like play. I NEED to get a stylus of some kind though...

Silenced

Silenced, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

In "River Woman", a daughter of the village is believed guilty of an unforgiveable crime. She will never draw an innocent breath unless she leaves, but she can't tell anyone the truth either.

To Be Heard

To Be Heard, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

A face from "To Be Heard" a 2011 Independent Film about Slam poetry and at-risk youth. This young man was in serious trouble by the end of the film, but so talented and charismatic it was hard not to care about him.

Beth Hart Photoshopped

Beth Hart Photoshopped, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Listening to Beth Hart on YouTube, "I'll Take Care of You." Her video with Joe Bonamassa is amazing!! I did this from memory, adding Photoshop. I plan on pausing the video later, & do a more true drawing. She has a dangerous, feline quality. And a long tattoo on her arm I'd like to show.

Nap

Nap, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Child relaxing at the library.

Draw a Book Cover: Secret Girl

Draw the Book Cover: Secret Girl, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Reading "Secret Girl" , Molly Bruce Jacobs' memoir of life before and after meeting her sister Anne. Born with a brain disorder, Anne was hidden from even her siblings before Ms. Jacobs met her and formed a relationship. Author is also an artist:
mollybrucejacobs.com/

Election Info = Art Op

Untitled, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Injured hiker coming down the mountain. Only paper in my car to draw on was the Election Guide!

Phoenix-Phone-Book

Phoenix-Phone-Book, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Face Book

Face Book, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Updated version of a sketch I did in 2010. It seemed to need more color, expecially blues and greens.

Pace of Life

Pace of Life, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Taking a day off , "pulling a sickie" my daughter says. Holding the flu at bay, I contemplate the pace of life that has everyone I know feeling exhausted. Pastel and graphite pencil.

Cambodian Memoir

Banyan Tree Spirit, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

I'm reading Vaddey Ratner's memoir of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's. "In the Shadow of the Banyan" describes her family's gentle life of intellectual pursuit before it was swept away by the atrocities of that regime. It reminds me of Dr. Zhivago.

Split Screen

Split Screen, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Every night I draw in pencil before going to sleep. I'm trying to use some color now. These 2 ideas from a book I happened to be reading.

Warm

Warm, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

A cold day, a warm drink and a peaceful moment.

Inner Balance

Balance, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

I love playing with images in a drawing. Especially having ideas-within-ideas. First came the small figure, then the notion of putting it into a different context.

Koi

Koi, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

Even here in Arizona there are koi ponds. I've learned the only way to draw koi is loosely and in motion, since they are by nature like that. Someday I will get the feeling just right...

Fame!

Eat Creatively, originally uploaded by askthemoon.

A weed in the driveway called me to "Eat Local". Maybe not quite THIS local tho. My photo got noticed by the photo group "Utata." See below.
Funny fantasy backstory to my photo.

Not the Year of the Horse

I know this is not the year of the horse, but this one wouldn't wait. Next year is the Year of the Horse, isn't it?

Happy New Year anyway, to everyone.