or the importance of keeping sketchbooks.

So I was looking for my next idea for a piece, since I don’t want to work on some of the stuff  I’ve started, and don’t have a series ready to go yet (it’s still percolating).

Trying to figure what to do I started going through my old sketchbooks.  I’ve kept a sketchbook since 1977 (since my first one my younger sister gave me), not always consistently, but pretty regular.  Sometimes I use them to work out stuff in paintings that I’m working on, sometimes I’m just drawing.   Some of the drawings are pretty well worked out, some are scribbles, some are horrible, but they all keep my hand loose, and sharpen my eyes.

Blah, blah, blah. 😀

The thing about it is that 20 some odd sketchbooks over 30 odd years have a lot of stuff in them, and can inspire a new work.  That’s what I was looking for, and what I found today.

The start of the new work:

What inspired it:

That is from a sketchbook from 1982-1983 (yes i date them, and I number them too). I liked the way the head was cut off, and thought it would make a fun portrait.

This painting:

came from this sketch:

What do you use for inspiration?

Kathleen West / Kestrel Studios
Art Nouveau style linocuts, hand pulled, and hand colored.

this is the finished product.  A few minor changes from the last pic.  Edition of 10

Or–avoiding working on today.  Well, I’m think about it, even if I’m not physically working on it.

I think i’ve been convinced to leave it like this, and do an edition.  We’ll see how  I feel tomorrow. 😀

for (Jenny’s bestest buddy) Sharon’s son.

as some readers may know. (and some may not) I think his work is insipid, and degrades art and the value of art.
Which is why I think this piece is funny:

4 the Love of Gold–Euginio Merino (click on pic for his website) “Damien Hirst suicides so that the value of his work will increase…”

PS The skull on the T-shirt is Hirst’s “4 the love of God” sculpture.

via Happy Famous Artists