Nelly Nortay

Portrait Commission

2011-07-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is my first non-family, commissioned portrait done for a Port Washington, NY client. My reference was a photograph since the subjects, parents of the client, are deceased. I have since been awarded with 2 additional portraits from the same client...so I guess, for now, I will set aside my plans to go to nursing school.
16"X20" soft pastel on sanded paper

Girl in a Hat

2011-02-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

9 X 12 oil on panel. Fairly happy with this one. This is based on a photo of one of the models from the Peggi Kroll Roberts workshop Larry went to this past summer... It's damn hard to paint during a slump...a persistent slump. The End.

First Piano Lesson

2011-02-06T17:02:00.000-08:00

Probably not, but Mom really was a piano teacher, and Nancy really did take piano lessons eventually. So did I. I don't know if Walt did or not, but he broke the leg off the piano bench, I think. We were all grounded for it because we all said we didn't do it. All I know is I didn't and Nancy wouldn't lie (right Nancy?)...so you do the math.

I painted this for my sister in appreciation, love & admiration for making sure Mom & Dad have/had a comfortable and loving elderlyhood. I hope she can stay around long enough to take care of me, too. Ha Ha Ha....put that piano leg down!!!!!

oil on 9 X 12 panel

Terry in Venice

2010-10-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

This painting is from a Davidson Singers Italy Tour photo of Terry McCormick, soprano supremo, in the lobby of (I think) Hotel Giorgione, reading a Venice publication. oil on 9X12 panel.

New Work in Progress

2010-10-17T10:58:00.001-07:00

These are a few of far too many paintings in various stages of completion. The first is from a photo I took in Key West. I need to finish the sky & do some minor refinements, then call it a "learning piece". (oil 9X12") I am working on a series of "City Umbrellas"...(the first a couple of posts ago). The mushy area just under the umbrella, looks rubbed out because it is under construction. (oil 9X12") The 3rd painting "say cheese" is also from my trip to Key West. Some obvious refinements and the camera yet to do...(oil 6X8") The sailboat on Manhasset Bay is a miniature (2X3") canvas. I will repost finished paintings if they are completed before I expire. Thank you for looking!

2010-09-24T14:45:00.001-07:00

Across the street (7th Ave.) from Borders Bookstore and Penn Station at Madison Square Garden in NYC on a rainy day. Not sure if it's done yet, so it probably is. I keep trying to find that magical mystical sweet spot point of completion in oil painting, but I guess it's like trying to figure out what it's like to die. I suppose when I discover the answer to one, I'll have the answer to the other as well.
Oil on 8" X 16" panel.

Beach Baby Daddy

2010-09-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

I caught this wonderful shot of a young dad(?) holding his baby daughter(?) while gazing out to sea; Jones Beach, Long Island. This was a "timed" piece for me in an attempt to loosen up...took approx. 3 hours. oil on 9 X 12 canvas panel.

On the way to Stresa

2010-08-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo out of the bus window on our way to Stresa and Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. What I wouldn't give to be on that bus right now for so many reasons! Unfortunately, the image didn't capture brush stroke detail and color nuances that make this painting nice if I do say so myself. Thanks for looking. oil on 24" X 18" canvas panel.

David's Birthday Cake

2010-08-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is from a photo taken this past April while visiting Virginia Davidson in Florida. We were celebrating her son David's birthday at her home in Winterhaven, just one of many wonderful memories I have of that visit. Oil on 11'X14" panel.

Key West Sunset Reflection

2010-07-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

Another oil on 6" X 8" panel from a photo taken while on a dinner cruise off Key West; summer '08 concert tour with Davidson Singers. We passed an island with this barn-like building which glowed in the fiery sunset. Those were some mighty fine times!

Italy Concert Tour 2010

2010-07-16T16:00:00.001-07:00

I've decided to try oil painting (again after 30+ years!) since I have to "pastel" in the attic (dust problems), and the attic is not air conditioned. I can paint with oils in the bedroom & have some nice colorful smudges on the bedspread. This painting is "break-through" for me in the literal sense since I've been unable to do anything artistically since sometime in 2008. I am hoping to deliver myself from a career that I dreamed I would retire from with great satisfaction, but instead has left me longing to go back and try something else. Oh well, wah waaaah. Who knows where this will lead...

Virginia's Window

2010-03-20T07:17:00.001-07:00

I've been working/not working on this pastel for over almost a year. In fact, it doesn't look like this anymore since I was unhappy with the tree & sort of ERASED! it. This was supposed to be a birthday gift for my friend and voice teacher, founder/conductor of New York Treble Singers & Davidson Singers in NYC, Virginia Davidson...who has moved back to her home town in Florida (but will be back again in May for a 25th anniversary gala performance with NYTS & Davidson Singers). So, unfortunately, this work is far from done...and far from its intended home!

It is the view from a window in her upper west side apartment. One rainy day I was there for a lesson and she called me to the window to see "her tree"; where brick apartment buildings, yellow taxicabs and the metro melee stepped aside to reveal a beautiful, blossoming fruit tree that seemed to glow in the overcast. I snapped a picture with the thought of creating this "view" for her to take with her to Florida. It was a fine idea, which made it vulnerable to my predictable sabotages: procrastination, procrastination, procrastination with a little imposter syndrome thrown in.

May is the new deadline!

Winter Walk in Brookville, NY

2009-04-05T19:47:00.001-07:00

Lots of beautiful scenery along Hunt Road in Brookville, Long Island NY. The owner was very obliging as we captured images of several horses in colorful blankets being led back to the stables. This is a 25 X 19" (approx) soft pastel on sanded paper done from one of the photos...begun shortly after my last entry...and completed after a long bout with bronchitis. It's been a long, cold, strange winter; but the spring holds much promise. Thank you for stopping by.

Jones Beach 2

2009-02-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

More sketching from my "beach box". It won't be long before I'm adding to my photo collection. I love the ocean...especially off-season.

Jones Beach

2009-02-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

Did this just a couple of days ago: pastel on sanded paper approx. 19"x14". I think my work has a whole new "feel" to it since the "threshing" incident, don't you? I know it's put a whole new slant on my perspective of the world. I owe my recovery to all of you! Thank you thank you thank you!

sketchbook 09 II

2009-02-07T12:04:00.001-08:00

Obviously, subject matter is very random. Mostly done from photos, at night, in bed, with the TV on, with a candlestick, in the conservatory.

sketchbook 09 I

2009-02-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

I've had a serious "block" for over a year...but this past Christmas I received a sketchbook and made a promise to fill it by sketching every day. Slowly, the desire is returning. Even my writing is a bit flat, so maybe that'll pick up too. Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Pastel Portrait

2008-06-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is a portrait of my voice teacher in NYC. Last year I joined the Great Neck Choral Society, and this is our conductor. She is a remarkable woman who, at 80 years of age, continues to teach, conduct, rehearse and travel with her amateur and professional vocal groups. This portrait will be a gift to her this weekend, honoring her and past conductors and members of GNCS in celebration of it's 50th year. It was the most challenging piece I've ever done, considering it's been nearly a year since I touched my pastels.

Damage Control

2008-02-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

Recently, I bought a MacBook Pro so I can take my work with me when I travel, which so far has been nowhere; especially since I can videochat with family members now. Here is a pic of my Mom & sister and some old guy that wandered in during a recent "videovisit".

and thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Morning Sketches

2007-09-30T10:39:00.001-07:00

I keep a sketch pad and pencils by the bed in case I think this will be a day I need to sketch before getting up & around...much like when I was pregnant and kept saltines on the nightstand. It helps me deal with mental nausea.

2007-08-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a long long hot summer. The oppressive heat and humidity bring out the dullard in me, and the least thing on a dullard's mind is keeping a current sketchblog. Every now and then, however, in order to keep from sinking into a completely vegetative state, I force myself to do something "productive"...ergo this sketch from the beach at Oyster Bay. Why can't it be Fall tomorrow? Why don't I have more than one puny air conditioner?

Dad

2007-06-17T19:16:00.001-07:00

I did this pastel painting of my Dad last week. My father died on June 2nd after our whole family had gathered, one last time, which is something he had wanted for a long time. I missed the "Dad" he was before his stroke, which left him unable to speak or engage in the activities he enjoyed, but so admired his courage and tenacity in continuing to live the best life he could in his remaining years. It was during this time that I got to see and know him as a vulnerable human being, beyond the "Dad" persona. Happy Father's Day, Dad...I love you.

Mother's Mother's Day Card

2007-05-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Another surprise from my attic collection. I found this hand-crafted card made by my mother for her mother on Mother's Day many, many years ago. I posted this for my mother, and for my children. We have some of the best mothers, past and present, in our family. Happy Mother's Day, Mom, with all my love!

Erika’s Work

2007-04-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve taken a very long break from my work for some major free-lance projects. Too long a break is a bad thing since I am finding it extremely difficult to motivate (climb the stairs to the attic). I spent some time up in the studio rummaging for something ANYTHING! to spark me into starting a new painting. I even taped up a pastel "canvas"...and stared at it for a long time. Then I went back downstairs to sit on the bed and watch TV. And then...I checked my e-mail and found these great sketches my daughter sent me. So here they are. I think I have found my inspiration! (The top picture is of my Dad, her grandpop, painting lines on the lawn for badminton. The bottom, I think, is from one of her life drawing classes) Thanks, Erika!

Wedding Dress

2007-04-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

I had a very small, conservative wedding 26 years ago on April 25th. It was a beautiful ceremony, but I often wonder what it would have been like to have been a traditional bride with a gloriously billowing, tiny bead studded gown; princess for a day with adoring subjects. Come to think of it, since I was a little girl, I've spent hours drawing "what ifs" and "if onlys"...ei. long long hair, skinny legs, many sisters and brothers or a face like Olivia Hussey's in "Romeo and Juliet". So, if I didn't/don't get to experience it in real life, at least I am able to indulge in my dreams while recording them on canvas. I don't know what happened to the dress (Gunny Sack) I was married in...but I have pictures. Maybe next, I'll do a pastel of one of my wedding pics. Soft Pastel on approx. 16 X 19" Colourfix paper.

At the Beach

2007-03-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

This pastel is based on several photos taken at Virginia Beach with our daughters (spring break probably around 1990). While painting (pastelling) this, I had the sensation of being there...feeling the salty, misty ocean breeze on my face, and the gentle warmth of the late day sun on my back. The rhythmic thunder of waves and sizzling foam lull me to such a peaceful place, I could stay there forever. Some critics believe that painting from photos is not the "high art" that plein air painting is. I believe that it is different, not less than. When I paint from photos like these, the work is infused with a depth of bittersweet memory and experience that wasn't there at that time. For the record, whenever I use photo reference, I simply tape the photo up on the wall next to the blank "canvas"...and start by sketching with harder pastels to set the composition. Then lay in values and shapes progressing to finer detail. With this particular piece, I deliberately stopped before I thought I was done.

Summer is

2007-03-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

A great big slice of juicy, sweet watermelon in the blazing sunshine. Of course, it helps to be a little kid too. I am still working on this one, but wanted to get something posted before too much time went by. As it is, it looks as if the little girl is sitting on a bench in front of a backdrop a la Olan Mills. I'll repost after refining. I've spent way too much time on it already! Soft pastel on Wallis sanded paper, approximately 19" X 25".

The End of the Road

2007-03-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well, the end of our hallway which is the road between the bathroom and our bedroom. I like this particular spot in the house because it is very sunny. My fig tree likes it too. I bought that plant at a garage sale for $2.50, in the mid 90's. Since then, it has survived 5 moves! I didn't think it was going to survive moving from Cincinnati to New York, especially since it is somewhat fragile. . . .or not, I've learned. Anyway, this work is another practice session in depicting light. Thanks for stopping by!

Trumpet Fanfare

2007-03-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

I shot the reference photo of red trumpet flowers at the Gould Castle on the north shore of Long Island, this past summer. Since I had run out of paper, I did this pastel over the top of another that didn't make the cut, and wound up having to "build up" quite a bit giving it a very painterly look. I love working with soft pastels for that feature, but they are extremely messy. I tend to get overly aggressive, resulting in a very short life for the softer pastels ie. Schminke & Sennelier, and terrible looking fingernails. Never do a pastel like this just before an interview.

Flowers in the Attic

2007-03-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

It's a very cold and snowy day, which makes my little studio in the attic a very cozy place to be. There is a little window, so I can enjoy the winter scene outside, while pastelling tropical flowers inside. Yesterday was my birthday (50 in Donatello years) (the first five years don't count). I spent the day doing things I love, ie. playing my guitar & singing (and imagining that maybe I really could become a folk-rock-pop star in my so-called "second adulthood", or tertiary childhood, and by the way, how come they don't have middle-agers on American Idol?), writing poetry (or pieces of poetry), and working in the attic, each in 15 minute intervals (anxious to fit everything in before I buy that big farm I've been looking at for the past few years). You never know..... Both: Soft Pastel on 9X12" Colourfix paper

Family Gathering

2007-03-09T19:21:00.000-08:00

A gathering of items representing family members from the early 1900's to April 2006, all found in the attic. The violin, missing strings and other parts, is something my husband picked up at a garage sale intending to use the case for a design project. My father and younger brother played the violin...everyone in my birth family plays or played at least one musical instrument. The little photo album in front was my maternal grandmother's and contains photos from her youth (early 1900's). The letter is from my father to her (1949). The teacup is of unknown origin. The roses were given to me last year by my husband on our anniversary (25th). The photo in back is a portrait of my paternal grandmother's family (she is the young girl with a bow in her hair). I arranged all of these items on a table top just below the window in my little attic studio. We had such a lovely time together. Soft Pastel 19" X 25"

Name this flower

2007-03-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to identify the flower in the photo I used to do this pastel. It's another from a neighbor's garden. If you know it, please leave it in a comment. If not, make one up. Soft Pastel on 9 X 12 Colourfix.

Still life #3

2007-03-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Here is another grouping from "kitchen stuff" this time. I really struggled over this one for some reason. I need to do another flower. The previous post "Cornflower Power" was really a "break" from the post before that, another complicated still life...and flowers are easy and relaxing for me. Note: My husband is the cook. I don't use these things, just draw them. Soft Pastel on 9" X 12" Colourfix paper.

Corn Flower Power

2007-03-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

I did this pastel from one of my flower photos taken this past summer. Corn flowers, dandelions, buttercups, iris, and grape hyacinth are all nostalgic for me. They remind me of my pre-school days in LeRoy, New York, where I spent many hours outside contemplating flowers, worms and those curious little mud-ball clusters that formed after it rained. I remember, also, the bitter taste of the "ooze" inside a dandelion stem (glad it wasn't poisonous). I don't remember, however, the time I ran out into the street and was almost hit by a truck...until Sparky saved me. Did that really happen Sparky? or is that just another story to keep me beholden to you?? Soft Pastel on 9 X 12 Colorfix paper.

Peacock Vase

2007-03-01T15:32:00.000-08:00

The true color and depth of this pastel is much better than pictured here. This is the second in a series of still life pastels from junk in the attic. My biggest challenge is to STOP before overworking. Pastels are very forgiving...and allow much reworking, which can be a disadvantage for a neurotic perfectionist. It's like a great TV sitcom that continues past its prime, losing its audience. With this exercise, I am striving to recognize that "peak", and resist the urge to correct over and over and over. I may be forced to, anyway, since I am running out of supplies.

Something Special

2007-02-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

There is something very special about this little boy. Why, you can just tell by that look on his face that he knows something the rest of us don't, including his father who is holding him. He appears to have intelligence beyond his years. There's a spark of genius (and cynicism) in those inquisitive little eyes. What will he be when he grows up? A doctor? A lawyer? An Indian Chief? or.....CRACKSKULL BOB! Yes, this is "Sparky" and his (and my) Dad.

Slab Pot Still Life

2007-02-27T14:45:00.000-08:00

This is the first in a series of small "groupings" made up of found items around the house & attic. I made the little slab pot in my college ceramics class. There is a pile of "junk & treasures" to pick from, so I ought to be able to come up with some interesting compositions. So, you see, being a pack rat isn't such a bad thing after all.

Lighthouse

2007-02-25T16:14:00.000-08:00

I love lighthouses. During a family counselling session years ago, the psych metaphorically referred to me as a "lighthouse" to my husband and children who were "adrift at sea"...or, at that time, the one trying to hold our family together during stormy times. We all were impressed by that image...and it haunts me to this day. Now, I see both my husband and I as a "lighthouse" for our grown children. It has only one bedroom, however, and I think I need to change the lightbulb.

Hairy Model

2007-02-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

On this nice, sunny Saturday morning, I was watching Zoey in a head-to-toe grooming session, which is usually a prelude to a long nap...for both of us. (I often take long naps shortly after waking up) I've been neglecting my sketchbook lately, so I thought I'd do a quick sketch, which turned into a series of sketches as he kept changing poses every several seconds. At first, I was a little annoyed, but then began to see it as a life drawing session with quick poses. The model was a bit hairy, but very obliging. After an hour or so, we took a nice, long, well deserved nap.

Two More

2007-02-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Finally, Zoey found his "nap" position, and I was free to go. But, since there was nowhere to go, I napped. The end.

Erika

2007-02-16T20:56:00.000-08:00

A pastel portrait of my youngest daughter, Erika.

In Good Hands

2007-02-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

I found this picture in a box of my parents' photos. It's my mother with my daughters Allie and Andrea (both in their mid 20's now) on a walk at ? park, and must have been taken by my dad. Such a sweet, peaceful moment in time.

Pink Robe

2007-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Any resemblance to anyone is purely coincidental. OK, so I borrowed my daughter's face...but the rest is made up.

Cone Flower

2007-02-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

Another from the neighor's garden.

Still Life Practice

2007-02-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

My objective is to try to "loosen up" and capture light and dimension with more expressive stroking and less blending, and end up with a fairly accurate representation. Does that make sense?

Winters Past

2007-02-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd better record it while it lasts.

More from the Attic

2007-02-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

This is a pastel done from a photo taken in the mid 70's (probably playing "Guantanamera" for my mom).
From a photo I took this past summer.

Illustration Friday "Red"

2007-02-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

An appropriate image considering the trouble I went through making this first post on the "NEW" blogger???

It's Damn Cold In the Attic

2007-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Landscapes are not really my "thing", but I thought I'd give it a try. I tend to lose patience on a subject that has a lot of complicated elements especially on a large (for me) canvas. This was done from a photo my dad took, somewhere in Ohio...maybe Milan?
I took this photo during a walk around our Port Washington (Long Island) neighborhood this past summer. Hydrangea is everywhere, and reminds me of my grandparents' gardens in Westbury. So, this one's for you, Dad, and I hope it makes you smile.
Don't you just want to pet that li'l bee with your pinky?

New Work

2007-01-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

This is a pastel done from one of my favorite photos of one of my favorite cats, Twinkie, who is no longer with us. Neither is the bush.
This picture was taken on Sanibel Island. (Pastel)
Another from Sanibel. Wish I was there right now!
This lone bloom against the Long Island Sound background caught my eye...and captured the mood of the day.

Zoey

2007-01-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

I know, "Zoey" is a girl's name...but I like it...and Zoey likes it even though he's a boy. He told me. Anyway, he is the most intelligent, affectionate young man. He even used to retrieve before is right hind leg went lame...and is painful at times. It's only a matter of time before the left knee dislocates, as he still races around the house and causes all kind of kitty chaos. Any offers to help defray the cost of surgery will be greatly appreciated!!!

Ol'Rusty Milk Can

2006-12-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Lots of good stuff around our neighborhood.

Purple Bells all in a Row

2006-12-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

I've been on vacation this week, and spent most of my time in our "studio" attic trying to make up for a long long long break from painting (pastelling). The following several entries are from photos I took over the past few months.

Sunny flower

2006-12-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

Capturing sunlight filtered through flower petals.

PW boats

2006-12-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

Not my usual subject, I attempt to overcome my fear of creating reflections on water.

A Couple of Buds

2006-12-30T09:44:00.000-08:00

Having some fun with my new Power Shot.

Woman at Bay

2006-12-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pastel from photo I took of a woman wishing she had a boat like that.

Once upon a time

2006-12-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

I was a mother of some awfully cute children.

Saturdays

2006-10-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday is my cat chup day after the week-long rat race.

sketchin on the dock o the bay

2006-10-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

The fella in the last post is none other than wallyboy.

?

2006-07-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

These are desperate times.

Self P #13

2006-07-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Unless I get the urge to do one more, this is my final entry for the Self Portrait Marathon. It's been real. Kudos to Brother Wally for hosting with the mosting!

Island Beauty

2006-07-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

I spent a few hours yesterday, walking around our neighborhood taking photos with my digital camera. Lots of beautiful gardens provide great reference shots for watercolor and pastel.

Self P#12 "Fireworks"

2006-07-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Explosive. I created this using a few drawings and my pastel eye from a past EDM challenge, layered over a photo and some abstract illustrator shapes.

Self P #11

2006-07-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

I never look at people over the top of my glasses. Someone from my work past used to look at me that way, and I found it very intimidating. But then, again, I am often intimidated by someone looking at me...over specs or not. In fact, I am intimidated by this drawing.

Self Ptrait #10

2006-06-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Thought I try something different. It’s different, allright. I created this in Illustrator from a photo taken last year in a KY park.

Self Ptrait #9

2006-06-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

I did this one looking down, slightly, into the mirror. Woodless graphite pencil on multi media vellum. Next I think I'll try one with expression in my face.

Self Ptrait #8

2006-06-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

Pencil drawing filtered in Pshop. I looked particularly saggy tonight, so I cheated and filtered out some of the sagginess in my drawing. Just one of those weak moments, you know?

Self Portrait #7

2006-06-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

I did this one using two mirrors to view my profile. The hardest part was keeping the smile while I sketched.

Self Portrait #5

2006-06-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

(Really #6, but I accidentally named #5, #6. So this is my 6th sketch called "#5"). Well, this is fresh out of the shower. It looks like I scrubbed my face a little too hard.

Self Portrait #6

2006-06-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

I sketched this while lying back on a couple of pillows with a mirror propped up on my knees. It's not the most flattering view...but I was going for a challenge this time.

Selfportraitmarathon #4

2006-06-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Happy me.

Town Dock Sketches

2006-06-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

More sketches from Manhasset Bay on a very windy day. The sketchy guy is my husband. Check out some of his Port Washington sketches at http://www.cosmoscombover.blogspot.com/.

Selfportraitmarathon #3

2006-06-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

I think I got it right this time!

Selfportraitmarathon #2

2006-06-09T23:47:00.000-07:00

Actually, this was the first one I did. Why am I doing this at 3am? Am I crazy? Well, do I LOOK crazy?

Self Portrait Marathon

2006-06-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

Man, I just can't get the eyes right or something. At least this time the right eye isn't crooked as it was in the last one.

Rainwreck

2006-06-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

What's worse than racing to catch the train through a maze of people, briefcases, cell phones, newspapers and taxis coming at you from all directions? Racing to catch the train through a maze of people, briefcases, cell phones, newspapers, taxis and UMBRELLAS coming at you from all directions. By the time I got to Penn Station, I was a "rainwreck". As I tried to hide behind a soggy newspaper, wedged into one of a few seats left on the train, I noticed some red smeary dots on Page A1. Apparently, while wrestling with my umbrella in the wind & rain, I cut my thumb. Just a tiny cut, mind you, but hemorrhaging nonetheless. I did this sketch when I got home sweet home.

Frenzy

2006-06-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

After my daily fastwalk to the station for the train home to Long Island, I settle into a seat and contemplate the frenzy I was just a part of. The first sketch is a drawing of that image as I remembered it. The second drawing is one of the gentleman sitting in front of me as viewed through the frame created by the seatback and handle.

Illustration Friday–Portrait

2006-06-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing I did a few years ago, of our grandson, Ben, who lives in Houston with Mom, Dad and baby sister; Jenna, Kerry and Julia Chrapliwy. Ben is now 4.

LIRR Commute

2006-06-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

I did these sketches on the train from Penn Station to Port Washington. It's amazing how so many people can be jammed into one place, and remain so distant from eachother.

Town Dock, Port Washington

2006-05-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is a composite of several sketches done with a brush pen, with color washes added in Photoshop. Town Dock is just a few blocks from our house, so we spend much time here sketching people, boats, water and eachother. Today was a particularly beautiful day...and a great day to fish.

Homework

2006-05-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Charcoal pencil and pinky finger study of my daughter taking a study break. I remember taking many breaks like this when I was in school. Probably too many.

Illustration Friday–BeefCAKE

2006-05-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

I love a little icing on my beefcake.

Duck

2006-05-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

I could sit and draw ducks all day...but I have to go to work. That's life.

Self Portrait

2006-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Much more interesting to draw than when I was younger. Deepening folds and fine lines form a roadmap of my life...and I can still see the child's face underneath it all.

Easter

2006-04-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well, here are some more papercut designs created while waiting for files to save on my computer at work...and a digital illustration of a lily I found in my digidoodles folder. I really must get back to drawing again. Happy Easter!

Illustration Friday "Speed"

2006-04-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

I did this drawing really really fast.

Grape Hyacinth

2006-04-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

This was going to be my Illustration Friday "Spring" entry, but I missed it. At my new job, I work on huge files on a wimpy computer...so during long "save" times, I papercut post-it notes, tracing paper & whatever other paper is within reach. I'm sure a couple of my co-workers think I have some sort of neurological disorder. Anyway...it makes the waiting more bearable, and adds a little something to my artwork. Happy Spring.

Blind Contour 1st Friday

2006-04-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

Welll, it really looks a lot prettier out our bedroom window. But, it is very gray today...so I captured that well, even if it WAS after adding color in PS. I especially like how our li’l old brown Toyota turned out. Yep, that’s about how it looks. We have some really nice pine trees and a funky roof over the big front porch (that will come in handy if we have a fire in our upstairs apartment). I always plan for things like that. Thanks for stopping by.

IF Insekt

2006-03-09T18:30:00.000-08:00

this one flew in under the wire.

Blind Contour Friday "HOT"

2006-03-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

My lunch boiling over today. I could have stopped it earlier, but then the drawing wouldn't have been as interesting.

Tea for Mea

2006-02-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

Well it's an appropriate topic alright since I've been drinking about ten gallons of tea a day to get rid of an upper respiratory apocalypse taking place even as I sit here typing.

Hot Flowers

2006-02-19T16:28:00.000-08:00

I used one of my "song" papercut attempts in this composition, along with some flower illustrations I had done for a project last year.

Illustration Friday "Song"

2006-02-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

After a few attempts, I finally managed to get something that actually looked like what I was trying to do. Maybe it's insane of me, but I don't draw (plan)anything out ahead of time (kind of like my life). Just fold and cut...and sometimes hum a song while I'm at it. Come to think of it, there's always a song going on in the background. I guess that's the plan.

for Erika

2006-02-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Erika, I really really miss you. I tried to pose as cute as possible for these pictures, just for you. Maybe you won't be able to resist coming here to cuddle me. Mom & Dad would like that too. So hurry on up now, OK? Love, Bubsy.

I love a good blizzard now and then...

2006-02-12T15:31:00.000-08:00

Why couldn’t this be tomorrow? What good is a snowday on Sunday?

Illustration Friday "Simple"

2006-02-11T20:50:00.000-08:00

I found this sketch in an old notebook, and posted it here to illustrate my inspiration for this week's concept: "Simple". Today,in Barnes & Noble, as I entered the restroom, I encountered a little girl I guessed to be around 4 or 5 years old, waiting while her mom washed her hands. She greeted me with such an infectious smile, which I gladly returned, it inspired me to record it for my "simple" entry. I remember when my three girls were in grade school, one of their teachers commented to me that they could always count on a big, heart-warming smile from my girls as they passed in the hall. Of course, I took that as a compliment since they must have picked up smiling from me, just as I did from my mother, as a way of connecting with others. It's such a simple thing, but as our culture has become somewhat jaded, paranoid, hurried and disconnected, it's become a rarity on the street...and in the halls. If we all took the time to offer a simple smile as we rush through our lives, to our fellow human beings, what an impact that would have. Call me naive...or call me simple, it works for me.

Valentine Papercut

2006-02-11T20:04:00.000-08:00

Cutting paper again, with a Valentine theme; scanned into photoshop and layered, colored etc. Have a hearty Valentine's Day!

IF Chair

2006-02-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

This Friday (tomorrow 2.10) is our 2 week anniversary as NY’ers...and this is my first post since our move. This is from one of last year’s sketchbooks (searching madly for a chair just to get something posted before the new word tomorrow). We had to leave "Twinkie" behind in Cincinnati with our daughter since I thought the move to NY would be too stressful for her, since she’s 13 years old...and her last move across town was an event to remember. And that’s all I’ll say about that. The chair, however, made it to NY just fine.

Illustration Friday "Cat"

2006-01-21T01:08:00.000-08:00

I started with a pastel sketch from my “reject” files...opened in Photoshop to experiment with colors, filters, layer effects etc. Also, I copied one of my papercut designs onto a layer adding an interesting texture to the image. It's great to be able to create an image like this to use as a thumbnail for pastel, oil or watercolor painting.