Arthur, my friend.

 

Okey  Dokey, another one. Second one for Summer 2013, my take on the work of Alphons Mucha, a fantastic illustrator known for his graceful women, delicate colors, and decorative style that usually was a recipe for temptation. That being said, we may not have to worry about temptation with this one. This is a character who posed for me once before; a troll named Arthur. He lives under the park over on Alturia. He can be a bit smelly and rude, loves scaring soccer moms, and is ALWAYS hungry (he eats raccoons mostly), but he really isn't a bad fellow, he didn't mind posing for this one, as long as I promised  that I would feed him afterwards. This was done on an 8 x 10 canvas, using ink, acrylics and collage. The muse was a slave master today, now I'm all keyed up and have to try to sleep.

Summer 2013

Well, another summer vacation and I'm so very pleased. A long year with my kids at school, but not entirely without satisfaction. A rough year for teaching in general, for any of us brave or foolish souls who are willing to wade through all the tripe that continues to roll downhill from our great leaders( he smirks). But often a student's improvement, or even a kind word or hug makes all the difference in the world. At the moment, I will stand steadfast at my post, teaching visual arts, and hopefully the habits of mind that our young folks need in order to express themselves, find their own voice, and be successful problem solvers in whatever world they stagger into.
This post showcases my first painting for the summer break, which came without too much trouble. With a brief reprieve from being a domestic god; sans children and my adoring wife Sonya for a few days, I sat down without much prior thought, and began sketching and this came out of the recesses.  It is partly collage, ink, and acrylics on canvas board. As I worked on and reflected on the piece, the idea of "making one's own way through" what's been handed down to us over the centuries via oral tradition, the written word, and visual imagery from antiquity that have been etched in our consciences. These mysteries are written on my heart, now if only to share them.
Thanks to Pieter Bruegel the Elder  seven deadly sins
and The Book of Kells Book of Mark
Until the next one...