I fell in love with the new technique of Digital Drawing that I started in 2019.
But I also didn't want to just abandon watercolors.
After realizing I received a lot of positive feedback for previous pieces I had done involving the combination of
photography and watercolor painting,
I decided to focus on a series of combining the Digital Drawing with added watercolor painting elements.
NOTE:
In March 2020, the world entered into a stay-at-home pandemic situation, created by the Coronavirus, COVID-19.
My subject matter at this time began to reflect and respond to its effect on my life.
I also decided to return to writing brief descriptions about my work.
Scroll down to read.
But I also didn't want to just abandon watercolors.
After realizing I received a lot of positive feedback for previous pieces I had done involving the combination of
photography and watercolor painting,
I decided to focus on a series of combining the Digital Drawing with added watercolor painting elements.
NOTE:
In March 2020, the world entered into a stay-at-home pandemic situation, created by the Coronavirus, COVID-19.
My subject matter at this time began to reflect and respond to its effect on my life.
I also decided to return to writing brief descriptions about my work.
Scroll down to read.
Descriptions.
"Lunnaya Ten (Moonshadow)" - March 2020
A friend and fellow artist, Erika Larskaya, posted a photo of this landscape on her Facebook page earlier in 2020. I immediately fell in love with it and decided it would be a great first image for my "DUALITY" series. However, in the original, the photo is taken during the daytime with a beautiful pale blue sky. I decided to change it to night time, just to put my own touch on it.
Erika is from Russia, so in honor of that, I called it "Lunnaya Ten," which is the phonetical spelling of the Russian translation for "Moonshadow." (Moonshadow, by Cat Stevens, was also my favorite song as a child).
A friend and fellow artist, Erika Larskaya, posted a photo of this landscape on her Facebook page earlier in 2020. I immediately fell in love with it and decided it would be a great first image for my "DUALITY" series. However, in the original, the photo is taken during the daytime with a beautiful pale blue sky. I decided to change it to night time, just to put my own touch on it.
Erika is from Russia, so in honor of that, I called it "Lunnaya Ten," which is the phonetical spelling of the Russian translation for "Moonshadow." (Moonshadow, by Cat Stevens, was also my favorite song as a child).
"Ce N'est Pas La Realite (This Is Not Reality)" - April 2020
One of my first influences in the Surrealist world was Rene Magritte. He had a very famous painting called "Ce N'est Pas Une Pipe." This is my homage to him, in a modern way. As his painting was about directly stating what is and what is not, under the Surrealist umbrella, my take is that we have the ability to interpret reality through a digital lens, and can make up reality as we like.
The shock and unprecedented malady of the pandemic affected everyone differently. Some were lucky, some were not. Most everyone had to stay indoors. Non-essential business were shut down. Food and other supplies had to be delivered. If you did go outside, you were required to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing when in public places. Places of public gatherings, like movie theaters and concerts, shopping malls and schools were closed down, and you weren't supposed to go into others' homes. The purpose of which was to limit exposure and to lower the risk of infecting yourself or others. Some had the virus, but no symptoms. You just never could be sure. Better safe than sorry. It was almost overnight that everyone complied worldwide. This did not seem real. This was not a reality that we were used to.
One of my first influences in the Surrealist world was Rene Magritte. He had a very famous painting called "Ce N'est Pas Une Pipe." This is my homage to him, in a modern way. As his painting was about directly stating what is and what is not, under the Surrealist umbrella, my take is that we have the ability to interpret reality through a digital lens, and can make up reality as we like.
The shock and unprecedented malady of the pandemic affected everyone differently. Some were lucky, some were not. Most everyone had to stay indoors. Non-essential business were shut down. Food and other supplies had to be delivered. If you did go outside, you were required to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing when in public places. Places of public gatherings, like movie theaters and concerts, shopping malls and schools were closed down, and you weren't supposed to go into others' homes. The purpose of which was to limit exposure and to lower the risk of infecting yourself or others. Some had the virus, but no symptoms. You just never could be sure. Better safe than sorry. It was almost overnight that everyone complied worldwide. This did not seem real. This was not a reality that we were used to.
"Life On Mars" - April 2020
The title of this one is taken by one of my favorite David Bowie songs. Things are strange in the new world, but as humans, our ability to adapt and evolve remains our most reliable trait. Trust yourself. Everyone evolves differently. Some need rest, some need activity, some need both. Although I am somewhere new and slightly isolated as I rest, I am tethered to earth. Don't forget your roots.
I released this on Instagram and Facebook in honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2020.
The title of this one is taken by one of my favorite David Bowie songs. Things are strange in the new world, but as humans, our ability to adapt and evolve remains our most reliable trait. Trust yourself. Everyone evolves differently. Some need rest, some need activity, some need both. Although I am somewhere new and slightly isolated as I rest, I am tethered to earth. Don't forget your roots.
I released this on Instagram and Facebook in honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2020.
"Solace" - April 2020
I am making the most of this time of somewhat-solitude. I am trying to use the downtime to be more reflective and meditative. Alan Watts, has been more instrumental in my life than ever as a guide. What gave me peace, as I was listening to one of his lectures one morning, was this following saying: "Existence, as such, is weird." This is what made him turn to philosophy. And the more I think about it, I have had this thought in my head since I could remember. It was so reassuring to hear someone else say those exact words from 50 or so years ago.
Also in that same lecture he quoted, "The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. If there were not that, there would be no life."
I am making the most of this time of somewhat-solitude. I am trying to use the downtime to be more reflective and meditative. Alan Watts, has been more instrumental in my life than ever as a guide. What gave me peace, as I was listening to one of his lectures one morning, was this following saying: "Existence, as such, is weird." This is what made him turn to philosophy. And the more I think about it, I have had this thought in my head since I could remember. It was so reassuring to hear someone else say those exact words from 50 or so years ago.
Also in that same lecture he quoted, "The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. If there were not that, there would be no life."
"Nocturnaut" - May 2020
Sleeping and dreaming have always been my favorite experiences. However, in order for me to get the full benefits, I need to wear a sleep mask over my eyes, to block out the light, and a CPAP machine, to help eliminate sleep apnea, so I don't stop breathing. Every night it feels like I am preparing to go into outer space.
A few years ago, I began experimenting with Astral Projection and Lucid Dreaming. I have yet to get the hang of Astral Projection, but Lucid Dreaming came natural. It's not so much that I can control the dreams I have, but more that I can interact with the characters and surroundings and situations. Sort of like a video game.
Once again, I turn to Alan Watts - "Sleep is a way of turning yourself off, to get away from the bombardment of awareness and forget, Because forgetting renews. It is similar to the eliminative process of the body."
Sleeping and dreaming have always been my favorite experiences. However, in order for me to get the full benefits, I need to wear a sleep mask over my eyes, to block out the light, and a CPAP machine, to help eliminate sleep apnea, so I don't stop breathing. Every night it feels like I am preparing to go into outer space.
A few years ago, I began experimenting with Astral Projection and Lucid Dreaming. I have yet to get the hang of Astral Projection, but Lucid Dreaming came natural. It's not so much that I can control the dreams I have, but more that I can interact with the characters and surroundings and situations. Sort of like a video game.
Once again, I turn to Alan Watts - "Sleep is a way of turning yourself off, to get away from the bombardment of awareness and forget, Because forgetting renews. It is similar to the eliminative process of the body."
Surf
(A Series Within A Series)
(A Series Within A Series)
"Hang Loose" - June 2020
I can't surf. Never tried it. But in my heart and mind I feel like I have in a previous life. I always wished I lived in California. But I am from New Jersey. There is a surf community there, but it passed me by. I love everything about surf culture - the laid-back attitude, the style, the connection with something bigger than myself (the ocean), and especially the music. The closest I have come is skateboarding.
In honor of the summer, and the possibility I will not be at a beach this year, due to the pandemic, I created this triptych of a rolling wave, titled after common "old school" surf slang - "Hang Loose," "Pipeline," and "Wipeout."
I can't surf. Never tried it. But in my heart and mind I feel like I have in a previous life. I always wished I lived in California. But I am from New Jersey. There is a surf community there, but it passed me by. I love everything about surf culture - the laid-back attitude, the style, the connection with something bigger than myself (the ocean), and especially the music. The closest I have come is skateboarding.
In honor of the summer, and the possibility I will not be at a beach this year, due to the pandemic, I created this triptych of a rolling wave, titled after common "old school" surf slang - "Hang Loose," "Pipeline," and "Wipeout."
"Pipeline" - June 2020
"Wipeout" - June 2020
"Utopia" - July 2020
My favorite place to disappear into is my hammock.
All I need is time to stare blankly into space, seeing the patterns in the leaves and hear the wind make music.
My favorite place to disappear into is my hammock.
All I need is time to stare blankly into space, seeing the patterns in the leaves and hear the wind make music.
"Lemon Quench / Orange Quench" - July 2020
More than just reflections on summer.
Each drink represents each of my twins.
Just like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day, they have always taken the edge off, and made me feel more alive and youthful.
More than just reflections on summer.
Each drink represents each of my twins.
Just like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day, they have always taken the edge off, and made me feel more alive and youthful.
