Charles Henry Turner Sketch

 

5x8

colored pencil in sketchbook

So, just in time for Black History Month, I have learned about an entomologist that I had never heard of before after beginning to read Peter Kuper's Insectology. And quite frankly, that shouldn't be, since what this man, Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923) studied and wrote about is right up my alley, so to speak. 

Turner studied the intelligence of arthropods, that bees talked to one another and can recognize colors, that ants are not just robotic, reactionary creatures, but have individual personalities, that spiders are smart... I could go on. I've been doing some internet dives and seeking anything I can about the man and hoping to find some books that he wrote, but there isn't much out there, sadly. I did find a small book and it's on its way and there is a children's book at my local library, so I'll check that out the next time I go. I will have to do a deeper dive into his published research papers. That stuff sounds fascinating.

And, of course, since he was a black man living in the times that he lived in, it was hard for him to overcome the usual obstacles. 

I'd like to add that if you are familiar with Peter Kuper's work (Mad magazine, The New Yorker, etc), check out Insectology. It's a large graphic novel that is wonderfully drawn and written. My reading list has grown from just what I've read so far.  

Edgar Allan Poe - SOLD!

 

6x9

watercolor on watercolor paper

Just a bit of shameless self-promotion here, but at Saturday's Meet The Artists event at the River's Edge Gallery, I found that my portrait of Edgar Allan poe has sold. 

I'm not sure how long the current art will be up, but you can see more of my watercolors if you hurry.

I just love seeing that red sticker!

David Lynch

 

7x7

colored pencil on black paper

Here's a little sketch of the dear departed David Lynch. He looks a bit ghastly here with the dark eyes, but somehow, I don't think he'd mind, in that he was a quirky kind of guy.

Darren McCarty

 

9x12

ink on bristol board

I wasn't going to post this drawing that I did prior to heading up to Traverse City (Acme Twp) for the Cherry Capital Comic Con because I wasn't too sure how I felt about it. Meaning, that I wasn't too sure if it looked like him. Once there, I showed it to a few people and they saw a likeness, so I put it out to sell. 

Well, to make a long story short, I showed it to a friend/colleague who sets up alongside McCarty at shows and he liked it and showed it to DM. After a short exchange, he now possesses the drawing. 

He sincerely seemed happy with the drawing, so I was happy to give it to him. I just love making millionaires happy! It was a good moment, though, with some fun chit chat between us. 

Frida and Diego

 

I just sold this watercolor yesterday through the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. Glad to see this painting of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from 2019 finally found a home. I will have more available with them soon. 

Norman Rockwell

 

9x6

ink on bristol board

This here drawing by Norman Rockwell is the next commission in the pipeline. This one done for a Substack reward for generously donating to the cause (a new newsletter is in the works, too. This one focusing on linocuts). 

I believe that Mr. Rockwell painted from a glass mounted palette and for the discerning eye, the palette that he is holding is from one of his paintings, complete with number and shapes of the globs (technical term) of paint. The tilted head is just because I liked the tilt of his head in his self-portrait of him painting him. You know the one. A nod, you might say.

You can check out my newsletter here.

Nick Cave

 

6x9

ink on bristol board

So, some fine folks have generously contributed to my Substack newsletter and since I don't really know just how to navigate the 'for paid subscriber' material, I am treating these contributors as someone would a Patreon Page. And that is by providing them with an original piece of art. I decided to do them in the same manner as my Sh!tshow book, since I am having fun, for the moment, in doing so.

The first of these, a Nick Cave (sans The Bad Seeds) portrait, was to a fine young man from Detroit, who then gave this to his wonderful wife as a Christmas present. This was a fun one to do and am glad that it was received well. Always is.

Yves Tanguy Sketch

 

I've been super busy as of late and will have much to show, hopefully soon. In the meantime, I couldn't resist doing a sketch of my 2nd favorite surrealist, Yves Tanguy. Dali, owed a lot of his early ideas to this guy, this Tanguy. His wife, Kay Sage, was quite a surrealist painter, as well. Maybe better. Further examinations of her works are a definite must. 

Watercolor Portraits At Rainy Day

For those that might find themselves in the vicinity of Rainy Day Art Supplies in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, some of my watercolor portraits from the Facets of Inspiration show that was on display at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte will now be available to be seen and purchased there. The River's Edge still has some of the portraits, so one can always head over there, as well.

Thanks to Kelly and Rainy Day for being so accommodating! All of your art and framing needs can be met there, as well, so head on over! 

A Talk With Bruce At The River's Edge Gallery

Gallery Director Jeremy Hansen, Owner Patt Slack and Gallery Dog Duchess.

Tomorrow from 3-5pm I will be at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI to have an informal talk/Q&A type thing about my show of watercolor paintings. It's open to the public and you can check out the details on the Facebook event page. I do believe that this is the closing of the show, as well, so there will be pizza and beverages. 

Facets Of Inspiration Gallery Show and Talk

My show of watercolor portraits has been extended until June 8th at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI, on which day I will also be doing a live chat with Gallery Director Jeremy Hansen. Should be interesting and the public is invited. 

Facets Of Inspiration Opening Reception

Tonight from 6-9pm is the opening reception for the Facets of Inspiration show at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. Come one, come all. And if you can't make the reception, the show runs through May. 

Albert Kahn

Growing up around the Detroit area it’s hard not to be aware and appreciate the works of Kahn, known as the ’Architect of Detroit.’ 

Parts of my life have beens spent in and around the buildings that he designed, including the Belle Isle Aquarium and conservatory, the Russell Industrial Center, Willow Run and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Manor. 

This piece and over 30 others will be shown at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte MI as part of my Facets of Inspiration show. The opening is tomorrow from 6-9pm and runs through May 23.

SOLD

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

Frida and Diego

6x18

watercolor

The Mexican couple has a Detroit connection, as they spent time here. During that time Frida's works strengthened, as she explore different themes and narrative styles.

Diego, of course will always be connected to the area via his murals, Detroit Industry, at the Detroit Institute of Arts

This painting, as well as over 30 others will be shown at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. The show opens this Thursday (6-9pm) and runs through May 23. Stop on by, if you can.

Crepuscule

Crepuscule

16x20

watercolor

When inspiration strikes or just plain need to work through a problem, one can go to that place between thought and expression, the twilight of consciousness, a place where solutions can be found, thoughts explored, depths sounded.

This painting and many others can be seen at my show (Facets of Inspiration), which the opening night is this Thursday from 6-9 at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. The show runs through May 23. 

Facets Of Inspiration Gallery Show

So, I have this show coming up consisting of portraits of people who have inspired me in some way at some time. Most times I can't quite put my finger on it, but I do know that creativity can come from many sources. And these people inspire creativity in me in some ways, be they writers, poets, actors, musicians, athletes, painters, sculptors, artists all.

The show starts on April 18th and will be up through May 23 at the River's Edge Gallery. Come on out for the opening reception, if you may.

Owner Past Slack and gallery director Jeremy Hansen are very generous in giving me a slice of space and time at their cool gallery. Much thanks, as always!

Click on the image above for the details.

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop

9x12

watercolor

To say that Mr. Pop is an inspiration is kind of a weird thing. Just what has he inspired? He's kind of a nut, seems to have always been one. It could be his relentless punk/rock middle finger extended at the sterile, corporate banality of a certain way of thinking that has infected our culture. That would do it. But, to probe a little deeper, I think there is something more going on in his music that was appears on the surface. Brick By Brick, the song and the album have a lot of that. A search for character, for a truth that remains in the distance, something better. That's what I find inspiring. Combine that with that middle finger and you just might see it.

And if you don't agree, well, his version of Louie, Louie is rather entertaining.

This and more portraits will be part of my Facets of Inspiration exhibit at The River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI starting on April 18th.

SOLD

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne

6x9 (unframed)

watercolor

Are we inspired by the person/actor or do we just connect with the roles that they play? In the best of both worlds, I would like to say both. I've always liked Laurence Fishburne and the roles that he has given us. In interviews, both in print and on camera, he seems genuine. There is a consistency there. I like his voice, very distinct and I'm drawn to the cadence and sound of it. And as for the roles that he plays in his movies? From Apocalypse Now (he was only 16 when he began filming) to the Matrix, there's an impressive body of work there.

He was Morpheus, for Pete's sake... 

This and many more portraits like this will be on view and for sale next month for my show at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. More details forthcoming.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker

9x6 (unframed)

watercolor

That voice. He told us to leave his wife alone. He told us that the Motor city was burning. He told us to huckle up, baby. He told us about one scotch, one bourbon and one beer. And he even told us that he eats heavy metal. And we listened. I know that I did and still do. If there is a musician quite like Hooker was, I'd like to see her or him. Of course, there have been imitators and those inspired by him, but there really was no one quite like him. And one cannot copy that voice. Only mimic it. 

This piece as well as others will be a part of my watercolor portrait show coming up in April at the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. 

Thomas Hart Benton

This here is my most recent watercolor portrait of one of my favorite painters, Thomas Hart Benton. Benton was a regionalist painter who seemed to age like his face was a relic of weather worn strata. I tried to capture that here. He looked like he could chew through anything.

Yet, his paintings were fluid, languid and a palette all his own. He depicted life as it was and that irked a lot of people. As with a lot of people whose work I admire, i never really think that Benton would have liked a person like me much, but the more I learn about him the less I think of him like that. He painted interesting scenes and characters and in turn was an interesting character himself.

This watercolor, as well as others that I have posted here will be in a small show soon. Details forthcoming.