andydoodles

Highlight

2011-12-30T18:32:00.000-08:00

Been a long while since I've been here- I'm still on the road.
Hope you all are doing well- I honestly do miss youze- I've just been pretty much self-absorbed the past couple of years- blah. Hope to get my head back to earth, and visit you, your blogs and your art, soon.
Please- may you all have a very happy, healthy new year!!!

Dessert

2010-09-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

Don't have time to finish dessert- had to desert this one- should not have spent time on - as in doing so, I am procrastinating and not following my list of 'things-to-do'. Not sure what exactly this illo is- and what caption should be-- kinda just started doodling/procrastinating.

AndyDoodles

Immovable

2010-08-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a sketch of the 'now'-
(Immovable, it seems-- ehh-"When you get to the fork in the road, take it." Y.B.).

Blah, blah- anyhow, hope to get back here and visit you guys more often-

Unbalanced?

2009-11-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

What is not balanced? Sometimes I think I know...

Blur

2009-11-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Infinity

2009-09-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I'd often lie awake at night flying through the universe trying to get my mind around the concept of infinity-- frustrated, I'd try and put an end to it by visualizing a brick wall- then I'd wonder what was on the other side of the wall, and/or where the wall ended- %$#@!... still trying...

Welcome

2009-09-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

%$#@!!!!!

Impatience

2009-08-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve been waiting too patiently- and recently figured I better stop procrastinating, and try and find what(?) I’ve been waiting too patiently for. So-- on the road visiting and looking around- not sure when I’ll get back home(?). Impatience can maybe be a good thing-- but dunno.
Anyhow, while at second stop- visiting a very talented friend- I gave short lesson in oil painting (not that I'm the authority)- then sketched in pixels the teabag on a plate- nothing too exciting, and it gives the opposite feeling of impatience- kind of earthy and relaxed feel. I didn’t feel like painting at all- let alone in oil- definitely have to be in mood to paint-- whatever the medium- and one can’t be too impatient-- however, digital sketching and painting seems to be my medium of choice when I'm impatient - there’s no setup or clean-up- and it’s pretty immediate and forgiving-- so the medium here is the message for this Impatience IF post.

Well- I’m growing impatient now typing all this- so I’ll just hit publish.

Hollow

2009-07-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Thought: hollow head, hollow cactus, Sleepy Hollow (& hollow pumpkin & hollow log), and-- hollow--- and chose all.

Drifting

2009-06-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

This IF topic brought to mind the first time I heard The Lord's Prayer--
When I was maybe 10 years old- saw movie on TV - the only thing that stuck with me from it (to this day- and for ever and ever) was a scene in which an astronaut gets cut from his tether and goes drifting off into infinity - at which point he calmly -- bravely accepts his fate and recites The Lord's Prayer. (Pretty much the situation we're all in from birth- I guess).

I remember nothing else about the film- anyone know what film? (I still get most all of religious edu. via the movies & TV- haven't been watching much lately though- watching or not- may be why I'm still agnostic).

Craving

2009-06-05T19:48:00.001-07:00

Craved illustrating craving and a haiku- and craving end to procrastinating...
I'm now trying to resist a craving to babble about craving.

hey! no babble(?)-- success!

(Guy kinda looks like cross between Don Knotts, Napoleon Dynamite [Jon Heder], a platypus, and me)

Contagious

2009-05-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

I hear 's-not as bad as they made it out to be- hope sow.
hahahahaaa-snorrt... sorry, really not a subject to make light of, but

Conversation I'm having with myself right now:
"Mucous is sugar coated snot; mucous is to snot as perspiration is to sweat-- but mucous isn't as snooty sounding as perspiration- and sweat isn't (if at all) as gross sounding as snot."

Theater

2009-04-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here's my storyboard/set design sketch- who wrote this S%#@?!
I have to work on the staging- playing with some options in phshp.

Fleeting

2009-04-10T16:01:00.001-07:00

...an illustration I did sophomore year in college (mumble mumble years ago) popped into my head- as it dealt with motion- and think it captures a fleeting moment. Sophomoric image- but... The second image is attempt now to quickly improve image via photoshop edit- I didn't know phsp then- not till maybe more than a year later. F'n time-(='s abrev. for Fleeting time, ha)-- I wish I could go back in time sometimes--- well maybe more than sometimes- not just back in my own timeline, but, again, back to moment zero and all the key frames there are.

Wabbit & Time

2009-04-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

: [Ref. Intricate post] I guess it lived- unless this is just a relative-- they do make lots of them.
So, don't know if I'll get to post for IF's Fleeting- time is fleeting will probably be the theme--- was thinking of doing something on it- and also about this rabbit. With camera I had, was hard to get close enough for a good pic to capture this fleeting moment/rabbit. Reminds me now how I love photographs--- for the past few years, when I've gone to galleries or giant shows - the photos have tended to grab me more so than works in other mediums- (not to say I like photos over great paintings, sculptures, etc.- they have a magic of their own (how 'bout the cave paintings...). Anyway, not exactly sure what it is about good photographs- the freezing of that fleeting moment for all time- think it's something to do with the reality of it- it's real- authentic; not so much an artist's interpretation--- the photo takes me right to wherever its setting, subject, time is- if a portrait, it gets closer to real contact with the real person- you can look right into the actual eyes of the subject and maybe get to know a part of who they are/were--- how about comparing the value of a painting from life of Jesus to a photograph of him (I'm not a [organized] religious person- I'm pretty much agnostic (or a cynical Buddhist)- but it would be fascinating to have a photo of him, hey? -- More so than a painting- though a painting from life would be pretty amazing too- or of other historical great ancient figures and/or events for that matter-- how about a photo of the construction of the pyramids, or of Stonehenge? Or the dinosaurs? Or how about the first moment of everything (if there is/was one?)?
Anyhow- speaking of bunnies and Jesus: to those of you who celebrate Easter- Happy Easter!

Just now, as I finished the above thought/ramble- an illustration I did sophomore year in college (mumble mumble years ago) popped into my head- as it dealt with motion- and think it captures a fleeting moment. Sophomoric image...

Poise

2009-03-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

(Sorry for the graphicness- thinking how one can have great fear & unrest inside (and fear of the inside for that matter), yet seem so poised on the outside-- real challenge is to be poised on the inside. Anyhow, I'll stop the ramble and wish youzz an early happy Halloween. I'll try and lighten up next post, haha).
(Also, this, for the most part, isn't an illo of me- I'm not as poised on the outside- dunno about the inside).

Intricate

2009-03-12T13:21:00.000-07:00

Started this, but put it down - was getting late and too intricate.

Story:
Outside with the dog the other night, I heard strange, horrible, loud, crying or screaming sound- like a mixture of a very loud cawing crow, screeching hawk, and a crying baby. It was pitch black out, I was straining to see what was going on, I thought maybe the dog bit something that bit back, and was in trouble. My eyes finally adjusted a little and I could make out that it was a dark furry brown creature clamped in her jaws. I could see she was straining to apply more pressure to finish the job, but luckily it was too big for her to get the proper fix on- plus I was yelling at her to "DROP IT!" As she let go, it bolted like lightning through the gap in the fence. Though I couldn't see it clearly, I'm sure it was a rabbit, but never knew they could make such loud, horrible sounds, let alone any sound. In the morning I looked for blood or a body, but found neither; I hope that the injuries, if any, were minor, and that this one lived.
Ahh, nature...it's an intricate thing- sometimes it's a can't live with it, can't live without it.

Breezy

2009-03-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Great memories of breezy times. Always have loved a good snow storm- may not look peaceful, but is for me at least, and at the same time, energizing- really fun- and wakes me up. Good to get a break from things every once in a while; in storms like this, things are so quiet, not many creatures are out or aware of each other- there's rarely any crime, battles, business, or anything going on- everything but the weather stops- you can be out in the world, but insulated from it. Plus, it's so cozy and warm when finally back indoors.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of Winter! Just stay off the highways if it storms.

Celebrate

2009-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

Was gonna go on and on again about the evils of tech and twitter type stuff- but didn't wanna waste our time, hey... Ahhh- reason to celebrate.

Hope you all celebrate a Happy Valentine's Day!

Climbing

2009-01-24T09:21:00.000-08:00

Magic vs. technology/science- I like the magic- and the simple, old-fashioned ways- I am sorta a Luddite too, (but not wholly though; I guess technology has it's place. Techno stuff sometimes seems like magic, it can be really fun, and, to say the least, it sure has its benefits. Yes it taketh away jobs, but it giveth them too, though maybe not enough in this economy? Whatever the case, it's often sad to say goodbye to the old). Technology and science seem to often take the preciousness and the realness and the original out of things (however, it can only go so far in taking the mystery out- so far). Also, with technology, everything is speed; people used to be able to take time doing things; now everything is expected to be instant.
Yadda blah blah- I know you've probably heard it all before, but- stop reading this snore, turn off your computer, and go outdoors for a walk, or go rock climbing, or climb a tree or magic beanstalk, or go fly a kite (haha)- or just do something techless (no cell phones, IM, TM, twitter, etc.). I'mmana.

Music: Henry Ragtime Texas Thomas playing guitar and panpipes and singing
"John Henry" in 1927.

Pale

2009-01-18T19:50:00.000-08:00

Pale Thumbnails
Pale Moon I
Pail
Pale Moon II
Pale/Alabaster Skin
Pale In Comparison To
Pale Blue Sky

Resolve

2009-01-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

Voices

2008-12-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas- Happy Holidays-
May you find your voice- if you haven't already (and may you still have it the next morning).
& if drinking away from home, please choose a designated artist. Seriously, be safe all - Happy, Healthy New Year!

Rambunctious

2008-12-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

A sketch showing kids being kids
"%$#@!- don't make me turn this car around!..."

Similar

2008-12-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

Similarities between fictional characters and non-fictional people (and other animals) I know. Can you relate?= He was keen observer/understander/expresser of human nature/psychology; that's why he was so successful?- & Even when strips were sorta sad- they were still funny. Mr. Schulz was (is) great.

Balloon

2008-11-29T11:08:00.001-08:00

:My stepmom's ex-husband's mother, they have remained friends with each other. (It's nice when ex's and all get along; my mom is friends with her ex [my dad]- and she always has him and his current wife to TG dinner, and Christmases are together as well. We all need to get along in this balloon).

Opinion

2008-11-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

A turkey?
Wow- next Thursday- Thanksgiving is here again already- it's my opinion that time is going by quicker and quicker. I hope it's a fact that you all have a great holiday!!!

Vacant?

2008-11-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

Vacant 1- night/ vacant sketch 2- day (above)- why is it so? that this longing for you follows wherever I go? (urrg- now I gotta earworm)

Vacant

2008-11-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Nothing subtle here ideurr-wise this week.
Never been to the Fancy Motel- doesn't look to cozy/inviting/hygienic- but always liked these places visually, not just for colors and textures, but also for the feel, vacant?

Repair & Trepidation

2008-10-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ahh- my brain feels a bit repaired

Trepanation

String Explaination

2008-10-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

Stuff I thought of when I saw the Stringy IF topic: Charlie Parker with Strings, Frank Sinatra singing I've Got the World on A String, then I thought how amazing it is when all things necessary exist and somehow align in certain rare individuals which enable these lucky few to far exceed skill levels of all others in their perspective fields- which then made me think of Michael Jordan. Out of the thousands and thousands of musicians, singers, and hoops players who came before and after Bird, Frank, and Jordan- very very few, if any, even come close to the level of these three guys.
(Do you really love some music, but are kinda embarrassed to listen to it in public? Well I love Bird and Bird with Strings (not all)- it's kinda old fashioned sounding- but it hits a spot in me. Does listening to it with fellow bloggers count as listening to it in public?).

String

2008-10-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

Stringy sketchy:

Almost got all long-winded in explaining the sketchy- and almost went on and on about what I think makes for a great musician and singer- but I spared you and me. Here is a link to a short-winded explanation? anyhow.

Packed

2008-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Island

2008-09-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

Farewell, farewell ! but this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest !
He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere

Memories

2008-09-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

I have memories of drawing with condiments as a kid;

I still doodle with them every-so-often.

By the time I looked at the photos and saw that a re-shoot was in order- the subjects were just a memory.

Nothing's forever, and everything is too.

Connect

2008-08-16T09:26:00.001-07:00

I've seen stuff like this on the road- but never on the couch- and never relating to sort of an acquaintance- always been detached- somewhat. Been seeing this rabbit, Rabbit, in neighbor's yard for months now- really cute- living the good life, enjoying the grass and leaves and clover and sun and rain and everything (hear the Snow White music chime in with birds chirping, etc.). It lived with its family in an over-grown ex-cow pasture over the fence- set to be another ugly housing development- now on hold due to housing market shizzle- (maybe only good thing about the shizzle is that some green land/rabbit homes will survive a little longer). So anyway, this past Thursday, Rabbit finally found its way over to Dog's yard- which sadly spelled the end of the good life for him(her?). I walked in house and saw them there in living room - Dog has never killed more than a small snake before- and she seemed confused, and or detached, or I don't know exactly what- she just was lying there staring into space- sort of worried and sad looking- and seemingly oblivious to my arrival. I blurted out something like ahh maaann- %$#@!- and yelled bad dog! a few times- and then cleaned the scene of the crime up- the couch at least survived due to the absence of any blood or goo. I apologized later, Dog was just doing what dogs do (however, detached from the wild, she was never taught why she did it- thus the confusion). I couldn't hunt- I don't even like to watch the scenes in nature shows that show animals hunting and killing. (I'm a vegetarian, but I suppose I could maybe hunt if I had to for survival, ex., if stranded on Veggieless Island). I thought about hunters who do it for ego- for fun- for sport, and don't even eat their victims- that's just senseless and wrong- but that's just my opinion. I guess if there is a need to cull a herd to prevent starvation and a slower, more painful death- then hunting may make sense- I guess just have to accept the dark side of nature along with the bunnies.
The above sketch is of the scene as best I remember- I closed my eyes- looked- opened- sketched- or maybe not in that order. The below is Dog's mug-shot- I swear it wasn't me who ratted her out!

POOF?

2008-08-01T15:20:00.001-07:00

Poof that I procrastinate:

Poof- first thought was magic/magicians- then, poof, the song "It's Magic" started playing in my head- I know the tune, but wasn't too familiar with lyrics- looked it up- wow- Sammy Cahn was talented dude. It's Magic. Que romantico- but then I went to idea of poof as proof ala Barbra Wawa's or a toddler's tongue- something mathematical or scientific.
Anyway- I can't procrastinate., etc., so, poof- went to simple poof- quickly decided to go with a nuclear poof- but wanted to twist to the +. Best to think +.
Didn't really get that nuclear feeling- but
poof went my time.

Enough

2008-07-19T18:48:00.001-07:00

Love those classic cartoons where all that's available to eat is one pea- which the starving character(s) carve-up in order to savor/prolong the enjoyment of eating it- or to share it.

Sour

2008-07-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

When life gives you lemons- make lemonade-
Drinking it- you may get a sour stomach-
But then make lemonade

Andy

(Sorry for the gross-out).

Fierce

2008-06-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

Punchline

2008-06-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Forgotten

2008-06-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

The search was called off, and poor Sock was soon forgotten.

Worry? –

2008-05-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

– Atlas Duck doesn't [worry]- he just shrugs - and stuff rolls off his back.
(urrg- sorry).

(Continuing my quack from last week: I'd like to waddle down the animation path too-- so I can maybe animate a better waddle- quack)

Y'd

2008-05-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

Wide range o' s%$#! that I wanna do- blah blah blah- Was really getting into fiddling with video couple of years ago- haven't much touched it in over a year now. Get sidetracked all the time– with all this tech stuff in the world, it gets to be too much sometimes-- often long for simpler times, when wasn't such a wide array of paths. Anyway, I went into old weird fiddle-video that came to mind when I saw the topic Wide, and clipped the clip posted below– found I've forgotten a lot of the FinalCut shortcuts, etc. Seems always having to choose one road over another- sometimes I wish I could take them all (insert here - cliches about time (they're pretty true)). Maybe I'll get back to video soon, anyhow. Guess wide area of life involves need to choose- sometimes I put off choosing- I hem and haw over what to do for so long- that the choices disappear- which really sucks (coincidentally, sorta happened yesterday) (insert here - cliches about time & regret, etc.). I'm thankful to have choices still, whatever the case.

Minimal(ist) choices vs. wide
One way
Which way?-
It's getting(?) stale here in Doodlesville-
Why'd
I'm predicting myself.
Abstract

Just now remembering Castaway- great film.

Seed

2008-05-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

I planted to paint an idea I had for this week's topic, but...

Primitive

2008-04-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

______________________________

Haiku-koo

"My mama says that ..."
Need to buy a big toothbrush
The seasons swoosh by
_____________________________

"Blame it on my youth"- no, just the opposite.
_______________________________________________

Addendum(b)
In part, an explanation/translation: Thought of human/reptile connection via the most primitive (or oldest) parts of our brains- which made me think of Adam Sandler's Waterboy- and his argument with Colonel Sanders about the medulla oblongata. Waterboy said something like, "Mama says that alligators are so ornery cuz they have all them teeth and no toothbrushes." The Professor had said the aggressiveness is due to their large medulla oblongatas.

Sail

2008-04-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to sinally keep my mouth fhut this poft, but sailure to do fo would leave fubject open to poffible mifinterpretation. I will, however, keep it brief; all I'll fay is-- this has nothing to do with a certain long ftanding, very complicated, fruftrating, unacceptable fituation in the eaft- (now thankfully being addreffed and protefted worldwide- hopefully peacefully). (Fide note: the letter 's', in certain caffes, ufed to look like 'f'. Fee this if interefted:
Long s)

Save II

2008-04-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

I wish I had these keys- gross looking or not. (Or maybe I do have them- but they just don't usually work too well- ha).

Saved old painting / recycled.

Save

2008-04-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

Another stream of consciousness(?) / word association board

Pet Peeve = Pet Peeve(s) =...

2008-03-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

If you can do something about it- then let it bother you,
and try to do something about it--

If you can't do anything about it- then there is no use in letting it bother you.

CHOOSE

2008-02-09T21:49:00.000-08:00

I chose the other day to search for 'time' and found this song- which I did not choose to find. What talent Bernie and Elton have! I chose to sketch what I heard.

I'll not be posting for awhile- not sure if by choice. Is anything a choice? Anyhow, hopefully next post will be bright and sunny. (Just remembered quote I read last night, "He that lives upon hope, dies fasting." Ben Franklin. Whateverrr).

Hope you all have a happy ValDay - held tight...or hold tight?

_ _ _ _ _ E T

2008-02-03T21:34:00.001-08:00

Tales, Legends

2008-01-30T20:25:00.000-08:00

The second thing that came to mind when I saw this Illfri topic:
The legendary Shakespeare's
Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)

Whoa Mac!
I guess, "what you don't know- CAN hurt you."

Happy- meaning-full weekend to you all!

The plain, the plain!

2008-01-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

HA- sorry.
(Some of you may not get this- but don't worry).

For those who have never seen "Fantasy Island" added this to post:

100 Percent

2008-01-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

Studying olives.
Mmm - promptly ate these when finished, (and no- not with gin and vermouth).
100% -- sober?

Horizon

2007-12-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

Clips of old horizons and rough ideas- next year will be new- and...
Merry Christmas/or whatever you celebrate and Happy New Year! Peace.

Backwards? w/little change

2007-12-17T18:31:00.000-08:00

everything's a work in progress-- until it's not I guess

Backwards?

2007-12-16T18:23:00.001-08:00

This post I'll spare yooze a long-winded whatever.

I do want to wish you and yours very:

syadiloH yhtlaeH yppaH & Happy Healthy Holidays

(backwards and forwards!)

Excess travel?

2007-12-02T14:12:00.000-08:00

"too much of everything is just enough"? I guess that balances out.

A quick or maybe excessive jumblie note:
Hello- hope y'all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and are all well. I'm back from a trip- and excessively out of sync with everything- need to get going with taking care of excessive piles of stuff, excessively piling up- that need taking care of. I see the years are going by excessively faster and faster- it seems the older I get the faster it goes. So much to do in life that I haven't begun to do- and seemingly so little time- as Mr. Cliche says. Visited old friends around the South, lots of history- saw museums, old grave yards- and think I stayed in a haunted house (was used as makeshift hospital for ill & wounded Civil War soldiers). Kept the haunting stuff to myself at first as was too worried about being thought of as a wacko (yeah- haha- I do worry about it)- but when I did bring it up, my friend (owner of haunted?house), who I thought would scoff, said "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I saw what I think was a ghost here too- lots of people did die in here..." Anyway, that's all for the ghosts- thankfully this friend [old college roommate] I visited- whom I hadn't seen for 11 years- was still ticking. Didn't wanna leave first stop on my trip- Thanksgiving there with two friends and all their in-laws. Stayed and stayed- I felt sorta a bit like I was living vicariously (is that the word?) through the two and the beautiful life they've created for themselves and are blessed with there- but a few days later could tell I had excessively overstayed my welcome- they had to get back to their groove- so I went on to next city (haunted house)- where I didn't stay long enough as figured I needed to get back to stuff in the sort of real world. Stopped in third city- unplanned- sightsaw(seed?) for a little more than an hour, ate dinner, and back on the road. I had called a friend that lives there just before I decided to take the detour, but didn't get to see as was at work & didn't get my message till I was an hour and a half back on the road home(???). Anyhow, 2000 miles- figured on figuring something out- but no epiphanies (yet- still absorbing anyway). I do see now that I love the road and that the people are more important than the places- and also, I like the sound of the word, epiphany. I hope to take another rdtp real soon- maybe with a plan this time- or maybe sans plan.

Sometimes the lights all shinin' on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been.
fm. Truckin

PS:
I'll be away from blogland off and on for awhile- have to take care of that stuff piling up.

Scale

2007-11-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

No illustration here from me this week- weeks not over yet- but don't think I'll have time. Also- will probablly be away next week and most of the following week- so I'll wish you all now a very happy Thanksgiving.

I do, however, wanna share the following which is right on the topic of 'scale':
Received this series of images in an e-mail back in May (Don't know whom to credit- one of those e-mails that circulates [orbits] around and around- I had to save this one!!!).
(Often- when I'm worried about something I zoom out- way out- and whatever it is I'm worried about appears small in comparison to the grand scheme of things- and sometimes becomes invisible).
Heres's the e-mail:

ANTARES IS THE 15TH BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY.
IT IS MORE THAN 1000 LIGHT YEARS AWAY.
______________________________________________

THIS IS A HUBBLE TELESCOPE ULTRA DEEP FIELD INFRARED VIEW OF COUNTLESS"ENTIRE" GALAXIES BILLIONS OF LIGHT-YEARS AWAY.

BELOW IS A CLOSE UP OF ONE OF THE DARKEST REGIONS OF THE PHOTO ABOVE.

Hat(s)

2007-11-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

My Grandfather's hat.

(Following is little bio- don't have to read if tired or busy, etc. - [it's the old- have guests over the house and bore them to death with a family slideshow]).

January 2003, me and my father went and cleared out his father's/my grandfather's apartment a few days before the funeral. I kept four mementos: a print by some Russian artist, a shirt, a page from his memo pad, and his hat.

The print: Its first owners were actually my newlywed parents. They bought the print in decorating their first apartment- but soon got rid of it as they found it too kitschy or Elvis-on-velvety? (in academia- they liked it till their education progressed(?), and/or until maybe friends commented/snickered- but they aren't snobs). However, my grandparents, in and from a different world(?), apparently liked it- as they gladly inherited and hung it above their couch where it stay till they were both gone. From toddler to adult, every visit I'd go to their living-room and stare awhile at the beautiful woman it depicted - I had(have) a crush on her as well as the painting itself- or maybe more just the associated memories. Wow- here's an interesting bio- just looked artist up- all these years never knew the story: Tretchikoff

The shirt: I had bought Grandpa shortly before he started to really decline in health (he loved the beach and ocean- he dressed like a surfer dude most of the time). Can't find the shirt just now.

The page from his notepad: I found tucked away in the lamp table drawer by his favorite easy-chair. Written 5 or 6 years before he passed at age 97- it reads,
"It's depressing to realize what age we are, until we remember what age we will be in later years- If we look, take a look, life always offers a reassuring parallel for all-" Nothing fancy, simply said.
Surprised to find note, he never seemed philosophical or whatever the word is, he was, for the most part, a quiet man with a love for family and the simple things in life, he was present & "lived in the now". Towards the end, he said, "I have no regrets, if I had it to do over- I wouldn't change a thing"- blessed. I knew him well, but never fully all what went on inside. I guess we don't realize a lot of what goes on inside anyone- including ourselves. Anyway, maybe take a look- or maybe not hahaha.

Trick or...

2007-10-28T19:53:00.001-07:00

: Stuff that scares me.

Happy Halloween!

Grow

2007-10-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Exstreams

2007-10-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

Exstream
Extreme nonsensical pun(s) (I was gonna ill. the Grand Canyon- but I haven't made it there yet)
Extreme Dada
Extreme lack of motivation this topic (I felt at first)
Extreme memory of certain classy bar lavatories
Extreme crudeness
Extreme pissing the years away

Open

2007-10-10T16:21:00.001-07:00

Tubes? of?

Oil (causes such %$#@'n'! trouble)

Watercolor (What are the words? (When I can't remember a word, name, phrase, etc. (which is too often the case)- I run through the alphabet till it hits me).

Mixed Media (I'm not a purist (sometimes or often)- and I guess everything is mixed media anyway)

Diagram of hinged triptych (one literal way that "the medium is the message"?)

and Blog:
What exactly did Marshall mean irt, "the medium is the message"?
"the global village."

The Blues?

2007-09-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Stream of haikus- or of something-

I don't gotta right
I try not to sing the blues
Lucky me and you

Snowy orange grove
Recall this old town blues bar
Was told it's long gone

(The orange and blue
Opposites or compliments?
5 more syllables)

Jugular

2007-09-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Drew this Friday night- but had too much to juggle- so wasn't able to look over it and upload. Tight weekend deadline (due date is manana)- I'd like to finish tonight, but can't- and will have new deadline on top of it tomorrow (which, looking at the clock, I see it already is [tomorrow]). Since I'm now at a stopping point for various reasons- I am typing this and will upload sketch. Juggling.

Interested in what people who are successful in business are made of (I'm really interested in what everyone and everything are made of). There are no absolutes(?), but it seems obvious that those who maintain successful businesses must be great jugglers (multi-taskers). It also seems that the really successful are ready, willing, and able to go for the jugulars of those who they perceive pose some sort of obstacle to their success. Good or bad? (I say 'bad'- but whatever). Can we transcend what is or isn't in our blood though? Some people get struck by lightning or suffer brain injuries, and, as result, seemingly become someone else. Some become gifted in areas which they previously were not- such as math, music, writing, etc.- though some become (more) mentally disabled, of course. So there are some sort of on/off switches in us.
Well- I'm babbling, and have neither time, energy, nor any gift to think and comment further on the subject(s)- aren't you glad... click- zzzzzzzzzzz

Wedding

2007-09-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

A distant memory sketch of the first wedding I attended when around 10 years old. Our dog Gretchen was in heat, so she dug her way under the fence on a mission to have relations with the neighbor dog Pepe- pregnancy was a testament to her success. Well my sister decided to make Pepe do the honorable thing- so she dressed Gretchen and him up in wedding attire, invited our friends over, put the bride and groom into a shopping cart, wheeled them down the aisle- and voila- Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

(I think we put them in a shopping cart to prevent them from running away- not quite a 'shotgun wedding,' but... So make sure you spay or neuter your pet(s)- to prevent unwanted marriages).

Momentum

2007-09-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

If get bored and/or are busy- no oblig. to read through following (thinking sort of when house guests are forced to watch hosts' family slideshows):

Momentum by remembrance:
My Great Aunt Bessie passed away yesterday morning- basically from years of smoking- she died from emphysema.
She did make it to 98 - with all her faculties- living in her apartment, strong to the end and drinking a few strong ones everyday. 98, but she didn't want to leave the table yet- she was feisty and still hungry for more. I don't know if I want to be aware when near leaving- subject always reminds me of a great man I knew who not only was aware on his hospice death bed (f'n cancer)- but refused meds so that he "could experience death itself." His wife and a Native American shaman held his hand- the shaman helped guide him over to the "other side"- she said he was a little resistant in his last moments here- but finally crossed over peacefully. I don't do drugs (yes- it's true)- however, don't know how brave I'll be if aware when near the end. I don't know what to believe- irt the 'other side' and all- I'm cynical, but open- I wish open more fanatically so- less resistance and all- I'm surely not an atheist - I do not believe it is delusional to believe all is possible- (doubt sucks- I guess [ I'd bring up the whole recently illuminated deal with Mother Teresa- amazing human being- but too much here]).
So Bessie was the last surviving of 5 siblings- and with her gone, it seems to me like the end of an era- none of my great aunts and uncles and grandparents are here anymore. They did all live pretty long lives- though Bessie almost didn't make it past 5 or 6 years old; the story goes that one day my grandfather, 4 years her elder, was watching her and didn't do such a good job of it- as she ended up wandering off into a bullpen. Her mother came running frantically in search of Bessie, and found her behind the iron bars of the pen which Bessie had managed to squeeze through. Without pause, my great grandmother in a miraculous feat of strength, with her bare hands bent the bars apart- rescuing my great aunt. Great Grandma (I never met her and need to ask my dad what her first name was) was a tiny woman- well under 5ft tall- so how did she manage to bend those bars - bars which even a large man could not have bent? Love - mom-entum and adrenaline- I guess.

A link to past momentum:
Insect

Alphabet

2007-09-03T07:55:00.001-07:00

I don't know anyone in that restaurant- just passing by- not minding- or minding(?) my own business. Not that it has anything to do with any of this- but just now thought to ask-- what do the p's and q's stand for in "mind your p's and q's"?

Visitor(s)

2007-08-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ideas as visitors to ideas:

Is the message the medium? Same idea & message, but a visitor to canvas:

2007-08-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Captains of our own ship? I think it's autopilot from the get go. Though still mysterious.

Also thought of ollld one from 199?- now new in that I just rotated it.

Emergency - Another

2007-08-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

Overboard posting this week - sorta like fiddling/doodling while Rome burns. (urr- closing eyes, etc. can make for 'emergency').

Emergency 3

2007-08-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Emergency Idea

2007-08-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

Emergency

2007-08-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

Missing?

2007-08-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Blue Moon

2007-07-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

This is a doodle- the kind where I don't think 'much' about it- it comes partly out of the subconscious? (& oil sticks, and my now stained fingers) straight to wherever.

What would Freud say about the above?
The pen & ink sketch below is something I was going to do for IF topic, 'Discovery' - but ran out of time to do it just as I thought of it. I was thinking to ask, "When is a 'discovery not a 'discovery'? and answer with a favorite quote from Sigmund Freud, " When [sometimes] a cigar is just a cigar."

Here are experiments/discoveries adding color in PS.

A Raisin in the 'Son'

2007-07-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

What happens to a dream deferred?

As long as you don't lose track of it- it remains possible. I guess.

(Thank you to the great Langston Hughes and his poem, Harlem).

Thinking Blogger Apology

2007-07-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you kindly to Twisselman for passing on to me the Thinking Blogger Award- I am honored. However, for reasons which cannot be put anywhere near as eloquently as how they were by Twisselman himself [see his "Tagged Two Ways from Sunday" post]- I have to opt out of participating for now. I can't help but feel guilty @#$%!

Tagged

2007-07-08T23:10:00.001-07:00

I've been tagged by the talented Sarah.
(yes- tagged awhile ago- but I put the PRO in crastination = #9)

The Rules for the taggee/tagger are?:
1-post these rules
2-each person tagged must post 8 random(... hopefully interesting) facts about themselves
3-tags should write a blogpost of these facts
4- at the end of the post 8 more bloggers are tagged and named
5-go to their blog and leave a comment telling them they're tagged

Am I gonna get bad luck or something by not following the 5 rules? I wanna try and draw, sketch, or doodle the "8 random facts" and will do so sporadically when have time urrrg- and so as not to OD you with boredom all in one dose. The 1st post image is kinda cheating- as it's obviously not a new one.

(Whomever I tag- you don't have to play if for whatever reason you don't wanna- or you can make your own rules).

Get Zapped
Hardwax
Luisa
Michael Dailey
Neil
Steve
Studio Lolo
Twisselman

Geek 2/Random Fact 1

2007-07-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

Tagged
Random fact 1.
I never throw anything out (well- recently in past few years I've started to). Anyway- talk about recycling- here is cartoon I did at 15 in 11th grade Chem. class. Looks like I did it just yesterday- or like I just dug it out of the trash huh?

Geek?

2007-07-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Random firing/ stream of consciousness; geeky? nerdy?:
Jokingly , deprecatingly?, and self-deprecatingly?- started this as an equation: G - B = N ---- where (G is Geek and Gates), (B is Brain), and (N is Nerd and Andy) [they say a nerd is a geek without the brain power]. Seems geek and nerd are derogatory terms. So some people try and hide their intelligence, some try and hide their ignorance- what a world. (I guess a true geek by definition- doesn't care to hide it [their intelligence]). Anyway, some who are intelligent look down on those with less intelligence- and vice versa; why? There's nothing wrong with, and most often no choice in being intelligent or not intelligent, and all the in between. No one asked to be born- don't judge anyone- everyone is who he/she is, I yams who I yams, but are we more than our brains? My brain can't figure out the answer - at least I don't know if it can- guess I have to rely on feeling. What is feeling? Dohh!

Twist

2007-06-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

The setting:

"Come on Baby, let's do the twist..."
"Oooh yeah- just like this"

I'm trying not to babble here for a twist. So- I guess here's just pretzels dancing.
I wont be able to eat a pretzel for awhile now- maybe should have had lemon, and lime twist instead.

Camouflage?

2007-06-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

"Intelligent design" is being used as camouflage by some religious folk - trying to pass off teaching belief in God/religion as science. There are many things in this world that help me to believe in a higher power- but my belief, etc. couldn't be further from being rooted in scientific theory. Whatever. So many awe inspiring, incomprehensible things in this universe- the main being the "universe" itself. Another small- or large amazing thing is a cuttlefish. I saw it for first time last Thursday on NOVA- I still can't believe this thing. I wondered why I'd never heard of it- and actually dreamt that night about wondering why I'd never heard of it. Next day, oddly, turns out Friday's Illfri topic is "camouflage". Here are the kings & queens of camouflage
Here's a sketch of another unbelievable thing- the helicodiceros muscivorus (dead horse arum lily)

Can you spot "false" for the "true"?:
1. They smell and look like rotting animal flesh [dead horse]. They even have little hairs all over. Their stink related chemicals were tested, and determined to be exact same found in rotting animals.
2. Their smell attracts flies- who are trapped by plant, get pollen all over - and then are released so they can pollenate other d.h. arums.
3. These plants are thermogenic= they produce their own heat. They auto-produce more heat than any known living thing is capable of. Heat helps get their stink in the air.
4. They have two eyes that are connected to a visual cortex like structure found in their root system.

Acceptance

2007-06-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

A paradox- or what would be the word? When rejection is acceptance

Suit(s)?

2007-06-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

Exhibit A:

LitigioU.S.- you ever hear about those crazy lawsuits? ex.: lady sues McD's for hot coffee spill, lady sues Disney- says kids were traumatized due to seeing Mickey take off Mickey suit, and now, as I was posting this, I read this- ironic.

So what's the suit here?
Man sues fast food joint for making him large?
Man sues chair?
Chair sues man?

Paradise/Second Chance

2007-06-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

Second chances are paradise, but I never stop giving them- which most often gets me kicked out.
I want a second chance too.

Paradise?

2007-06-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

"Everything" is probably necessary, and if not, then there is "nothing".

Paradise lost? Paradise loses itself.

Car(s)?

2007-05-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

"Cars" brought to mind Lou Reed- and here's the scribbly:

Music and lyrics-- the lyrics to me are secondary- if the music sounds good- I feel the piece is successful- if the lyrics are good too- well that's icing on the cake. If the lyrics are not so good- well- oh well; I'll read a good book or a poem if I want good lyrics while listening to music. Where does Lou Reed fit in here?-- I've never really known much about Lou Reed- I know he's been around forever- he was in The Velvet Underground- I know he was friends with, and promoted by Warhol for a time- and I know I never really enjoyed what little I've heard musically from him. Too non-melodic for my taste- I guess his first concern is concept/conceptual art, and the lyrics, but I guess I need to listen to a lot more of him. So anyhow, when I got my Mac a few years back- the i-Tunes came packaged with some sample music; I really loved/love one of the songs called "Ecstasy", and was surprised that it was Lou Reed's. It has a great sound, great beats to go with great lyrics- reminds me a little of Leonard Cohen, and partly has a kinda soothing chant like feel. (Remembering now- first heard L.C. when I watched film McCabe & Mrs. Miller about 15yr.'s ago- you wanna get depressed-- watch it. The soundtrack is kinda dated (so what)- but beautiful- so's the film). I think my New Year's resolution was to not babble on and on here--- %$#@!- oh well. Guess babbling is easier to do, and fit in time wise.

"Ecstasy" Lou Reed

2007-05-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

They call you ecstasy
Nothing ever sticks to you
Not velcro, not scotch tape
Not my arms dipped in glue
Not if I wrap myself in nylon
A piece of duct tape down my back
Love pierced the arrow with the twelve
And I cant get you back
Ah, ecstasy
Ecstasy
Ah, ecstasy
Across the streets an old ford, they took off its wheels
The engine is gone
In its seat sits a box
With a note that says, goodbye charlie, thanks a lot
I see a child through a window with a bib
And I think of us and what we almost did
The hudson rocketing with light
The ships pass the statue of liberty at night
They call it ecstasy, ah
Ecstasy
Ecstasy, ah
Ecstasy
Some men call me st. ivory
Some call me st. maurice
Im smooth as alabaster
With white veins runnin through my cheeks
A big stud through my eyebrow
A scar on my arm that says, domain
I put it over the tattoo
That contained your name
They called you ecstasy, ecstasy
Ecstasy
They call you ecstasy, ecstasy
Ecstasy
The moon passing through a cloud
A body facing up is floating towards a crowd
And I think of a time and what I couldnt do
I couldnt hold you close, I couldnt, I couldnt become you
They call you ecstasy, I cant hold you down
I cant hold you up
I feel like that car that I saw today, no radio
No engine, no hood
Im going to the cafe, I hope they've got music
And I hope that they can play
But if we have to part
I'll have a new scar right over my heart
I'll call it ecstasy
Oh, ecstasy, ecstasy
Ecstasy
Ecstasy, ecstasy
Ecstasy

Not totally great- but with the music-

Sign2

2007-05-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

An older random thought

No one is weird- just different.

Sigh-n

2007-05-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

Too much - not enough.
Deadline signs among many.
Random thoughts out loud.

Decisions.

Digging for Citrus?

2007-05-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

I saw "citrus",

and this

somehow floated up- I haven't seen it in years.
An ancient portrait, I think I'm the guy in the background.
Way back when?
I was in school- I think a Junior- I remember I needed to paint it quickly, I forget the motivation- I think for the hell of it.
I'm thinking now that nothing has really changed since then- except some things I wish had not- the inevitable.
Looking at it, I remember I used to buy this cheap fruit punch at the BigM- a run-down old grocery store, now long gone
like the fruit, though some peels, skins, and rinds may still exist petrified deep in some landfill.
The painting is kind of primitive, partly unintentionally. I never thought much of it, but it's grown on me I now see.

Now I've just remembered why I painted it; while in photography class, I painted it as part of an idea I had for a photograph. I wanted to photograph a still-life posed on a painting I created of a still-life specifically for the photo. I forget exactly what I was thinking. Anyway, I just went digging through book of old photos- and found one.

So now here's a photo of a photo of a still-life on a painting of a still-life- on a painting of a still-life. Later on- I'll take a photo of the photo of this all- ...and...until..., urrrr-- you still here?! Thanks.

Neighbor

2007-05-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello Neighbors- a poem came to mind for this topic- here it is with neighboring sketch :

MENDING WALL
Robert Frost
----------------------------------------------------------------
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun,
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!'
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of out-door game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors'.
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it
Where there are cows?
But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offence.
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down.' I could say 'Elves' to him,
But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather
He said it for himself. I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me~
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father's saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors."
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember

2007-05-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

I would trade some-
happily not all.

For some reason- the topic, "Remember," made me remember someone telling me long ago, "... indifference is the best revenge"- well I said/say- I don't want revenge- therefore I cannot be indifferent. There's a reason I remembered this- but I forget.

Polar 2

2007-04-23T00:11:00.001-07:00

Unfinished- but I hope he and his species are done after 2008 election. (Hope the mess they've made can be cleaned up).

The guy's got permanent brain freeze- like a frozen pea. (Or maybe he's an evil genius?) I remember back in the beginning of his first term- he was asked about the future of our environment- his response was, "I'm not concerned about tomorrow; I'm concerned about creating jobs for the American people right now..." What a nightmare.

I would've had him play the fiddle while everything burns/melts- but he doesn't support the Arts.

Remember- Record of Iraq War Lies airs on PBS from 9 to 10:30 p.m. - Wednesday, April 25.:
READ MORE

Polar 1

2007-04-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

An "I don't know" sketch.

I love the Winter
Warmth is that much more pleasing
Fall and Spring are nice

... and, how's GW doing in the polls?- this looks like a must see:
Record of Iraq War Lies to Air April 25 on PBS

By David Swanson

Bill Moyers has put together an amazing 90-minute video documenting the lies that the Bush administration told to sell the Iraq War to the American public, with a special focus on how the media led the charge. I've watched an advance copy and read a transcript, and the most important thing I can say about it is: Watch PBS from 9 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25. Spending that 90 minutes on this will actually save you time, because you'll never watch television news again – not even on PBS, which comes in for its share of criticism. READ MORE

Fortune?

2007-04-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Skeytch of third thing that came to mind:

Green

2007-04-07T11:37:00.000-07:00