May 30th, 2008

Here's what I've made while being trapped in my room the past couple days...I've been hiding because there is a movie being filmed in my apartment! Getting something out of the fridge or even trying to simply leave the apartment feels like a covert operation. But that story warrants its own blog later...

This drawing is a joke about my over-introspectiveness. It's meant to accompany the reimagined drawing of my passport I did a couple months back. I should totally have a badge.


Okay...I've been avoiding dealing with this long enough. So finally I had to draw it out. For me, the emotions move clockwise...reclaiming order, then anger, guilt, and finally writing it out rather than talking to anyone. Because that would have acknowledged that anything happened. Phew....

Currently listening: The Walkmen...Bows + Arrows

May 27th, 2008

I am incredibly lucky. And I know it. But I also know that luck is fickle and you can't predict what will happen next. So really, all you can do is simply ENJOY luck while it is on your side. Hence I'm drawing a piano...I'm facing the fear and unknown with a smile.

Here next is the first version of that concept...I wasn't sure if the viewer would be able to tell that it was the shadow of a piano, so that's why I reworked the idea. And I liked the idea of the piano about to hit me in my bedroom, since that seemed much more unexpected than a sidewalk.

And here's the last one...

I got the idea for this drawing from the stick figures on the sign for the unisex bathroom at Teany the other day. When I saw the scenario play out in my head I laughed, and was surprised by my own cynicism. But, the little stick man really did mean well...

Currently listening: Nada Surf...Lucky

May 22nd, 2008

Here are the latest additions to my ever-growing-pile-of-drawings-that-I-don't-know-what-to-do-with...

This drawing is about home. It's about Charlottesville. It's my sappy love letter. But I can't help it..it feels like I left part of my heart buried there, under its streets and hills. So when I'm there I'm undeniably content.


This is my last Turkey-trip-inspired painting. It was inspired by the view from the hot air balloon in Cappadocia. I definitely have a thing for birds eye views!

And here is my photo that I based it on:

Currently Listening: Neil Finn...Try Whistling This

May 20, 2008

This cartoon is about when I encounter people who I discover are even more closed off than me. (In case you didn't know, one of my hobbies is building walls around myself) I saw this in my head exactly in this non-Laura-Lee style, so I thought I'd go with it. This drawing is for you, Diana!


That is a sketch I did of my mom while I was at home last week. It's rare she's sitting still for long, hence it was a quick sketch!


This drawing is about when you decide not to talk about something in an effort to erase its existence. Like you're revising your own personal history. Forcing something to fade into oblivion like that faded photo in Back to the Future. I guess the term for this is...denial. To make this, I first shaded the entire paper with graphite...then erased myself in it...and then went in with a pencil to redefine my quickly-sketched-features.

I've also posted below here the original draft of this erased concept. But then I decided I should be me erasing part of ME instead of simply erasing the memory. An internal rather than an external process.


Currently listening: My Morning Jacket...Evil Urges

May 12th, 2008

These drawings are both about how bittersweet it can be to return home from travel, when you have to return to your regular life...

"Do I have to go back?" When I travel, my mindset and perception of everything changes. So I portrayed that mental difference here as a physical shift. See, even the laws of physics bend to me!


This one is also about my reluctance to renter reality. I've been letting myself feel removed, detached, and other isolated adjectives. So in this drawing, I'm very gingerly about to enter the water. Note to viewer: the water part was made by dragging a paint-saturated string down the paper...it was a fun idea to refine! Note to self: apparently, feet never cease to be weird to draw.

On a more lighthearted note...
I volunteered at an elementary school this weekend in Brooklyn by helping paint large canvases that the students had drawn out. Each was a different book cover, so I got to finish up this Harry Potter one and then painted all of this Narnia one. Not my best work, but it sure was fun! I volunteer through New York Cares (they're also how I volunteer at the soup kitchen) which is an organization I'd highly recommend!


On a totally awesome note...
Oliver Platt and Catherine Keener were in my apartment today! They were filming a scene in our entryway for a new Nicole Holofcener (Friends with Money) film, and the crew will be back later in the month to shoot inside our apartment for two whole weeks...I just had to share this fact because it is REALLY AMAZING! And Amanda Peet was here as well, but I didn't see her since I was mostly stuck in my room all day by the false wall placed in front of my door. Glamorous indeed. New York is crazy, crazy I tells ya!

May 8th, 2008

Here's the rest of the art I made in Turkey! I averaged almost one artwork a day...which I think is pretty darn good.

In Goreme I befriended a family that ran a rug business, so I'd hang out in there and look at all the different patterns...


I drew a realistic sketch of Cappadocia before, so with this drawing here I wanted to do a more whimsical take on the landscape. This was the view from my room...


I used that same style back in Istanbul to draw the Aya Sofya. This was my view from Les Arts Turcs...


Anyone who has been to Turkey can verify this statement...that the locals drink A LOT of tea! And as a visitor you are always offered cups of tea (cai) in one of these cute little tulip shaped glasses. I began to wonder how much I was consuming on a daily basis! I used brown ink so it would look like it was painted with tea...

May 3rd, 2008

In Pamukkale I didn't draw anything--mostly because my bag was lost at the airport so I didn't have my art supplies (let alone...well, anything!) most of my visit. So here is what I've made since arriving in Cappadocia a couple days ago.

Here I copied a very traditional tile design here in Turkey...you see this blue tile everywhere. The word turquiose was actually comes from the French, meaning "color of the Turks." Oh, and tulips originally came from Turkey...they are very proud to point this out!


This is a drawing of my favorite restaurant here in Göreme (Cappadocia)...appropriately called Göreme restaurant! It's a good place to sit and enjoy some cai...


This morning I hiked over into Pigeon valley, sat down in a fıeld, and drew this picture quickly since it was starting to rain on me! Some of the unique rock formations here, which I'll post pictures of later!