It's amazing how pencil to paper eases the stress in life and refreshes the spirit. I've drawn my entire life. No, I am not looking to be a cartoonist or an animator for movie productions, but I am embracing my life-long love of drawing. Here are my first 2 of my house. Next step will be adding some paint to highlight vegetation in drawing 2.
Drawing 1
Drawing 2
An update - Now Framed:
I was in the field yesterday, checking over protected archaeological sites. I am one of many stewards who periodically check in on archaeological sites to see if the sites have been disturbed in any way. The site I visited was prehistoric, which got me thinking about this piece (Mom and Dad). This morning, I finally framed it and know where I will be hanging it up.
As an archaeologist, my appreciation and love for experimental archaeology has grown tremendously over the years. With my focus on prehistoric societies, I'm sure you can imagine my testing out of hammerstones, flint and/or chert knife blades, and even an occasional utilized flake. When I stumbled across the copper art I did as a kid, that sparked a long-forgotten interest in copper. The first piece I did, detailed in my first post here, I employed stone to help create the art (chert) in addition to heating the piece over a campfire. I thought to expand on the experimental archaeology theme with my second piece, but the copper plate I worked called out for something different. My heart was focused on Mom and Dad. With texturing hammer at my side, I soon hammered away at the 24 gauge copper plate. On one side, I thought of Mom: her kindness, precision, expertise, calm, and strength. For the other side, I thought of Dad: his strength and goodness... his continuing nature to learn.
On one side, the piece shows a luster, beautiful and graceful. You can see the effects of the texturing hammer, but all seems peaceful in a Human sort of way.
From the previous winter on, I have been gazing more at the stars and contemplating travels beyond Earth. I was already informed by my wife that I am not allowed to go into space with any of the companies offering rides to civilians. That in mind, I've thought of what such a journey would entail. It baffles me to think how such a journey would be safely executed given all the space junk that now orbits our planet. If you haven't read up on this topic, check it out.
This piece received a marking I will use on future works. A new tree stamp and a number, indicating each piece's designation. Vger is 'Maple 1'.
As an archaeologist, my appreciation and love for experimental archaeology has grown tremendously over the years. With my focus on prehistoric societies, I'm sure you can imagine my testing out of hammerstones, flint and/or chert knife blades, and even an occasional utilized flake. When I stumbled across the copper art I did as a kid, that sparked a long-forgotten interest in copper. The first piece I did, detailed in my first post here, I employed stone to help create the art (chert) in addition to heating the piece over a campfire. I thought to expand on the experimental archaeology theme with my second piece, but the copper plate I worked called out for something different. My heart was focused on Mom and Dad. With texturing hammer at my side, I soon hammered away at the 24 gauge copper plate. On one side, I thought of Mom: her kindness, precision, expertise, calm, and strength. For the other side, I thought of Dad: his strength and goodness... his continuing nature to learn.
On one side, the piece shows a luster, beautiful and graceful. You can see the effects of the texturing hammer, but all seems peaceful in a Human sort of way.
The reverse side tells a different story. The scrapes, the nicks, and the bruising... it's all there. For display, this one will go on a stand like the first piece: no frame. There is something about being able to look at all the markings that make/made an individual. You can't see such things when only one side of an artwork is displayed.
*** For Dad's half, I also used his tack hammer.
I don't know what I'm doing, really. At just over 5o years of age, I am still learning! Isn't that the way it should be? Always learning?! There may be fewer sunrises ahead than behind, but... there are still sunrises to come. With the time that's left, I plan to live and embrace the unknown and to try the things I never had the guts to try. In this space, I will focus on my art and the archaeological discoveries I make as I investigate my Home's past. All are welcome to join me in my journey. For the start, working with copper as my medium, here is my first artwork from this new period. I call it, 'Science is Poetry'. 24 gauge copper sheet hammered by texturing hammer (assorted ends) and a 4lb sledge. Fire treated over campfire in yard.
It's amazing how pencil to paper eases the stress in life and refreshes the spirit. I've drawn my entire life. No, I am not looking ...
