Malaise

I made this drawing a few days ago when I was feeling really anxious and had a lot of pent up energy.  Somehow the weave of the sweater would represent the tension and containment I was feeling.  It's hard to recover from a case of "general malaise," but I'd like to think that drawing that malaise helps a bit.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday to my momsy, who turns ___ years old today, although she doesn't look a day over 30 :)  And because she is as beautiful and dainty as a flower, I decided to draw her some flowers (which may or may not be daisies, roses, and poppies? I'm not really sure...) in her honor. 

Bon Anniversaire, Maman!

Happy Father's Day!

Hi Pops!  As you can see, my appearance has changed dramatically since you last saw me :)  And it was all done in the spirit of Father's Day to honor my beloved Papa Siefs!  Next year it'll be a tattoo. 

P.S. I tried to draw something in the style of a Mad Magazine cartoon since it's up my dad's alley...he has passed down to me the love of all things abnormal and hilarious, and for that I thank him.  Oh and I also thank him for my love of weird cartoon drawing and a sense of mild mischief.  If only I had a copy of his drawing of PoPo the cat to demonstrate!  Anyway.  Happy Dad's Day!

Rebel Without a Cause

Drawing inspired by James Dean classic, although I got a bit carried away somewhere along the way...hmmm, it's probably best not to show your local analyst this one!  Made with Staedtler pen and light gouache wash on sketchbook paper.



And God...Created Woman

This drawing is a "creative interpretation" of a scene in Roger Vadim's 1956 film, "Et Dieu… créa la femme."  Brigitte Bardot's "beau" has just passed her by in a bus without getting off to meet her as planned, and the camera watches her for several seconds as the wind whips her hair all about.  Gouche, watercolor, and Staedtler pen on sketchbook paper.

Atlantic City

After I took my awful Qualifying Exam in January, I went to Atlantic City to blow off some steam and forget all 2,000 of the images I had just memorized. That night, my man friend and I ended up in a casino bar with several nearly nude ladies dancing on platforms. I found them oddly fascinating, and I'm not exactly sure why, but the whole scene was very grotesquely mesmerizing in a sad and beautiful way. This painting was made in response to that evening. Partially inspired by Milton Glaser's psychadelic Dylan poster from the '60s (see below). Acrylic and metallic craft paint with Sharpie on canvas, 16x20.

Stan Brakhage

A still from a film by Stan Brakhage, "Window Water Baby Moving," an experimental short film showing the birth of Brakhage's first child in all its gory glory. Believe it or not, this still is from before the baby was born. I was lucky enough to walk in with my dinner just as the baby's head was "crowning..." Blargh! Au revoir, appetite! Anywho his films are full of rapid, jarring cuts that make you feel as if you're having a seizure. I found this still by careful pausing. Staedtler pen, watercolor, and pencil on paper.