I Continue....

Found ink drawing
"The Little Mouse Ball"

I continue to clean. In my quest to find the floor in the upper studio and a true sense of organizational zen I found some great pieces I forgot I drew. So many sketches. So many drawings. A few paintings....all shoved and stuffed in folders and behind furniture in such sinful ways. Not sure why I was such a terrible host to them. They aren't as bad as I remember when I shoved them here and there in frustration. Not bad at all.

Ink and watercolor
"Opera Mouse"


Crow quill on bristol
"The Kiss"


Graphite on paper
"Study of expressions"


Graphite on paper
"Study of hands"


Graphite on paper
"Study of expressions"
I call this one: "After the Third Scotch"

I am so happy I found the next ones. There were maybe four in the series and I suspect they were drawn during one of Pratt Institutes' annual "Draw-a-thon's". Drawing figures in the (then) foundation building from 7PM till 7AM. My favorite weapon to capture a figure was a thick black marker. No mistakes. I was committed from the moment the felt tip hit the paper. Adding the chalks was the cherry with whip cream on top. Of course, I didn't just pick up the marker when I first started figure drawing in my career. I grew into it. I had amazing teachers who encouraged such exploration and growth. Two of the most influential teachers I had were Dave Passalacqua and George Pratt. Both amazing teachers. Anywhoo, out of the four in the series these were my favorites. I especially loved to draw larger models. Just loved every inch of drawing them.

Marker and chalks on paper
"Figure study:

Marker and chalks on paper
"Figure study"

Nineteen Years

A moment caught on film

Nineteen years ago on October 30th, 1989 I packed up a portfolio of about 15 pieces and headed toward NYC with my parents on my interview at Pratt Institute. There was no turning back. I was leaving my hometown and was determined to make a real go of my love of art. I will never forget that day as long as I live because it changed my entire life. Nothing was ever the same again. From the moment the administrator looked at the third selection in my portfolio (which was basically a huge clear bag since I had nothing else to cart all my over sized pieces in) and said the words, "You are more than welcome to attend our institution." my mind wandered onto what life might be like in the "big city".

Little did I know at that moment I'd be paired with the oddest roommates in my first year. One was a party gal from India the other was a rich gal from Beverly Hills who tested my character by leaving emeralds and diamonds about the dorm room. Her family owned gem mines in the south of Brazil. She said she decided to attend Pratt to see how the "other half" lived. After she felt my character was in order she became focused on finding me a rich husband. She probably should have just done her illustration work. I'm a very bad study in things of higher culture. I guess its the artist in me. I take pride in my paint stains.

On that day I remember the advisor talking to my parents, as some pigeons peeked at the window, about how safe Brooklyn was and that the town received bad press. Never in a million years did I think I'd wind up marrying someone born and raised in Brooklyn and never did I think I'd stay here. Years later I look back and wonder how I ever managed to live in such an isolated area of Pennsylvania. Heck, we only had ONE street light when I left nineteen years ago. Now they have two. LOL

Finished "Ed" medallion for RXR

During this time of the year I love to reflect back on where I came from and what I have accomplished artistically. The journey has been a wild one filled with lots of positive excitement and of course, many disappointing moments. Artists learn to deal with the disappointments and somehow they become sturdy footholds in the ladder. Looking back today I feel like I am only halfway up that ladder. There is so much more to do artistically. Nineteen years later I am more excited about art than I have ever been. It's the dream job for me.

In 1992

Skyline from the past

In 1992 I had to take a black and white photography class at Pratt. Believe it or not, I dreaded this class. I disliked spending the money on the camera, the darkroom equipment and the film. I hated taking photos and I dreaded taking my new fully manual Pentax camera outside my dorm room even more. The class was a requirement for all illustration students and at least two rolls of film that semester had to be devoted to something revolving around the city. So, a group of us students headed out to the promenade in Brooklyn to capture the Manhattan skyline.

The day was cold and I was miserable. I wish I weren't so disgruntled that day because years later on the seventh anniversary of 9-11 I am fully appreciating this one and only photograph of the NYC skyline I bothered to take that day...no, wait...it was the one and only skyline shot I believe I have ever taken and kept. I took one once with my digital camera as we zoomed past the towers along the parkway, but I threw it in the trash cause I thought the shot was boring and honestly, I took the towers for granted. Yep, I remember not wanting to take this one and only photo that day cause it was such a trite shot. I knew my teacher wouldn't even give it the time of day and so I didn't bother. I would give anything to be able to take this shot again today in the year 2008. I wish with all my might I could really do that. I wish...

My prayers today go out to all the families and their loved ones who perished on that terrible day. God Bless America.
Never forget.