Hannah, a 20 year old tuxedo cat, was my walking companion during a visit to Harpswell Maine a few summers ago. She and I strolled the shore early in the morning. I was amazed at both her agility to manage the rocks and her acuity for such a wizened cat. Returning from our exploration of the nearby cove, we passed beneath the bows of an ancient apple tree reputed to have a strong spirit residing within. It was a bit creepy and I felt compelled to give it a nod of respect as I snuck under the gnarled limbs. Hannah has passed on since that summer. I wonder if she has joined the spirit of this enduring apple tree. I wish my little friend well.
I drew this 22x 30" image with 4-6B graphite pencils on a sheet of beautiful BFK Rives 140# cotton paper. The furry surface adds to the diffused feeling of this drawing. This was a study with the intent to eventually to make a colored pencil painting. But I love this graphite so much, just the way it is. And it has been filed away for almost a year now, so I get to experience it objectively. I doubt a color rendition would improve the message. Mean time, it remains in cue for one day. Enjoy!
Periwinkles Pileup
When I was a small child visiting my grandparents at their seaside cottage, I spent many happy hours exploring the rocks that reached like fingers into the ocean. Those rocks held cupped in their crevices, the coming and goings of magical things. See the Hermit Crab dragging its stolen home, bumping and scraping across the rock floor, while glinting black mussels, periwinkles and barnacles occupy their own rock real-estate. A flash of movement as a baby crab with antenna eyes darts sideways to hide in a clump of seaweed. Shadows play and water sparkles as waterbugs and dragon flies skitter across the surface. I have never lost my my fascination for these places. Have you ever walked along a Maine shore line to see millions of periwinkles piled up along the tide mark? Periwinkle Pileup is a "child's" closeup view, its diminutive size only 4.5"X 9.25" It is painted with Prismacolor, Luminance, Derwent and Soho colored pencils with the occasional brush of spirits on linen mat.
Ancient Apple- a portal.
This is an ancient apple tree that arches over a path to the sea. A much appreciated comment, by an amazing cp artist, Julie Podstolski, described the scene as Narnia. That's all she said, "Narnia." Somehow she got my intent. It is said that there is a strong spirit residing in this gnarly sentry.
A study for a larger piece I plan for the future, it comes from one of many reference shots taken this summer, on the Maine property of dear friends. It is painted with Prismacolor and Luminance pencils on linen mat board.