Face #26

8X10"
Pastel on sandpaper

This was a very productive weekend as far as this project is concerned--two faces! If I can keep going at this pace, I may actually finish this project.

I was participating in a studio tour this weekend, and I got to talking with one of the other artists. He knows that I've been into drawing a lot lately, and he asked if I do anything with pastel pencils. I haven't done anything with them in awhile, and he was telling me about a special pastel paper that has a surface similar to sandpaper. I thought that I had some of this paper at the house, but I can't remember where I put it. I searched in some of the usual places but had no luck. Instead, I found some actual sandpaper with a very fine grit. I was curious to see how it acted, and that's how this face was created.

Face #25

8X10"
Pen & Ink

Well, I finally reached a milestone in this project after two years...I'm one-quarter of the way done! Of course, it doesn't help move the project along when I decide to try stippling. For those who may be unfamiliar with that term, stippling involves making thousands of tiny dots with a pen in order to create the picture. I like the effect of it, but it does take a lot of time.

I think there were two things that helped me get this face finished: 1) Lots of coffee (I had at least twice my normal amount), and 2) a studio tour that required me to be in my studio for at least 12 hours over a weekend. I met some wonderful people and got to talk with some of the other artists who have studios in the same building. If it were up to me and money were no object, I'd spend every day over there in my studio. It's a wonderfully creative place, and I always manage to get something done when I'm there.

Floating

"Floating"
8X10"
Colored pencil

I have been reluctant to post anything new, because so many people have responded to my previous post. I am grateful for all the support I've received from friends, family, and other artists. It means so much more to me than I could ever put into words.

Although this drawing may seem like someone drowning, it is not. There have been times when I thought that I would drown in my grief. I am amazed at how much I miss my husband after knowing him for so short a time. But God has been so gracious and good to me. I have spent much time in prayer and worship during the last few months, and He has given me such an amazing sense of peace. It is so amazing, in fact, that it is beyond comprehension. During one of the times of prayer, I had this vision of floating on a river. It was so peaceful and relaxing that I just wanted to stay there and never leave. That's where this drawing comes from.

You may be reading this and reading my previous post and wonder, "How can you worship God and have such a sense of peace at a time like this?" The only thing I can tell you is this: I believe in a God that holds the entire course of human history in the palm of His hand. Being outside of time, He knows every beginning and every end. He alone knows the why's and wherefore's of my husband's passing. I trust that He has a greater purpose to accomplish, a purpose that I may not understand for many years to come, if ever. And that's okay. He gives me peace and grace to make it through each day, and for these gifts I am truly grateful.

Face #24

Wow. I believe it's been over a year since I posted to this blog. I think it's about time to get back to this project...

Several reasons for the hiatus: 1) I decided to do some art that had nothing to do with faces, 2) I was suddenly promoted from a 29-hour work week to a 40-hour one, and 3) I had to deal with the sudden death of my husband. I'm not giving these as excuses. Well, alright, maybe I am. Life happens, and now I'm taking a second,...no, make that a third look at this project.

I am grateful to the Wetcanvas.com community for getting my butt back into gear. There is a group of artists over there who hold "Weekend Drawing Events" (WDE, for short). Someone posts about a dozen different images each Friday, and then everyone goes to town. You select an image that interests you, and after about 2 hours of creating you stop and post your progress. Sometimes there's a specific challenge that goes along with the images, but lately my challenge has been simply to sit down and take the time to do it. The"unique" proportions of this image are proof enough that I need to get back to drawing on a regular basis.

The image I posted here is from a WDE that took place a couple of weeks ago. I decided to draw this particular image using a mechanical pencil after I watched a demonstration by a very talented local artist. She does very detailed and precise drawings with mechanical pencils. It was not something I would normally use for a drawing, but I was very pleasantly surprised by it. I will probably use it more often in the future. Sometimes the simplest media are the best.