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A paper-weight "800 lb Gorilla"

 This is an older "big" drawing I started about a year back I decided to work on again.  

In regards to the subject, I was pondering whether the need for a religious explanation of the world only comes from awareness of self.  When we were little what was it like before any idea of "god" exists in our mind or was it always there?  What is external or internal?  (Also...not so deep, just thought it would be "cool" to draw a really big gorilla.)   
In something I was reading recently I came across the animal metaphor/phrase about the 800 lb gorilla which refers to an entity so powerful it can do whatever it pleases (I guess most gorillas weigh less than 800 lbs).  I thought that this put an interesting spin on the picture.
Although to some there might be more satisfaction with one definite statement it seems better if art can act as a catalyst for further thought.
Need to work on anatomy some more---too bad there aren't many gorilla models about to pose.

Getting tired of this one yet?
Have to admit I have been working on some other projects too....I definitely have artist attention deficit disorder (AADD).
 

big board update

Contemplating Nothing & Spring Break

The empty shell of these crawdad claws somehow reminded me of the picture done by Durer of hands praying.  Their position seems to be folded in peaceful thought yet the thinking parts above are missing.  Thinking about "contemplating nothing" resulted in this drawing.  Since the concept seems to be the opposite of an exclamation I placed the items in an upsidedown exclamation mark......perhaps too much thinking on my part......?   Not sure I like the result since it seems so plain but maybe that is the point of the subject.

Looking forward to working on some more art during the break. 

Upon Reflection

Sometimes reflection is the more interesting view....which pair do you see life thru?

(Colors in the reflection were actually caught by the camera...not created by photoshop)

What if Georgia O'Keeffe had Photoshop..........

 

I've been taking a class in photoshop recently.  The above is from an old photo I took of a peony.  I don't know too much yet but it is fun to play around with the filters.  If you can't afford the software there are many similar image editing programs out there to get creative with for free.  One that comes to mind is GIMP--- here is a link to download http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Hope to keep it going during classes.....

Big Board continued

Had to take a break on the background... was getting pulled down by the undertow.

Missing work with charcoal

Seems like there are many paradoxical tasks we set for ourselves.

  Remember to Forget (or, if you'd rather...forget to remember).

  

With charcoal it seems that the type of paper/ground you work on often determines the effect of the results more than the medium itself.  I like working with it but I have yet to figure out how to get great detail on a smaller scale.  It usually erases easily so you can create highlights by "carving away" at it...but the one thing I dislike is how sometimes the oil from your fingers etc. (I think) will cause spots where the charcoal "stains" the paper and can't be removed. (Might be obvious but don't sneeze on your paper and expect to get great blending results.)