These birds have stopped wondering how they became part of this painting. They do have some questions about being active after dark. But perhaps, the bright reflection in the water is what has drawn them from their normally vigilant slumber. Maybe they are confused and find it impossible to reconcile day and night. Or perhaps, it is just the hidden moon playing a trick.
The Night Heron
Night herons are real birds. This drawing however is from a specific memory of a heron hunting at low tide below the piers in Nantucket harbor. The world was getting ice cream and strenuously having a good time. Meanwhile, the heron focused on the mud for things to eat. What do you think of that?
Heat Wave Therapy
If you’re looking for a new way to forget the latest heat wave for a little while, try what I do: draw pictures of cold things, cold memories. My go-to is a snowy forest scene where the trees have their trunks sunk down in the snow. These are made with crayon or pastel. The snowy blue shadows might be colored pencil or watercolor. Have fun and stay cool.
Mysterious Landscapes
Paint first, Think later. This is a good way to get started. But sometimes we have to wait a very long time for something less sublime to staff the picture. When the people and critters fail to appear, I realize that this is the way God intended it. We are surrounded by silent and mysterious landscapes. If only we’d listen!
This reminds me of Gulfoss waterfall in Iceland.
Recent Crystal Cities paintings
I’ve said it before, “Crystal Cities are what I paint when I don’t know what to paint.” This is how I prefer to work: into the moment, reacting to my materials and methods, with the confidence that some useful meaning or justification will emerge. It’s a strategy and a form of self-interrogation that relies, somewhat comfortably on a limited set of artistic variables. They don’t teach this in art school! It is borne from necessity and makes its own mysterious path.
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Don't You Wonder?
If one pays attention to the news, it seems that humans love to fight. So many do it. We all love a good fight. But just for once (and maybe forever), I’d like to know what we would talk about and do if we weren’t preoccupied with fighting and being mean to each other. Don’t you?
04-19-22b
War Theme
The war in Ukraine is close to all our minds and hearts. I try not to focus on it directly as if it were an illustration assignment to solve. But imagery arises easily when onion-domed Crystal Cities appear on my paper.
A couple embraces on a precipice above old Odessa. Their home is a target.
The Glutton
Welcome to the Glutton’s home. His home is very large just like his appetite. You should know that he will try to eat you too. Now that would be something to see! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
The sleepy bell ringer
With the pandemic scrambling our internal calendars and clocks, we’ve come to rely on those shared community timekeepers to keep us on track. But it’s the weekend and the bell ringer is taking the day off. Don’t worry, things have a way of working out.
Borders
Lately, I’ve added borders to a few drawings. How exciting!
Crystal Cities: November-December
Crystal Cities are my go-to doodle strategy. Here is a smattering of some ornate ones from the past two months. I’ve been busy compiling these and others in two new self-published catalogs.
Crystal Cities 2019 By Rob Dunlavey (Published 12/2/2021 Paperback) USD25.00
Crystal Cities: 2018 By Rob Dunlavey (Published 11/10/2021 Paperback) USD25.00
2022 calendar poster for sale
Amazingly, my 2022 calendar poster is available with plenty of time left in 2021. I have not delayed and neither should you. Order one (or several) now. 18 x 24" , shipped flat & folded or rolled in a tube. Please indicate with your order; prices vary. Get it at Etsy
Is Anyone Home?
Think of the resources marshalled to connect this castle with the distant shore: architects, masons, stone cutters and marine engineers. They built caissons and cofferdams and stationed barges with primitive cranes to hoist and position the carefully carved blocks. Did they have any idea how sublime the rising sun would look on this day? Reflect on the mind of a seagull: the sublime is the humdrum to them.
The Wrestlers
From sunup to sundown the wrestlers wrestle. They wedge themselves into their cramped corners and defend themselves with tenacious holds. It seems that the small building itself is what keeps them from realizing victory and throwing their opponent to the floor. They grunt, growl and sweat day in and out. The birds come and go. They can’t figure it out: why do they fight?
Bleak Birdy Business
I try to work quickly with my very limited imaginative and artistic resources. My process: 1. Deface the white paper with some color of some sort (pastels, watercolor, etc.) 2. Add birds or something to animate the scene. 3. Stand back and accept whatever comes out. 4. Don’t fuss and then move on.
Between Heaven and Hell
Prometheus or Pieta
Falling Birds
Sea Urchins
When traveling, I leave my paints at home and use colored pencils more. As usual, I was up early, this time in Brunswick, Maine at my mother-in-law’s. After brewing coffee for everyone, I settle in her favorite chair and look out the windows to her well-designed garden. And then the doodling begins.
Praying Mantis & Fruit Flies
A scrap of art paper glued down suggested a fruit bowl filled with overripe persimmons. The mantis is vexed by the cloud of swarming fruit flies. She prefers purity.
(collage, watercolor, ink)
Some examples of 19th and 20th century Mingei style wares below.
Musical Grids
It just occurred to me, the connection between a general fascination with utility poles and the criss-crossing grid of wires and thingamajigs and some abstract grids I’ve been drawing lately. I’m so glad that mystery is solved!
Feeding the birds
More Squirrels
I refuse to let squirrels push me around!
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