Work in Progress - December 2012

Drypoints in 2013: More portraits, nudes, & ballet subjects

"Portrait of A. M. in December, 2012" Drypoint engraving on aluminum, (December 2012).

The portrait above is of one of my favorite people to draw. It is a drypoint engraving on aluminum, printed on Hahnemuhle Copperplate white paper (plate size: 8 by 10 inches). I did a series of portraits of this friend during late 2012. I suppose this represents another example of one of my favorite quotes: "...a smile is the most becoming ornament that any lady can wear..." (Susannah Clarke, writing in Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell).

It has been a long time since I updated this 'Recent work" blog. That is because of my busy, busy life - since my last update in 2007 I achieved tenure at the UUniversity where I work, wrote and received funding for a number of grants that I then had to administer, and performed in over a dozen theater roles, from the role of Herr Drosselmeyer in "The Nutcracker", to Sir Toby Belch in Shakepeare's "Twelfth Night". I directed plays and did scenic design in the rest of my spare time - as well as writing the articles and teaching courses that make up my *real job*. But during all those years I found time to draw portraits and other images of dancers and friends. The portrait above is one recent example, printed in my home on my Takach tabletop intaglio press. Some of the engravings below represent a few other portraits and a nude or two that have kept me busy. I guess staying home and drawing keeps me out of trouble and makes my friends wonder "Why is he such a hermit?" (Answer: Because I'd rather be drawing than out partying!). I manage to do a new print each week or so - filling my house with artwork. Sometimes I sell them, when I have time to do the marketing. The good people at New Grounds Studio in Albuquerque were selling my work for me for the last few years, but I have been too busy to work with them this last year. I hope to retire from my University job in 2014, and then I can focus on the art - both creating new art and selling it. Anyone need a portrait?

"C with her hair down".
(drypoint engraving on aluminum)

Re: Ballet Nude 1 and Pointe Nude (above). I did a small series of this dancer on pointe in her most basic costume in the 2010-2011 years. All are drypoints on aluminum in various sizes - just simple, quick sketches. A few are hand-tinted.

Andrea Flower (2011: Drypoint on aluminum)

"Steven 1 (2012: Drypoint on aluminum)

I carry little aluminum plates, a camera, and a sketchbook to the ballet rehearsals and often sketch the dancers during rehearsals - the portraits of Steven and Andrea (above) are examples of these 8 by 10 inch quick-sketch drypoints. There are so many interesting faces to draw in the El Paso Conservatory of Dance company - and they are a delight to draw. The conservatory and its performing company (The El Paso Youth Ballet) are filled with collaborative and professional personalities, with almost no 'divas'. Awesome dancers and gentle dispositions.

"Woman in a Veil (2012: Drypoint on aluminum)

"Mane" (Drypoint on aluminum)

"Garland 5 (Graveure)

"Claudia in Giselle" (December 2012: Drypoint on aluminum)

Re: Samantha in Giselle and Karin in Giselle (above). These are just two of the dozen or so portraits I have done of dancers from the El Paso Conservatory of Dance in their headpieces / costumes as 'Wilis' from the Ballet Giselle, which was performed in October 2012. I am slowly working my way through portraits of all 16 or so girls from the corps de ballet, and of the principals as well. All the engravings are 8 by 10 inches in size on aluminum plates. I try to achieve a quality that is a combination of each dancer's personality and their character from the role that expresses the romantic ballet effect and haunting spirituality of the Giselle Wilis (Wilis are a form of female ghosts from the forests who enchant and prey upon men).

Link to the previous December 2007 Work in Progress Page

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