Author Archives for Erik Davis

Treehouse number 4….

The treehouse project continues.

I keep telling myself I should try a different approach, something a little more abstract, less literal. But I’m real happy with the way these are coming out.

I wanted to capture the look and feel of a long abandoned treehouse with this sketch. I think this drawing captures that feel. My wife asked me how someone would climb into the treehouse since there wasn’t a ladder, a good question, but I intentionally left that detail out. I was afraid if I added a ladder, or rope, it would make the treehouse active. This way, the viewer can imagine how they would access the treehouse and make it their own.

I still have twelve more of these drawings to complete for the Sketchbook Project, that doesn’t sound like a lot, but I still wonder if I can keep coming up with ideas. But, each time I finish one sketch, I start getting ideas for the next one. I was hoping this project would get me back on track, and I really think it has. As I work through these sketches, and a few other little drawings I’ve been working on, I can see my technique starting to loosen-up. The pencil lines move a bit more freely, and I’m not as concerned about making a mistake. I think it’s safe to say I’ve found my rhythm again…

Thanks for stopping by…Erik

The treehouses continue.

Treehouse 10-20-11

It’s really nice to get back in the groove of drawing and sketching. I’m pretty happy with these two drawings. To be my own critic about the ink drawing, I would have to say I didn’t get the door located properly. It’s a bit too far off-center from the peak for me, but since this is the official sketchbook it stays in the book. I also got a little heavy on the pen work a little early, I didn’t enough white paper. I think I may try this one again using just the pencils.

Treehouse 10-22-11

I’m real happy with the pencil rendering though. I was hoping to keep the bird’s-eye view for this one, I think that worked.

I’ll keep drawing and posting as the ideas keep coming. I think I’ll get this little sketchbook completed in no time!

Thanks…Erik

Sketchbook Project has been started, yeah!

Treehouse 10-17-11

The Sketchbook Project Tour World Tour 2012 has begun! I was lucky enough to get the treehouse category. You can’t go wrong with a treehouse. Well, anything tree or house related is good for me.

The treehouse can be as simple as an old pallet with a rope ladder, or as elaborate as small vacation cottage. A treehouse can also be nothing more than a hole in a hollowed out trunk that gives squirrels a place to stay warm in the long winter months. It’s also the tangled evergreen  branches that give the cardinals shelter from the cold winter snows. It can also get you high above the ground giving you a new perspective on the world around you.

I guess it’s safe to say the treehouse, for me, goes far beyond just a hiding place for kids. It’s a shelter from all the things we need to protect ourselves from, it’s a place to escape to and imagine we are someone else, and it’s getting back to nature.

Erik….

The art continues….

I was able to get some quality time with the pencils this weekend. It’s reassuring that the ideas are starting to flow a little more freely now. I really feel like I’m getting the feel of the paper and pencils again, and that’s good!

I’m still waiting for my official sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2012. My theme is Treehouse…big shock, I know! I have a few ideas in mind, I just need to get them on paper.

I thought it might be time to try some new tools of the trade, and revisit some old favorites. I keep coming across pastel pencils in my art catalogs, I think it’s time to order a set and see what I can do with them. I also need to replenish my sad collection of broken-stubby colored pencils. While I enjoy the pencils and pen & ink drawing, I think it’s time to add a little zip of color to things. I keep trying watercolors, but I just can’t seem to get the look I’m going for. I think it’s time to mix things up a bit!

Thanks for stopping by…Erik

 

The old barn, and getting back on the bike.

Well, I was able to find, make, some time for art this weekend. I made several pencil drawings and few pen and ink sketches. I pretty happy with this one. I really like the junk pile I was able to capture in the lean-to. I thought the trees in the background – the horizon line – would give this some added interest, but I don’t think they really added anything to the over-all drawing. I kinda feel the same about the grass in the foreground. It seemed like a good idea, but once I added it in, I realized it really didn’t add anything. I didn’t want the barn to be just floating on the paper, but my choice of anchors weren’t the best. It’s all good though.

It’s kinda funny, getting back on the bike is pretty easy, but knowing what direction to go seems to be the big struggle for me right now. I’m kinda sitting at the end of the driveway wanting to take off and pedal, but I can’t go anywhere because I’m so unsure where to head. So I just sit there and think about how fun it would be to go for that ride.

I picked-up two new art books this week with the hopes of getting inspired to head in any direction I could. The one book was about keeping an art journal. I really thought that would help push me to move, but I just keep reading it and thinking how much I would enjoy drawing! HAHAHA! It’s really kinda comical.

Anyway…I think this is the time to push-off or park that bike. I ‘d really prefer to push-off and go like a crazy man, so here’s to one crazy bike ride…I think…

Erik

Time to grab the pencils!

OK, so it’s been almost a year since I’ve held a pencil. I wasn’t sure if it was the same as riding a bike. But, it really is. And I gotta say, I see more pencils in my future!

I started this little Chickadee last year. I never really finished the fence rail or the foliage around the fence rail. I figured this would be a good subject to get the juices flowing again. I’m so glad I did this.

I’m planning on spending so much-needed quality time with the pencils and pens this weekend. I’m not sure what I’ll draw, I may go back to the days of art school and just randomly pick something in the room and say, “there it is, now draw it!”

I’ll post any creations I can come up with.

Thanks for stopping by…Erik

Lots of flower boxes!

Well, I haven’t picked up a pencil or paintbrush this summer, but the flower box business is sure keeping me busy! I’ve had several sales thanks to Etsy, and I just completed a wholesale order for my new friends at Green Nest. They were nice enough to send me a picture of the display. Please stop by their Facebook page have a look around!

I still have plenty of plates left for those that want a true one-of-a-kind planter!

Take care everyone…Erik

Free Art Tuesday is coming!

Free Art Tuesday is coming!

On random Tuesdays I’ll be giving away free art. It’s pretty easy to get in on the action. Just go to my facebook page {click here!} and “like” it! Then, all you have to do is be the first person to leave a comment when I post free art and the art is yours! Once the first comment has been left I’ll contact the lucky winner to get the snail mail address and free art will be on its way. Please don’t post your address in the comments though!If you like what you see and think your family or friends would enjoy some free art, please feel free to spread the word!

I won’t sell or publish any addresses that are given to me. It’s truly just to get  my art out to the public!

Good luck to all who participate!

Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio

It’s that time of year again for the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio to host their annual Wine Affair. The reason I like to donate art each year to this wonderful event is because the funds raised stay here in Northwest Ohio.

Wine Affair / November 19th, 2010 / 6:30pm / Parkway Place, Maumee

The Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio will be hosting a Wine Affair: A Vintage to Remember ~ celebrating 19 years. Tickets are $90/person until October 31st and $100/person beginning November 1st. A table of 10 can be purchased for $800. There will be wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent and live auction.

This year, the artwork I am donating is Tater’s Tree Farm. When the artwork is auctioned it will be framed with acid free matboards and protected under Conservation Glass. I hope this year’s donation finds its way into a home where it bring a smile to all who can enjoy it!

I wish the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio great success this year!

Time for some high contrast photography.

It’s time for a change of pace here. I’ve been taking my camera with me everywhere for the last week, looking for that perfect fall tree or landscape shot. Unfortunately it’s either been too windy or too sunny for photos. But when I saw this I knew this is what I needed to break the photo-monotony I’ve been feeling.

This is the inside of an old rotted Chevy truck. It’s missing the seat, which left plenty of room for the spiders to move in. I shot this around lunchtime and the sun was coming in the back window of the truck. I didn’t use a fill flash or reflector, and the shot was focused and metered on the pedal. I was using my telephoto lens, without my tripod, big mistake. I need to get this shot again using the tripod to avoid the slight lens shake I had. I also didn’t make any digital adjustments other than a slight cropping. Now, I’m sure there are photographers looking at this thinking I should have used some fill light. But I love the strong contrast of the deep shadows and bright highlights.

When I took this picture I realized that artists and photographers are supposed to follow a different set of rules when it comes to highlights and shadows. Photographers work hard to avoid a lot of bright highlights and deep shadows, while artists who draw or paint work hard to keep a lot of contrast between the highlights and shadows. A still life of a single flower comes to mind as an example. To photograph the bloom you would want to get as much even flat lighting as possible. Yet to paint that same bloom the painter would keep some of the white paper and pour deep color into the shadows.

So with this in mind I’ve given myself a challenge. Instead of looking for evenly lit subjects and overcast days for taking pictures, I’m going to look for subjects with strong contrast. Now I know this won’t be an easy task to pull off. Some subject matter just won’t work, but I think this will force me to look at everything differently. Maybe even force me to be more creative!

I’ll post more images of my little challenge as I take them!