Thursday, December 29, 2011

Illustration Friday: Messenger


I happen to think that musicians, especially folk musicians who have had no "classical" training, and who live very close to nature, and who play directly connected to the currents of the universe, channel messages from the gods. It's not in any specific combination of notes, or rhythms, or anything else that can be named, but it's there, deep in the music, and it can only be reached through it. Or by doing things like walking long distances in the woods, or floating all alone in the middle of a lake.

This was the last of the four African musicians that I started in February, and I just found it--the sketch and the splattered paper--waiting for all the ink hatching.

8 comments:

  1. This is quite evocative...It does look like the music is flowing through him, channeling from the mysterious atmosphere surrounding him, and pouring forth.

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  2. Your work is very spiritual. I think you're a kind of messenger. You're like a channel for the souls of the people you draw.
    Looks like some kind of a home made instrument he's playing.

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  3. Nicely done -- realistic and very expressive.

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  4. the face. the hands. and the splatter texture.
    Conveys a real earthy message of its own; very evocative of the angst and humanity of I'd say folk~blues. Brings to mind Blind Willie Johnson.


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  5. I have a great fondness for pen and ink, and this piece is a fine example. Nice textures and mood.

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  6. I love your thoughts on musicians, and being close to nature, and I really like the drawing, too.

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  7. Excellent work with the light & shadows! Nicely done!

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