A Colored Pencil Lark

Riverbank Willow, 9" X 14", 2006, inquire here for print.

Ever try to work with something you never tried before?  I just wanted to see if I could do it.  I had been reading about Prismacolor and all its wonderful luminous possiblities.   I've been using this coloring medium for years in illustration in a completely different way into pen and ink understructure.  I just had to have a whack at this as an example of colored pencil alone.  I think of this as a road test for a possible new direction.  The actual piece is a bit softer, less contrasty. 

As  for the scene, it reminds of the little people.  There aren't any in it though--then it would be mere illustration.  I'm trying to remain respectable here. 

I took some work down to a respectable Annapolis gallery right on the main drag next to the warf--you know, where they used to sell slaves.  The lady looked at my work and eventually asked what I did for a living.  I proudly told her I was an illustrator.  She retorted all too quickly, "Oh we don't show illustrators work here".  "But I'm not showing illustration I'm showing art," I said.  Her look told me to pack up my sorry crap and get out.  I asked if I could have a look around.  She said, "sure".  As I made my way to the very back of the gallery there it was--a scratchboard illustration of a frickin elephant.  I busted out laughing, made my way to the front of the place and out.  To this day I would rather pull my fingernails out than go to an art gallery.  OK that's a bit harsh.  But I never mention I'm an illustrator to maintain respect.

Meanwhile, I showed this to some art directors as a prime example of colored pencil virtuousity and they tended to say "...yeah, but it doesn't say anything--to be a great illustration it has to say something."

Wm