The Boy from the Bus Stop - Color Scheme Piece

Pencil, watercolor, pen and ink, paper

Fun Fact: This actually happened.

Possibly will be continued....

Not At Home

Cardboard, acrylic paint, National Geographic clippings, another bucket of glue

This collage is the result of losing my pencil case for about a week and not being able to draw anything. I knew I was going to do a collage because I honestly had no other choice, but I didn't know what it was going to be about. After flipping through some National Geographic magazines I decided to make a social commentary about how the indigenous people of - most countries, let's face it - but particularly Australia, are treated by the white government and society. I wanted to communicate their displacement in modern Australia, and draw attention to people I worry we have forgotten about.

Sun Bun (Samantha in the Flowers)

Carboard, acrylic paint, fabric, black thread, paper, pencil, watercolor, sharpie, an entire bucket of fabric glue

This is a portrait of my best friend Samantha. It is a representation of our times together and also how I see her as a person. I have never embroidered anything before or incorporated fabric into my works, but decided to do so for this piece as it is something she has recently been doing. 

Traffic

Watercolor, pencil, paper

Sex trafficking is an issue that really pisses me off and I wanted to describe it in this piece. I think that the only way to overcome such issues is to educate ourselves and others about them and that is what I am trying to accomplish here - make people understand that this is something that is happening, right now, at this very moment. It's easy to remain immobile when something doesn't effect us. In this painting I hope to effect others. 

Repetition Piece - Sunflowers in the Rain

Acrylic on Wood

Summer Homework part 2 - Comics

'Grill'd Burgers'

Pencil and watercolor

Summer Homework

'Why can't Hannah Speak?'
Pencil and watercolor

Well, what can I say, this piece explores the frustrating impediment of being socially awkward. It also is about learning to say what you really want to say to people, other than the usual garble you force out just to say something. I think it's very difficult for most people to speak up about things that are important, rather than just hiding away, scared you might offend someone with your opinion, or make a situation worse.

'You Burned My Skin'
Pencil and watercolor

I'm puzzled sometimes how touch can be either so memorable or nothing at all in our minds, depending on the person. One person could slap us and we wouldn't feel it. Another person could slap us and our skin would sear for days. One person could hug you and their touch is like a feather. Another person could hug you and their warmth would remain with you for a long time. 

'Breaking Away'
Pencil and watercolor

Sometimes we are so consumed by an emotion or a fear, or we feel so inside ourselves that often we imagine we might explode. I wanted to express that experience by drawing it literally. 

'A Year and a Half'
Pencil

This image is about how strongly we are sometimes drawn to particular people, but how that doesn't always work out for the better, and how there often isn't time or space for that person in your life at present. It's also about missing someone, and having no way to change your circumstances to be with them.

'The man in the Mask'
Pencil and watercolor

For this piece I wanted to explore the various stories one could assume from a single image. One person might think that the fox in this picture is tricking the girl by putting a mask on, in order to steal the eggs in her basket. But another person might see the fox as putting on a mask solely so he can kiss the girl. Also, I just kind of felt like drawing a fox in a suit....

'Babushka'
Pencil and watercolor

I drew and painted this image after going to  a Russian bakery with my stepmother during the summer. I have always had a bit of an obsession with foreign language and culture, particularly Russian, so I explored that a bit in this artwork. I researched Eastern European folk art prior (that's where the design for the little chicken came from).

'Dad'
Pencil

I like taking quick sketches of people whenever I can, particularly my Dad who has a face I have never quite been able to perfectly capture on paper. However, this one has come the closest. I drew it at the breakfast table while he was eating his six pieces of toast and drinking his bucket of coffee.