Showing posts with label fine art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fine art. Show all posts
Moby Dick the White Whale
"Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear!"
- Moby Dick, Herman Melville
Taking on classic literature is hard, but this piece ended up being even harder than I expected. So, for a time, it was my white whale, but conquer it I did. I know it's not polite to say so, but it's a real beauty.
It's available for purchase at Artshak gallery in Southport along with some of my other work if you're interested.
Sold! Nude Study on Drapery
by David Finley
Just wanted to celebrate here before I go swim in my giant bin of money. :)
Just wanted to celebrate here before I go swim in my giant bin of money. :)
Skelly Cat in the Grass
by David Finley
Another Skelly picture, this one based off an old photo of him I happened to come across. He was an awesome cat.
Another Skelly picture, this one based off an old photo of him I happened to come across. He was an awesome cat.
Make Your Art Feel Sexy Again
by David Finley
Making a living as an artist is tough. Deadlines are getting shorter and shorter, and your time drawing isn't as fun as it used to be. It seems like you're doing too much work with not enough return on investment and the projects you've been hired to do are cliche' and unfulfilling. You wouldn't even add them to your portfolio.
Sure you might still say it's a labor of love to your friends, but what you really mean is your painting is a demanding and unforgiving mistress who will never ever let you rest. Oh, if only she would just shut up and leave you alone! Where's the tv?
You once beamed as you told your friends what you did for a living. Now, the thrill is gone. Maybe you're wondering why you and art ever fell in love in the first place.
What has art done for you lately?
It's certainly not making you feel like that child who first picked up a crayon and watched as their drawing came alive. You used to lay in bed fantasizing about your next piece, but lately you find yourself putting a pillow over your head trying to forget the commission due in two days. Plus you saw art flirting with another artist the other day at the gallery open house. What was that about?
Maybe she doesn't love you anymore. Would she be better off with someone else? Do you still love her?
Then, you remember how she made you feel alive like nothing else. You remember when you swore you'd die without her. You remember when you worked at that coffee house for tips just so you'd have enough money for you and art to get better acquainted in college. And, after all these years, admittedly, art is still looking pretty damned good, even with all those children you made together.
She has become a means to an end who you've drained of everything she originally had to offer you. You used her for money! Now, she might leave you. But, there is hope.
Art still loves you. So, don't be afraid. Go out and get her.
She just needs to know she is still sexy to you. When was the last time you attended a figure drawing class together? Have you made a point to doodle just for the sheer pleasure of being together? Will you let yourself get lost in her lines, textures and curves? Will you lose hours in he presence?
Make your art feel sexy again. Rekindle your romance. Take the time to savor her presence. Trust me, if you reach out to her, she will make you feel like that child again picking up a crayon for the very first time.
She will love you passionately, again. I promise.
The road you have traveled together is only the beginning. With rekindled fire, you and art will make better paintings, drawings, sculpture, and mixed media pieces than ever before.You will discover new ways to experience her, and in turn, she will bring out the best in who you are.
Thanks for reading, Scofflaws!
Dave, Grand Poobah of all Scofflaws.
By the way, you can buy this print at my Society6 shop. It's also available as a laptop skin, iphone case, and greeting card. Thanks for supporting the Haven!
No longer just two kids in love
Admit it, you don't love art like you used to.Making a living as an artist is tough. Deadlines are getting shorter and shorter, and your time drawing isn't as fun as it used to be. It seems like you're doing too much work with not enough return on investment and the projects you've been hired to do are cliche' and unfulfilling. You wouldn't even add them to your portfolio.
Sure you might still say it's a labor of love to your friends, but what you really mean is your painting is a demanding and unforgiving mistress who will never ever let you rest. Oh, if only she would just shut up and leave you alone! Where's the tv?
You once beamed as you told your friends what you did for a living. Now, the thrill is gone. Maybe you're wondering why you and art ever fell in love in the first place.
What has art done for you lately?
It's certainly not making you feel like that child who first picked up a crayon and watched as their drawing came alive. You used to lay in bed fantasizing about your next piece, but lately you find yourself putting a pillow over your head trying to forget the commission due in two days. Plus you saw art flirting with another artist the other day at the gallery open house. What was that about?
Maybe she doesn't love you anymore. Would she be better off with someone else? Do you still love her?
Then, you remember how she made you feel alive like nothing else. You remember when you swore you'd die without her. You remember when you worked at that coffee house for tips just so you'd have enough money for you and art to get better acquainted in college. And, after all these years, admittedly, art is still looking pretty damned good, even with all those children you made together.
Rekindle your Romance with Art
No one enjoys admitting this, but one day you will realize the blame is on you. With all those commissions you've just been using art to fulfill your own needs. She didn't want to do that photo realistic portrait of your friend Barney and his six kids. Sh wanted to ,make that mixed media piece about encroaching technology and man's place in society. You made her make that portrait neither of you enjoyed just so you could earn more money.She has become a means to an end who you've drained of everything she originally had to offer you. You used her for money! Now, she might leave you. But, there is hope.
Art still loves you. So, don't be afraid. Go out and get her.
She just needs to know she is still sexy to you. When was the last time you attended a figure drawing class together? Have you made a point to doodle just for the sheer pleasure of being together? Will you let yourself get lost in her lines, textures and curves? Will you lose hours in he presence?
Make your art feel sexy again. Rekindle your romance. Take the time to savor her presence. Trust me, if you reach out to her, she will make you feel like that child again picking up a crayon for the very first time.
She will love you passionately, again. I promise.
The road you have traveled together is only the beginning. With rekindled fire, you and art will make better paintings, drawings, sculpture, and mixed media pieces than ever before.You will discover new ways to experience her, and in turn, she will bring out the best in who you are.
Thanks for reading, Scofflaws!
Dave, Grand Poobah of all Scofflaws.
By the way, you can buy this print at my Society6 shop. It's also available as a laptop skin, iphone case, and greeting card. Thanks for supporting the Haven!
Artistic Nude Figure Drawing- Artistic Tradition or Scandal?
by David Finley
What comes to your mind when you hear the words, "nude figure drawing"?
Do you equate those words with neon lit signs that say "Live Nude Girls" or club marques that say "We Bare All"? Perchance, might you picture an over-crowded sin filled room of leering male artists, eye pawing the delicate flesh of a young girl who has thrown away her self esteem to pay for college? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then I say welcome. This open letter is for you, friend:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I'm sure you've heard the usual defenses: "Artists look at the nude human body much in the same academic and objective way a doctor does." "There's nothing sexual about the study of the nude form in an academic setting." "Studying the nude female and male form in a live sitting is the only way to train the mind to understand the composition and visual make-up of the form."
To these arguments you say, "Phooey and fiddlesticks! That rubbish won't turn my moral compass."
I hear you. We artists are after all a bunch of scofflaws, which is why this Haven was started in the first place.
Let me be the first artist to applaud your virtue, but also let me pose a question if I might... Are you being completely, totally, and one hundred percent fair in your opinion of nude figure drawing?
I will concede you might be. In which case, you've attended these figure drawing sessions in person, judged them for yourself, noticed a good majority of the artists are women, not men, and still thought lust an issue as you meticulously drew a foot, laboring fervently to get the placement and shape just right. I must say, your commitment to detail and self examination makes me like you all the more.
Of course you didn't form your opinion based on TV shows or movies either, which glamorize and sexualize the experience, showing a fantasy world where the artist woos his diamond necklace adorned model in a tawdry affair. You're far too savvy to have fallen for that. Besides, your virtue is too ironclad to allow you to watch movies like that in the first place. It's obvious you formed your opinion carefully, without preconception.
Indeed, I can hardly contain the sunburst my respect for you has become. So, I fold my hands in surrender. I will no longer endeavor to persuade you away from the concept that it is a shameful notion to pursue the study of life drawing and its associated moral depravities.
I should thank you for saving me many future headaches.
Ever your friend,
The Artist
What comes to your mind when you hear the words, "nude figure drawing"? Do you equate those words with neon lit signs that say "Live Nude Girls" or club marques that say "We Bare All"? Perchance, might you picture an over-crowded sin filled room of leering male artists, eye pawing the delicate flesh of a young girl who has thrown away her self esteem to pay for college? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then I say welcome. This open letter is for you, friend:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I'm sure you've heard the usual defenses: "Artists look at the nude human body much in the same academic and objective way a doctor does." "There's nothing sexual about the study of the nude form in an academic setting." "Studying the nude female and male form in a live sitting is the only way to train the mind to understand the composition and visual make-up of the form."
To these arguments you say, "Phooey and fiddlesticks! That rubbish won't turn my moral compass."
I hear you. We artists are after all a bunch of scofflaws, which is why this Haven was started in the first place.
Let me be the first artist to applaud your virtue, but also let me pose a question if I might... Are you being completely, totally, and one hundred percent fair in your opinion of nude figure drawing?
I will concede you might be. In which case, you've attended these figure drawing sessions in person, judged them for yourself, noticed a good majority of the artists are women, not men, and still thought lust an issue as you meticulously drew a foot, laboring fervently to get the placement and shape just right. I must say, your commitment to detail and self examination makes me like you all the more.
Of course you didn't form your opinion based on TV shows or movies either, which glamorize and sexualize the experience, showing a fantasy world where the artist woos his diamond necklace adorned model in a tawdry affair. You're far too savvy to have fallen for that. Besides, your virtue is too ironclad to allow you to watch movies like that in the first place. It's obvious you formed your opinion carefully, without preconception.
Indeed, I can hardly contain the sunburst my respect for you has become. So, I fold my hands in surrender. I will no longer endeavor to persuade you away from the concept that it is a shameful notion to pursue the study of life drawing and its associated moral depravities.
I should thank you for saving me many future headaches.
Ever your friend,
The Artist
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