Impossible Hair and Dos Manos

Of late I have been spending too much time in my design programs that I am starting to go a bit crazy. I am now having dreams in which I create the world with Photoshop. While amazing and a bit god like I believe it to be a warning sign that I should devote some of my art time in another medium.

I didn't know at first what I wanted to do but on Wednesday after a particularly stressful day I sought refuge in a very unhealthy place for my wallet...T-Square. I don't go in there too much or many art stores as they're always extremely overpriced but much cheaper then therapy. I'm sure most artists will agree with me that the moment you step into an art store any horrible issues you are going through just melt away. You walk around touching different papers and running your fingers over brushes. It might sound odd and possibly something you would be asked to cease and desist doing in any other store but an art store has it's own quirky rules.

While in there I ambled down the isle with pastels which I adore the smell of. I realize how strange this must be but someone once told me that certain smells associate themselves with moments in your life. Such as anytime it's winter and I smell cigarettes I think it's Christmas because my Grandmother smoked and I used to see her most around Christmas. It's the same for pastels especially oil pastels. When I smell them I remember the first major project I did with in high school trying to recreate some of Botticelli's angels. Or the time in college when my hands were covered in pastels and I wiped my face not realizing it till someone in another class asked me if it was a new fashion statement. Sufice to say pastels always put a smile on my face and that is why I chose to do something with them.

It's been about 4-5 years since I have done anything in this medium let alone actually drawn. I sketch a lot but they are mostly scribbles of ideas nothing fine and fluid like a drawing. So it took me a few frustrating hours getting back into the swing of it with varied results. I do believe that I have the drawing done, of course this might change as I stare at it more. Usually though after I put it up here I stop obsessing over it too much.

It's based off a photograph I found on devitART of a girl with just impossible hair. My take on it seems to draw from The Day of the Dead because I have been listening to The Stevedores and 100 Monkeys too much lately and I associate their music with that type of art. Especially the song "The Day the Stranger Came to Dos Manos" which is why I'm fairly sure I want to title it "Rosa" Any nice critiques are welcome, which I'm sure just means Jess as I don't know if anyone else reads this.