tree drawing II

“Afterflood” Pencil on acid free Illustration Board 40” x 30”

This almost kicked my ass, I started it in early April completed it the last day of August.

In the area where I live there is a flood plain, every spring these trees are by and large underwater. I came upon this place when the waters receded- I was blown away by the complex movements of line; limbs, branches, twigs and brambles that seemed to be hanging on for dear life. Because it was this complex I had to draw it, the composition was inspired by one of my heroes Franz Kline, often abstraction is the catalyst to my compositions, my previous drawing being inspired by Pollock. The unexpected difficulty in drawing thousands of branches weaving over and under, lost lines, found lines and keeping track of all of it was a bit crazy, but rather Zen at the same time. I worked form life, photos and pieces of twigs that I collected it was quite the journey. After almost eight months on trees I’m off to do a portrait, can't wait.

detail [link]