Sometimes when I draw there is nothing but the sound of my heart and the drawing medium on the surface. Other times in my head it sounds more like this.

http://youtu.be/71hNl_skTZQ

Last week I finally got back into the studio. I wasn't feeling like I would be productive but, something happened and I began experimenting with a new drawing that in a relative of the sounding series. I'm not sure this is the language for the whole series but I have found some new interactions that need more investigation.  I only made one drawing. It took me more than 8 hours. Will I make more or make something different? Not sure yet.

The first draw of white matte undercoat.

I used a plastic putty knife to drag a thin layer a skin of sorts in a long stripe. The sheet is Yupo. That means anything applied to the surface must air dry. That can take a considerable amount of time. I was pleased with the variation of the white paint. The translucency is  perfect for the metaphor of sounding.

A whole layer of new marks came into play as I discovered something that needed to be just below the surface. I know that is cryptic but it's true and I can't explain it any better than that. Looking forward to reviewing the drawings again and determining what other marks are missing.

Leaving the drawings waiting too long can melt them.

It was good to get in the studio. There is a calmness and sense of purpose in wiping down all my work surfaces and assembling my drawing supplies and tools.

Selecting the paper.

Placing containers of graphite, pastels, and charcoal on the work table.

Now in silence waiting. Waiting to begin.

Sorting photos and came upon this one. Wearing shorts, nice. Right now wearing long johns.

Just thinking that I haven't done this in a while. I still remember how to I think. Heading to the studio Sunday to find out. Getting drawings for the 3rd Street Gallery Community Show together. Looking for something I have framed and ready to go. How much are three entries again?

I'll be letting you know what happens and if I am together enough to make the deadline.

Finally after numerous conversations with suppliers and fabricators — thank you all — I was able to frame the five selected drawings for Songlines.

I carried the framed drawings to our local UPS Store and the staff protected them.

The Egyptian waters series is one of the few situations where I am seated when I draw. They require an immaculately clean space to work in. The pens require enough ink to complete the drawing without any waste. It is drawing of an exacting posture and state of mind.

It takes a considerable amount of time to prepare the area where I will draw. The table is emptied of everything, every tool and scrap of paper. The table is wiped down three times and the tools are cleaned. Then the paper is laid and the simple grid is drawn in pencil.

Having a little bit of trouble getting my new theme to work with the old image data uploads. Working on it. I'm into process and you're getting to see the ugliness of it right here. I was using some odd hacks to make this all work before. Much retrofitting going on for back posts but the new ones should be fine.

It will all be fine – soon.