Diana

Jimmie Arroyo · 05-03-2005, 02:17 PM

There's nothing wrong with speed as long as everything works, but there's also nothing wrong with taking your time for the same reason. I personally don't want to go quick on my work, maybe the commissions, not on my own stuff.

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I'm thinking I need to spend A LOT more time on my pastels. Speed is definitely not my friend.

Lisa, I hope you did'nt take it the wrong way about you only taking two hours. Just the opposite, bless you for only taking two hours, but making it look like it took you much longer. I simply enjoy taking my time, I'm in a business of rushing; I can tattoo a portrait in less than two hours. I just love creating, so I feel like I'm cheating myself doing something quick. Keep doing what you're doing, your speed must contribute to the freshness of the pieces.

Like David mentioned about the inexperience, it's the extra thinking I can do without. Struggling with color ends up taking so much of my time. I can't speak for David, but I would guess that half of the time I take on a pastel is stress.

David, you make it look pretty easy, and your closeups don't look caked on which is why I assumed you may be doing these quickly and somewhat stress-free. Some people don't think I'm stressing, but there are many layers in my work, and those layers are due to trial and error, not creativity.

Anyhoo, David, more work, please.

David Draime · 05-03-2005, 04:13 PM

Lisa, first of all, thank you so much for your comments - coming from a great pastellist like you, it means a lot! Jimmie is right. If you can do work - like "Lots 'o' Locks" - of that caliber - in two hours!!... don't knock it. What a gift! I still don't believe it (you are either lying, or exaggerating, or you are a freak of nature). So, really, speed is your friend. Or maybe, what you are really saying is that you are "on" speed when you do these pieces....hmmm....ok., now I'm starting to get it.

Yeah Jimmie, I think it's totally natural to stress out while figuring out a new medium. But it's true, I don't stress as much as I used to. I think part of that comes from teaching and seeing students get so wound up over a project they've barely begun. They've got three lines on their page and they're ready to tear it up "'cause it doesn't look good." That's an extreme example, of course, but I think we're all prone to moments like that, and I can recognize that tendency in myself. The frustration is all about doubt, isn't it? If we could only see the end of things, we'd relax quite a bit and let it all unfold - as it surely will. With every piece I do there is some struggle - the only thing I've ever done that was virtually stress-free was "'Abdu'l-Baha profile." I knew exactly what I wanted from the beginning and it was like following a script. It was great! Working with pastels is nothing like that, yet - maybe someday!

But my God Jimmie! You have nothing to worry about. Your work is so outstanding - if stress and pain is an invariable part of your process, if frustration is the "grist" for your "mill"...then just slather it on, brother, 'cause then pain is truly your friend!!

David Draime · 05-03-2005, 05:27 PM

Patricia, thank you so much! I'm especially pleased that you thought the colors were ok. It's what I struggled with most. It's posting a little bluer than the original...

Jean, I am so heartened that you don't think they look photographic or "photo-realist." That's not at all what I'm after and I get worried when others think so. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kimberly Dow · 05-03-2005, 07:42 PM

Just another 'wow!' What more is there to be said?

Michele Rushworth · 05-04-2005, 10:04 AM

David, this is jaw dropping. I love the soft contemplative feel (not depressing at all) and the color is very delicate and real.

See you in D.C.

John Reidy · 05-04-2005, 06:15 PM

David,

Inspiring!

There's not a false stroke to be found.

I was planning on posting one here but think I'll wait out of respect for this true work of art.

Hope to meet you next week.

Linda Brandon · 05-04-2005, 08:33 PM

David, this work is incredibly impressive. The skin modelling is especially fine and touchable, I have to go back and keep looking at it.

I am running across so many wonderful artists on this site that give me a lump in my throat. I'm really looking forward to meeting you next week.

Janel Maples · 05-05-2005, 12:28 AM

add my WOW!

Scott Bartner · 05-05-2005, 04:38 AM

David,

Waking up to see this portrait of yours, I couldn't bring myself to believe it was created, and with colored chalks none-the-less. The color, the texture, the mood and the overall purity of it, not a false note to be found, and beautiful even from close up--it is a gem. Congratulations.

Scott

David Draime · 05-05-2005, 11:25 AM

Allan, Claudemir and John, Thank you for your generous and gracious comments. John, it will be a great pleasure meeting you next week. I do wish the rest of you could be there!

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Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

I am running across so many wonderful artists on this site that give me a lump in my throat. I'm really looking forward to meeting you next week.

Linda, same here!! You're so right. It's inspiring and encouraging to be among such talented artists - and such generous and kind human beings.