I guess you would call them "Sketch Notes"

I often take notes based on what I'm learning -- either from what I read, or during lectures I attend.  I have always done it, and I'm sure it helps me to focus and to process what I'm learning.  These were notes I made while reading a book called "But I'm not a Reading Teacher" by Amy Benjamin.  These are a little more polished than the once I typically do, since I shared them with a book group I'm part of.

For more about Sketchnotes, visit the Sketchnote Army. 

Halcolm & The Fruit of Qualitative Methods

Vessel of Transformation

Vessel of Transformation
Colored Pencil
February 2013

A lot of my art is inspired by art that has gone before. I am mesmerized by Lichtenstein, and I placed a container on some patterned paper I had. As I drew the image, the distortions and reflections reminded me of Bridget Riley's Op Art.

Early alchemists aspired to profound powers -- such as elixir of life conferring youth or longevity. A later approach was to look at the soul as the vessel of transformation. As I was drawing it, I thought of a container of magic potion, or a vessel that can change the way things are.

Halcolm and the Perceptions of Causation

Comics about Work and Home

 

Braque & Gris

Picasso and Braque developed the style of cubism. Juan Gris was their most enthusiastic disciple. Braque admired his work, but thought he got a bit too formulaic about it. This comic illustrates a story Braque used to like to tell.

Apophenia, Circutious, War Stories, etc.

 Apophenia has been defined as the experience of seeing meaningful patterns or connections in random or meaningless data.Nate does it all the time!

 

 I am discovering that the secrets to cartooning is to surround yourself with funny people and just draw what they say.  My Dad has a great sense of humor as he relates war stories from WW2, so I've made a few comics about that.  My son David has very strong opinions about movies he's seen, so I drew the Nicolas Cage Ghost Rider comic strip and the Dr. Who comic.

I've also drawn another comic about what it means to me to be an artist.  It does seem like I'm jumping around a lot, but I think I am starting to land on only a few major themes.