Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Biophilia

Biophilia is a term coined by the great sociobiologist, E.O. Wilson in his 1984 book, Biophilia . In that book, Wilson hypothesised that humans possess and innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. In the last several years, there has been a renewed interest this concept, particularly in respect to interior design. Here is a selection of nature inspired abstract compositions designed to bring the outside in. To see more of this work, please visit the Biophilia section of my recently redesigned site: click here.

Abstract Plant Forms 3

Abstract Plant Forms 5

Seed Mandala 2

Abstract Pandt Forms 8


Abstract Grass Forms 5


Pine Needles 2


Abstract Plant Forms 4


Abstract Plant Forms 8



Monday, September 11, 2017

Word Drawings - Summer 2017

Here are several of the many word drawings that I did over the summer, chronicling what was on my mind. I found a quantity of Arches 90 lb hot press in my flat files, cut a bunch of sheets into 8.5 by 11 sizes and went at it.





Frisky Noxema 6/12/17
Liplock Ecosystem 6/24/17
Bean Pot Head 7/31/17

Hot Season Riptide 7/24/17

Vodka Breath 7/3/17






Tuesday, June 27, 2017

My Portrait Project 3

Here's another installment of my portrait project. As some of you may know, I have been working my way through an old set of World Book Encyclopedias that was bestowed on the Mayforth kids by our parents in the early 60's, drawing the portraits of the famous and infamous. As a history buff, it has been great to learn about these characters as well as getting familiar with their physiognomy. How many can you recognize? You can see previous posts about that project here and here.


James Forrestal - the first Secretary of Defense - appointed by Truman
Juliea Clifford Lathrop - American social reformer - director of US Children's Bureau -
 first woman to head a federal bureau

Mackinlay Kantor - American journalist, novelist and screenwriter
won Pulizer Prize for Fiction for his novel, Andersonville
John "Cactus Jack" Garner - Democratic politician and lawyer from Texas
32nd Vice President of the US

Charles Fairbanks - American politician from Indiana
26th Vice President of the US
Rudyard Kipling - English journalist, short story writer, poet and novelist

Harvey Firestone - American businessman - founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Manchester's Neighborhood Stores

This past semester I have been teaching an illustration course and a history of illustration course at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester, NH. Since I am in town on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have an hour and forty minutes lunch, I decided to explore Manchester on foot, taking lengthy walks during my lunch break. Each day I would follow my nose and see what I could see. At some point it dawned on me that I was coming across quite a few pretty cool neighborhood stores and maybe I should chronicle them with my smart phone. So I started seeking them out. These stores are in some of the funkier neighborhoods and their clientele seems to be folks that for some reason are unable to get to the outskirts of town, where the large supermarkets are.
































Thursday, March 16, 2017

Sketchbook Word Drawings - Jan-Feb 2017

Here's a new batch sketchbook word drawings.  I have been doing these as the mood strikes me.The words are free associated. I only use a dictionary for spelling, because I ain't that great a speller.

Lava Dome 2-15-17

Smartass - 1-6-17

Ginky 1-9-17
Schnizzle 1-31-17

Turd Muffin 2-1-17

Chemical Godiva 2-7-17

Thursday, January 12, 2017

My Portrait Project 2

Here's another batch of portraits in my portrait project. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am making my way through an old set of World Book Encyclopedias as a way of sharpening my portraiture skills. See my previous post here. I have also been taking some of these sketchbook drawings to finish in color. I am using bright color and textures to give these sometimes creaky characters a new, more contemporary life. Many notables here. Too bad they are often lost to history. See more of my finished portraits in color on my site.



Joseph Conrad
British Novelist

Claud DebusseyFrench Composer

Thomas E. DeweyJust missed being President

Lee DeForrest
American Inventor - pioneered wireless telegraphy and radio broadcasting


Richard Harding Davis
American Adventurer, War Correspondent and Writer