Punchinello, Mourning

A second piece inspired by a book about Domenico Tiepolo's Punchinello drawings. Some of the biographical sources I checked flatly state that the artist was born  in 1726, while others just as confidently state 1727. The Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Data on my book's copyright page states 1726 but with a question mark after it. And that's why I followed the Library of Congress' subject heading for the gravestone's inscription... as if you were really wondering.

The Good Shepherd

When I was a child my grandmother gave me the above plaque as a Christmas gift (yes, the colors are off and it has a distracting flash. I never was a very good photographer). I've often wondered who was the artist. There is no signature and no title. Not only am I a terrible photographer, I'm also a terrible detective, so I have no idea how to track down the information. If you know who the artist is, I'd be delighted if you'd tell me. Oh, the accompanying pencil sketch is merely my feeble attempt to copy the image.

Credit where credit is due! Almost a month after posting the above, I discovered the artist was Bernhard Plockhorst.

Character in Search of a Fairy Tale

I have a book written by Adelheid Gealt that is about Domenico Tiepolo's Punchinello drawings and every time I look at it I think that I should try a doodle of the character... but, for one reason or another, I never do. As you can tell by the hat, this started out as a Punch-type individual but it quickly got away from me and degenerated into just another fairy tale type character. Ah well!

Bartleby, the Scribbler

"So," he smiled, "correct me if I'm wrong..."

"Oh, brother!" I interjected, "That's bound to be a never-ending job!"

"But," he continued unperturbed, "didn't Poe want to have his own magazine?"

Adventure Man Returns!

"Adventure Man" number two is available from Sparkle Comics (www.sparklecomics.com) or, if you live in the Dayton area, the finer comic book shops. Grab your copy today! With exciting editing by Matthew Brassfield, powerful print formatting by Juliet Fromholt, courageous cover colors by Jason Gilmore, scintillating story by Jeremy Hoyt and Matt and some odds and ends by me, you know it will be a fun read. Join in the adventure!

Weathered

Since I couldn't think of anything to draw, I opened an old magazine for inspiration and chanced upon a photograph of an actor. Now, because I'm rarely successful in capturing likenesses, I thought I'd use his middle-aged features for reference to aid me in drawing an imaginary older person. I put the magazine away after roughing in the head, certain no one would ever suspect (or care) about my source. That's when Kathy walked by, said the face reminded her of someone and then amazed me by guessing the thespian (although, to be honest, it took her two tries). I was so surprised that I didn't even think to tell her she guessed correctly. In fact, I was so stunned that I quit working on the drawing, which is why the picture looks the way it does. I'm not so bedazzled with Kathy's keen detective abilities now, however, since she's been walking by as I type this and keeps guessing more and more people, most of whom I've never heard of. Still, it does make me wonder if anyone else could ever guess the model's identity.

One-Eyed Jack

The sun was beginning to set by the time I eluded my final pursuer. Having a moment to rest, I studied my surroundings. I had never been this far in the woods before. Some things ... or some thing... was moving in the overhead canopy, but the dying light and thick clumps of leaves kept the source of the rustling well hidden. Some distance to the left a full-throated basso choir of frogs commenced their evening performance. Dropping on the moss and resting my head against a dead sycamore, I thought, "So, water's close by and, in theory, the mosquitoes should be few. Not bad. I've slept in worse places." I then closed my eyes and fell instantly asleep.