Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday Sketches from July 25 '10 (the apostrophe indicating the numerals "2 and 0", which distinguish the century of the said date) :)



















I call this one "Pondering Lehi's Dream", which in Mormonism is a tongue-in-cheek euphemism for "sleeping in church". Sleeping people are my favorite. So entertaining, lol

On that note, greetings all, and happy 25th of July. I have set a couple of new goals this week:

The first, make sure I post every Sunday night. I am constantly drawing, but I want to be more consistent in actually scanning and posting my work to get this blog pumping. My goal is to inspire other artists to use their talents for good, and to tell stories that need to be told. Not to mention, have fun lol :)

The second, is within a years' time to have published a comic book. July 24 is the date. I'll keep you guys updated if you'll keep me accountable ; )

Anyway, here are some of my sketches from church and lazing about the house today:




















This I sketched while watching the documentary "Journey of Faith: The New World". It's a Nephite hut, partially based on one of the lodges the film crew stayed in, partially based on ruins of the Chachapoya people, and partially imagination. I've been trying to learn more about ancient buildings and construction techniques lately, it's very interesting. I think that the people at the public library are getting sick of me though :)




















This I sketched while watching the same documentary. It's Captain Moroni, who is quite possibly one of the most awesome people ever to tread dirt. There is no doubt in my mind that if he were attacked simultaneously by Chuck Norris, Steven Segal, and Jean Cluade Van Damme that he would hogtie them with their own blackbelts (No offense guys, I give you full props, but it's true).

I was just thinking about Moroni, and the attitude he had about his dreams. It wasn't a matter of "Can I do it?" but of "This needs to happen. Now here's how it's going to happen". Nothing stood in his way. He had absolute faith in God, and absolute confidence in himself. He was obedient and humble to God and his servants, yet fearless and courageous in the face of his enemies. He was extremely talented, and with his accomplishments could have had any life he wanted, but instead he lived purely to serve.

Recently I've been getting kind of discouraged about the possibility of accomlishing some of my dreams, but Moroni is an inspiration to me.



















The sketch above is of the Savior descending to meet the Nephite people after his death and resurrection (3 Nephi 11:8, page 428). I have always loved the image of the savior shining, descending through the clouds to teach his people. This drawing is an experiment in inking, which I don't know much about but a skill I will need if I am to publish the aforementioned comic.



















This last one is actually an older pastel drawing, from the summer of 2009. I was serving as a missionary in Couer D' Alene, Idaho at the time. I found it because I have gone back to finish an old mission sketchbook, which has kind of a neat story. You see, when I left to serve a full-time mission, I wanted it to be exactly that, full-time. I wanted to dedicate all of my time to the service of the Lord. This meant, in my mind, less drawing. Or at least, not a serious sketchbook to distract me. I brought along some painting materials, but left my sketchbook at home. It was a sacrifice for me; I have a very real need, as much as breathing, sleeping, or eating, to create and express. Then, when I was serving in Cheney, Washington, a girl we were teaching surprised me one day. She presented me with a beautiful black sketchbook. It was so kind and thoughtful of her. Then, within two weeks, Sister Clark, the wife of my mission president, presented me with another sketchbook. I looked up at the sky and told God, "Okay, I can take a hint!"

Above is one of the drawings from that book. It is oil pastel, a depiction of the Savior's suffering on the cross. I tried to capture what small part of the emotion I could fathom, though I doubt anyone could really understand. I suppose that is why painters, sculptors, musicians, and other artists revisit it so often.

2 comments:

  1. :) I think if Captain Moroni was attacked simultaneously by Chuck Norris, Steven Segal, and Jean Cluade Van Damme, the three would end up becoming Captain Moroni's royal friends and would not dare to attack him ever again, and would give up their own lives to protect him

    These are great

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