Frottage Figures

Lately I’ve been using a surrealist technique to start my drawings. I have a lot of packing paper, which I flatten out and rub with charcoal. After staring at it I draw a figure inspired by the wrinkles. Sometimes the figure has no connection with me, but often I see a pose, draw it then realize it is from a model I drew in the past, and the wrinkles have brought back a forgotten memory.

Drawn in January 2023, I did a drawing of Hannah in this pose back in March 2022, but variations of it are not uncommon

Drawn in January 2023, although I don’t remember the actual pose, I can easily see that it is Kuan, whom I haven’t drawn for many years now, she has a distinctive style and is one of the greatest models I have worked with, her essence is firmly fixed in my subconsciousness

Twisting and Turning

Just a few 5 minute sketches after an extended dry period, for both artist and model, Darina

Some Toned Paper

Some drawings on toned paper, actually red rosin paper used for protecting floors during construction. It has a nice tooth and comes in big rolls.

Hannah Kneeling, pastel on toned paper, 36×30 , 03/2022

Hannah Floating, pastel on toned paper, 36×30, 03/2022

Sculpture In Ice

I was one of 10 chosen artists to participate in the First Annual Governors Island Ice Sculpture Show in February. Here is my original proposal “New York Oyster” and the finished piece. We had 2 hours to carve the ice, 40x20x10 inches. Unfortunately after about 30 minutes, I cut myself when the die grinder I was using kicked back. Most of the carving was done with my direction by Thomas Brown, my mentor from the Okamoto Studio. At the end of the day, I had the extensor tendon in my left index finger re-connected and a dozen stitches. Still, lots of fun and I learned a lot. Ice is a really interesting media, soft but hard, transparent and temporary.

Original concept, charcoal

1/8 scale maquette

Ready to carve with template

Before “torching” Photo by Vilma Staiano

After “torching”

Time to Change the World

Thanksgiving in the States make me reflect on how we are/aren’t going to survive and The film “The Cabinet of Dr Caligari” came to mind.

Handstand à la Dr. C. 24×18 pastel 11/2021

Self portrait in the Studio, pastel 24×18, 11/2021

Bruce as Lantern-less Diogenes, pastel on newsprint, 24×18, 11/2021

Long Summer

Its been a long summer, lots of disruptions as everyone in the world has experienced, but here are some drawings, done over the past few months, mostly from old sketches, but I recently have been hiring live models again, fully vaccinated, of course.

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  Bruce Diving board, selfportrait

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  Shadow Dance

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  Jack Nght

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  Ha Twins

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  Ha Listening

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  Resting

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  Ha Waving Off

some pastels, 18×24, 06/2021 – 09/2021

Moving Images

Just a short dance of one minute poses by Ha.

Arising from Rip Van Winkle

As I emerge from the mental chaos of the past year, more subjects are showing up, its great to have live models again!

Ha Twins, pastel 18×24 4/2021

Couple, pastel, 18×24, 4/2021

Ha’s Back, charcoal, 18×24, 4/2021

Selfies – the Old Fashioned Way

Self studies, as I am the only model I have in my isolation-pod!

Self-study 24×18 pastel, 2/2021

Going for the Jab, 24×18 pastel, 2/2021

B Leaving, 24×18 pastel, 2/2021

As Time Goes By

Still working off of old drawings and the mirror, but luckily I have had many great models in the past and am looking to the future.

Maria Pink, 18×24, pastel by Bruce Williams 11/2020

Bruce Brown, 18×24, pastel , by Bruce Williams 11/2020

Jack Yellow, 18×24, pastel, by Bruce Williams 11/2020