“Angry Owl #2 – Original” by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, pastels, charcoal and acrylic on 10in x 12in canvas pad.
“Angry Owl #2 – Original” is probably a selfie on his smartphone.
“Angry Owl #2 – Digitised” [4th July 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork.
“Angry Owl #2 – Digitised” found himself in computer circuitry.
“Angry Owl #2 – Black & White” [4th July 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork.
“Angry Owl #2 – Black & White” walked onto the set of a 1920’s silent movie. Quickly he assumed this cunning mask to conceal his distinctive looks.
“Angry Owl #2 – Pixelated” [4th July 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork.
Caught up by mistaken identity “Angry Owl #2 – Pixelated” found himself in a Police line-up. ‘Pixelated’ was his disguise so you wouldn’t recognise him.
“Angry Owl #2 – Solarised” [4th July 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork.
As you can clearly see “Angry Owl #2 – Solarised” turned his face to the Sun. He wasn’t even on holiday at the time.
“Angry Owl #2 – Tracing Paper” [4th July 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork.
A keen student of H.G. Wells The Invisible Man, “Angry Owl #2 – Tracing Paper” went to art class in high school to perfect blending into any surrounding. I think by now you would all agree he is quite brilliant at camouflage.
“Angry Owl #2 – Montage” [4th July 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork.
“Angry Owl #2 – Montage” was released by secret services in order for the public to formally identify him, amidst all his aliases. We do not know where “Angry Owl #1” is either. Last information we have is that “Angry Owl #1” was placed into a refuse bin for no reason whatsoever.
To help identify “Angry Owl #1” here is the last known photograph:
“Angry Owl #1” [August 2010] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, pastels on board.
Please do not attempt to approach “Angry Owl #1” or “Angry Owl #2” as they are able to horizontally rotate their necks at extreme angles. Also, they are absolutely lethal to harvest mice.
Special skills: Ability to listen to you under one foot of snow.. whilst hovering airborne!
If you find “Angry Owl #1” please contact Matt The Unfathomable Artist as he is willing to trade one of his best currently available sketches for the safe return of “Angry Owl #1”.
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – TRACE” [27th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork derived from an original sketch in blue ballpoint ink pen and sunlight yellow pencil.
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – TRACE” finds me thinking about nature, rabbits, animation and music. How about you? What do you think looking at this artwork?
The original sketch (not shown) for these digital artworks in this blog article took me 20 minutes to produce. It was done spontaneously with very quick pen and pencil work to emulate the Van Gogh style for movement.
I am very happy with the artworks and the original, inspired by a Van Gogh drawing. I would like to mention that the artworks are produced from an original sketch and photograph by myself.
The photograph is actually shown at the end of this blog article.
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – Black & White” [27th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork derived from an original sketch in blue ballpoint ink pen and sunlight yellow pencil.
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – Black & White” reminds me of space and science-fiction. What about you? How do you feel looking at this artwork?
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – COMMAND” [27th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digital artwork derived from an original sketch in blue ballpoint ink pen and sunlight yellow pencil.
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – COMMAND” is powerful. I am reminded of 3D structures, electricity and the sense of touch. How about you? Do you have any particular feelings or thoughts as you view this artwork?
“Sunrays in Wildflower Meadow – photograph” [4th July 2022, 1935hrs] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
Hopefully I have brought the beauty within this landscape into my sketch and digital artworks, inspiring you in some way.
“Lakescape Feelings #1” [20th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, sketch with H, HB, 4B, 8B, sky-blue and charcoal pencils, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3092 x 2659 pixels.
“Lakescape Feelings #1” was produced in one draft of approximately half an hour. I had literally just seen a homely photograph of Picasso with his beloved dachshund dog. Instantly I searched for a photographic composition then readied my pencils and a canvas.
The photograph was taken on 27th January 2021, here it is:
“Lakescape Feelings #1 – photograph” [27th January 2021] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
I feel this artwork is somewhere between Impressionist and Abstract in art classification terms. The trees were made using my seismic waves style of drawing. Though not ‘perfect’ seismic waves in the way I usually produce. Perfect seismic waves are each drawn in one continuous line across the page.
For my seismic waves works I am quite specific with this. I feel this is being true to actual seismic waves produced with seismographs.
Here though in “Lakescape Feelings #1” I wanted the sense of seismic waves yet retaining the idea of trees. I guess this is my “Turner” inspiration at artmaking.
Creating the defined sense of something, obscured through rain, light, distance or some other optical artifact. Beyond pure abstraction itself of course.
Again, this artwork picks up on my use of blank canvas space. The pertinence of this artwork is linked to reading a news article regarding water sewage pollution in corporate business on.. that.. very.. day of 20th May. Water companies no less.
A notable quote in the article read “The whole thing stinks”.
You see, I have a “to do” list involving a multitude of environmental and globally structural things that I feel is very important to drive in the correct direction for world citizens.
“King James VI & I Oak Portrait Two” [18th/19th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, sketch with H, HB, 4B, 8B and sky-blue pencil, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3176 x 2749 pixels.
“King James VI & I Oak Portrait Two” [shown above] was produced in two drafts. The first draft took 28 minutes 58 seconds. The second (final) draft next day took 7 minutes 40 seconds, tidying a few branches and adding further depth to leaves. A total of just under thirty-seven (37) minutes in all. I promptly signed the artwork afterwards.
Each artist has their own ‘standard’ in terms of quality. For me, “Leafy Hollow” and this sketch “King James VI & I Oak Portrait Two” exemplify a ‘perfect’ artwork near effortlessly with regards to the time taken to complete from start to finish.
I view these visual works for the speed they are produced similar to an artist writing a chart topping song in 20 minutes.
To understand my reasoning here, it took me hours upon hours to get “Malevolence upon Trees” to the standard I hold every.. single.. time.. for my artworks. You can see “Malevolence upon Trees” here https://theunfathomableartist.wordpress.com/2021/04/24/malevolence-upon-trees/. The intricacy and complexity of the latters pencil work is clear though through all those extra hours.
Personally I happily delight whenever an artwork reaches ‘the standard’ much more quickly. This is more about efficiency as an artist than anything else. I noted Andy Warhol’s interest to produce masterpieces quickly. So too Basquiat and Monet.
Therefore I have sought to somehow emulate this work ethic when producing new pieces, if possible.
For instance, a professional actor can often absorb lines they need to learn for a role very quickly. Whereas an untrained person would take much longer to do so accurately. We could imagine professional translators and PA’s having a comparable ability. As an artist I view the swiftness of my working as part of the profession itself.
Of course, such beauties as the Sistine Chapel, time-honoured sculptures and Realist oils should not be hastily made. Often impressive intricacy and complexity requires reasonable time.
Here is the photograph inspiration for my latest sketch:
“King James VI & I Oak Portrait Two – photograph” [19th May 2020] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
I entitled my latest sketch as ‘Portrait Two’ since I class “James I VI Oak – Autumn Landscape” [27th June 2022] as the first ‘portrait’ of this magnificent 1612 Oak tree. Whereby both sketches do not feature as part of a wider Landscape composition.
“Lake Path in Street Lamp Light” [14th/15th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, sketch with H, HB, 4B, 8B, sky blue, sunlight yellow and charcoal pencils with charcoal stick signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 2949 x 2535 pixels.
“Lake Path in Street Lamp Light” was completed in three drafts totalling fifty-one minutes in all. The first draft felt like only several minutes had passed.
The photograph was taken on 2nd October 2022. From this I knew I would produce an artwork since the composition looked wonderful. It is the sort of composition artists enjoy making.
Lots of elements to create interest. Different lights, sky blue glimpses, leaves dappled under the lamps, a hardly perceivable metal fence and a sense of theatrical mystery.
“Lake Path in Street Lamp Light” is in the Impressionist style with some chance peculiar features.
Here is the photograph for my sketch:
“Lake Path in Street Lamp Light – photograph” [2nd October 2022 at 1928hrs] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
As per my usual art working for quick drawings I sketched straight from the photograph onto the canvas without prior study.
Interestingly I have ran along this pathway many times for leisure. I have visited this area since childhood with warm affection for all the surrounding beauty.
My sketch also picks up on how I personally viewed the pathway that evening. With some details more discernible in the darkness than they are from the photograph.
I wanted the shadows to look impressive, artistic and as delicious as possible. My three drafts took 37 minutes 07 seconds (all structures and shapes defined), 2 minutes 44 seconds (added one line detail to a wall) and 11 minutes 06 seconds (made the street lamp lighting effect the following day) to be precise.
“Orchard Tree in Hay Meadow” [9th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, quick sketch with H, HB, 4B and 8B pencils signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3043 x 2596 pixels.
“Orchard Tree in Hay Meadow” was completed in just two drafts of 25 minutes and <15 minutes respectively. Just under 40 minutes in total.
Over 25 orchard trees were planted in Hay Meadow this year, 2023. Interestingly when I sketched “Wooden Walkway with Birds Feet” on the 5th and 6th January 2023, the orchard trees had not yet been planted. Standing from the same wooden walkway perspective, you would now see the orchard trees to the right.
I took various photographs, deciding upon this composition as one of the most artistic. Since these planted orchard trees are quite young (approximately several feet to twelve feet in height) they have a tree guard cage with an irrigation system around each tree to help them grow.
I believe this sketch is of a plum tree.
Here is the composition for my Orchard Tree sketch:
“Orchard Tree in Hay Meadow – photograph” [evening of 16th April 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
Next we have a sketch of Ridge Willow, immediately below:
“Icy Ridge Willow” [12th May 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, sketch with H, HB, 4B and 8B pencils signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 2856 x 2415 pixels.
“Icy Ridge Willow” was completed in the first and only draft in just under 27 minutes.
The photograph was taken on 21st January 2023 along with several other beautiful shots of the Nature Reserve in a misty fog. Including a short video of Meadow One, Wildflower Meadow.
For those interested in having a look at these, here is a selection of the finest compositions, starting with “Icy Ridge Willow – photograph” itself:
“Icy Ridge Willow – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
I loved the icy swirls on the ground. I knew in January I must sketch this photo.
Ridge Willow is south, directly adjacent/part of Hay Meadow.
“Wildflower Meadow Entrance no.1 Left – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
It is approximately 200 yards to the trees you see farground, from the gate.
“Wildflower Meadow SW Jan 2023 – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
Birds sing and nest in these trees. Top left there is a bat that flies nightly.
“Wildflower Meadow SW – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
This looks towards the gate entrance to Wildflower Meadow. To the mid-left is where “The Curious Face in the Pond“ [23rd Oct – 7th Nov 2021] was derived. The pond would be frozen on this day in January.
“Wildflower Meadow North – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
Here you see the King James VI & I Oak of 1612 (prominent tree, left).
“Wildflower Meadow WN – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
This faces west, with the fused horse chestnut tree to your left, the King James VI & I Oak of 1612 to the right, facing north.
“Hay Meadow Ground January 2023 – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
Am I the only one believing this photograph to be somewhat cool? Ice and snow, really cool.
“Wildflower Meadow Entrance no.2 Right – photograph” [21st January 2023] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
This photograph is slightly right of the central composition I produced in my sketch “Entrance to Wildflower Meadow” on 23rd May 2022. I thought these misty-foggy shots were interesting enough to include both here on my blog.
If you feel you could make a sketch from any of my photographs I am more than happy for you to do so.
Finally here is a quick video of Wildflower Meadow:
Hope you enjoyed my blog article, sketches and short video.
Kathy Lajvardi describes her inspiration for “Unbreakable Queens“.
The best way to introduce you to Kathy Lajvardi is to include a video in her own words describing the inspiration for her “Unbreakable Queens” Series of works (immediately above).
Kathy is immensely driven. A career spanning blue chip Corporate graphics design, film production stills/animation links, book publishing, musical artists photography and senior art direction. My blog article focuses specifically upon her own handmade painted artworks and high quality prints.
Music is a powerfully evocative platform to communicate emotions and ideas. Like Pop Art master Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kathy Lajvardi involves music in her artmaking process. Her video explains her great love of music and culture being direct artistic influences.
We live in a tough world commercially. Women worked in a male-dominated world in the late 19th Century, even in historically colonial empires. A quick look at the Suffragettes Movement in the United Kingdom in the early 1900’s highlights that women have not always had a fair deal with working opportunities and the generalised rights afforded to men.
With oppression occurring particularly against women in various places people naturally gravitate to highly successful artists such as Beyonce and Madonna. Go-getters, trailblazers, international superstars in a predominant man’s world.
Of course, Westernised norms do not necessarily mean successful societies. Poverty, crime and inequality blights numerous nations regardless of religion, status or working opportunities. There is a swathe of populist movements/trends sweeping the globe primarily through emotional sentiments fuelled via technological communication. It is clearly wise to keep the laws of a land to avoid certain difficulties.
So what can people do with injustice?
Kathy Lajvardi has art as an outlet.
Building upon a rising backdrop of female empowerment Kathy uses symbolism within her work in multi-layered and carefully considered ways to get her message across.
Ancient Persia extolled the literal height of artistic representation along with ancient Egyptian and other Mesopotamian cultures. Therefore it is only meet that Kathy would draw upon her Iranian roots as an artist growing up in California.
Kathy Lajvardi with her “Unbreakable Queens Series” and “Unstoppable, Break” artworks.
You have planned your work, thrown your heart into the project. We should rightfully be proud with personal achievements.
Art is often surprisingly hard work. Social media allows artists to become known, personally. Their dreams, aspirations, how they feel as individual persons. Insights into their lives.
I see multi-facets to Kathy’s personality through her artwork and social media. A woman whom confidently negotiates the commercial world through academic learning, experience, networking and malleability.
“Malleability – the ability to be easily changed into a new shape.” – Cambridge Dictionary.
“Unbreakable Queens Series” by Kathy Lajvardi featuring ‘Queen Beyonce‘, ‘Queen Madonna‘, ‘Queen Googoosh‘ and ‘Queen Janet’.
Let me present to you dear Readers one of my spontaneous word associations with regards to the art I see in the “Unbreakable Queens Series” by Kathy Lajvardi:
Tackling challenges head-on, living up to expectations, responsibilities, despair followed by hope, affinity to a higher power, pensive humbleness, patience – all with stylised iconography.
“Unstoppable, Rise” and “Unstoppable, Break” by Kathy Lajvardi featured in exhibition gallery space.
Kathy incorporates Iranian history and heritage in “Unstoppable, Rise” and “Unstoppable, Break“.
The crowns in her Pop Art works represent past Iranian monarchy. The lion head is seated upon a woman’s body. Iran’s national flag colors are visible to bring a sense of hope. Kathy’s artworks are very intricate, vibrant with sophistication.
I thought I would post a photograph from Wikipedia of Googoosh from an earlier concert, here:
Googoosh performing in Tehran prior to 1979.
Googoosh is an inspiration to Iranians. A beautiful lady with a strong voice, critically acclaimed in music and films for decades. Here is a list of some of her secular achievements:
1971: first prize and gold record at the Midem trade fair in Cannes (as “Gougoush”) performing two songs in French.
1973: The best actress for Bitain Iranian Sepas film festival
2014: Best Iranian Female Singer (World Music Awards)
2017: Best Music Video For Do Panjereh (Directed by Yasmin Asha) Festigious Film Awards March 2017
2022: Performed at the Expo Festival
[Quotations from Wikipedia).
For a female Iranian performer this shows the ability for people to celebrate the value of their national pride and unique culture.
It is no wonder why Kathy Lajvardi is inspired by an Iranian artist whose fame has transcended many decades. I wanted to get the sense of Kathy’s reasons for producing her recent artwork series. Googoosh is one of those reasons. It might surprise some in Western culture to believe Iranian culture has a rich heritage in films and music.
Whilst Kathy Lajvardi lives in Orange County, LA, (her family emigrating due to the late 1970’s political and military Iranian Revolution) she has a heartfelt yearning with her Iranian hometown and peoples.
What is greater.. the freedom for girls and women to engage in secular education or the bullet and the bomb?
It was the bullet and the bomb that brought about the Iranian Revolution in the late 1970’s.
“Hayfield Meadow Grasses” [16th August 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B and 8B, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 2683 x 3110 pixels.
“Hayfield Meadow Grasses” is a pencil canvas produced from two photographs dated 2121hrs 8th July and 2044hrs 15th August 2022.
The main composition is produced from the earlier photo. Cottongrass (mid-centre-right) is added for artistic effect from the latter photograph. I kept the cottongrass macro-composition derived from its same image.
The artwork is in the style of plant pressings found in botanical books. Also, early scientific drawings, which date at the least throughout the past two millennia.
The artwork is made within 30 minutes.
Here is the photograph taken 2121hrs 8th July:
Here is the photograph taken 2044hrs 15th August 2022:
As you can see with comparing my artwork with the photographs, I included two buttercups and the sense of the meadow grasses moving. The cottongrass in the latter photograph features three horizontal and three vertically placed depictions of same.
Whilst I did not try to fashion a face from the cottongrass, it does seem to appear as such. Likewise the buttercups take a similar form, appearing as eyes. I absolutely love this piece. Quite honestly it’s as perfect as I would hope for in my ‘planning’ an artwork.
I write ‘planning’ [an artwork] since I rarely do so. Most of my work is spontaneous as I draw or paint etc.
In fact in my rather spontaneous mood, please let me share with you an artwork I made on/before 29th June 2022, in around one hour and ten minutes. Entitled: “Gosling Walking About”:
“Gosling Walking About” [29th June 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B and charcoal stick, unsigned on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3026 x 2567 pixels.
I didn’t sign “Gosling Walking About” at the time as I was unsure if I loved the artwork. I do. Although I shall probably not sign this artwork for no reason whatsoever. Except.. I love this as it is on the canvas.
More spontaneity. Here are two dog artworks. Two different young dogs from within my family. I’m not sure I ever drew a dog before as an adult, to be perfectly honest.
The first is “Untitled Dog Portrait”:
“Untitled Dog Portrait” [24th December 2021] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B, green, yellow, blue and black pencils signed in blue ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 2762 x 3462 pixels.
Surprisingly for the artwork, “Untitled Dog Portrait” features a very energetic family doggie.
Next we have a second family dog, a mischievous cute puppy, I shall call “Untitled Dog Relaxing”:
“Untitled Dog Relaxing” [9th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B and 8B, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3400 x 2890 pixels.
This family pup found it all rather hilarious for me to chase him as he ran around with some garden flowers in his mouth the other day. Here, he is pictured relaxing under some shade looking at me in July.
“Cloud Bloom” [15th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B and charcoal stick, signed in white paint pen on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3086 x 2657 pixels.
“Cloud Bloom” is a subtle canvas cloudscape using pencils and charcoal stick. Inspired by Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” I made use of yellow and blue tones to create a ‘3D’ swirling night sky.
Magenta appeared naturally whilst making the clouds, adding depth to the troposphere. This occurred through my art process, blending the yellow, blue and pencils work together.
The clouds performed a show for us with “Cloud Bloom”. I chose the title to highlight the destructive effects of manmade climate change.
Here is the original photograph for “Cloud Bloom”:
“Cloud Bloom – Photograph” [2111hrs, 15th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
As you will see from the time I photographed this image [2111hrs], I made this canvas artwork, literally, whilst day became night, late evening. The cloud arrangement is truly theatrical.
On the canvas “Cloud Bloom” is magnificent. One of those pieces you want to sit there and view from a comfortable sofa chair.
I thought I would also make two different versions for lovers of my blog to enjoy.
Here is the Collage version:
“Cloud Bloom – Collage” [18th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, 300dpi, 3133 x 2114 pixels.
“Cloud Bloom – Collage” is made of twenty images, alternating between one colour and one black/white digital photograph, 300dpi, 3133 x 2114 pixels in image.
“Cloud Bloom – Collage” is a Pop Art Landscape piece in Warhol modernist style. This piece follows a tradition I have with, at the very least, my oil paintings. A distinctive feature either purposed or by pure chance, known to those that study my works greatest.
Where would “Collage” be without the full Black/White edition?
Here is “Cloud Bloom – Black & White”:
“Cloud Bloom – Black & White” [18th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, digitally edited image 3086 x 2657 pixels.
I really love this version equally as much as the other digital/print editions.
“Cloud Bloom – Black & White” is a digital/print version from the original colour artwork. My ‘Black & White’ edition is oneofficially authenticateddigital edition and a set of three individual print versions only.
I carefully balanced the shadows to create a uniquely dramatic version.
On the day I first published these photographs online [18th July), Europe and the UK experienced cataclysmic manmade weather. A large-scale heatwave exceeded 35 degrees Celsius in many areas.
I feel my artworks in this blog article draw attention to the blight of our climate through a persistently unsustainable ecological mechanotide.
“Mechanotide” – any human activity involving machinery whereby its usage grossly damages a habitat, the environment, climate, other biological systems and/or organisms. In a commercial sense “mechanotide” is usually wanton, sustained and destructive actions prior to appropriate, properly enforced legislation and countermeasures to reverse their damaging effects.
For instance, we could include some cryptocurrencies technological resources methodology (excessive, unnecessary electricity grid usage), certain fracking techniques (earthquakes) and as yet unmitigated heavy use of transportational fossil fuels (air pollution) in towns and cities as examples of modern “mechanotide”.
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Original” [13th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B, charcoal (m) pencil and charcoal stick, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3282 x 2807 pixels.
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Original” (shown above) took me around one hour in two sessions. The first session of approximately 35 minutes was made whilst sitting by the metal gate in Hay Meadow.
Literally viewing the composition you see in this sketch.
I took a photograph to continue working on a second draft session later that evening. Using charcoal stick, HB and medium charcoal pencils for around 25 minutes.
Upon completing the canvas artwork that late evening, I am very happy with this work. The differentiation between light and dark tones, just as the sound and silence intervals in music, makes for a very pleasing composition here.
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Sepia” [14th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B, charcoal (m) pencils and charcoal stick, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3282 x 2807 pixels.
‘Sepia’ (shown above) represents ye olde days prior to the modern Industrial Age (1760 onwards) when all global [agricultural] land was largely unpolluted, vigorous and pure.
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Sunshine” [14th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B, charcoal (m) pencils and charcoal stick, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3282 x 2807 pixels.
For this ‘Sunshine’ artwork (shown above) I digitally added the Sun and sunflare you see beautifully radiant hovering over the treeline. Viewing my ‘Sunshine’ version we can see the idea for the passing of time, interconnective to the Sepia style of photography.
Astronomers write that it takes over eight minutes for the light from our nearest star, the Sun, to reach Earth.
Therefore could we say there is a certain nostalgia to the hue we see representing time?
Look at how colour influences our perception of age. From sepia colours in photographs, to the aged reddish-rust we see upon once silvery shining metals.
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Green” [14th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B, charcoal (m) pencils and charcoal stick, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3282 x 2807 pixels.
‘Green’ (shown above) represents the colour of grasses and leaves attractively highlighting the beauty of nature in this artwork.
I really love every one of these new artworks. The clouds are understated yet substantive. There are three layers of darker tones, lower, mid and mid-upper in my composition. We see vagueness afar, whilst definition is somewhat clearer in the nearer foreground grass stalks. Although even with the latter I have tried to produce movement, as if the tall grasses are swaying.
I visually measured the grasses surrounding me in the field, that very evening. Certainly over four feet in least trodden areas nearer the ‘Ridge Willow’ fence, even nearing five feet tall!
“Where rabbits and insects are my friends”.
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Collage” [cropped – 14th July 2022] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist, drawing with H, HB, 4B, 8B, charcoal (m) pencils and charcoal stick, signed in black ink on 280gsm 250mm x 300mm gesso primed canvas [pad], digitally edited image 3264 x 3264 pixels.
For my ‘Collage’ artwork (shown above) I brought together ‘Original’, ‘Sepia’, ‘Green’ and ‘Sunshine’ into a slightly cropped collage of nine photographs. Visually repeating the artworks in Warhol style for dramatic artistic effect.
Please note my ‘Sepia’, ‘Sunshine’, ‘Green’ and ‘Collage’ artworks are all individual digital artworks. “Evening at Hay Meadow – Original” is a sketched canvas artwork, and a digital artwork too.
For those interested here is the photographic composition by myself from where my “Evening at Hay Meadow” series of artworks has derived:
“Evening at Hay Meadow – Photograph” [2010hrs, 13th July 2022 – unedited digital] by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.
This lovely photograph is taken whilst sitting directly in front of the metal gate adjoining Wren’s Nest Pond.
The Unfathomable Artist 