Saturday, April 30, 2011

New itch to Scratch....

 

 P.E.N. Studio has a new creative itch.  I scratched the surface and this is my first experimental piece involving Scratchboard ART. 


In the Eye of the Beholder
(click on the title to learn more about this piece)
P.E.N. Studio - Scratchboard - 5 X 7


What is scratchboard you ask?  
Scratchboard art is a form of direct engraving. The panel starts out solid black and then the artist scratches to expose a layer of white clay under black ink. The working surface is a three layer medium made up of a 1/8" masonite panel as a support (Ampersand Sratchboard is what P.E.N. experimented on)  The masonite is covered with smooth white clay followed by a thin layer of black India ink, leaving a solid black panel to start with. Various tools are used to scratch through the black ink and reveal the white clay below. Every line, dot and dimple is created by hand all with lines and dots and variation in tone and value are based on how many lines are scratched in a particular area or how much of the white clay that your eye sees. Colored inks can be added to the exposed white areas of the work if desired or the board can be left black and white. Large and complex pieces can take hundreds of hours to be completed due to the many layers of tiny scratches that cover the board. 

 My second piece/attempt with the medium
  
(click on the title to learn more about this piece)
Wine from Scratch
Trying a different technique
 P.E.N. Studio - Scratchboard - 5 X 7

Other Scratchboard Links:

One learns to itch where one can scratch.

Thanks for Visiting!
Art from the ♥ Tennessee !



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Seabisquit - Commissioned WIP (Completed♥!☺)

From the movie - Seabisquit
George Woolf: Wanta know what I think? Charles Howard: Of course. George Woolf: I think it's better to break a man's leg than his heart.

(Click on the image for a larger view)
Seabisquit - Commissioned WIP
Check back for updates to this piece!

May 3, 2011 - Seabisquit WIP Update
Thanks for Visiting!

May 5, 2011 - Seabisquit WIP Update
(Click on the image for a larger view)


Just in time for Mother's Day!
Thanks for Visiting!
Art from the ♥ of East Tennessee ♥



Seabisquit Links:
► PBS
► Wiki Bisquit


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Coming out of the closet...


Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
♦♦♦ Anthony J. D'Angelo ♦♦♦

Coming out of the closet....gathering dust, P.E.N. Studio Art Circa 1971.  With so much racial tension at the time....this was my way of saying 'black or white' the sun shines upon all of us.   Have a seat and sit a spell.  Deep thoughts of an elementary mind.  
Poster Board - Magic Markers


When dawn erupts with sunshine, it fills our heart with warmth, hope, and happiness. 
♦♦♦ P. Neal ♦♦♦

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. 
♦♦♦ James Matthew Barrie ♦♦♦

Art from the of East Tennessee
Thanks for Visiting!


Monday, April 25, 2011

Think Twice - Today's Painting

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. 
~Mother Teresa

Think Twice
Ink Wash - Watercolor - Pen & Ink on Clayboard

F.R.O.G. = First Rely On God

It's Monday.....Hang in There!
Art from the Foothills of the Smokey Mountains
Thanks for Visting! ♥

(Matted Glossy Prints Available)

Copy and Paste Pirates ►  !!! - ► !!!!!  Arrggggghhhhh!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

P.E.N. Political Satire - Gathering Dust

In an effort to purge a lot of reference material for various clients I came across these comps that I had done for a small local newspaper that never made it to print.  I couldn't afford the astronomical licensing fees for the use of Mickey so the project was ditched.  I found these gathering dust and thought I would share a bit of my political satire. 



In order to understand who my pick for President was at the time......I have to explain the family political dynamics.
  • Dad = Hardcore Republican
  • Mom = Hardcore Democrat
  • Bro & his Mrs. = Hardcore Liberal Democrat
  • Sis - Hardcore Democrat
  • Son # 1 = Hardcore Republican
  • Son # 2 = Riding the Fence
  • Me = Politically Agnostic ( I don't believe in politics - more specifically politicians in general)
Being a goof and humor consumer my views keep me out of range of flying butter knives over family dinners  


Guess who I picked? 
Thanks for visiting!  Political Satire from the Foothills of the Smokies.

Disclaimer:  SKSTimes 1 & 2 have and never will be used in any way shape or form in part or in whole.  They are shared here for entertainment purposes only.  P.E.N. Studio cannot be held responsible for those who may copy and redistribute.  I have no control over what others do and the image of Micky Mouse copyright is held exclusively by Disney.  The © symbol is used above to cover the illustrative/work in creationing a piece for my client.  At the time of creation royalty free usage rights for O & M were purchased at a very nominal fee from Shutterstock.  Just trying to give credit where credit is due.  Enjoy!

Copy and Paste Pirates ►  !!! - ► !!!!!


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

New ART on the horizon....Today's blART

Today’s ART Teaser……

P.E.N. Studio is working on a new concept…..Functional FABstract Art that plays for you!

Having grown up with very unique family dynamics, my creations are ‘drawn’ from my experiences as a child in observing my siblings. My sister is deaf and my brother has an amazing musical talent. Being the baby of the family it’s only fitting that I ended up in the middle…..I’m tone deaf and can’t hold a tune to save my life. Childhood memories are of Bro’s private piano and trumpet lessons in the living room and of watching my Sis put her hand on the top of the piano to feel the music. She can keep a beat tapping her toes better than I can….It’s all about really FEELING the music. They are both amazing!

Seeing an article about art that ‘questions YOU!’ prompted me to toss out today‘s ART Teaser.
Read the article here: ► Have you ever questioned art? This art questions you on CNN.

In the meantime enjoy this P.E.N. Studio offering of the day.
Mixed Media - Oil/Acrylic - Textured/Tactile - Colorful/Bold - Musical Movement FABStract
Say that really fast 5 times in a row......☺

This painting is for sale and ships anywhere in the U.S and Canada.  PayPal Payments are available.  Please email and I will re-mail with details. 

Art from the of Tennessee
Thanks for Visiting!


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tuesday's Painting Muse - Edmund Spenser

Pour out the wine without restraint or stay,
Pour not by cups, but by the bellyful,
Pour out to all that wull.
Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) Epithalamion, 250


Wull ?? What ?? You say?  Wull was 'weally' a word back in the day.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
(v. t. & i.)
See 2d Will.

hEnglish - advanced version wull\wull\ (?), v. t. & i. see 2d will. pour out to all that wull.

Edmund Spenser Links:
♦ Wiki
♦ Quotes
♦ Poetry 

Tuesday's Tasting

P.E.N. Studio Counting Down to 2011 !! On Display at the Blue Slip Winery in the Old City, Knoxville, TN. P.E.N. Studio FABstract - 1.5 X 2.5 ft - Gold/Silver Leaf Tactile Accents. P.E.N. Studio wishes one and all a FABulous New Year! May we all be blessed with good health, true wealth and happiness in the year 2011. Wealth in wisdom, true friendships....etc. etc......fill in your _________ (wealth) term.   For Sale at the Blue Slip  - (Directions) this week!


Thanks for Visiting!
Art from the of Tennessee !!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Stuck Inside of Knoxville

Very nice article and great X-posure for P.E.N. Studio by that 'Knoxville Urban Guy' and his blog @ Stuck Inside of KnoxvilleI met him at the Art Emporium during First Friday on April 1, 2011.  Super 'great' guy to chat with and you can tell he loves downtown Knoxville!  I am saving his feed to my daily watch list!  Keep staying "Stuck in Knoxville - Urban Guy" you are an awesome local blogger! 

Monday Morning Monroe Musings....

Monday's Muse - Marilyn Monroe

"Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition." ♦♦♦ Marilyn Monroe ♦♦♦
 
(Click on image for larger view)
Reference Photo - Public Domain

"This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."
♦♦♦ Marilyn Monroe ♦♦♦

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Todays Creative Blonde Burp

P.E.N. Strikes Again!

(Click on the image for a larger view)


 
All images are the property of P.E.N. Studio - All rights reserved.
Thanks for Visiting!




Thursdays Thirst Quincher

Positive Post for the Day.......

The power of your passion

Though the odds may not be in your favor, you can do it.

Though the challenges are great, you can make it happen.

People will likely tell you it’s impossible. Even so, you can find a way to make it possible and to make it real.

When it means enough to you, then you can do it. When you are willing and committed and persistent, you will get yourself there.

Look within yourself and find those values that you most earnestly desire to express with your life. The things that are most genuinely important to you are the things that will power your achievements.

When you can put the power of your passion behind it, you will create it. Make the effort to find and to know that passion, and there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

Be utterly true to who you are. And fulfill your greatest possibilities.

— Ralph Marston

That Ralph is a pretty smart feller....Have a terrific Thursday!

► More Daily Motivators

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

P.E.N. with a Pencil

 Norma Jean

Norma Jean - P.E.N. with a pencil..Me & a #2. Substrate - 11 X 14 - Smooth Bristol Board. It was time to get back to the basics. Reference image is in the public domain. The eyes still need tweeking...a project in progress. I was feeling a bit sultry today so I decided to get back to basics and put pencil to paper. Thanks for visiting! ♥ Art from the heart of Tennessee ♥ © P.E.N. Studio - P. Neal - All rights reserved.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

From the Sketchbook

Norma Jean

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
 

Ms. Monroe

I am involved in a freedom ride protesting the loss of the minority rights belonging to the few remaining earthbound stars. All we demanded was our right to twinkle. 
 ♦♦♦ Marilyn Monroe ♦♦♦



Monday, April 11, 2011

Monday Morning Art blART

Artistically speaking, Monday mornings are all about your perspective on life...... forge into the week face down, kissing the ground or view the vista face up and reach for the stars. 

♦♦♦ P. Neal ♦♦♦ 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Metro Pulse - Best of Knoxville 2011 - Vote Today!


♥ Shameless Self Promotion ♥
Today is the last day to cast your vote for Best Local Artist at Metro Pulse!

Please Vote!

The BEST of Knoxville 2011  
Metro Pulse

Arts & Entertainment Section
Best Artist (Who shows locally)
VOTE: P.E.N. Studio - P. Neal !! ♥
Thanks everyone!

♥ Vote Here ► Metro Pulse ► Link

Thursday Morning Twombly blART

Paint is something that I use with my hands and do all those tactile things. I really don't like oil because you can't get back into it, or you make a mess. It's not my favourite thing.. pencil is more my medium than wet paint. 
♦♦♦ Cy Twombly ♦♦♦


(Click on image for a larger view)

Cy Twombly at Cy Twombly Gallery in Houston in front of the gallery's largest painting, "Say Goodbye, Catullus, to the Shores of Asia Minor." Image courtesy of the New York Times, June 2005.



© P.E.N. Studio - P. Neal - Work Boots
My kinda' Guy.  I like pencil/graphite too!


Cy Twombly Links:
► MOMA
► Etc.....
► Etc.........

Trivia: Twombly’s Lepanto (2001), a painting made of 12 panels, sold privately for more than $20 million, according to sources, after it was shown at New York’s Gagosian Gallery two years ago and at the Venice Biennale in 2001. Coronation of Sesostris (2000), a work made of ten panels, sold for around $10 million to French luxury-goods billionaire François Pinault for his contemporary-art foundation in France. Single-canvas paintings by Twombly shown by Gagosian in New York last summer, sources say, sold for $2.5 million each. (Via)

Have a terrific Thursday!  Thanks for visiting!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Today's Painting - Saved


              

 Click on the image for a larger view



Saved

The ultimate sacrifce....God gave me a gift.  This is my gift of Art from the Cherish each moment of life and breathe.....
Love one another as if there is only one more second....life is precious. 

Purchase 8 X 10 Glossy Prints ►Here

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tuesday Thomas Art Blart

Tuesday Thomas Art Quote:  "I got some watercolors and some crayons, and I began dabbling," she said. "Little dabs of color that spread out very free…that's how it all began. And every morning since then, the wind has given me new colors through the windowpanes."  ♦♦♦ Alma W. Thomas ♦♦♦ (1891–1978)


Alma in her studio

Alma W. Thomas Links:
     ♦ Biography  
     ♦ National Museum of Women in the Arts 
     ♦ Alma Thomas in the White House
          ♦ Obamas reveal modern art tastes
     ♦ Etc....
        ♦ Etc.....
            ♦ Etc.....

My kinda' Gal!  Grab a box of crayons and create a terrific Tuesday!

☺ ♥ ! √ + ►