expeditions along the edge of the knife – the cut-paper art of Patrick Gannon
You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2006.
Sometimes the most traditional imagery still holds power. The dove comes by way of the influence of another, much larger project I’m working on – one which I would tell y’all about, except that I’m afraid to jinx it right now. I enjoyed the chance to work a bit more with line here. The paper I found at the bottom of a drawer in a craft store in Kamata. I really like how the moodiness and violence of the colors contrast with the symbolism of the dove.
You can do some amazing things with a Rosemary bush. Not only does it bring out the succulent flavors of a variety of foods, but it can do double duty as a Christmas tree. When I first came to Japan eons and ages ago, I never saw anything even vaguely resembling a Christmas tree. Things have improved quite a bit since then.
Our tree this year measures in at a spectacular 21 and 1/2 inches tall. It is dwarfed by the presents stacked under it, which is exactly as it should be. I’ll admit it was a bit of a challenge finding ornaments and garland for such a diminutive tree, but it sure does bring out the creativity.
Click on the photo to go to my Flickr photo page for a better look.
You might also notice that Papercut’s title banner has taken on a bit of holiday cheer all its own. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! We’ve got some big plans for the New Year, and hope that you’ll enjoy them with us!
Today’s image fulfills the Illustration Friday theme “help” threefold. Click the image to take a gander at the details
Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains (even in New Jersey) provided me with one of the world’s best playgrounds. Even now, whenever I feel a little lost or down, going back and spending some time walking the trails and running away from bears helps to center me and put everything into better perspective.
Winter in general, and snow in particular, always make me want to scream for help. Thanks goodness for Tokyo. If I see one inch of snow this year I’ll be lucky.
I’ve been wanting to come up with a new banner for this blog for awhile now, and this scene seemed like the perfect way to kill two birds with one wildly thrown stone. The plan is to add to it as the holidays come and go, so making this has been a big help to get me into the season.
Every Once in awhile, a piece digs in its heels, squares its shoulders and fights. Usually this happens when I think things are going to be quick and easy. It is totally appropriate that the knock-down drag-out dirty fighter is that green behemoth, the Hulk.
You might notice a few changes from the posted sketch. I decided the face was a little too traditional comic book, rather than my own take on it. Many Hulk faces later, this is my favorite. It emotes. As for the color, I planned to do a simple two color approach: one green, one old-fashioned comic book purple. Best laid plans.
It’s always interesting to see the way a piece evolves. Best of all, he’s super Christmas-sy in his green and red(-violet) glory.
There are many kinds of strength. There are many who boast great power. They straddle the earth like demigods. Yet, to the last man they pale and tremble, puny weaklings that they are, before the awesome might of The HULK!
Were I as mighty as the emerald behemoth, I would have a finished piece of art to post today. Sadly, the chances are slim* that I’ll get through the cut-paper version of the not-so-jolly green giant tonight. Or tomorrow. Instead, here’s a sneak peak into my process. The first image above is a very loose color sketch of Hulky. By the time the texture and the color of the paper and wood (oh yes, this will be glued on wood!) are added, it will look more or less entirely different. And hopefully better. I still need to figure out if there will be one shade of green or two (the darker for the hair and eyes). I’ll let the piece tell me that as I go along.
Following that is the (almost) final drawing. I usually don’t go quite so far into shading on my tracing paper drawings, but I was starting to confuse myself as to what was green and what was purple. Enjoy! With a little luck the real Hulk will be able to come out and play in a day or two. Come on back and take a look! Illustration Friday
* “slim” is defined here as “not even if I could fly around the earth at twice the speed of light and turn back time”.
