I'm still reading the book "American Eden" and the chapter about early colonial gardens. While doing this series of little drawings, I was thinking about how the Europeans were carving out their outposts in the new world. Tulips and exotic tropical fruits were signs of status. They were considered "living booty" and the reason for "swash buckling botanist adventurers".
I was also reminded of that scene in "The Great Gatsby" about the light at the end of Daisy's dock. Here's just a little of that lovely passage:
"And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island that flowered once for Dutch sailors eyes- a fresh, green breast of the new world... face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder."
Playing around with photoshop and multiplying images. My computer skills are not very good. But I've always liked pattern and repetition.
Today's post drawing, like last week's, is a "collage" of drawings added over time. I am increasingly interested in how people carve out their lands (whether thousands of acres or just a suburban plot) to create their vision of utopia. This drawing is inspired by Jefferson's Monticello as discussed in the great book "American Eden". I will just write words that inspired me in this drawing: Enlightenment, experiments in perfection, Palladian architecture...
I'm back. I've learned a lot this summer. Mostly about how keeping my ambitions to a minimum and protecting my "thinking time" keeps me sane and happy. That said, I don't have a lot of time to sketch. My solution: making a collage of drawings on a two page spread. I only do a little drawing when I have the time and then add as the week (or so) goes on.
