Toulouse La Earp

[Bob Boze Bell]

August 1, 2011

   Got much needed rain both Saturday and Sunday night. Started last night about nine. Rolling thunder, got drenched. Felt good for all my plants and the desert in general. Muggy out this morning on my walk. Met my guru neighbor on the walk up Old Stage and exchanged pleasantries.

 

Bought an Andy Warhol art book out of a remainder bin at B&N for $6. Looked through it this weekend for inspiration. Stopped on collage of Mick Jagger. Noodled the elements of the design, then added Wyatt Earp a la Toulouse Lautrec.

 

 

That's why I call this "French Train Wreck."

 

"As scarce as truth is, the supply is always greater than the demand."

—Josh Billings

[Wolfgang]

Nice, . . nice train wreck ?... or nice Earp ? ... or nice Lautrec ?   ;)   Interesting anyhoooo.... :)

[Sue Cauhape]

Love this. I'm especially impressed with the outline work around his face and shirt. Did you use a No. 1 Grumbacher?

[Bob Boze Bell]

First time for that question, Sue! ha. I used several brushed AND a felt tip pen. I do have a No. 1 Grumbacher, but can't swear I used it on this one.

[Sue Cauhape]

I wondered if you used a felttip for those tight lines around the face and collar, but then there are also some more dynamic strokes there too. I've been hunting for a #1 for years without success. Is Grumbacher still making them? Are they even in business anymore? Come to think of it, I haven't seen them listed in catalogues or in stores for a long time.

[Bob Boze Bell]

Sue, yes I checked my brushes after I answered, above, and none of them are Grumbachers. Ha. So many companies have sold out, blended with other companies, or have been absorbed, it's kind of depressing. I used to buy Essdee scratchboard from England, very expensive ($22 a sheet), but the last two orders were sub standard, half the quality with the same high price. Finally went on line and discovered they went out of business and some jerks are just preying on old customers, like me. Hate that, but the world keeps on turning.

[Sue Cauhape]

That IS depressing. My high school art instructor (about a hundred years ago) could do miraculous things with a #1 Grumbacher. A few years ago, I tried to find one and settled for something "similar." Didn't come close. I wonder if, with this economy extending itself deep into the future, if we Americans will be emerging from our slough of despond and start making things like this in "boutique" factories? Oh well, a discussion for a different time and perhaps ever website.

[Murray A. Gewirtz]

I happened on Andy Warhol in 1978 in a bookstore in Manhattan (it might have been B&N) signing copies of a book he had put out, and snapped the photo in the first attachment. Early this year I did different versions of his portrait with various photo manipulation programs, then combined them in a kind of Warholesque collage. See the second attachment. I can't say I met Toulouse Lautrec, though.  Gee, in the time I'm waiting for that ship steering wheel next to the "browse" panel to stop turning, I could have sailed from the Canaries to San Salvador. That is, I couldn't attach the first photo I tried. Let me try again. No good. I'll try to attach them to the BBB Blog.