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jessimoonbeam In reply to poluptukha [2012-04-14 06:04:28 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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poluptukha In reply to jessimoonbeam [2012-04-14 09:41:46 +0000 UTC]

sure

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jessimoonbeam In reply to Blacksand459 [2012-04-14 06:02:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'm glad you faved it! Well the book really is an interesting read; I enjoyed picking apart the symbolism and meanings within it and being able to sort of put it into visual form was a lot of fun. I didn't put the full description/explanation as to the symbolism on here, I could though...it would be full of spoilers though!

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Blacksand459 In reply to jessimoonbeam [2012-04-14 10:32:17 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! No problem!
Hmm. About the book...it's probably better to not spoil the surprise, but many folks may not read it, either. So... *shrugs*
By the way, how long did it take to finish the drawing?

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jessimoonbeam In reply to Blacksand459 [2012-04-14 19:27:30 +0000 UTC]

I think you have a good point! Well I see the skull to represent both the human-being as well as the earth...the castle-trees represent the fact that in the story forests are bulldozed and air factories are built to replace them...many of the animals and plant life go extinct in the quest to replace everything natural with artificial, hense the artificial trees. And the unborn baby represents how within every person who has become a dumbed-down drone of sorts, there rests individuality though it is as yet undeveloped; it hasn't been allowed to mature and grow, and even though the "feed" taps into the minds and thoughts of those who's brains it's implanted in, it can't reach every aspect of the mind (it's protected by the barrier of the womb). All of the people are dying and yet within them there is still the ability to change things. Also the womb and life within represents the fact that even though the planet is dying, perhaps there is the chance that many years later life can regenerate again. I was also struck by how the people in the story are losing their skin and hair because the environment is so toxic...and instead of being alarmed by this they buy into what the corporations tell them through media, that the lesions and deterioration of their bodies is fashionable--so people get surgeries to speed up the process in order to look "beautiful" and in style.
It took me about a week to finish it, maybe a week and a half?

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Blacksand459 In reply to jessimoonbeam [2012-04-15 00:45:31 +0000 UTC]

You said some very meaningful things here..."every person who has become a dumbed-down drone of sorts," and "instead of being alarmed by this they buy into what the corporations tell them through media...so people get surgeries to speed up the process in order to look "beautiful" and in style."
Wow. There is a lot of truth in this allegory, isn't there? Look at much of today's blue-collar workforce...well, even white-collar, really, and you'll see exactly that: drones slogging through life. Now, corporations aren't intrinsically evil, but the cumulative effect on society of a "high-demand, want-it-right-now" culture, is that our lives end up closely resembling this book you read. You could call it: false necessity, governing our lives.
The part about the de-constructive surgery is horrific. I say again: wow.

Possibly a week and a half, eh? *whistles* You should be very proud of yourself. It is a very thought-provoking artwork.
I attended an art school in Chicago recently, and I know what its like to do all that cross-hatching...drawing ever so carefully.
Was this all pencil or ink, if I may ask?

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jessimoonbeam In reply to Blacksand459 [2012-04-16 05:33:30 +0000 UTC]

Exactly I found the book so interesting because it really does parallel so much of the madness in our world even with much of it being exadurated--I can see how if we never stop and take a look around as well as within we can become mindless drones just as in the story. Well you make some great points and I agree, we're definately in a "high-demand, want-it-now" culture; so much gets thrown away that should be reused, so much gets tossed not because it's no longer functioning or useable but because we're told that we need the next thing that replaces it. I think that media is a very powerful thing, good or not so good, so seeing books that really help people to question themselves and the world around them rather than just accept everything "as is" is a healthy thing.
Well thank you! And yes the linework is very tedious (as you know) but it can be a sort of meditation in itself--you have to become very still in so many ways and that's the real challenge I think. Some days I have a hard time getting there. It's all ink, I use a mechanical pencil at first to create the basic outlines and ideas, and then go over it with ink (I use micron pens, .005, .01 and .03)and erase the lead; the rest I just do freehand with the ink.

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Blacksand459 In reply to jessimoonbeam [2012-04-17 01:04:31 +0000 UTC]

"but it can be a sort of meditation in itself--you have to become very still in so many ways."
Ah yes. I wasn't sure if you'd know about that or not, so I didn't mention it. My first art class was the first time I had...allowed myself to reach that state of mind. Because its weird...you can't actually force it, because that is the opposite train of thought. If that makes sense.
Yeah, I'd be sitting in class (we only had like ten people in my class! with my hot cup of coffee on my desk. The teacher would play some relaxing music, and I'd just go into my own world, occasionally glancing out the third story window at the Chicago River, all snow-covered. For the first time in my life, I realized an entirely different set of motor skills, as well as perception and mental sharpness. I was able to draw lines with a precision I had never had before. I didn't mean to ramble on, but I rarely meet anyone who mentions stuff like that.

Thanks again for taking the time to chat with me!

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jessimoonbeam In reply to Blacksand459 [2012-04-18 05:47:55 +0000 UTC]

It's amazing how art can help a person discover meditation and it's as you say, you can't force it; you just get there on your own without trying really. I too have found that being able to glance out a window (especially if it's natural scenery beyond) helps, I think that when I stare at walls, I'm symbolically blocked off in a way from that creative flow of energy; if I can see beyond into a distance, my mind feels more free and I'm not held back. I also find that anything in nature that moves such as water, snow, rain, (willow branches in the wind even) helps to quiet the distracting part of my mind; water is my favorite because if I just look at it for a while I feel as though one part of my mind is still (without effort) and another part is sort of carried along in the current--it moves forward just like the water and I'll get a lot of great ideas that way.
Well you're welcome and thank you too! I'm often curious as to what kind of state other artists go into when they're creating, how they go into that state/zone; it's sort of an alchemic process I think...anyway I enjoyed the chat! Come back and visit whenever you like!

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jessimoonbeam In reply to CursedOnez [2012-04-14 19:52:03 +0000 UTC]

Lol I somehow replied in the wrong spot lmao you'd think I'd get this all figured out by now!

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CursedOnez In reply to jessimoonbeam [2012-04-14 21:31:20 +0000 UTC]

loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool spaz!! XD

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