Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Rotational Matrix of H.G. Well's Time Machine: Clockwork Atomics x317

This shape is vaguely based on 2002's Time Machine. Granted it is highly simplified but the angle was what I was interested in. Actually this is something I should revisit.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

John Byrne: The Machines Of The Fantastic Four

John Byrne was my first introduction to comics. (To this day I can remember buying that issue of The Uncanny X-Men #143 off of a 7-11 comic rack in Florida.) Pictured above is one of the impossible machines of the Fantastic Four that John created. The sense of depth, detail, and possibility that it might somehow work or exist continues to captivate me. To say his art and design have been influential simply does not do justice to his contributions. While my drawings look nothing like his, it was my fascination with his creations that spurred my interest.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Hidden Apparatus of Jules Verne: The Gimbal Free Gyroscope Of Captain Nemo's Nautilus: Clockwork Atomics x316

True true, a gyroscope should only have three rings. Three seems so limiting. While six is much more exciting. Much more. What will they do? What force are they effected by? Can you have a gyroscope without gimbals? Who cares. Ask Nemo.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Analog Turbine Grinder: Clockwork Atomics x307

This isn't actually a napkin rather one of the disposable hand towels from the wash room. Very strange consistency in the 'paper' caused the drawing to have a grey look. Not bad but a pain to work on. Anyway I was at The Capital Grille in KC a while back and was watching the bartender using a grinder that looked as if it were made 100 years ago and it made me think. How can I take something fairly simple and elegant and make it complex and seemingly highly dangerous? Well I worked out an answer.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Astronomical Clock For The Grand Central Terminal Kiosk NYC (as imagined while drinking at Cipriani Dolci: Clockwork Atomics x308


A great place to get a drink, if you can get a seat, before the drudge home (especially after returning from work on Metro North) is Cipriani Dolci. Located on the mezzanine over looking the floor it is fantastic to unwind a watch people get where there going (especially during the holidays...it can get ugly). One of the highlights of the room is the central kiosk with its beautiful clock. As much as I like the clock I have often thought of it being updated or backdated. Depending on how one looks at it. So it would tell more than time and show more one's place in existence. Giving one pause before joining the inevitable hoard and traveling off into the world. Away from what at times seems the crossroads or the center or reality. ..What can I say it was damn good scotch.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Arkham University's Model Of Local Astronomical Bodies (Now Discredited): Clockwork Atomics x312

I occasionally get asked if I ever throw away or abandon a drawing. Either through boredom or a mistake is made. Actually no. I make an concerted effort to work through mistakes (which many are made and none can be corrected) or push a drawing to it's limit if it just isn't working. This is one of those drawing where nothing seemed to work. When I see this "what was I thinking" immediately comes to mind. It is too much and poorly planned, but I find it interesting and important to see where it went wrong. To avoid it in the future but also to refer to it later. The difference between a disaster and a moment of brilliance is very fine.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Hyper-Dimesional Non-Euclidean Form In Phase: Clockwork Atomics x309

One of the many drawings that I have done exploring the idea of a form in phase. A solid that turns itself inside out. Where the inside and the outside of the form are connected and are one in the same. The ultimate origami.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Conflicting Irregular Pyramidal Planes Of A Spherical Body (or What I Did Between Acts At The Comix Club): Clockwork Atomics x306

I learned a couple of important things while I drew this: 1. I enjoy stand up comedy way more on tv 2. I also find it weird to have the comic look directly at me while performing 3. That while performing the comic tends to really not like it when someone in the audience is more intent on working on a tiny drawing that they are working on by candlelight than paying attention to what's on stage 4. This is not a good idea

Monday, November 21, 2011

Calculation Of Orbital Ley Line Vertices: Clockwork Atomics x289

Although I rarely include them when showing my work, many of my drawings are based on a sort of geometry. I have always enjoyed the idea that the world is not all that it seems and there is an underlying structure. The question of course is what do you do with it once you have figured it out.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Phased Cubist Reliquary For A Distorted Enlightenment: Clockwork Atomic x154

One thing that continues to amaze and fascinate me are the early cubist paintings that Braque and Picasso did. They give a sense of space that both expands and collapses. At the time I was seeing how far I could push it and still seem semi-solid.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

'Pataphysical Engine For The Next Age Powered By Cubist Tesseract : Clockwork Atomics x101

After having done hundreds of these drawings, the one thing that I have learned the most is how they evolve and change. I would work in a general direction or theme and then something new would come about. This is one of those moments. Until this point all the drawings were based much more on alchemy and maths. Slowly the idea of the machine began to show itself. This is one of those moments of clarity that I continue to seek. It remains one of my favorite drawings.