Monday, March 24, 2008

back in the black

A few weeks back I was listening to my MP3 player on a long drive home. One particular track, which I've listened to a hundred times or more, was playing and this drawing just popped up in my head. Just like that. This exact drawing. From nowhere. I love it when that happens. It feels like a real gift.

There is, of course, always a downside and ever since then it has been niggling away at me. Saying 'draw me, draw me', 'you can't keep ignoring me' and 'I will continue to annoy you until you draw me'. I had been trying to avoid it. I knew there were just too many complicated little details. And I knew that there was to be a black background which would take a lifetime. Finally, I decided to commit it to paper. So, this is what I did over Easter.

The question is can you name that tune?

45 comments:

Anita Davies said...

Change in pocket by the pretenders?
Amazing work Andrea!

Unknown said...

Baffled. Love it though! And glad to see your comments on the background. I was wondering same things when I saw it. Do you use refillable pens? LOL
ravonCol

Peachtreeart said...

I can't guess the song but I love the drawing. :)

Margaret McCarthy Hunt said...

an awesome sketch...all i can think of is penny lane or rubber soul?! whatever it is terrific ink work

Teri said...

Another stunner!!! I just sit here looking at it and shaking my head in wonder. You are a master of detail!!!

Peceli and Wendy's Blog said...

Penny Lane, Here the pennies dropping, Money, money, money...
I dunno.
Lovely drawing.
w.

Anonymous said...

Sorry Andrea, I should update my site info. Got a new one!

"JeanneG" said...

Another great one. Can't imagine all that black work.

Unknown said...

I am in love with this! I can't guess the tune sorry

Pippa said...

Absolutely amazing. Do you roughly sketch in pencil first, to get the proportions right?
I have no idea why, but the only song I can think of is Handbags and Gladrags. What IS the song?

Pippa said...

'Safety in Numbers'?

juj said...

of course since you said "back in the black" acdc has popped into my head and stuck there and I can't get it out no matter that I know that isn't it... amy winehouse maybe? i don't know - who cares?!? lol! it's STUNNING no matter what it references!

clearart said...

A black background is like the copper engraving.
Do you make the copper engraving?

Anonymous said...

excellent drawing. can i assume the nine nails all about an inch long is a clue to the band?

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Cheers folks.

ONE of you has got one part of it right but I don't want to say anymore 'cause I want to see if you guys can get it.I'll give out some more clues later - if nobody's got it.

Thanks for the kind words. I am vey proud of this one.

juj said...

ok then, hmmm - Head Like a Hole?

no way said...

Not sure of the song, but the drawing is amazing. Beautiful, patient and skilled work here. I love visiting.

dinahmow said...

The song? Nope, but I did think of 9" nails. But the condom and band-aids?
What the heck! I'll just have an envious drool while I drink my coffee...

Pedro said...

I loved the drawings in the car. I have done it sometimes, but never using the mirror. Excelente idea.

Brenda Yarborough said...

Awesome drawing (as always) -- you continue to amaze me. The only song that comes into my head is Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones -- but the lyrics don't fit. You've got me stumped.

Anonymous said...

All your sketches are great and this one is no exception. Have no idea of the song though.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you all.

OK, the title has nothing to do with the song. The track I'm looking for is a specific version of a song. It is THE version. And it's all American.

Cheers folks!

Pippa said...

Safety in Numbers by Joan Osborne?

suzanne cabrera said...

How does it feel to be so good? I love it, love it, love it. Not to mention...being risque! Condoms and all.

Pippa said...

My reasons for 'safety in numbers':
The measuring tape and the money are numbers and the plasters and condom are safety?

Hurt by Nine Inch Nails? Inches on the measuring tape, nine inch-long nails, and the plasters because you're 'hurt' and the money and condoms because "you can have it all" - money and sex. Is that it??

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Oh gosh pippa you are SO close!! Not quite there but almost - with your last guess. So very close.

Thank you all guys.

NEIL TOULCH said...

Yeah Baby!

50 Cent - "I got Money"

So what's the prize?

As always, I'm inspired by yur talent...

Pippa said...

I give up. That's the only NIN song I know. I've asked friends, relatives and strangers, but alas no. Not even wiki could tell me.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you all folks,

Pippa, as I said in one of the clues - it's a specific version of the song I'm looking for. You may have already got the song?!

Neil, you are way off but I will send a prize to the person who gets it.

Cheers.

wagonized said...

Oh man, where have i been. I don't have the slightest idea about the song itself, but the drawing, Andrea, is superb. Those coins just pop right out of the page, and the background is intense! Another stunning piece.

Pippa said...

JONNY CASH! JONNY CASH! 'HURT' by Jonny cash! There's a rubber jonny (a condom) and some cash! And the plaster is because he's hurt. ARGH! I've got it haven't I?! It looks so obvious now!

Pippa said...

...just thought of more. The jonny and the cash are covering the nails and the measuring tape because Jonny Cash covered their song. You are a genius.

Catherine said...

Hi Andrea, first time I have seen your blog and I am totally amazed by your art. My son loved them too, he has just done his art GCSE and was very impressed!

A little introduction, I am Pippa's SIL and I am partly responsible for her 15 minutes of fame in Neath. I can't take any responsibility for her prettiness though!

I live in Neath too and I am Affirmation Photography. I have just started my first blog aimed at anyone who is involved in weddings. Drop in when you have a spare moment. Here's a link to my blog.
If anyone recommends me to others, they get goodies sent to them when they book!!

Bye for now!!

NEIL TOULCH said...

OK,
Pippa, give me a break, you are sooooo off the mark.

AJ, how about narrowing it down to a year, even a decade I'll take a convenient century, it's beginning to get a little discouraging!

Brenda Yarborough said...

Pippa! You are SO right. . . I just listened to "Hurt" from the Nine Inch Nails Video by Johnny Cash!! Andrea -- you are BEYOND AMAZING and proof that we should listen to that voice of inspiration.

Jennifer Lawson said...

The whole thing is brilliant!

Brenda Yarborough said...

I just thought of something else. . . Johnny Cash was always known as "The man in black."
Okay Andrea, do another one!!!

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Yay! Pippa you win.

Yes, it was Hurt by Johhny Cash - originally by the Nine Inch Nails.

Brenda, yes that is what inspired the title. I just switched it up a bit - so that it couldn't be Googled to reveal the answer.

I did wonder if the Johnny bit was just a British term for a condom - as in Rubber Johnny?

Thank you all for taking part, and all the kind comments folks. Cheers.

Pippa said...

Woohoo! And well done you! An amazing drawing and a super fun game (even though I was ready to give up). x

NEIL TOULCH said...

Go Way!

Johnny Cash?

OK, apologies to Pippa.

And to both you and Pippa "Vous ĂȘtes tous les deux lumineuse"

Brenda Yarborough said...

Andrea, yep, the "johnny rubber" is purely Brit! We call condoms rubbers, but then you call diaper (nappy) covers rubbers -- ha ha.

Anonymous said...

Andrea, You Rock, and it hurts so good! From a rubber lovin' Jonny.
Been lovin your work for months and you have inspired me tremendously.Thanks for everything. Love, Wiseye

E-J said...

Pippa is right. Not just about the song, but that you're a genius.

I can't believe what I've missed on your blog lately!!

Sherry Pierce Thurner said...

Oh.....there is no way I could have gotten that. Guess I'll just go draw my breakfast, or something.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you all, chaps.