Monday, March 10, 2008

i will pin and mount you like a butterfly

(Click on image to view)
Now, I've often said 'this is the longest drawing I've ever done' but, hey, this time I really mean it. I had wanted to do a colour piece, I felt my blog could do a with a little burst of colour, as the last few drawings have all been in this pen. So I started a colour drawing over the weekend. I was unsure of the it right from the off. I worked on it for a couple of days and really disliked the result, so I went back to a subject that I know and love.

It may well look familiar. I've done a couple of versions of this theme in the past. But this one took the longest by some way. I'm guessing over the last few weeks approximately 30 hours of work have gone into this drawing. This kind of subject is so fascinating to me. I really enjoy the drawings within a drawing thing. They are so easy to get lost in. I hope you can too.

I also want to say thanks to everyone who was given me and/or my blog awards over the last few weeks. I'm touched by the kind words. Cheers folks.

31 comments:

Joan Y said...

Absolutely the most fantastic, extraordinary and totally cool drawing ever Andrea!!!! I notice our friends all over the place. I am touched! I'm going over to Flickr right this second to fave it (times a zillion). *hugs*

Jennifer Lawson said...

Your art work is so amazing. Who needs color when you can draw like this.
I am in awe of your talent and a big fan.

brian nelson said...

OOOOOH La La! Wonderful, Wonderful! Amazing work!

suzanne cabrera said...

This is only the coolest drawing I have EVER seen in my whole life. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw the secret messages. You are just far too good. I LOVE IT!

Margaret Ann said...

Whew! The level of your composition is beyond genius...I can never get my fill of your drawings!

Peachtreeart said...

my goodness....your patience is amazying!

no way said...

Just amazing. I enjoyed looking at the enlarged version-as I always do with your drawings. Especially like the reminder for the "stippling workshop."

What size is this?

Beautiful work.

Unknown said...

This is another wonderful piece from you. YOur artwork always brings a huge smile to my face

Lisa Adams Reed said...

Unbelievable! I could spend hours looking at the details. You must be the most patient person on the planet!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

OH, MY GOODNESS!!!! That is awesome!! You must have the patience of a saint! Sorry for all the exclamation points but, WOW!!:)

Anonymous said...

Andrea, your work is so inspired, and it so satisfies the voyeuristic tendencies. I always love things with little notes and lists, a lot of people flip past them, but I'm always the one on the bus with the book up to my nose (or, in this case, my laptop), reading all the wee half-hidden text.

A few questions/comments. First — is that a duck wearing a gas mask? Please say yes. Love the scooter button, and the cone of chips, and France's wagon in there. And of course you know my favourite piece of all without my having to point it out. Really.

Also: the lists are making me hungry.

Fantastic, and worth every minute spent!

Anonymous said...

So funny, I just realized that while I was sitting with my nose pressed to my laptop screen (literally) reading all of your wee notes, you were leaving comments on my blog! How serendipitous, especially since we're many time zones removed...

Anonymous said...

And once again... that last anonymous comment was me. Living up to my bubble-headed name here...

mrana said...

Wonderful Andrea! I have, naturally, spent far too long with my eyes glued to the screen examining all the lovely details including flying fruit and laughing gleefully whenever I recognize something! What a brilliant idea and wonderfully executed as usual xx

pedalpower said...

Amazing. I'm fascinated by the writing on the notes too...how some of it you can read, and some you cant but it all looks believable and like it would be a particular person's writing. How's that for a run-on sentence? Also love the Stippling Workshop reminder right in the middle of tons of stippling.

Brenda Yarborough said...

Wonderful!! I absolutely love looking through your pieces like this. . . I honestly try to read each one - ha ha. Seriously, since this is one of your favorite subjects, have you thought about publishing all of your "boxes, bulletin boards?"

Teri said...

Daisies
Casper Seeds!

Andrea, you are a hoot!!! And a great artist! I see friends all over this piece.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you all, lots.

I'm really chuffed to bits with this one and I'm so glad you like it too.

No way, this is an A4 drawing.

Babmi, I love it when that happens! I had been sitting there, staring, in awe at your work. Yes, it is a duck in a gas mask - but it is not my work. It's from one of Juj's brilliant Moos. Glad you like the little shout out to you. It's one of my favourite things on there too. Really.

Brenda, that's not a bad idea. All of the things you mention are subjects I just love.

Thanks everyone for all your visits and comments. This one is for you. Cheers!

Genine said...

AJ, this is outstanding!!
I love the bulletin boards you do! i stare at them trying to take in every bit. Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Pippa said...

You really are amazing. A beautiful piece. These noticeboard drawings of yours are my favourites. They remind me of J K Rowling's website and the noticeboard on there. Keep up the truly excellent work. You are such an inspiration.
Cheerio xxx

wagonized said...

Oh Andrea, I could spend the next 30 hours staring at this amazing piece. I saw so many references in there (and they're only the ones I'm actually getting!!). What an homage for the humble admirers (!) who got a spot on this board of wonders. Even the frame kicks ass.
Hats off.

littlemithi said...

Sending you a big virtual hug from the west country for such a inspirational piece...

Pippa said...

Back again! Just wanted to ask...
Are your noticeboard drawings of actual noticeboards or do you create the stuff from the genius of your mind? Or put together a cool noticeboard with the intention of drawing it?

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thank you all guys,

Genine, oh bum! I meant to use Broadhurst Street on there and somehow I forgot to put it on. I forgot a few things actually. I guess I'm gonna have to do another one!

Pippa, thank you. I had never seen the JK Rowling site before. I see what you mean. I do not even own a notice board. I just make it all up as I go along. I have loads of badges and cards etc and so I use them to draw from, but approximately 90% is imagination!

Cheers, lovely peeps.

Pippa said...

WOW! That makes it even BETTER! What an AMAZING imagination you have!

K said...

90% imagination--that is just too cool and too incredible!
And great work, as always!

Felicity Grace said...

Wow Andrea! What can I say, it's awesome and I'm really honoured too! Even when I spend ages looking at your drawings and think I've seen everything, I always spot something new and unexpected when I return to them!

Margaret McCarthy Hunt said...

what an amazing thing!

Karina Kuschnir said...

Andrea,

what can I say that anybody else didn't say already?? Your drawings are wonderful, really captivating! Please, keep posting and drawing!

I would like to know... what kind of pen do you use in this one?

thanks, congratulations on your talent!

Karina

Lisa M Griffin said...

This is amazing! I can't get over the amount of detail that went into this. It was such fun to look through, thanks for sharing.

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