ICONISM

Iconism is a term I came up with for a style of drawing I invented. Pen and Ink work is usually done in dots, slashes and crosshatching. I figured, why couldn't those marks on the paper be different? Why couldn't they reflect a meaning to go along with the subject of the drawing? My answer was, "They could!" So I came up with a series of marks that, in themselves, had meaning. In the series of drawings below, you will find the marks ">", "~","T","O", and others such as tiny fish and 6's. These are all spiritual drawings, because the technique lends itself to that subject. The first one is the first one I ever did with this technique and thus, ICONISM was born. Using icons for the marks in a pen and ink drawing.


The first one is entitled, "Forgive Them" and it was my conception of Jesus praying for the world. The rocks are made up of thorns, as the earth is a thorny place to live. His loin cloth is made of crosses. The sky is made of "tears" both watery and bloody. And His body is made of circles which denote "everlasting" and "everlasting love".

QUIET ONE

"Vanity, vanity, all is vanity",
so said wise old Solomon.
And it's plain to me...
it affects all and is very common.

"Men don't make passes
at girls who wear glasses".
So announced the school yard bards.
Oh they certainly were cards.

And the kid that wore the hearing aid
was thought to be the dumbest of all
and for this he drearily paid
as they shouted to make him feel small.

For glasses were something that were all around,
but for him, because there was no sound
he stood out from all the rest,
and every day had to give it his best.

For the stigma attached to his affliction
made no sense, but was the addiction
of those whose understanding
was like their brains: undemanding.

And so he goes softly on his way
as others around pursue their play,
while he, in his own quiet space,
picks up his feet and joins the race.

LOOKIN' BACK TO SEE

This is one of my favorite pictures. It has been sold and is in the loving hands of a person who will treasure it as much as me. But, it has become almost my trademark.

This is available on eBay as an ACEO art card.

IN THE END

Who's right,
Who's wrong,
sings the song
of many a wordy sage.

When faced with life
and all it's strife
they're stuck
on that archaic page.

It matters not who's wrong,
who's right,
when all
is said and done.

What matters in the end
and this is true, my friend,
is who is still standing,
and with integrity, has won.

OFFSPRING OF MY SOUL

The first stirrings
yes a touch
ever so slight
but there, nevertheless.

A squirm
a glimmer
a moment
of conception.

Then the wait
endless it seems
but you know
fruition will come.

And it does
with pain
anguish
agony it seems,

But come it does
kicking, writhing
screaming
into the world

And then.....
release,
pleasure
as I gaze fondly....

at my new poem...

The offspring of my soul.