Essex's photos

Pote Ron Elliott, 11"x 14", prismacolor on paper. This caricature was commissioned by the Hendricks County Shrine Club. It is of, and was presented to, Murat Shrine Potentate for 2008 Ron Elliott. Shriners continue to be great subjects for caricatures because of their great sense of humor. Not only do they tend to have a great sense of humor, they have a great cause... their 22 Childrens Hospitals that are free of charge! To find out more on them go to: http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/
Drawing caricatures at the "Welcome Bash" Franklin College hosts annually (on campus) is a lot of fun. Doing caricatures at special events in Marion and surrounding counties is something I really enjoy doing. I do them at private parties, corporate events, collegiate events, in my booth at Oranje and even high school post-proms. One can't help but meet a wide range of interesting people when doing caricatures and it is always... yes ALWAYS... fun interacting with them. BTW, if you need a caricaturist to liven-up an event you're having, contact me.
View of Mississinewa Lake from the Frances Slocum Picnic Shelter. gouache on illustration board. Done en plein air during Labor Day weekend while on a camping trip. Sometimes one just wants to get out of town, go camping and get away from it all. Evidently, on Labor Day weekend, EVERYONE wanted to get away from it all and go camping! Nevertheless, a quiet, secluded spot was found and some time for painting was enjoyed.
Elegant Funk information in an all-in-one, handy and convenient, printable format.
When my wife said she was getting me a corn-hole game, I told her I wanted the boards blank so I could put my own designs on them. After thinking about how I wanted to cover the white boards I came up with a design that both of us liked. The caricatures of the two of us contain imagery of our college life at Franklin College, our love of the tropics, my fraternal orders and several other things. Now if I can only learn to play corn-hole.
Redo, Redone. 1998. Acrylic on ceramic face mask and masonite. 24"x 36". This self-portrait was originally much different. Unfortunately it was so totally misinterpreted that I completely re did the painting, thus its new title. Situations like this create a discussion on whether an artist should let a work stand and let others deal with interpretation? Or should an artist, who has possibly not communicated well, redo a work to better the intended communication? Since I felt (and still feel) it is the artists responsibility to communicate, an artist should not be offended if others misinterpret the artists intention. Though most of the time the issue is probably best left alone, the overall response (and misinterpretation) to my original work caused me to rethink the job I did in communicating. Consequently, I felt it best to redo the painting.
Nervous... Paint Red, 5"x 7", prismacolor rubbing on paper. One interesting thing about revisiting a theme is the way those revisitations can express a variety of mindsets. An image used in a slightly different way has the capability of communicating an entirely different mood. (see Heavy Hand Paints)
The Shirt Seller, ink and watercolor on paper. After church one Sunday morning in Nassau, I strolled down to Bay street to see what might be there for capturing on paper. There was a woman selling t-shirts and busy talking to another vendor across the street. As I sat on a bench drawing a little girl sat next to me and watched silently as I drew. I eventually looked at her and said "hello". Though the girl said nothing, the look on her face indicated that, in her eyes, I'd grown a third eye and sprouted horns. She left quickly, I kept working using my newly acquired tri-vision. The shirt seller never did notice me.
An Irish Homage, 2 1/2"x 3 1/2". Acrylic on woven card stock. This Artist Trading Card is a small homage to the Irish, the Irish in America and the Irish in Indiana. This photo of the artwork was taken while it was tucked into some Hoosier "shamrocks".
We Won't Work Without Words, multi media of 72 3 1/2"x 2 1/2" portraits. This work was commissioned by INtake Magazine (now Indy.com the magazine) for Oranje, 2005. It was probably the most labor intense work I've done, but it was a lot of fun to do. It's mostly of family and friends plus a few people I had never met before. I enjoy doing portraits and caricatures. Capturing human features with a drawing pencil or pen is always a challenge. However it is also exceptionally rewarding and gives an opportunity for communication that is unlike any other.
Blue Umbrella, watercolor and ink on paper. Have you ever attended a workshop where you are in a session on relaxation and you're told to close your eyes and go to your happy place? No? Oh... well... me either. Anyway, I've "heard" of those kinds of sessions and this place is is where I go... err... WOULD go IF I were directed to in one of those sessions which I've never attended. Anyway, this is a place on Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas. It's a place where I go to relax, read, paint and just chill. This painting was done en plein air one morning when I had a headache and couldn't sleep, perhaps because of the Excedrin I took a little earlier. The sea was calm, the view was great and the place was empty. Gotta love that combo.
Anxiety, 5"x 7", prismacolor rubbing on paper. Unfortunately excessive stress and anxiety are, and always have been, a big part of the human experience. Does expressing that fact help relieve the pressure? I tend to think so.
Abandoned For The Season, 14 1/2"x 10", watercolor, watercolor pencil and ink on illustration board. South of Indianapolis, in Trafalgar, Indiana, there is a campground used by churches for various youth camps and retreats. The name of the place is Camp Allandale. Another thing the camp does is rent out its buildings and grounds for other meetings and retreats besides churches. The place where I teach used to have faculty retreats there that were interesting and rejuvenating. During a time set aside for self directed enrichment, I went walking in some woods near a lake in search of subject matter. This took place in February so there was no activity on the lake which made sense because it was so cold outside. As I walked, zig-zagging through the brush, I came upon this rowboat. It appeared to have drifted to its current location. I imagine the boat was quite busy during the summer months, but in February, not so much. I stood and sketched for as long as I could before the cold made it impossible to continue en plein air. I then took refuge indoors and completed the work and was able to have it ready for discussion during the next session of the retreat.
Old Woman in Café, Paris, France. 2007, 5”x 7”. Prismacolor rubbing on paper. During January 2007 I was lucky enough to be in France for two weeks with a bunch of Franklin College students, their professor and his wife. While in Paris something we enjoyed was our time in cafés. Not wanting to be idle while sipping strong coffee in tiny porcelain cups, I decided to look around for subject matter… and found her just a few tables away. One thing I brought home from France was a greater appreciation for the cafe-like settings in Indy.
Red Snapper Dinner, ink and watercolor on paper, 4"x 6". When getting away from it all, my HQ is a place on Cable Beach just outside of Nassau, Bahamas on New providence Island. The water is beautiful and calls you to it all the time, day or night. Once while coming in from snorkeling late in the day a local man was cleaning his catch for the day. During my conversation with him I learned the fish that was about to be his dinner was a red snapper. He caught it out at the rocks where I had just been snorkeling. One mans recreation is another mans food source.
Hey Mon, wanna Buy a Mango?, watercolor and ink on paper. 4"x 6". While enjoying some time on a scooter tooling around New Providence Island in the Bahamas, I went to Adelaide Village to look for subject matter. When I got there some children were outside of a church selling mangoes. Not knowing how one eats a raw mango as well as doubting if I could juggle them back to my place while steering a beat-up scooter, I declined the kind offer to exchange my money for their mangoes. However I told them I'd pay them to allow me to take photos of them as they sold their merchandise. They liked the idea, I got my subject matter and they still had stuff to sell.
Treasure Island Sandpiper, pencil and water soluble pencil on paper. Once upon a time Treasure Island, Florida was a vacation retreat for my household. My family spent a lot of time on it's huge beach. In fact it was the first beach that my children ever visited. Since those early days we've put our footprints on many other beaches, but Treasure Island still holds a special place in our family history. This artwork was done one bright and sunny day while I was on the beach at Treasure Island with my wife. She was reading and I was drawing. Love those lazy days in the sun!
Shell, Boots and Satellite Dish, Harbor Island, Bahamas, 4"x 6", watercolor on paper. I came across these house on Harbor Island in the Eleuthera chain of islands in the Bahamas. I was intrigued by how "shack-like" the homes were yet one was equipped with a satellite dish. To me that seemed odd but I have come across similar homes in other parts of the Caribbean. Interesting priorities... perhaps this is part the reason I'd like to move to the islands!
Walking Path, Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas. This 4"x 6" watercolor is part of a series I did of postcard sized works. This was part of my Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship a few years ago. Greater Indianapolis area artists who have not considered applying for this Fellowship should look into the program. The Arts Council of Indianapolis was/is very supportive of artists who receive the Fellowship and (at least in my case) continue to be so long after the Fellowship work is done.
Roaming Blue Rooster, Key West, 8"x 10", a rubbing, prismacolor on paper. This work was inspired by one of the many roosters roaming wild on the streets of one of my favorite places in the world, Key West, Florida. Last year I had read where they were going to be rounded up and no longer allowed to roam free. Evidently town officials feared the fear the of bird flu might cause visitors to stay away from the island... even though no cases had even occurred because of the roosters. Being fortunate enough to visit Key West again recently I was glad to see that the roosters were still out, and strutting in full form. This work is one of a limited series of five. I look forward to experimenting with more colors of this subject.
The Red Tent, 24"x 36", oil on canvas. This was painted en plein air during one of the Masterpiece in a Day Saturdays before the event was moved to Fountain Square. Back then being registered for the event meant lunch was provided for participants. As my morning of painting wore on, I naturally became more and more hungry as noon approached. When 12 noon came, and went, I felt as if I was ready to start gnawing on my wooden easel since my ratty painting clothes would not be as filling. About that time an angelic little girl came up to me, pointed to a white utility van parked at a curb nearby and said "There is food in the van." I thanked her and tried not to appear too anxious to run to the van to fill my rumbling belly. As the girl turned to walk away to tell other artists of their lunch, I assumed, she stopped and said to me "There's clothes over there too."
The Cliffhanger, St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies, watercolor on paper. Spending all day on the beach on the Caribbean island of St. Martin/St.Maarten, I decided to do some painting. I faced one way and did a painting of the beach and a cliff. When done, I turned and faced the other way and did this one. The subject is the Cliffhanger Bar. It's a nice place with a great view. I'm told that there is a time in the year when the ocean comes up and puts the beach completely underwater for a few months. That is something I'd like to see so I guess I'll be making some more trips there.
Caricature, 11"x 14", prismacolor and ink on paper. This caricature was commissioned by Mr. B's Cigar Box owner Bill Boyer.
The Lake at Lucerne, Switzerland, 2004, watercolor on paper. I did this on a misty gray day while traveling in Switzerland during my Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship. I was near the lakes edge in Lucerne painting and taking in the beautive view before me. As I painted, I realized that I had inadvertently become part of the travel experience of several tourists behind me. I overheard some people whispering and the "click" of cameras, so I turned to see what it was all about. What greeted me as I turned was a smiling group of Asian tourists who were apparently fascinated about being in Europe seeing an actual European artist at work. Since we didn't speak the same language I couldn't tell them I was not European and that I too was fascinated with being in Europe. Of course I could be completely wrong. They may have just thought I was Brad Pitt.
Pink Bridge, Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas, gouache on paper. Before Paradise Island (across the harbor from downtown Nassau) became the super-mega, MEGA tourist destination it is... it was just a mega destination. Back then there was this small bridge that the ferry from Nassau would go under as it took you to Paradise Island. I think the bridge and the canal that went under it are gone as part of the remodeling that made the place a super-mega, MEGA tourist destination.
Old Barn, Avon, Indiana, 9 1/2"x 14", watercolor on paper. Collection of the town of Avon. At the first Arts of Indiana (art festival) held in Avon near the town hall, I did this painting en plein air and was fortunate enough to win a purchase prize. My painting was bought by the town of Avon and it now resides in the town hall.
Homage to DaVinci... Primarily, 2007, 8"x 10", prismacolor rubbing on paper. Leonardo DaVinci has always been a fascinating individual. Long after the hoopla stirred up by Dan Brown has been forgotten, DaVinci will still be fascinating. This series of 10 rubbings, done in primary colors, is a simple homage to a complex person.
Great, Great Grandma's Flaggs, 1996, 5"x 7", hand watercolored laser print from an original pencil drawing. The title of this print is simple and descriptive. While on a genealogy trip in the back hills of Kentucky, I found the grave of my Great, Great Grandmother. She was of German descent and was married to a potato famine Irishman. Although it is not known when her people came to America, it is known that she was the Great Granddaughter of a man who fought for the colonies during the American Revolution. At my Great, Great Grandmother's grave-site there was an abundance of iris tubers, a few of which I've transplanted to my Indiana home. They blossom every Spring and send forth a fragrance that rivals any fine perfume. This artwork is of some of those blossoms.
But I'm Doing What You Said, 2007, prismacolor rubbing on paper, 8"x 10". Often my artwork is about "place." This one is about the frustrations in life that one experiences while genuinely trying to do the right thing according to instructions/guidance given. This is not (currently) part of a series. It is a "mono".
Yellowtail Snapper, Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas, gouache on paper. Every time I travel to the Caribbean I take a one-time use underwater camera. They take surprisingly good pictures, depending on the clarity of the water and how many clouds are out when you are shooting. While snorkeling on Cable Beach, I've shot a lot of photos of the diverse underwater wildlife there. As yet I've not done as many artworks from the prints I have as I'd like, but I certainly have quite a library to work from some day. The Yellowtail Snapper is a common fish around the islands of the Bahamas.
The Road to Roussillon, France, January, 2007, watercolor and ink on paper. While on the way to Roussillon with a group from Franklin College, I got the opportunity to sit and sketch (in ink). As I sketched, two people from our group who were off taking photos came around the bend. I was glad to be able to include them in this work. I added the watercolor while back at the house we were staying in a little village outside of Apt.
Lake at Lucerne, Switzerland, watercolor on paper, 2 1/2" x 3 1/3". This small painting is an Artist Trading Card. I did this en plein air while waiting for parts of another watercolor I was doing (of the lake) dried. It was an overcast, misting day which was not the best environment for doing watercolor paintings, but I was inspired and felt called to be outdoors painting. I was in Switzerland as part of a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship. The purpose of the trip was to meet and interview the artist who invented the concept of the Artist Trading Card. He is a Zurich artist, Vanci Stirnemann, and the concept is to create "baseball-card" sized works to trade with others who create works the same size. Vanci conducts monthly trading sessions in Zurich where artist meet, socialize and trade their creations. It was a joy to be able to attend one of those sessions. The Swiss Army knife pictured with the Artist Trading Card is the one I bought while in Zurich. Though I had not carried a pocket knife since I was a Cub Scout, I felt that there was no better place or time to start carrying one again.
Beach and Cliff, St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies, watercolor on paper. Done en plein air. While enjoying a day at the beach on the Dutch side of St. Martin/St. Maarten, I decided I needed to get the paints out. I did this painting and another one facing the opposite direction. I still have some sand in my paints.
Artist Peter Max in Indy, Blue Sweater, 8"x 10", prismacolor rubbing on paper. When I was in junior high and high school I was a big fan of artist Peter Max. Then he just dropped out of sight for years. In 1982, while at the Knoxville World's Fair with my wife, I happened upon some paintings by Max. They were of the Statue of Liberty and seeing them was a real treat for me. Years later (actually a few years ago) Max had an exhibit at a local gallery in Indianapolis. I was lucky enough to go to the opening night of the exhibit and get Max's autograph on the exhibit announcement. I also snapped a picture of Max that was the basis for this portrait. Though Max was certainly nice enough to talk to, I found it interesting that after I took his picture (as he was addressing the crowd) one of his entourage appeared and told me "No pictures. Mr. Max has his own photographer." This work is one of a series of 10.
Summer and Watermelons, oil on canvas, 36"x 24". My first thought was to title this Indulging My Addiction (that is painting/visual arts). Then when my daughter said "It reminds me of Summer and watermelons." I thought "Okay!"
Photo of me doing caricatures at Oranje, 2007. If you've never been to Oranje (yes, that's the way it's spelled), you MUST go when it comes around again in September. It's essentially a one night event/festival of music and art that occurs once a year in Indianapolis. Go to Oranjeindy.com for more information on it. A few years ago INtake magazine (now Indy.com, the magazine)commissioned me to do an artwork for their lounge at Oranje. I liked the experience so well that for the last couple of years when there has been a call for artists I've applied and was lucky enough to get accepted. Primarily what I do in my booth is caricatures for free for anyone who sits for one. I've kept exceptionally busy each time I've done this. Why do I do them for free you ask? I've been lucky enough to have some businesses sponsor my booth which allows me to do the caricatures for free. My sponsors for Oranje, 2007 were: * Alley Cats Hair Studio, Mooresville, (317) 831-3230 * Greek Islands Restaurant, Indianapolis, (317) 636-0700 * 6 Srings Down (guitar shop), Plainfield, (317) 837-1755 * Erin Eoff Massage Therapist, Indianapolis, (317) 257-0129 * Bruised Plum Productions (custom costumes) www.bruisedplum.com * Swinging Sports Nuts Collectibles, http://stores.ebay.com/swinging -sportsnuts-collectibles Please support these good people. They've shown their commitment to the arts through there support, so I know they'd appreciate your support of them.
Icon of Jesus, 11"x 14", prismacolor on illustration board. Something I am interested in is Orthodox icons. I've been involved in a few icon painting (writing) workshops with a local iconographer, Mother Katherine, who is a Nun associated with the Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church in Indianapolis. She does some fantastic work with the traditional medium of egg tempera. Since I enjoy working with prismacolor color pencil, I decided to paint (write) an icon in that medium. Interestingly enough (to me at least) some of the earliest icons were done with wax and pigment, which is essentially what prismacolor color pencils are.
Heavy Hand Paints, 5"x 7", prismacolor on paper. I've recently started experimenting with something I've been intrigued with for some time... rubbings. This is not a rubbing of something I came upon somewhere, I created it from start to finish. I've done others in a limited series, each hand-done, but this one is "mono."
Pote Barry Cook, prismacolor on paper, 11"x 14". Starting in 2004 the Hendricks County Shrine Club has commissioned me to do caricatures of the Murat Shriner's Potentates each year. This one was of(as the title indicates) Barry Cook and was the first one I've done. Shrine Potentates tend to have (as most Shriners) a good sense of humor which makes doing caricatures of them a lot of fun. I've found that we men really enjoy caricatures of ourselves, probably because , as I've been told, we actually ARE caricatures. Shriners, I've found, not only enjoy caricatures of themselves... they REVEL in them! That probably makes Shriners caricatures of caricatures. I suspect that is because they're not afraid of having some truly whacky fun. While doing so they support their 22 treatment-for-free children's hospitals. Which brings to mind a Shrine motto: "Having fun and helping kids." Makes sense to me!
The Green Spider,prismacolor on illustration board. . I've only done a couple of works likes this, but always meant to do more. There is no heavy (conscous) meaning behind this work, I just went with the flow on it. I enjoyed doing this work but, out of laziness I'm sure, I've not done more. If you have an interpretation of this work (or any of my others) I'd appreciate your sharing it with me.
The Green Lizard, prismacolor on illustration board. . I've only done a couple of works likes this, but always meant to do more. There is no heavy (conscous) meaning behind this work, I just went with the flow on it. I enjoyed doing this work, partially because I like lizards. Not that I have any as pets, nevertheless I'm fascinated by them and am constantly mesmerized by them when they scurry about me in my travels.
Ship Channel Cay, Exumas, Bahamas, watercolor on paper. This is an old fishing lodge on a small cay in the Bahamas. I go there once a year for a day of swimming with sharks, stingrays and assorted other fish in the wild. It is an incredible day provided by a Nassau based company called Powerboat Adventures. If you are in the area, you've GOT to do this trip.
Ruin at McCloud Park. Gouache on paper.
Self Portrait, How Galleries See Me, acrylic on canvas, 24"x 36".
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