Kitty Protest: Sketchbook Friday

Have you ever been to protest? In this sketch we get to see Capital Kitty. Pizza by the Slice. 50 cents. WOW! Free Smpls. Please Wash Your Feet. Sometimes even the Capital Kitty gets it wrong, and when it does the rest of the kittens need to stand up for their rights and march. And yes, if you are wondering about the breasts on the kitty, they are real. Real monumental. Thanks for checking it out.

Each Friday at noon I scan in one new sketch or drawing from one of my many sketchbooks. Many times my sketches are ideas for larger projects that you might find on my fine art website William Hessian dot com, or as projects right here on my Bearded Bunny art blog. If you enjoy these sketches make sure to also see all of the sketchbook friday posts.

A Different Swamp Thing Art: Sketchbook Friday

Inspired by a song by this guy:

Fernando Rafael Diaz-deLos Santos is my upstairs neighbor who happens to be a talented musician (and fifth in the world ranked at PBL ROBOTS the card game). Recently, Fernando joined Abbeth Russell and Sighless in the Bumbling Woohas band, who all (more or less) live in the same apartment/building as me. The swamp thing creature above was a watercolor I did of an odd image I had after hearing a part in one of Fernando's songs that he was singing. I do not recall the actual lyrics he used, but often times he just ad libs goofy songs about random things and accompanies them with some wicked electro guitar riff. That particular song reminded me of a two headed Swamp Hag climbing out of a swamp. And there she is.

Each Friday at noon I scan in one new sketch or drawing from one of my many sketchbooks. Many times my sketches are ideas for larger projects that you might find on my fine art website William Hessian dot com, or as projects right here on my Bearded Bunny art blog. If you enjoy these sketches make sure to also see my Favorite 20 sketches from 2011 or go back and check out all of the sketchbook friday posts.

Bacon Face Mardi Gras Mask: Sketchbook Friday

Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras, Mardi McFly. Beads, parades, masks, colors, DeLoreans and shouting. This tiny watercolor sketch was done as a way to purge some creative juices during a much more strict drawing assignment (which is a stone cold secret). Inspired by Venetian Mardi Gras masks like the ones seen below. A creature seemed to grow from the mask in a very odd Miyazaki-esque form. It would be fun to see this thing animated, but animation is not in my toolbox of skills.
All I really know, is that "This is heavy".

Each Friday at noon I scan in one new sketch or drawing from one of my many sketchbooks. Many times my sketches are ideas for larger projects that you might find on my fine art website William Hessian dot com, or as projects right here on my Bearded Bunny art blog. If you enjoy these sketches make sure to also see my Favorite 20 sketches from 2011 or go back and check out all of the sketchbook friday posts.

Science Fiction Pig

William Hessian, watercolor on paper

There are a few hidden things in this painting, search for a while and see what you can find. This watercolor painting is inspired by a series of collaborations with Kenny. It is a stream of thought painting, which responds directly to second by second inspirations and responds to the image on the paper, and also has a relationship with the previous few marks. The goal is to build a visual language that piles up to create interesting layers of imagery.

Sketchbook Friday: Mercurius Python as a Three Headed Dragon

Mercurius Python as a three headed dragon. Based on a drawing from 1600 Germany. See the original drawing. My fantasy drawing, medieval drawing, German influenced drawing was created with watercolor and colored pencil on paper.  The creature was simply too interesting not to replicate. Three bizarre sun heads, a bearded devil face on the breast, giant wings, a long point tail and two stubby legs. Hard not to fall in love with this cute little character. As you have seen I have been focusing a lot of attention on biblical, mythological creatures in my last few sketchbook Friday posts.

Each Friday at noon I scan in one new sketch or drawing from one of my many sketchbooks. Many times my sketches are ideas for larger projects that you might find on my fine art website William Hessian dot com, or as projects right here on my Bearded Bunny art blog. If you enjoy these sketches make sure to also see my Favorite 20 sketches from 2011 or go back and check out all of the sketchbook friday posts.

If you want to own some of my work, you can always find great deals on my artwork and stickers at my Etsy shop.  Do not forget to subscribe to my blog and never miss another post.

Father's Day Artwork: From sketches to final painting

For Father's Day this year I received a commission from a good friend. Courtney asked me to paint a Father's Day Gift featuring a portrait of her husband, and my good friend Matt (and fellow Midwestern artist. See his work at: www.catswilleatyou.com) and their new creation: Arlo. I was thrilled with the project since back in college I painted my friend Matt multiple times (probably nearly 20) and I was honored to now be including their new child Arlo. Above is the final mixed media peice that I mailed to them, and below is a series of studies that will offer insight into the progression I take from idea to finished work.  

 I was given a series of photos to work from selected by Courtney. I chose my favorites and did a series of ink studies. The above one was a fun exploration of space and composition, and included the element of music which is an important thing in Matt & Courtney's world. This sketch also hearkened back to subject matter of the baby, which was the subject of a majority of my work in college while painting on an easel right next to Matt. On the wall of Matt & Courtney's home they have one of my largest "baby paintings" hanging up on their wall.

The most touching photograph in the set was a simple shot of Matt and Arlo on a couch. Arlo is staring at his own hand, seemingly bewildered by it. He may have been starring at Courtney who was taking the photo also. A narrative occurred to me immediately upon seeing the photograph. Arlo, staring at his own hands, being the offspring of two extremely talented and artistic parents, was to me referencing his own bright future and future talents to soon be crafted. This was compelling to me on a variety of levels. I decided to attempt a few more studies.

The watercolor study shown above was a collaboration done with Kenny in Portland, Maine. Kenny collaborates with me often and our styles challenge us to think up new solutions to old problems. His additions, particularly the dragon on the right hand side, to my composition study inspired the colorful section in the final piece. To me, it added to the narrative as it represented Matt Semke's ongoing artist's mind which is always creating new images and ideas, while holding his greatest creation. 

The final work was a marker drawing, with watercolors, and colored pencils layered on top. Happy Father's Day to a great family. 

William Hessian at the Richard Boyd Art Gallery

Earlier this year I got an invite from artist Kenny Cole to submit some work into a satirical art show on an island here in Maine. I had never been to Peak's Island much less the Richard Boyd Art Gallery. However, I loved the concept of the show and a few months later I standing at the art exhibit Off the Wall: Satire in Contemporary American Art looking at my art on the wall.

After a really great art opening and a few excellent conversations with Pamela Williamson and Richard Boyd it was clear that this gallery in Peak's Island was doing some very impressive things. Richard Boyd Art Gallery was hosting some unique art shows, featuring a diversity of artists, and doing it in a very high end and marketable way. I was impressed with both the business side and the artistic side of what they were doing in this tiny building on this little island (an island you need to ferry to in order to get to it). Pamela was impressed with my miniatures and invited me to take part in another upcoming show and next thing you know I am hunched over a table creating a series of miniature bird art for the next show. 

With this submission of miniature art, I was invited to be represented as an ongoing artist showing my miniatures on the back wall. I am excited to have a chance to have an constant place to display and sell my miniature paintings. I also wanted to feature a few of the new works here: 

Miniature "white eared humming bird" art by William Hessian. The painting is less than 2 inches wide. Below are some of the rest of the miniatures I am displaying at the gallery. Check out the Richard Boyd Art Gallery if you want to inquire about purchasing one of my miniatures. On the website you can read my artist statement, and my biography. Or come visit the island itself and take a beautiful ferry ride, I can guarantee its worth it.

 Great Gray Owl, less than 2 inches wide, ink and watercolor on paper

Sharp Tailed Sparrow, less than 2 inches wide, ink and watercolor on paper

Rose Breasted Grosbeak, less than 2 inches wide, ink and watercolor on paper

Also make sure to check out the Richard Boyd Art Gallery Facebook Page and keep up to date with all the monthly art shows and featured artists. Also make sure to see William Hessian's website for more miniatures.

Cat Fish

Another quick watercolor study. This rough design is based off of a series of larger paintings titled, Wicked cats. I enjoy the idea of cats being built with crude shapes and lines, and yet still remaining undoubtedly a cat.

watercolor and ink on paper. 2012

You can find a spider and fish in the picture. This watercolor was made so that it can fold and be sent to one of my great friends as a card in the mail. However, it is often hard to choose who should receive such a card, and it seem to be harder to sit down and write cards these days as the old fashioned mail seems to move far too slow for these modern days. And yet, it is so romantic to send a card.

I have, on many occasions, declared that I will start sending more letters to the list of my friends who i think deserves a hand written letter. Only to never get to it, and put it off for months and year.

Which reminds me, I need to work on my art-o-mat blocks. Which reminds me, I need to update my website, which reminds me I need to make sure I have my King of the Pill web

comic ready to go tonight, which reminds me....I have too much to do.

In actuality my real priority is preparing for teaching 10 different classes of 1st grade, and an after school ceramics class, and a comic book class next week. I need to review my lesson plans, or maybe I will do the much less productive thing and drink beer and watch football. I can blame it on being American.

The Tardis Effect

watercolor on paper. william hessian 2012.

Do you ever have this happen to you?

You are just using up left over paint. Trying to let the creative juices flow. Weird, almost alien things come out of you. Even your body seems to contort in an odd was as you add more unusual elements to your work. Each decision seems to make less visual sense then the last.

You step back, your face is all crunched up, trying to decide if this is garbage...or if this is the greatest thing you have ever made. For a moment, it is the greatest thing you have ever made. You are the most important person in the world. You have done something, made something, that no one in the entire world has ever thought of. You are a genius.

And then the moment passes. The watercolors dry. The veil of the brilliant masterpiece fades away, and you are left with a very quirky little painting. Art does this to me all the time. Abstract art does this to me nearly every time. It is a drug. The fabricated moment when time stops and it feels like I have just done it, cracked the code, figured out the meaning of life, made the most important painting in the history of the human race; is an incredible high that cannot be duplicated by drugs or alcohol. It is the high of the unknown.

In the end. It is just another painting.

Painting of Lists

watercolor on paper. william hessian 2012.

This is surely a mess of a painting. I once saw an art exhibit of work by Laura Wennstrom. She had this one piece which was comprised of all these little note cards filled with lists of things she needed to do each day for an entire year. Then she sewed them all together to make a tapestry. This was important to me, because I also make lists and instantly I found the beauty in my lists, because i saw beauty and honesty in her lists. My ugly watercolor is a result of sloppy strokes. I could not toss the paper away, and began writing notes and making little sketches on it. Even a few private parts and hidden meanings. See if you can see them.

Some of the lists are real and functional. Some of the lists are metaphorical. And one of the lists is just plain made up. I could have made all the text on this blog post one big list. With numbers. It would have looked like this:

1. This is surely a mess of a painting
2. I once saw an art exhibit of work by Laura Wennstrom
3. She had this one piece which was comprised of all these little note cards filled with lists of things she needed to do each day for an entire year.
4. Then she sewed them all together to make a tapestry.
5. This was important to me, because I also make lists and instantly I found the beauty in my lists, because i saw beauty and honesty in her lists. My ugly watercolor is a result of sloppy strokes.
6. I could not toss the paper away, and began writing notes and making little sketches on it.
7. Even a few private parts and hidden meanings.
8. See if you can see them. 
9. Some of the lists are real and functional.
10. Some of the lists are metaphorical.
11. And one of the lists is just plain made up.
12. I could have made all the text on this blog post one big list.
13. With numbers.


I once made a webcomic about lists:

Do you like paintings of dogs?

watercolor on paper.

Do you like paintings of dogs?

Because I do.

Here is a painting I made of a dog. This painting is made for a certain type of dog that has yet to exist. This paintings is made for future reference of this breed of dog. It labels all notable features of the dog in exquisite detail. By looking at this painting, you are gaining knowledge which is unquestionably invaluable to the survival of the human race. The answer is here. The answer is always in the art.

Time to find it.

Gorky inspired me. Miro inspired me. Kandinsky inspired me. Basquiat inspired me. They conversed with each other in another dimension and asked me gently to make them a painted guide to the working of this breed of dog. Please love it.

Made by William Hessian at the Jamestown Art Center only a few minutes after the class of 15 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders left the classroom to go out into the windy freezing day. For a moment the classroom was quiet, for a moment the classroom was mine.

Song of the Pulsars

watercolor on paper

At times the children have so much fun, playing and spilling all the watercolors. At times I sit for hours after class wiping up their mess with a brush; and putting it on paper. At times, the little goofy sketches the kids make killing time while I explain the rules of the classroom give me so many ideas. It is a warrior horse. It has hidden meaning. It is the face of the child who makes me laugh.

Created in the Jamestown Art Center. January 2012.

Untitled (new abstract watercolor)

Untitled 2011

Watercolor on paper

by William Hessian

Words turn into shapes, and the people turn into crowds. Whispers turn into speeches, and those voices turn into music. The dance has truly begun.

Figure Drawing - The Fear of Drawing the Nude

When I was in high school, I was terrified at the idea of drawing someone without clothes on. I thought it would be embarrassing for me, and embarrassing for the model. I felt either I was going to be uncomfortably attracted to the model, or uncomfortably disgusted by them. I think this is a pretty common feeling among young artists.



Then came Drawing 1 in college. Three hours, starring at a rather large middle aged woman, trying to draw her curves. I was terrified. However, as a the room full of first time figure drawers snickers and held back laughs, everyone settled in to a very comfortable session of drawing. Once you forget you are looking at a naked person, and start to only pay attention to shadows, light and darkness, forms and shapes, negative and positive space. Next thing you know you have a figure on your paper. By the end of the three hour class I was astonished to realize how helpful the session was. I immediately signed up to join the weekly optional drawing class and have been hooked ever since.



My good college friend and art battle partner Matt Semke has been consistently finding good figure drawing sessions for years. You can see hundreds of his figure drawings at cats will eat you. While Matt has been joining classes since college, I have basically taken the last 6 years off from figure drawing. When I found a life drawing class here in Portland Maine I was really excited; it has been long overdue. I used to be a chalk and pastel kind of guy, before that it was pencil and charcoal. I've been feeling more like a marker and watercolor kind of guy lately, so all my drawings shown here are mostly marker and watercolor, with a little pencil sketching underneath. All of these drawings are from the first two sessions, I will post more after every few classes.









If you have scrolled down through all of the pictures you are rewarded with an end of the blog bonus. See, when I was putting all of my photos into GIMP (the poor mans photoshop) I accidentally hit something called threshold while trying to adjust the levels. Bam! The photo went all James Bond on me, and kicked into this crazy black and white image. Needless to say it looks really neat, especially on this particular photo. I tried using this filter on a few others and the effect was not very exciting. I thought it made this image almost look as if it came from a photo, and I enjoy the contrast. I hope you enjoy the post, and the special bonus image.

Creating Art in the Emotional Storm

Right as I realized I need to move (AGAIN) away from Unity and into a larger town, needed to find a new place to live, needed to find a new job, needed to start a new chapter of my life...I started to create. In times of great stress and turmoil, I usually find inspiration to create. My long term relationship of three years was over... I was left trying to pick up the pieces. Like always, I gravitate towards the healing power of art.

One of the things I've done in the last few weeks besides the Maine Draw A Thon 2 and visiting the Portland Museum of Art and Spindleworks, is set up paint a thons on my webcam. Just painting and chatting with folks while I do so. The interactive parts makes the loneliness of painting pretty much vanish. You can see the wicked cats I posted last week that was done during these painting shows, and here are five others I have created.






This post is part of a series of new painting by william hessian

Drawings from International Music Camp

This is a collection of drawings/paintings I have done at International Music Camp this week. I was selected to teach the middle school art program here, and I was lucky to meet 7 awesome students. Together we studied forms and shape, drawing people (from all angles even above and below), 2 point perspective, color theory, abstract art, plien air drawing, sketching people and a number of other great topics.

All of this in only one week! While we drew, we got to listened to other students learning to play instruments or sing choir; we got to collect caterpillars (hundreds of them); and walk to the International Peace Garden. Each student got to pick their 6 favorite works and put them up in a gallery for the performance. Here is the 8 I selected for the Faculty Showcase Slideshow. Enjoy:

Watercolor Self Portraits using a grid

I taught an art class a few weeks ago, focusing on drawing our own faces using a grid system. We used mirrors (you can preferably used printed photos) with a grease pencil grid drawn on it. Then we created a grid on a sheet of paper and transferred each square from the mirror onto the paper. The two biggest difficulties with using a mirror instead of a photo is depth perception, and making sure you line up in the mirror the same place each time. Using a photograph makes things a lot easier.

After sketching in our faces, we then used watercolors to try to add color to our faces. Many of the adults in the class had little to no experience and made some really great results, here are three samples I was able to photograph and then my own:

Please note these were all done in one hour.






I strongly suggest trying this method on your own, because it is a great learning experience, and an easy way to make a very good portrait. Chuck Close is rumored to use a similar grid system in his amazing over-sized portraits. If you do not know Chuck Close check out the link, his work is amazing.