Dec 22, 2013

Portrait of A Modern Dance

Portrait of A Modern Dance
Pencil on paper 14"x20"
(detail from larger drawing)

Lately I have been doing more detailed drawings, something I haven't done consistently. It's my hope to bring to life some intriguing figures.

Nov 25, 2013

Two Parade Dancers

Two Parade Dancers
Pencil on paper
sketches of two west Indian parade dances (unfinished)

Nov 20, 2013

A Sista' Reads

                                                                   A Sista' Reads
pen on paper

 sketch from done at a poetry reading years back also on my websites.

Aug 20, 2013

West Indian Parade Dancers (Pencil Drawing)

 West Indian Parade Dancers - Pencil on paper Darryl Z. Oates

August 10th I decided to attend the annual West Indian Parade in Hartford CT. I strategically placed my self somewhere near the parade's half way mark and started snapping pictures to be used as  reference for drawings. Above are four young dancers who enthusiastically posed for me during the their march. I may continue work on the drawing later. It is pencil on paper approximately 10"x14".

Jul 26, 2013

art drawing work using artist chacoal and artist turpentine

 
 (Charcoal and White Chalk on Poster Board Turp. Wash - Darryl Z. Oates)

Above is an expressionist self portrait done in my college years. I wanted to capture narrative, your choice, human intensity.

Jul 23, 2013

art charcoal drawing sketch using willow charcoal

('Flare'-Woman in dress  Charcoal Sketch on paper 18"x24" by Darryl Z. Oates)

Above is a sketch of woman in dress done in preparation for painting  
(Sayfiyah' with hands on hips on index page.) 
The drawing was done using willow charcoal.

Jul 21, 2013

Jazz Festival drawing sketches using ink pens



Yesterday about 4:00pm brought my drawing cart and my lawn chair to Hartford's annual Jazz Fest in downtown. The feature artist on Saturday was famed jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley. Got there a little early while they were still setting up and I heard a lesser known but great musicians. Found a spot to sit in the hot sun amongst thousands of people. There was a lot movement, playing, walking and conversation in front of me. Above are three  9"x12" drawings done with a brown marker. The first, drawing kids playing, the second drawing people having causal conversation and people walking by, and the third drawing is of the performance stage from a hill top (the building with the flag).

Jul 18, 2013

Video of Artist




(Video of artist recorded by Belizemultversal )

Above video of artist recorded at a medical fund raiser.

Jul 13, 2013

Concert drawings Sketches using ink pens




(Quick pen and Ink drawings done on the spot approx.  5"x 7" paper - Darryl Z. Oates)

It's that time again,that is, there are number of summer concerts in greater Hartford. Above are pen and ink drawings made some time ago at a summer concert held at Elizabeth park. I will be posting more and detailing the events this year, my motivations, and just sharing with all. Hope you all are enjoying the summer weather and grooving or just relaxing.

Jul 11, 2013

Pastel Drawing

 (approx 18" x 24"Window Fruit - Darryl Z. Oates)

Above a pastel drawing/painting of fruit and plant in window.

Jul 9, 2013

Art drawing using pencils

(Textured Bathroom Glass Window - Darryl Z. Oates )

Above is a pencil drawing of textured glass window I had in an apartment. In the morning it gave me a different atmospheric abstract picture every day.

Jul 6, 2013

A poetic Illustration

 'Sweet Dreams'
(Digital Illustration by Darryl Z. Oates)

This digital illustrative image began as a charcoal drawing then I digitized it and I used graphic software to finish the image.

Jul 5, 2013

Art drawing of memorial using pastels

(Bushnell Arch Magic marker and Oil Pastels - by Darryl Z. Oates)


This fourth of July I decided to take my pencils pens to the famed Hartford monument commemorating those Connecticut residents who served in the civil war. I walked around the monument and tried to find figures that would summarize the monument. The figures above were my choices. The statue to left represents the liberation of slaves and the statue to the left is memorial to union soldiers that served and gave their lives.
So many lives, so many untold stories, the saying goes if you don't know your past you won't know your future I encourage all to take a moment and visit the memorial, or another monument near you that tells of American sacrifices and think about the sacrifices and untold stories, happy belated fourth.


Darryl Z. Oates

Jul 2, 2013

Jun 30, 2013

A History Mural (touched up)



(Mural painted on primed center block Approx 8' X 17' )
(University of Connecticut)

Decided to post a photo of a mural I did for the University of Connecticut many years back as a tribute to black history in America. I remember I did little research and a small survey on who I should be included. Well first I went to an African-American professor, the late Oscar Walters from Baltimore and asked what should a Black history mural be about, his answer was a mural on college level should educate. Then I asked campus counselor, Mr Coachman an older gentleman on who was a significant black history figure, his answer Jackie Robinson. Finally, being from Hartford I met with legendary muralist artist and friend Micheal Borders on the execution on creating the mural. Other figures I chose for integrity and because I just liked. My final decision was, from left to right, Jackie Robinson, Fredrick Douglas, Shirley Chisholm, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, A Spinx (history denied), W.E. Dubois, and Muhammad Ali. Symbolically arranged with the strength and daring of Harriet Tubman leading centered, left side history through integrity of character and personality, a fountain spouting clear water left, to the right of Tubman, figures figures who were known for defying wrongs, the end result there blood shed, a fountain spouting bloody water right. In the sky intellect and well being because I associate the stars with mystery and knowledge. Other symbols are three triangularly arranged stars symbolizing the triangle trade  (continent shape stars) and the baseball that reads excelsior. Sadly the mural was destroyed due to campus development and only a photo now exist for young people in the student union. If your ever there you can check it out.


Jun 25, 2013

Twitch A Poem of Fear


Illustration by Darryl Z. Oates)
Twitch 
In your dreary nervous dreams have you ever felt impending doom from fuzzy corners of a room, or felt the nervous drop from a fall you could not stop? Then suddenly you awakened from the fears that left you shaken as you tried to ease your senses in light of periled consequences, because foolishly you dare challenge a force you could not manage? While your poker face delivers inside you only quiver, you barely stood astounded as your precious heart aptly pounded. Then you finally came to realize your hopes had just been stranded, when lady nightmare just had landed.
Poem by Darryl Z. Oates

Jun 23, 2013

Celebration and drawing gig



 (by: Darryl Z.Oates - digitized charcoal drawing)
(not from event)

At a summer out door celebration of a young man's graduation party arranged by his mother doing portraits of guests. The first portrait I did was of the honored young man, who I discovered was a very decent person, and this time I felt compelled to do more finished job than I usually do so I took more time. I probably did ten or twelve total. The family was a strongly religious West Indian family and most friends that celebrated his accomplishment and continued journey were also form his church. As I drew there was light conversation amongst me and the models. Things like 'how long have you been doing this' from them and 'are you from around here' from me. The host was gracious enough to fix me a plate curried goat, chicken and ribs, rice along with a delicious slice of cake. I was happy that everyone expressed enjoyment in their artistic likeness and it was a pleasant event.

Jun 17, 2013

Art Drawing Sketches in Motion

The Movers
(pastel sketches: by Darryl Z. Oates)
At it again, drawing live portraits at an event of kids and adults (most times families) on fathers day. The challenge was drawing the infants and kids when they are shy or hyper active.  In that situation I had to stand up or reposition my head in the direction that the kid decided to move to maintain steady view. Above are not sketches of kids but of people walking by between sessions.


Jun 16, 2013

A Sex Drive Poem





In hot summer heat in August and May salty beads of water gathered in play on hot heated bodies to vanish away. Happened so fast some just gathered and pooled then took crooked rides to unknown places marking their lives by salty wet traces. Despite the sweat that cools in cool breezes it couldn’t cool heat that August heat teases. The heat that played played all day and wouldn’t cool down til’ August loved May. 

Darryl Z. Oates

Jun 1, 2013

The Hustler


 (Still from movie 'The Mack' - Max Julien and Richard Pryer)

The hustler, no not the stuff of old black exploitation movies I mean finding away to make ends meet financially and hopefully with some profit legally and morally. Today I decided to vend out my skills in downtown Hartford at an out door event selling portraiture. It was a marathon charity in Bushnell Park. I brought my cart, what looks some what like a baby carriage full of necessary supplies, chair, sign, marker, pad, and bottle of water in anticipation of a hot day. I sold work at bargain prices to a few families and some individuals. The vast majority there were oblivious to me and just focused on the marathon. Well not much profit monetarily, but I did manage to make a few connections that may lead to better business.

May 29, 2013

A Poem of UnEquality





(multimedia illustration; by Darryl Z. Oates)

I made this illustration for a image for a poem I wrote called when eagles fly
I use magic marker, ink, pen, pastel, and the computer.
When Eagles Fly

Mar 15, 2013

Epressive Art Sketches and Drawings

Practice and play makes perfect or just something closer to it and sometimes new discoveries are made along the way. Right now I don't have a lot of time to put in creating like I want, "such is life", but I do attend figure drawing sessions which I've done for many years after leaving college. It helps by sharpening mind and eye hand coordination. After reviewing the many many figure drawings I've made I've discovered there are a series of drawings that are stylized and a montage of expression.    
        Like the discovery by abstract artist  Jackson Pollock and his famed abstract series created accidentally by letting paint drip from his brush to his canvas and accepting it I decided to accepted it as a spontaneous and exciting cerebral play of expressive work. Below is my expressive series of work of unfinished figures on top of figures.

 (charcoal drawings by Darryl Z. Oates)
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