All will be new again.

2014 is starting out as a year for the new.  I moved into a new house and a new studio space.   This studio space is too cold so I drew a self portrait in my stocking cap.  The work space is cold as it is in the basement next to the boiler and the makeup air enters from outside above my head.  It's been minus degrees Fahrenheit every night almost all winter.

John Terwilliger, "Self Portrait with stocking hat", Charcoal on Plywood, 19"x15", 2014-01-10

This new drawing is created directly on the plywood and spray fixed.  For anyone planning to work on plywood as a drawing substrate be aware that spray fix significantly alters the drawing, especially with light colored or white pastel.  Testing and planning will give you predictable results.

I plan on creating a number of portraits on plywood of family etc. so there is a body of portrait work on plywood to show.  I always tell younger artists to make sure they create enough in a given style or subject matter so they can put together a solo show.  I think it is good advice and plan to follow it which means at the size of this self portrait I need about fifty.  It's always good to have a plan and with a simple frame portraits make great holiday or birthday gifts.

The plywood I use in my art is leftover and scraps from various home renovation and cabinet construction jobs and as such is considered "green" or as recycled material.  This drawing is on a leftover piece of 1/4" b/c pine plywood which was used for the bottoms of drawers on a custom kitchen cabinet base unit I constructed for the new home.  The kitchen cabinet also used 3/4" a/b poplar plywood for the counter top, sides, and drawer and door faces.  I have started to draw on the left over poplar plywood and very much liking the results.

More on the cabinet a poplar plywood later.

Artistic Side Table

Solid wood side table refinished with dark walnut stain with an original drawing on the top. This table is 48"Wx16"Dx30.5"T. The drawing on the top features a large treetop splaying away fro the center done in black and ochre. The color mirrors the smokey stained background of natural wood. The top surface is treated with a heavy polycoat for protection and durability.

Upscaled Storage cabinet

This piece is a standard sized storage cabinet of the type typically installed over the toilet in a bathroom. It is refinished and coated with poly on both the interior and exterior for durability. I have drawn a treetop style drawing on the front door. There are two shelves inside the cabinet.

Upcycled Furniture

I recently began making upcycled furniture. Here are a few examples.

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A new feature from my print on demand site

Sparrows in the Hoar Frost

Here is a color pencil drawing based on some sparrows in a lilac bush last winter. The day was clear and bright and the sparrows were spending the morning flitting through the branches.

"Sparrows in the Hoar Frost", color pencil on paper, 9"x6", 2010-04-10

End of the Race

I came upon this dead rat while walking the dog, laying in the middle of the sidewalk in the bright sunlight. It's race over but now captured in artwork prior to being consumed by crows.

Building Storm - treetop drawing

"Building Storm", Pastel on paper, 22T"x30W", 2010/02/22

Crow in Flight

"Crow in Flight", charcoal on paper, 6"x9", 2010-02-23

Leaves and Branches

Here is a new drawing from yesterday with both leaves and branches.

"Oak Leaves Don't Fall", Pastel on paper, 22T"x30W", 2010/01/06