Honesty in Art

Just a little Leonardo da Vinci - drawing by Tina Steele Lindsey

Presidential Candidate Hilary Clinton - drawing by Tina Steele Lindsey

Presidential Candidate Donald Trump - drawing by Tina Steele Lindsey

“Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad. ” ~Salvador Dali

Behind in a little blogging here!  Since my last post we had an election, and I thought I would catch up and post some images I have already posted on social media, please excuse if you have seen these already!  They are pretty self-explanatory, the sanguine image at the top of the post is a sketch I did of one of Leonardo's subjects, from the book underneath,  Leonardo da Vinci – the Complete Paintings, by Frank Zollner.  If paint went away entirely, I would be okay with a stick of charcoal.  I love the raw, rudimentary aspect of nothing but charcoal and a clean surface to scratch it upon. 

I am the world's worst for picking apart my work.  For instance, now that the sketches are complete, I see in the side-by-side that I was a little heavy handed with Hillary's brow creases, her chin was contoured incorrectly, and her lower cheeks could stand to be a tad fuller.  That written I am okay with it, it is an honest sketch, with honest errors.  That is what makes us human. 

We have had some mild days in Georgia this winter, but you will not hear a complaint from me. There is nothing better to me than walking on warm wood floors and not hearing the heat pump running all day, something I got use to growing up in the low country of Beaufort, SC. 

I have been working on some new work.  We can talk about that later.  My best to anyone coming across this blog; be well, and above all things, be happy.

A Mystery Still

Portrait in Charcoal - Tina Steele Lindsey

Give thanks for sorrow that teaches you pity; for pain that teaches you courage - and give exceeding thanks for the mystery which remains a mystery still - the veil that hides you from the infinite, which makes it possible for you to believe in what you cannot see.  ~ Robert Nathan

I have closed my little rural gallery, a bit remote from the beaten path for most, and though I loved the tiny historic block I felt my time best suited to continue my focus solidly on my work.

Peace and Love

Who loves 'ya baby...

A dog will love you more than he loves himself.

I lost two angels but gained two more ...

I bid you adieu! 
Angel in acrylic - by Tina Steele Lindsey

.  

And adieu to you, too! 

Angel in pastel pencils by Tina Steele Lindsey

After a particularly trying day, which I shall not go into here, a couple from Pittsburg stepped into the gallery minutes before I was leaving.  We had lovely conversation and visit, they were very complimentary.  Before leaving they purchased two of my angels, two I did not intend to sell but rather used as examples of my work; due their great enthusiasm for them I agreed to sell.  After they departed I began gathering my things to leave for the day when I spied their sales receipt on the counter.  I dashed out the door to the parking lot in order to locate them, and as I couldn't I then popped into fellow merchant's businesses hoping they were still in town, but alas the patrons were not to be found.  Returning to the gallery I locked the door and minutes later saw the gentleman hurrying across the parking lot toward the door.  Greeting him with receipt in my hand I announced I was happy he returned for it!  He replied he had not returned for the receipt but rather came back hoping I was still there, he and his wife couldn't possibly go back to Pennsylvania without purchasing two of my abstracts they had admired the first time!  So I bid farewell to my bad day, two angels, and gained two new ones!  Godspeed!  

Muse

My Muse - portrait in charcoal by Tina Steele Lindsey

This charcoal sketch was created last night from a photo of my muse. I caught a moment as she was heading out the door, I only wish I had the time to paint her right then and there.  Here is hoping your memories last forever.

Lindsey Steele

Sometimes we all feel this way...

Heavenly Concerns - Tina Steele Lindsey

SOLD

Feeling a bit overwhelmed?  With so many demands upon our time these days it is imperative we find some time to nurture our body and mind with peaceful endeavors.  Curl up with a good book, take a walk, run, play a video game, do some yoga, listen to soothing music, sit outside and watch the birds, work in a garden, do something that does your mind and body good, bring about some peace. I usually unwind by drawing.  I haven't had much time for drawing, but the week is young.  This is my most recent  drawing, an angel from Cemetery Staglieno, in tinted charcoal. So much inspiration from great sculpture.
Spring is on its way as evidenced by the daffodils and tulip trees in bloom.  I am my happiest in the springtime, a holdover from my childhood.  Enjoy your week, and should you find yourself a bit stressed do take some time for yourself to do something just for yourself, re-energize, it really is important to your well being.

Exqueeze my tardiness!

Tina Steele Lindsey

I cannot believe it has been so long since my last post! Christmas has come and gone, we are nearing the end of the first month of the new year, and I am finding that running a small studio and gallery takes an incredible amount of time in greeting visitors, installing work, answering calls and emails and posting on social media - all part of my day.  It has been a great learning experience being on the flip side of the coin.  My new discovery, old for a lot of you, is Instagram and I am finding it a wonderful place to post our gallery artist's work. You can find me under my full name, Tina Steele Lindsey, on Instagram.  If you wish to learn more about the gallery I am including the gallery link, HERE,  I will continue to use this blog to post my own paintings and drawings as I have always done.
As far as my own creative juices I have managed to begin a couple paintings as I have a little studio section off the rear of the gallery building in which to work.  At the top of the post is a recent drawing, thank you for taking time to visit my blog.

I have always enjoyed all styles of art, but in the end it is the classics that move my heart, pieces that tell a story of life's triumphs and adversities, the human spirit.  The greatest of landscapes are those reflected on the faces which show the heart and soul of an individual, a face that tells a story.  These are my favorite works to do, hope you enjoy this one, and please visit my website as I will be blogging from there.  The link is at the top of the page.  Thanks for visiting...

Moved ~

It has been eons since I have posted, but we did get moved.  So glad that is over.  It took a little longer than I anticipated, but it is done.  Unfortunately in the middle of it I took a bad fall when I stepped backward without realizing a floor fan was behind me.  I will leave out all the pleasantries about all that because I am not the first one to take a bad fall.  I've gotten some work completed, and for anyone interested materials used here are Pan Pastel, sponge applicators, and messes corrected with eraser.  That's about it for now, hoping life is treating you and yours well.  Best~

Taking a little time off as I've been preoccupied in a search for new studio space, my nose daily in listings and driving to and fro and yet have not located what I am looking for.  My requirements are very specific which limits my options but I am hopeful if I remain diligent the right space will present itself.  We are also getting ready to move by end of July as well, much going on.  I hope you are finding summertime agreeable, no problem in that for me.
(drawing, graphite -  TSL) 

Natalie didn't like the movie, either.

Natalie - graphite on paper - TSL

My sweet husband and I stay so very busy that when we get a day to chill that is precisely what we do.  We go nowhere.  Yesterday, after a relaxing day and fabulous dinner cooked by Chef D. (husband) we retired to the sofa to watch a movie he chose, a cowboy movie which turned out to consist of innocent families terrorized and eventually murdered; this went on the duration of the movie, horrible.  Because we have so little time together I wanted to stay in the same room but not watch the movie, so I grabbed my computer and a drawing pad and opted to draw Natalie Portman from a compilation of photos I found on the internet.  Though I tried not to watch the movie, I heard the movie, and the emotional roller coaster of its theme came through in my drawing.  This drawing is a perfect example why I prefer beautiful music and no distractions while painting, beauty begets beauty, angst begets angst.  Our emotions will come through in our work, as artists and as individuals as well.  Clearly, Natalie can attest to that.
I have been considering that what separates us in life and in the arts is our individual strengths and flaws which enable each person to bring something UNIQUE to the table. If we were all perfectly rendered we'd be robots. Keeping the life in your art is imperative, after all that is what separates the great works of art, not how perfectly rendered a piece is, but how well it exudes the soul of its creator.

Be Mine - I Wuf You!

 



 

 

If you have a little extra love and time to share please visit your local animal shelter,

there is someone there waiting for you..

-- TSL

What is true beauty?

graphite  on paper -TSL

 

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

— Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Mosey T. Jones

 




Mosey T. Jones - Tina Steele Lindsey

 

Chalk drawing of Mosey T. Jones, family member of Kyle Tibbs Jones of And She Told Two Friends Communications, LLC. His delightful expression so cracked me up I had to grab some chalk and capture it. If animals could talk...

Embrace every good moment.

TSL - chalk and charcoal on paper

The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter - often an unconscious,

but still a truthful interpreter - in the eye. ~ Charlotte Bronte

Mr. Bark

I couldn't sleep.  I decided to draw.

This is Mr. Bark.

Tina Steele Lindsey

Tina Steele Lindsey on Drawing Leslie Neilsen

Tina Steele Lindsey

I always considered the perfect neighborhood as one filled with comedians to keep things lively. 

Leslie Neilsen would have to live in that neighborhood, not a week goes by I don't say, "~and don't call me Shirley."    I was thinking about Leslie Neilsen today and knew I just had to draw him. Laughter is the best medicine.Thank you, Leslie, for your good medicine.

For more information on Leslie and his wonderful

career, click HERE

Pencil and charcoal on paper. 

Tina Steele Lindsey on Fun with Hugh Laurie



Tina Steele Lindsey

I couldn't resist doing Laurie, a favorite. 14X11 charcoal Hugh Laurie has a memorable face. House is on constantly in my home, and I've poured over his face so many times it is emblazoned in my memory. I decided to fussy him up with the idea of 1800's clothing.

Tina Steele Lindsey on Drawing Mary

Tina Steele Lindsey

Mary did you know?
White chalk on 9 X 12 black paper.

Tina Steele Lindsey on Drawing Casey Jones



I loved drawing this pastel of the wonderful late artist, Casey Jones.

Adored by all who knew him, he was a very good friend of my father's, and an excellent painter.

I can see after posting this that there is a smudge at his left temple, I will need to correct that at some point, easily done.

Click on image to view enlargement.