Recent Work By Myron Gilbert

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. These drawing are of the same person in two consecutive poses. She was quite still but also conveyed action. That is what I call a first rate model. She picked the poses she wanted. Except to tell them “nothing weird, uncomfortable or unnatural,” I let models figure it out for themselves. They are professionals who know what they are doing. Obviously, she is a large person. She is also quite graceful.  #34 is in crayon; #35 is ink and watercolor. On 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. The model transfigured. I have no idea why I drew this the way I did. But that’s nothing new. It always starts with the best way to use the space on the white paper or canvas in front of me and the rest happens on its own. Some end OK, others not so much. Is it a matter of “letting the creativity juices flow” or inspiration. That’s all a bunch of crap dreamed up by those who have no idea about creating stuff. It may have been getting late and we were in a rush to get home. Crayon and oil pastel on 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. These are two models who are rendered in different media and different styles. The intention is to show not only a difference in appearance but also a difference in personality. #28 was not quite as ample size-wise as she is drawing but her personality was certainly ample; brusque and forceful are adjectives that come to mind. I drew her in compressed charcoal and conté stick. #31 was quite self-conscious about posing so I put clothes on her and drew her with a 4B graphite pencil, a medium that is quite sensitive. Both are on 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. These are drawings of one female model who sat so patiently and who was much at home, or so it seemed with her bulk. Personally, I find drawing what they call “full figure” people over drawing muscular or skinny people. Somehow it is more interesting. On the other hand, their weight-related current or potential health issues is always something on the back of my mind. The style is my usual semi-abstract expressionism. #24, #25, and #26 are crayon drawings. #27 is in compressed and soft charcoal with white chalk highlights. All are on 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. This one is a drawing of a male model, more or less like a statue in semi-abstract style. You may note that there was no regard for proper proportion or perspective. The focus was on the overall design of the page. Black and blue crayon. Like all the other drawings in this series, these two are drawn on 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. There are a whole series of nudes in this sketchbook so I am posting two or three at a time as collages. I got into the habit of drawing nudes from life from studying at the Art Students League in New York City. It is a good habit. Good models make good poses and good poses generate ideas about drawing them. Right now, there is an exhibit at the League called “On The Front Lines,” by artists who either taught or studied at the League and who are also WWII vets (June 19 to July 29). Two of them, Terry Coyle and Peter Golfinopolous, taught me much. Like all the other drawings in this series, these two are drawn on 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.

Again, from that sketchbook I recently unearthed and opened. There are a whole series of nudes in this sketchbook so I am posting two or three at a time as collages. I have repeated been asked to classify myself as an artist: a figurative artist, an abstractionist. An impressionist, an expressionist, a cartoonist? I have never known quite what to say. I know that I have been influenced by the German Expressionists and that somehow this was true even before I knew what the German Expressionist movement, let alone Neue Sachlichkeit was. The first time I saw a Max Beckmann I knew what was driving my ideas. I was reminded of that in an article about the current Lucien Freud drawings show at Acquavella by Thomas Michelli of the Hyperallergic blog (GALLERIES • WEEKEND). Based on that article, I guess you could stick me in surreal expressionism category. I’ll take it. Like all the other drawings in this series these are drawn on 11 x 14 archival, Aquabee paper.