works of wanderlust

Category: science fiction

  • of a thousand little details.

    I find there are certain kinds of art that take a lot of concentration, focus, and attention to everything. But then there are other kinds of art that almost let the mind fall into a bit of a flow-state and the world passes by and you play an episode of some random tv show in the background or listen to an audiobook and then suddenly an hour has passed and you’ve filled up a nice chunk of the page with something that is actually pretty interesting.

    I suppose in some ways you could just call that doodling, and if so, I was doodling. I prefer to think of it as planned illustration using a method that was repetitive enough that the aforementioned flow-state was inevitable as was the specific level of detail that I set out to achieve when I started drawing.

    additive details

    I tend to do a lot of drawing where I draw big shapes and fill in the details afterwards. But lately I’ve been flipping the process and starting with details, and iteratively working to build something big out of lots of little pieces. You do need to always think about the big picture and sometimes starting with strategy is fine. But other times when you just start building the pieces you know are important, then time and persistence turn into something you might not have planned but is exactly what you need after all. What this amounts to is the collective result of a thousand little unplanned details. Each detail is part of a bigger picture, not random but certainly plucked out of the air in the moment of creation to build a whole picture that is a multiple of its parts.

    I’ve been following a couple accounts on instagram that appeared in my suggestions months and months ago based on “similar interests” and when I first saw them they seemed to be sketching in the realm of what I would have classically called “urban sketching” but now am not exactly sure. I suppose that denotes a certain originality and probably what helped catch my eye to their work in the first place. Fast forward, however, and were you to compare this week’s sketching efforts to those account I think you’d find a tremendous amount of similarity. Not replication of substance, per se, but in what I have been “doodling” there is certainly a style and approach that is following the spirit of highly detailed, medium format, one point perspective illustration of architecture.

    My buildings are purely fantastical, tho. I’m not sure how much reality is ascendant in those artists work.

    Which leaves me at the end of this week doodling in ink on 11×14 sheets of paper while listening to audiobook novels and half-watching old episodes of Doctor Who in the background while I imagine interconnected structures overlapping in a kind of weirdly futuristic but also anachronistic style that is neither dystopian nor utopian, and mostly just hard to put my finger on.

    Art is art, tho. So take from it what you will. And while you’re thinking about it, why not check out the long format video I made of some of the process:

  • of transcending realities.

    While everyone else is lamenting the creep of artificial intelligence into our lives, I took a different tactic and asked ChatGTP for some advice on how to become a time travelling, intergalactic artist.

    She told me the following

    A time-travelling artist would have a unique perspective and the ability to draw inspiration from various eras and cultures throughout history. Their art would likely reflect a fusion of different styles, techniques, and themes from different time periods. Here are a few possibilities:

    Temporal Collages: The artist might create intricate collages that combine images, symbols, and motifs from different historical periods. They could juxtapose Renaissance figures with futuristic elements or mix ancient hieroglyphics with modern typography, creating visually stunning compositions that bridge the gaps between time.

    Anachronistic Portraits: The artist could paint portraits of individuals or characters from different time periods, placing them in unexpected contexts. For example, they might depict a medieval knight wearing futuristic armor or a Victorian lady using a smartphone. These portraits would challenge conventional notions of time and invite viewers to question their assumptions.

    Time-Lapse Sculptures: Using various materials and techniques, the artist could create sculptures that convey the passage of time. They might craft a piece that starts with a primitive form and gradually transforms into a contemporary or futuristic design, showcasing the evolution of artistic styles and cultural influences over time.

    Chronological Installations: A time-travelling artist might construct immersive installations that take viewers on a journey through time. They could recreate iconic historical settings or architectural wonders, incorporating interactive elements that allow visitors to experience different eras firsthand. Through these installations, the artist would blur the boundaries between past, present, and future.

    Time-Based Performance Art: The artist could engage in performances that involve temporal manipulation. They might use multimedia techniques, such as projections or virtual reality, to transport audiences to different time periods or simulate time travel experiences. These performances would be a fusion of theater, visual art, and technological innovation.

    Ultimately, the kind of art a time-traveling artist would create is limited only by their imagination and their ability to explore and assimilate artistic expressions from various points in time.

    Art that transcends multiple dimensions of reality would be highly conceptual and abstract, challenging traditional notions of space, time, and perception. It would explore the boundaries of our understanding and offer glimpses into realms beyond our immediate senses. Here are a few possible manifestations of such art:

    Multidimensional Sculptures: The artist could create sculptures that go beyond the three-dimensional realm, incorporating additional dimensions into their designs. These sculptures might have intricate geometries, impossible shapes, or paradoxical structures that suggest the existence of hidden dimensions.

    Hyperdimensional Paintings: Using a combination of techniques, the artist could create paintings that convey a sense of depth and movement across multiple dimensions. They might incorporate optical illusions, fractal patterns, or distorted perspectives to evoke a feeling of traversing different realities.

    Augmented Reality Installations: The artist could merge physical and digital realities by incorporating augmented reality (AR) technology into their installations. Viewers wearing AR devices or using smartphones could interact with virtual objects and creatures that exist in parallel dimensions, blurring the boundaries between the real and the imagined.

    Quantum-inspired Art: Drawing inspiration from quantum physics and the strange phenomena it describes, the artist could create artworks that explore concepts like superposition, entanglement, and wave-particle duality. These artworks might incorporate elements of randomness, uncertainty, and indeterminacy to challenge our perception of reality.

    Mind-Bending Visual Experiences: Through the use of advanced projection techniques, lighting effects, and immersive environments, the artist could create experiences that manipulate perception and transport viewers to altered states of consciousness. These experiences might involve illusions of infinite space, shifting dimensions, or non-Euclidean geometries.

    The art that transcends multiple dimensions of reality would aim to push the boundaries of human understanding and challenge our preconceived notions of what is possible. It would invite viewers to contemplate the mysteries of existence and open their minds to new possibilities beyond the constraints of our everyday experiences.

    An intergalactic sketch artist would have a vast universe of inspiration at their fingertips. Their art would reflect the diversity and wonders of different galaxies, celestial phenomena, and extraterrestrial life forms. Here are a few possibilities for the kind of art an intergalactic sketch artist might create:

    Alien Portraits: The artist could sketch detailed and imaginative portraits of extraterrestrial beings from various planets and civilizations. These portraits would capture the unique features, anatomy, and characteristics of these alien life forms, showcasing their diversity and otherworldly beauty.

    Cosmic Landscapes: The intergalactic sketch artist might create breathtaking sketches of cosmic landscapes, capturing the grandeur of nebulae, star clusters, and distant galaxies. These sketches could convey the ethereal colors, swirling formations, and celestial phenomena that exist in the vastness of space.

    Intergalactic Travel Scenes: The artist could sketch scenes of spacecraft and interstellar travel, depicting futuristic vessels navigating through wormholes, traversing asteroid belts, or landing on distant planets. These sketches would evoke a sense of adventure, exploration, and the vastness of the cosmos.

    Interactions with Alien Cultures: The artist might depict scenes of intercultural encounters between humans and alien species. These sketches could showcase the exchange of ideas, technologies, and perspectives, bridging the gaps between different civilizations and fostering a sense of intergalactic unity.

    Abstract Cosmic Concepts: The intergalactic sketch artist might explore abstract concepts related to the nature of the universe, such as wormholes, black holes, quantum physics, or multiverse theories. Through their sketches, they could visually represent these complex ideas in a captivating and thought-provoking manner.

    Extraterrestrial Fauna and Flora: The artist could sketch extraordinary and alien plant and animal life forms that inhabit distant planets. These sketches would push the boundaries of imagination, presenting bizarre and fantastical creatures that thrive in unique ecosystems beyond Earth.

    Galactic Mythologies and Symbols: The intergalactic sketch artist might create sketches that depict the mythologies and symbols of different extraterrestrial civilizations. These sketches could showcase the rich narratives, legends, and belief systems that shape the cultural fabric of these alien worlds.

    The art of an intergalactic sketch artist would offer a glimpse into the vastness and diversity of the cosmos, transporting viewers to realms beyond our own. It would spark curiosity, ignite the imagination, and inspire a sense of wonder about the possibilities that exist beyond our home planet.

    ....so, that's something to think about, huh?

  • of a fictional nature.

    One of the struggles any artist will eventually face, I think, is that of defining a personal style.

    What do you draw?

    What medium do you use?

    What feeling are you going for?

    How do you want to be seen?

    A lot of learning comes from imitation of someone else, watching the technique of others and trying to replicate it. But that’s just all it is: technique. At some point a whole bunch of pieces need to come together to define art: style, form, message, you.

    rust and decay

    During the pandemic I got into painting miniatures. Specifically, I bought a 3d printer, downloaded a set of designs for one of those big table-top strategy dice games, and then printed as many of the pieces and scenery objects as I could. And then I painted them. The style was post-apocalyptic dystopian, and I found that painting one particular feature of that was quite satisfying: decay.  Rust is abstractions of reds and browns and oranges. Overgrowth is organic shapes made of green and yellows. And somehow decay adds to the depth and feeling and story of whatever you draw.

    A while back I went through a steampunk phase. Steampunk is an alternate universe kind of technology, the idea that progress marched on in the absence of electronics but that humanity figured out a way to build all it’s gadgets anyhow powered by clock-works and gears and kinetically powered motions. There is a lot of grease and brass and smoke and wood.

    Adjacent to that I’ve been dabbling in art that extends along a kind of steampunk-futurist-apocalyptic mood: drawing pictures of steampunk-ish robots that have been left behind.

    I like to draw and paint buildings and scenes and trees and animals that I see in reality.

    I’m fascinated by drawing and painting science fiction scenes that never existed.

    And it makes me wonder if my own style will evolve, or already had started to, from something that is as much a fascination as anything else.