Gila Bend

Gila Bend, Charcoal and pastel, 16x20

Sometimes my drawing is careful and soft as a feather. Other times, as in this sketch of Gila Bend, my stroke is more assertive, economical and confident.  I came across this scene behind a motel I stayed at. The silent train cars, and pile of rail tracks lying on weedy land, were a lesson in linearity and directional dynamism. I began an underpainting with a chunky 1/4'” thick rectangular log of charcoal and found it a perfect medium to express the tough subject matter, leaving the untouched paper to read as earth and sky. After addition of a few strokes of color I decided to hop off the train early.