Neekie Pete

Two portraits of Neekie Pete: the first one that I rejected as soon as I finished it and the second one, which I think is far better than its predecessor. I had the eyes just a bit wrong in my first go-round and it bothered me enough to start over from scratch, which really was a shame because the rest of him was a good likeness. Still, it's the eyes that matter, isn't it? This was a tough little drawing because the dog was laying down at an odd angle in his photograph but after nearly 30 hours of drawing the little guy, I think I at last got it right.

Face Portrait of Neekie Pete, graphite on paper, 2010

Edison Head Study

A medium-sized pencil study of Edison's head and chest. I'm currently working on a portrait of a friend's dog. Actually, to be more precise, a second portrait of that particular dog as I wasn't at all happy with the first one. I just didn't feel I even remotely captured the dog's personality in his eyes so it was back to square one. I hate when things don't go the way I plan, but then that's art for you.

Study of Edison's Head and Chest, graphite on paper, 2010

The Sower

Yesterday and today I worked on the sower, which is done completely differently. The sky is yellow and green, the ground violet and orange. There is certainly a picture of this kind to be painted of this splendid subject, and I hope it will be done someday, either by me or by someone else. Now, could you paint the Sower in color, with a simultaneous contrast of, for instance, yellow and violet, yes or no? Why, yes. Well, do it then. Yes, that is what old Martin said, "The masterpiece is up to you." But try it and you tumble into a regular metaphysical philosophy of color...a mess that is damnably difficult to get out of with honor. And it makes you as absent-minded as a sleepwalker. And yet if only one could do something good. Well, let's be of good heart, and not despair. I hope to send you this attempt along with some others soon.

Vincent to Theo in a letter from Arles, dated 22 July 1888.

The Sower, 1888

Van Gogh's The Sower is currently on view at the MFA Boston, on loan from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, through August 8.