Doc Savage Studio

"Make a Wish"
2026
Original pen & ink drawing
Image size 16"x16", frame size 22"x22"
$995

I've been wanting to do this one forever. I kept taking pictures of perfect dandelions with my little Kodak but I could never get it to focus. Then my son got me my first smart phone, an S4. I could touch the screen and it would focus on that spot. I could also say "shoot" or "cheese" or "smile" and it would take the picture -- something the S20 doesn't do.
I discovered this perfect dandelion growing up by the fence in my backyard. The way the sun was shining, the ball was all lit up while the vines in the fence behind it were all in shadow. My S4 took a wonderful photo, but I was working on other things and it took years to get around to drawing it.

Boneless dogs.

My friend Todd is the featured artist at the Edmond Downtown Arts Festival this year. The show runs from Friday May 2 to Sunday May 4.

"The Cheap Seats" 2024
Folding chairs set up before a stage at the State Fair of Oklahoma
Pen & Ink
Image size 2x6½
Frame size 5½x10
$120

snagged from tumblr:
I want to share some wisdom from my high school art teacher.

In my AP Art class, there was a girl who was just starting to experiment with mixed media. At this point she was still playing around, trying to decide what direction she wanted to go with her portfolio. So one critique day, she brought in an abstract canvas with some rhinestone highlights and painted and real peacock feathers. She loved sparkles and peacock feathers, so she thought she’d try introducing them a *little*. And after everyone had given some input, the teacher gave her his advice, VERY roughly paraphrased here:

“So, here’s the thing… I do not like this style. These are just elements that do not speak to me personally, but I see that you like them, and you’re doing interesting things with them.

“My biggest critique is, I only merely *dislike* this piece. I want you to make me HATE it. Go crazy with the things that you like. Don’t hold back trying to make it palatable to people like me. Because I am NEVER going to like it. And if the audience does not like it, it should drive them crazy seeing how much YOU love it.”

Her portfolio was chock full of neon colors and glitter and rhinestones and splashes of peacock feathers, and it was a delight. Our teacher despised every piece lol, but she got great marks and I think even won some awards. And more importantly, she was happy and proud of the results. Because she didn’t limit herself by trying to appeal to people who were never going to enjoy what she enjoyed.

Takeaway here: be as cringe as you want. Don’t limit yourself based on other ppl’s tastes. They’re not you, and you are incredible.

Tore down early because of the weather.

Enjoying every cool breeze today.