Apple

Two Ships

 

Self-Portrait

 

My Babies

 

Charles Paul Erwin

 

Grandma

Self-Portrait

Dear journal,

I'm torn. As much as I'm enjoying sketching I keep looking at myself and exploring self-portraits. I'm torn because, on the one hand, I feel that I'm exploring who I am, how I see myself, and reflecting on how I perceive others seeing me while on the other, I feel like I'm simply feeding my ego by recreating the thing it loves most: me. Perhaps it's both and part of my reflection needs to be seeing my selfishness as I confront the ugly in me. Deeper questions for another time, to be sure. For now, I have to say that I enjoy charcoal more than any other medium I've played with thus far. There is something in the messy, grey, suggestion of form that speaks to me. Anyway, it's fun to be starting something and having so much to learn without expectation. 

Yours,

Dave

Raven

Dear journal,

Moods are a funny thing. They are not the same thing as emotions, they are nonspecific and can last for days, weeks, or months. At different times my mood has been captured by a work of art, a song, or more abstract things like the texture of a blanket or even the feel of a cool breeze. Tonight, however, my mood is captured in a movie: The Lobster. I often think about it and its dark humor. If I went to the hotel and failed, I'd want my second chance to be as a common raven. 

Always,

Dave

Camera Lucida