Incantamentum

clavicula, the little key

Lux et umbra

 

sepia pencil on paper

Stately

My tribute to Joseph Gatto

Joseph Gatto, under whom I studied figure drawing at Art Center College of Design, was shot and killed in his home this past November. 
http://www.scpr.org/blogs/education/2013/11/25/15268/as-family-and-friends-head-to-funeral-joseph-gatto/
It was a shocking event: I remember being stunned as I was casually listening to the morning local news that day, and looked up to see his picture on TV.  The class which I took with him was the last drawing course he taught after a long career before concentrating on his jewelry-making.  He was a good man, and a good teacher, and I'll always appreciate what he taught me.  Here are a few of the pieces I drew that term, under his guidance.

Reginae

Two Friends Drink Together Among the Secluded Mountains, Li Bai

Li Bai ("Li Po", 701-762 CE)
Two Friends Drink Together Among the Secluded Mountains (my translation)

Two men pour wine together, as mountain flowers open.
A cup, another cup, a cup yet again.
I'm drunk, and about to sleep; why don't you go for now?
Tomorrow, if you've a mind to, bring a lute and come again.


李白
山中與幽人對酌

兩人對酌山花開
一杯一杯復一杯
我醉欲眠卿且去
明朝有意抱琴來

Li Po
Drinking with a Friend, Among the Mountains

Together, we drink; the mountain flowers open.
A cup, a cup, and one more cup.
Drunk, I'd sleep; you go.
Tomorrow, come again: Do bring your lute.

 

Chinese Poetic Writing; Francois Cheng; Indiana U. Press: 1982.

crossed leg