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As promised, I am sharing more of my work from my art school days. I did not do much painting back then. My degree slants toward the commercial side, so I used pencils, pens, and markers as my primary mediums. One of the good things about schooling is that often you are challenged to try techniques that you would not have chosen otherwise. My “Proud Lion” above is creating using what is called “stippling” and is referred to as pointillism in art terminology.
This was created nearly 25 years ago. There was no computer help. The entire piece was done by hand using an ink pen on white cardboard. Many countless dots over and over again (including what looks like solid black) make up his shapes and shadows. I had to “draw” him in my mind and couldn’t rely on printing out something I could dot over. Nope. It’s all handmade. In the close up, you can see the irregularities in the dots which is a dead giveaway that no computer was involved.
I am not knocking computer work. I use it all of the time now! I am simply remembering the cramped hands and cross eyes of yesteryear. 😉 I also appreciate the fact that nowadays you can make mistakes and quickly fix them. Back then there were a lot of “do overs”.
Times have changed, but true art remains……timeless.
More to come from my old portfolio soon!
Abstract Art by Sharon Cummings 
Hi Sharon! At least all of your amazing vision, work and effort created such a stunning result :)! With love, Meliza xx
Thank you Meliza! It was my dear friend Azor who stayed with me for 4 days recently who convinced me to “show” these to the World. I am glad they are being well recieved. 🙂
Looks identical to my old high schoo/city mascot (one of two giant lion statues). Would be perfect for a T-Shirt as the logo for the school team(s). Maybe you’ll find a few high school lions looking for the new image.
Funny you should mention that Rudy…My daughter just graduated as a “Lion”……I didn’t even think of this piece until I opened my old portfolio this weekend for a friend to see.
Amazing work Sharon! The more I know your work, the more I convince you have gift in creating beautiful art. I agree with Rudy, this should be used for a logo..could be for an organisation who cares on wild life 🙂 Your lion looks very handsome looking 🙂
Thank you so much Indah! My job is to get my work out there…..Logo needers can find me then. 🙂 This has sat in a portfolio in my closet for 25 years…now they CAN find it!
I shared it on pinterest as beautiful art collection – honestly I am still new to social media. Your works are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it Sharon..
You are so welcome!
Reblogged this on Amazing Fine Art.
very good Photoshop work. lol, you cant fool us. Je bent een nep.
It is the biggest compliment you could ever pay me Sylvia…..There was no Photoshop 25 years ago and the fact that you think my work from way back then is as good as today’s Photoshop work makes me smile so big inside.
I have never had the patience for stippling so I REALLY admire those who do! Awesome work!
Thank you! I have not stipple in nearly 25 years! Someone said this was Photoshop….I wish! That wasnt an option back then. This project took me many hours and days and I am not a patient person by nature.
Well you did an amazing job! I’m old school graphic design too and did everything by hand including typography…sheeze these kids have it easy today! lol
YES!! I have some pen and ink lettering too….I hated doing them. No forgiveness!! But I think the discipline you learn by doing it the “hard way” does help you later in life. 🙂
I absolutely love your work! Though I must say that it makes me feel so bad about myself. I’ve tried so hard to be a successful artist, but I just couldn’t make a go of it. Sadly, I am back to working a regular job. Kudos to you for being so good at it! I wish I could be more like you.
Hi Mark. Thank you so much for admiring my work! I really appreciate you following me. I look forward to your comments. Please do not feel bad about yourself. Art should make you feel good inside! Even if your work isn’t selling, keep creating. Do it for you!
Sharon, my dear friend. I feel so privileged to have seen some of your older work this weekend while visiting. Who knew that what started as your showing me old mementos and photos, would turn into a trip through your portfolio of years past. While I have always been amazed by your work, until now I’ve only known the abstract side of you. I was stunned to see your amazingly detailed hand inked drawings of realistic subjects — this one included. The precision and consistency of your stippling was awe inspiring. If I had not handled this with my own two hands, I would swear that it was some photoshopped creation. I have earned a new love for your work, and a deeper respect for you as an artist!
Thank you so much Azor! It was very special to me to share with you these images that have been “private” for so long. I’ve never shown them to anyone else other than my family in 25 years! But I have always trusted you and known you to be a true friend. Those are so hard to come by and I am glad that I could open up to you and that you encouraged me to “show these”. I love you! I can’t wait till you move to St. Pete!
Love this, Sharon!! Can’t wait to see more ❤
Thank you Jordan! I’ve got some colored pencil work too!
You are so kind Sharon. Thank you.
Wow. I LOVE it! I have always loved pointillism – it is the only thing in art school I was any good at… I could just empty my mind and lose myself in it… Of course, I flunked out of art school cause I couldn’t seem to get the whole “depth perception” thing, so at least something worked out! LOL
Thank you so much! Yes there is an almost meditative aspect to work like this. I get that from my Labor of Love series….all of those black circles and filling in the space. I can just lose myself for hours.
I know…. I found it very soothing!
Gorgeous!
Thank you so much Kate!