douglas brent smith

  Kiss Me Goodnight -- sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress. This first version is a "cleaned-up" and censored scan. The original (but still censored) scan is below, with the notebook paper lines visible. Which one is better? I don't know.  I think maybe the original (still censored) scan. Let's just get bold enough and not censor it. I'd tabled a matching piece of paper in the upper right hand corner. Now, in the scan below, I have restored the sketch to its original form, including the bit of journal writing in the upper right hand corner. 

  We didn't have a garage, our neighbors, the Amy's did. Reverend Amy and his family lived next door. That is me sitting on the Chevy, wearing a Davy Crocket hat. I was a big Davy Crocket fan and had the theme song on a yellow 45 rpm record, which of course I sang to vigorously. What's your earliest memory from childhood? No Brain No Anxiety -- collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress

  Whatever floats your boat matters. Send yourself on a journey unique to your character, special for your strengths, resilient to your challenges.  My dad once made a canoe. He carved it out of a single piece of wood. He told me that it floated, the way a canoe should, but it leaned to one side. I never got in that canoe but I did see it. It's a gift to be able to make things out of wood, even if the first time you try it comes out a little wabi sabi. Terra Cotta - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress

  People are distracted if you assemble an engine while you are making your presentation. Also, if you take photos of light posts and give them fancy names (like Howard Smith), or share tea with the ladies while the rest of the group stares in disbelief, feeling left out, feeling out of place. Is that the presentation that you intended? It wasn't easy to assemble a room filled with geniuses. Now what do you do? Bad Presentation Habits - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress

 One of a series of mostly black and white mixed media/collage pieces with a photo-copy base.  Here's the poem that is on the facing page in the journal: we're not perfect but we are trying trying to get along to talk to touch to see each other's                           point of view we're not perfect but we have a history that is wrapped in strands of perfect moments                         perfect steps                                             perfect strings of perfect love. 23 April 1998 Platform Flyer - mixed media sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress.

  "What kind of family is that?" "A family of crows perhaps. Or a family of artists in their own crow colony." "I do not think so." "Perhaps a family platform, off to a rocky start, dancing in the sun." "In the winter?" "And in the snow." "Oh." "How did family time go?" "Not so well." Family Time - sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress

  i follow the speed limit in my car but emotionally it's usually all going too fast getting where I'm heading just on time. How Fast Are You Going? collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent.

  find the light interview its meaning squeeze out your reaction one tear at a time touch the light the heat of the morning wondering why we were ever so young Just Another Squeeze Until The Light Is Interviewed - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, from Journal #32, p. 283, Secret Change Agent.

What is your closest thing to an inner sanctum, a place where you can hide away and be completely yourself? Imagine a text book in living creatively. Here's a page from that book, and like any great textbook, has a little insert for detail. Where is that detail? Somewhere in the rest of the picture. Detail: Inner Sanctum - mixed media sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent.

  The actual collage is much sharper than this. The distortion comes from scanning a water-warped journal on the glass plate. Several of my journals sustained water damage during the Louisville, CO fire on Elm street in 2008. I did try to dry them out, with some mixed success, by spreading them out in the stead Colorado sunshine, on a trampoline that survived the fire. Forest Discovery - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent.

Wrestle with this if you will. Honesty isn't always truthful, and truth isn't always honest -- combining the two is a delicate art seldom mastered. -- doug smith

It doesn't cost anything to be kind and the payoff is immeasurable. I haven't always made the kindest choice, but I'm trying now. How about you? -- doug smith  

  Cats delight me, as they seem to do this nice lady on the sofa. I assume she's nice because she's smiling. Does the whole room vibe 1990's? It was a great time to be alive, a great time to be working, a great time to be co-raising a family. What No Chips? Collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

The purest art comes from those who avoid the smoothed out perfect ruts. -- Harry X. Tudas 

  When my brother Dave and I were quite young we both wanted to be spies. "The Man From Uncle" was a popular TV show and we never missed it. James Bond was also all the rage. We liked the gadgets, the exotic travels, the fast cars, all of the action. We didn't turn out to be spies of course (or did we?). Dave does his spying from heaven, and I decided long ago that spying was out of the question because torture could be involved. Also, art and education are more fun. Constructing Contemplation - collage by douglas brent smith, 19 October 1997, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

  A business call that takes too long. A meeting that's rambling. Waiting for the copy machine. There must have been times when an odd doodle showed up and grew into something collecting, something expressing. Here's an idea -- the next time you reach for your device to idly scroll, instead pick up a pen and some paper and doodle. It does not need to be anything at all. Doodle. Poke it. Prod it. Dress it up in your favorite doll house.  You will not have wasted your time. Think Tank Leakage - collage/mixed media/sketch by douglas brent smith, 1997.  From Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

  Even when I created this collage the source photo, the basis of the scene, is an old photo of a Child's Play performance. That's a distorted Victor Podagrosi in the left corner. I drew the halo because Victor had died about a year earlier than when I made this piece.  It's a fever dream to mash-up some original sketches with an actual CP performance. My world blended so well with that company.  Do you have a group of people you blend with just exactly right? I could feel that from the start with Victor and June and everyone who entered the company contributed to that superb blend.  Scene Change #42, collage, mixed media by doug smith, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

  If you were around in 1997, what do you remember most from that time? I mostly remember my little family, dedicated work, and occasional dances with the artist inside me. Like this doodle drawing.  I added the hat to the little man pointing, just today, because he oddly resembled someone in the news who I'd rather not feature.  The people I knew best in 1997 are still precious to me. Keep your loved ones close. One Great Shining Moment - sketch by douglas brent smith, 1997. From Journal #32, Secret Change Agent. 

  Even when we're lost there is a pattern, discoverable, discernible, mysterious. Are we being led thru that pattern, or are we creating that pattern? How can we know where we're supposed to go if we are supposed to go anywhere. Maybe it's all just happening and we are not responsible for twists, turns, and new lessons to learn. Amazed - mixed media collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress.

  "Must be January." "Yep." "That's when you work on and think about collages the most." "Correct." "Good times." "Indeed." I look out the window. Snow. Not Chicago level snow, but still snow. Colder than usual. Later than usual. If life is a collage, the picture is still forming. It will be there even when we're not looking. Even when we're not there." Awkward Climb -- collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997

  Invite The Whole Crowd - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997

  "We dance everywhere," she said, "even supermarkets." "Especially supermarkets." "When the music is right." "And here we are." Dance, my friend, please do dance. dance often dance always dance, dance across the ages - sketch by Douglas Brent Smith.

These days we have less time to think about things but more things we need to think about. Think. -- doug smith 

  As I write this, the mini-van has become less of a thing, much less popular than they were in 1997 and before. I've owned a Dodge Grand Caravan (nice but expensive to repair and it needed many repairs) and smaller cars ever since.  There are places where mini-vans still prevail, such as Lakewood, NJ where many families have many children. The biggest lack in a min-vans is the lack of all-wheel drive. Mine often got stuck in snow going uphill coming home from Fort Washington, PA.  This red one is dominating this planet, a long way from home. Van Planet - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997

 "You've got to have a healthy respect for danger," she said, "there are no guardrails." "Indeed. Still, I'd feel better in a smaller car." "Going up was easier than going down. We could wear out our brakes if we're not careful." "Oh, do please be careful." "Hold onto your hat." "Fasten your seatbelt." "Turn on the radio." Sliding for the Sake of Extremes

  "Is it healthy?" "Is it delicious?" "What's for dessert?" These are questions a hungry (not starving) artist might ask. How about you? This may have been the first and last time that Harry. X. Tudas ever flew a helicopter. He didn't crash. He just didn't want to do it again, even with a light lunch. Snack Time - collage/mixed media by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, a page from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent.

  Howard kept looking for a light post but could not find one. Auto correct attempted to install one but it had lips. "What's wrong with this picture?" Harry asked him.  "For every missing piece," said Howard, proving that NOTHING was wrong, "...there is room for something new and unexpected." "Well, that's unexpected," said Harry. Mr. Earth Head - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997

  The picture was easier than the trip. No shoes, no shirt, no service, and no oxygen. But was the trip worth taking? Could they truly get away from it all? Of course. Here they are. Where are you? Getting Away From It All - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997

  Have you spent much time in the forest? Any forest certainly one big enough to get lost in. I remember one time in the late 1970's hiking with Diane Dare and getting lost in the forest. At least I was lost. It's harder to navigate in the friend zone. This car in the picture was probably new at the time, 1997. I think it's lost. Following Form, collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997

  When I drew this I was talking with my Dad on the phone. He'd gotten some bad news about his wife, my wonderful step-mom, Edna. She had lung cancer. It was going to be a rough year for him and her last year. I miss them both. This doodle is not nearly that serious, though, I mean just look at the feet on that guy. And, when it comes to dad-bods, that guy has it more than complete. Doodle Dad - sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997, from Journal #32 Secret Change Agent

  Globes, at one time, were everywhere. Then, they kept changing. Especially in Africa but also everywhere. Names, boundaries, the "natural order" of the planet kept changing as we kept spinning. It's easy to believe that things are stable, durable, resilient. Instead, motion is the natural order. But, you knew that, didn't you? When was the last time that you saw a globe? slips, trips, and falls - collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1996

  Have you ever been sea-sick? How about disoriented? Life has always tended toward disorientation, even when we seek stability. We keep moving. Face forward or eyes closed, we still keep moving. "Where are we going?" "Somewhere we belong." "How do you know that we belong there?" "Because we are headed there." The refrigerator hums. A clock ticks. I can hear you breathe. curing motion sickness - collage/drawing by Douglas Brent Smith - 1996

  It does not take any drug taking to realize that we live in a world inside a world beyond a world we will ever fully understand. Does that concern, or amuse you? World's Beyond - collage by Douglas Brent Smith - 1996

  Everything we find or stumble on is a new experiment. Take notes. spoon stay - collage by Douglas Brent Smith - 1996

  When was the last time that you drew anything? Do you remember how joyful it can be? Let go of any goal in drawing and the drawing will claim you, name you, frame you. I had no idea where this drawing was going. Does that make it a doodle? Does it matter. Draw something. Show someone. Save it. Smile. You do not have to, of course. No one can compel you. But, what if it's fun?  Better Platforms Coming - sketch by douglas brent smith, 1996

 that childhood past doesn't end just because you get bigger you keep a little little version of yourself right there just under your skin                                   (still so sensitive                                     still so fragile) so that you either nurture your own little  little. version of  yourself or it smacks you when you least expect it.                                   (over and                                     over again) 14 November 1996

  If you could design any kind of machine what kind of machine would you design? Observing The Process - sketch by douglas brent smith from Journal #31, 1996. What do you suppose they see, observing the process? Can the process be improved? Of course it can!

  "You'll find her." "How?" "It will be intuitive. Instinctive. Natural. Easy. You will find her. And, when you do everything will change. You will wonder what you've been doing until this point on some other plane on some other reality not yet you." "That's a lot to hope for." "It's not a hope if you're sure. It's a certainty." "When?" "When the time is right." You could be lost in a crowd, but you'll always be found. Your spirit is always looking for you. Never Lost In A Crowd - collage by douglas brent smith from Journal #31, 1996

Everything Is Fine In Our Department - collage by douglas brent smith from Journal #31, Collaborating In Three Speres, 1996.

  Derivative Impact - collage by douglas brent smith from Journal #31 Collaborating In Three Spheres, 1996