douglas brent smith

  "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