Constructing Contemplation

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

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Jump Close

This could be a first draft. It's a doodle becoming something. We might need to stare at it for awhile to determine what it wants to become. It could be done. It could be changing. I scanned this present state since once it is changed (if it is changed) the original will stop existing. "Do you like it?" "I think so. Enough not to destroy it." "Fair enough." Jump Close - sketch by douglas brent smith, March, 2026

Terra Cotta

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

No One Expected Moses

No One Expected Moses -- collage by douglas brent smith 4 August 1983

Oops, Wrong Window!

Oops, Wrong Window! -- collage by douglas brent smith, 1983

You Can Be Positive

You Can Be Positive - collage by douglas brent smith.

Juggling Competing Priorities

Juggling Competing Priorities -- collage by douglas brent smith, 1995.

Cold Hard Cash

Cold Hard Cash - collage by douglas brent smith, 1980 from journal #15, eccentric nods, 1980.

Still Going Up?

Still Going Up? -- mixed media, collage by douglas brent smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress. NOTES: Usually, I crop the spiral binding out of the picture. This time I decided to leave it in and show the whole page. It provides some idea of what each of the journals from this period are like. Big pages and many of them. The clip art that makes guest appearances is primitive, sure, but maybe a little charming, too?

Mineral Wealth 2

Mineral Wealth 2 - pen and marker sketch boy douglas brent smith, 1989. An album cover for an unrecorded, unreleased album. Here is the full page in Journal #26, "Communication" where the concept of the album, song titles, and evidence of water damage all appear. Clearly, I was having both a) fun with markers, and b) delusions of grandeur. Mineral Wealth 2 with song titles

sold

selling out selling out selling out is so much fun you look at me and whisper you look at her and run look into the mirror and tell me who's the one selling out selling out selling out is so much fun you say all those decisions are driving you insane you've got a first level problem and a third rate brain selling out selling out selling out is so much fun the dollar signs are shining right before your eyes reach into the money bag and pull out a surprise selling out selling out selling out is so much fun.

douglas brent smith

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