douglas brent smith

  Do The Math -- pencil sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 20 October, 1999.  Is it odd that I don't usually draw in pencil? There is so much more opportunity to make changes in pencil, both additions and subtractions. Somehow, though, ink has usually been my choice. I think it might have something to do with contrast. For this rendering I increased the contrast in the file and saturation to bring the drawing out more. I also did what I could to minimize the notebook lines, even covering over the holes and cropping beyond the wire binding.  I'm not sure what my head was thinking at the time -- we were shopping for a car to replace the Chevy Cavalier that "drowned" in a storm. 

  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 Not done yet... I played with this a bit more. Let's call this one "Jump Closer" (3 April 2026) and watch it change. When I was a child I remember a feature in the Sunday newspaper funnies -- it was either in the Philadelphia Bulletin or the Philadelphia Inquirer. If it was in the Bulletin, I read the whole paper at home because we subscribed. If it was in the Inquirer, I read it at Grandmom and Grandpop Smith's house. We went there every Sunday, without fail, after church and after our early dinner.  I treasured those Sund...

  the horse got free in a galloping hurry needed something to read and a tall cup of milk I did post this earlier under the title "Who Let the Horse In." Here it is again.  Horse Named Hannah -- sketch by douglas brent smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress

  Can you hear it? Bass, guitar, drums? Or could it be Bass clarinet, flute, and tambourine? Maybe accordion, piano, and trumpet? The band is on the rise, the music is in your head, and the music is exquisite. Band on the Rise - sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1998, from Journal #33, Life In Progress

  It's a wonderful sensation  to ride a horse I was so small the horse so large calm, under control, yet understanding that I was not under control we were equal partners on the horse's terms and when the barn came up it was time to go home so galloping we did Who Let the Horse In? - 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

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.

  "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.

  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

  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

  Foreshadowing Spell - sketch by Douglas Brent Smith, 1996

 Calm for Now -- sketch by douglas brent smith, from Journal #31 Collaborating In Three Spheres, 1996. Notes: It's only a random sketch in the middle of some random ramblings in my journal at a time my family was having a rough time. The ability to draw is quite calming, whether or not the drawing has any merit. It's a three-panel cartoon without any joke, or message, or meaning. Or, is it? -- doug smith

  Wait Until The Grass Grows #1 Wait Until The Grass Grows #2 Sketch by douglas brent smith, from Journal #31, Collaborating In Three Spheres, 1996

  Arranged Powerflex -- sketch by douglas brent smith, from Journal #31, Collaborating In Three Spheres, 1996.

 Both Faces - Sketch by douglas brent smith

  Three Spheres #2 -- sketch by douglas brent smith. From Journal #31, Collaborating In Three Spheres, 1996. While I was drawing this my son Juan, five years old, asked me what I was doing. "Drawing." I said "Can I draw, too?" he asked. "Of course." So here's what he drew:

  "Three Spheres #1" sketch by douglas brent smith, 1996. From the journal Collaborating In Three Spheres" 1996. I often save my doodles. Each one is a little story. If the doodles (Hey, they're drawings!) show up in a journal, well they are there a long time. I have not thrown away many journals. I hope that when I am gone that someone saves them...and then when I'm gone I land someplace where I can still draw. Try saving YOUR doodles. Put them in a book. Collect them. They may make you smile some day and will likely help someone to remember you with a smile.  -- doug smith

  You Know When It's Cool - sketch by douglas brent smith Notes: This is a sketch from one of my journals and as you can tell by the TV, an old one. 

  Blowing In His Hair - sketch by douglas brent smith

  Station Reaction - sketch by douglas brent smith