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. 

 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

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.

  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.

  "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

  How to Create a 3D Picture In Your Head -- collage by douglas brent smith or, go with the alternate title if you like, something about a dream and little Mexico. We're here on this plane creating our little hearts out, in this case sometime in or near 1995.  "Draw a picture." "Why?" "I'd love to see it."

  Strong and Sensitive -- collage by douglas brent smith (cropped version) Strong and Sensitive -- collage by douglas brent smith (original, full page version)