Fine Art by April A. Meyette

Journal on Current Works in Progress

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Life changes and often times it throws you for a loop and there is nothing you can do about it. My goal for meeting a deadline is so far in the past now, as well as many other dreams and ambitions. Sometimes life makes you take a detour, which is what has happened for me.

"The Catalyst" started 2 and a half years ago and I am still working on it, but not as much as I would like. My family and I moved back home to Michigan, leaving Florida behind. This is a good thing because we wanted to come back home. But unfortunately life has been a whirlwind since we moved. 5 days after we arrived in Michigan my husband ends up in the hospital needing major surgery. He spent 8 days in the hospital and we get the devastating news that he has colon cancer. They were able to remove it all and he is curable, but he is at high risk of it coming back. He has to go through chemo to make sure it doesn't come back. As of right now he is cancer free and we are hoping and praying that it stays that way and he lives a long and happy life! The oncologist said he is curable, so we are holding on to that. We greatly appreciate all of your prayers as we walk this journey.

I started drawing again yesterday, but I admit that it was hard. It is very hard to focus and even harder to stay motivated. I'm so close to the end of this drawing. I could knock it out in a week if I worked every day all day long, but there is so much going on and my mind is so distracted. With God's help I will finish this drawing. I can only lean on Him right now. I can't do this alone. I need Him now more than ever before, but it is so hard to let go and give God everything in my life. This is my greatest struggle. I need to give Him my fears, the "control" that I know I don't have and never had even though I pretended to have it, my goals, my life...

Through all of this though, I can see God's hand. My husband ended up having the best surgeon in the state, the hospital staff was wonderful, his job has been very supportive and flexible, and things have been falling neatly in line. We have been blessed beyond what we deserve, even through all of the hardships. God has been so good to us. We will make it through this and we will praise Him all along the way.

God willing, I hope to finish this drawing before the end of the year. If He deems otherwise then I will accept it and just keep going. After all, He is the one in control, and this is His message to speak, not mine. :)

Title: The Catalyst
Size: when completed 30x39 inches
Medium: graphite

Thursday, February 19, 2009

This is really starting to take shape now. I'm almost finished. I am estimating 3 more weeks and I will be showing you the completed drawing. Looks like I will make the deadline! I'm pushing hard on this, working every weekday for 8 hours or more.

I don't want to see this journey come to an end but I am looking forward to relaxing once it is finished. :) As of right now I don't have another drawing concept formulating in my mind, but I'm sure it will come in due time. Maybe I'll work on something smaller next time! LOL!

Title: The Catalyst
Size: when completed 30x39 inches
Medium: graphite

Thursday, December 4, 2008

It's been a long time since I last updated....Sinuses and headaches have been one main cause, another because my camera finally gave out. We got a new camera but it just doesn't take good shots. I am back to updating this piece, however, and I will be finishing it. Things are moving faster now. The barbed wire was the slowest and most difficult area to draw, and now that I am past that, things should move along faster. I can see the end in sight now.....You would think this would make me happy, but it doesn't. I don't want it to end.....

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

I'm going at a very slow pace right now as the summer has been very busy. We have been enjoying the summer vacation, running around quite a bit, and this has taken it's toll on my speed with drawing. I only draw every now and then in between the busyness. I'll be able to draw more when summer is over in a few weeks.

I have started a new section of the drawing "The Catalyst." It was a bit scary to venture into doing this new section without having placement of outlines drawn out, but I put trust in God and my instincts and went with it. (The entire board is free of any type of guidelines or line drawing. If you were to see the actual board you would only see what you see here....two small completed sections with blank white board surrounding them.) This was a bit nerve-wracking but it is proving to be a lot of fun because there is complete freedom. I'm not hindered by the line drawing or any preconcieved ideas or images. The freedom is unbelievable and makes for a very enjoyable journey!

Title: The Catalyst
Size: 30 x 39 inches
Medium: graphite

Monday, July 9, 2007

Well, I finally have an update after all this time! I was sick for over a month and it really wiped me out. I'm still recovering, but am feeling so much better.

This piece is proving to be a lesson in trust for me. From the very start to now, this piece has taught me how to trust - both in myself, but far more in God. While I have the concept in my mind, I do not have the complete image in my mind. I'm flying by the seat of my pants with this one in more ways than one. I'm also having to trust that this drawing will come out exactly as it needs to without any thumbnail sketches or preliminary outline on the main board. I put the pencil to the board and just began. Very scary, but it is such an exhilerating experience!

The background is being done in the exact same process. I have no idea what's going to drawn. It is just happening. It is also so much fun! I'm enjoying myself immensely. The symbolism of this continues to be a huge factor. This background isn't planned, and I had no clue what was going to come out on the board, but it seems to be working. It's amazing me how it just seems to come together, even though I have no idea what's going to happen or even what's to be in it. It is done completely from imagination and memory. Very fun!

Unfortunately the photos are very poor. I can't get a better one, no matter how much I play with it in Photoshop. The close-up loses all of the tones in this. None of the tones are accurate. But it gives you a good idea.

Title: The Catalyst
Size: 30 x 39 inches
Medium: graphite

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Well, here starts a whole new journey! I'm afraid that this will be another loooooong one, too, but I like those, you know. :) I've been working on this for about a month now. I have a long ways to go, and even what you are seeing is not finished.

The title of this piece is "The Catalyst." The definition of "catalyst" plays an important role in this drawing:

CATALYST:
1. Chemistry A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process. 2. One that precipitates a process or event, especially without being involved in or changed by the consequences: “A free press … has remained … a vital catalyst to an informed and responsible electorate” (Robert O'Neal, News and Daily Advance (Lynchburg, VA) February 17, 1991).

My model wasn't too good at acting sad or emotional. She just stood there for me, face devoid of feeling, which is fine. It gives me a ton of room for imagination. If I questioned the appearance of the small details I grabbed a mirror and put on my saddest face. It must be convincing because friends of ours who knows the model said "I've never seen her cry. So this must be what she looks like when she cries!" Woohoo! :)

Title: "The Catalyst"
Size: 30x39 inches