These are two self-portraits of/by artist Michael D. Edens. The 9″x12″ artworks were drawn and painted in 2011 with a variety of mediums. The first self-portrait, entitled “Self-Portrait”, was drawn with pens, oil pastels, paint pens, watercolors, and gouache. The second self-portrait, entitled “Uneasy Self-Portrait”, was drawn with colored pencils, oil pastels, and watercolors.

Unique layering and coloring techniques were used in each self-portrait in order to create interesting visual styles. For example, watercolors are painted over naturally repelling oil pastels to create an uneasy imbalance of organically flowing swirls and pooling colors amidst irrepressible lines.

Related Artwork
This is a previous 9″x12″ self-portrait created as part of the Rainbow Color Portraits – Series 1.

[Read more →]

This is a portrait of a man with glasses. The 9″x12″ portrait artwork was drawn in 2011 with a variety of mediums, including colored pencils, pens, oil pastels, paint pens, watercolors, gouache, and acrylics. The man was sketched with colored pencils, and layers of other dry and wet mediums were applied in layers. The intense and expressive lines meander throughout the artwork, creating a wholly connected portrait from foreground to background, top to bottom, and side to side. The use of unique shapes, gradients, and vivid and muted color combinations help to convey a sense of whimsical creativity and imagination surrounding and emanating from the man.

[Read more →]

This is an abstract drawing and painting of a face. The 9″x12″ abstract art was created in 2011 with a variety of mediums, including paint pens, colored pencils, crayons, watercolors, acrylics, oil pastels, markers, pens, and gouache. Expressive application of vibrant colors, meandering lines, and layered white space mix to create a determined facial expression forming on the paper.

[Read more →]

The following artwork is a drawing of a rose. The rose drawing is approximately 8″x11″. Mediums used include oil pastels, pens, gouache, paint pens, watercolors, and markers.

I started with a single color outline of the rose with pen, and filled in values with grey tone markers. Next I added watercolor to the rose, and let that dry. This was followed by additional colored pen details, paint pens, and oil pastels. White gouache was used for highlights.

[Read more →]

Gun Art Series 1 includes paintings and drawings of guns created with a variety of colorful mediums, including pens, markers, paint pens, gouache, watercolors, oil pastels, and colored pencils. Each gun artwork is 4″x6″, about the size of a postcard or note card. Various matte and glossy varnishes were applied after digitally scanning the artworks in order to further accentuate the guns from the backgrounds.

The guns included in Gun Art Series 1 are: M4 Carbine, LeMat Revolver, Mossberg 500 Shotgun, Desert Eagle Pistol, Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun, M1 Garand Rifle, Thompson Submachine Gun, Glock Safe Action Pistol, and AK-47 Assault Rifle.

M4 Carbine Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

LeMat Revolver Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

Mossberg 500 Shotgun Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

Desert Eagle Pistol Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

M1 Garand Rifle Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

Thompson Submachine Gun Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

Glock Safe Action Pistol Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

AK-47 Assault Rifle Drawing
Gun Art Series 1
4″x6″

[Read more →]

The following artworks are drawings and paintings of abstract demon faces. The expressive demons were created in 2010 on a variety of papers and sizes with a variety of mediums, including pens, watercolors, paint pens, oil pastels, acrylic paints, markers, crayons, and colored pencils.

I think the creative development process is interesting. I feel as though the faces want to see me seeing them, like I am a witness to their turmoil and struggle for peace.

Demon 01
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

Demon 02
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

Demon 03
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

Demon 04
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

Demon 05
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

Demon 06
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

Demon 07
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
11″x14″

Demon 08
Abstract Demon Faces – Series 1
9″x12″

[Read more →]

The following abstract portraits and faces are part of a series of artworks, consisting of drawings and paintings from 2009. I experienced an extended period of personal sadness and frustration, with art as my outlet. The abstract art was created with a variety of mediums, including pens, ink, paint pens, acrylics, watercolors, markers, oil pastels, and colored pencils. Paper sizes, shapes, and weights vary from artwork to artwork, but the theme of “faces” is consistent.

Albeit these expressions are of my discomfort, I drew strength from many places, including valued attention and support from individuals online around the world.

Thank you for your validation and encouragement of my work, kind comments, and for sharing your inspiring art. I appreciate all that you have provided, I wish for you the best that life has to offer, and good luck with your artistic pursuits!

Also available for viewing:
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 2 of 3
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 3 of 3

Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 1 of 3

Purple 1
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
9″x12″

Future
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Pink
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
8″x13″

Void
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Fear
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Sun
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Hair 1
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
12″x9″

Black White and Blue
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Also available for viewing:
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 2 of 3
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 3 of 3

[Read more →]

The following abstract portraits and faces are part of a series of artworks, consisting of drawings and paintings from a time of personal sadness and frustration in 2009. Mediums used include pens, ink, paint pens, acrylics, watercolors, markers, oil pastels, colored pencils, and a variety of paper sizes, weights, and shapes.

Also available for viewing:
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 1 of 3
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 3 of 3

Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 2 of 3

Heat
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
14″x11″

Organism
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Breath
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
14″x22″

Purple 2
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
8″x13″

Green 1
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Yellow
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
14″x20″

Dud
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Fly
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
9″x12″

Also available for viewing:
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 1 of 3
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 3 of 3

[Read more →]

The following abstract portraits and faces are part of a series of artworks, consisting of drawings and paintings from a time of personal sadness and frustration in 2009. Mediums used include pens, ink, paint pens, acrylics, watercolors, markers, oil pastels, colored pencils, and a variety of paper sizes, weights, and shapes.

This is last part of a series of artworks, consisting of drawings and paintings depicting abstract portraits and faces from a time of personal sadness and frustration in 2009. A variety of mediums used to create the abstract art include pens, ink, paint pens, acrylic, watercolors, markers, oil pastels, colored pencils, and various paper sizes, shapes, and weights. Thank you for viewing the series of abstract artworks.

Also available for viewing:
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 1 of 3
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 2 of 3

Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 3 of 3

Hide
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
11″x14″

Hair 2
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
20″x14″

Camouflage
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
9″x12″

Angrierierier
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
14″x20″

Gaunt
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
8″x13″

Poker
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
14″x20″

Thorns
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
14″x22″

Pillow
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series
8″x13″

Also available for viewing:
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 1 of 3
Abstract Portraits and Faces – Sadness and Frustration Series – Part 2 of 3

[Read more →]

I have a road less traveled in mind. Being sensitive to the external, my attention is often focused outside my body. Now I’m diving inside to explore the source of my thoughts, actions, and affect I bring to the outside world.

It takes courage for me to watch my own thoughts. They drift in and out when not being acted upon. And it takes a lot of practice for me to be calm and sit with myself in this way. But the benefits are clear.

The calm lingers. I can think with compassion. And I’m aware of my feelings, and can see them for what they are… feelings. And this helps me make good decisions in my life.

I’m not an expert on meditation, but I’m also distinctly aware of a higher wisdom in my mind that defies what I’ve learned in a few short decades of life. It’s a Knowing of how to take care of my body, how to live, express myself, heal, and breath. It’s an awareness I suspect is always there, but rarely gets the focused attention it deserves.

But I’m thankful. Appreciative. And very excited to see where this road less traveled leads!

[I Have a Road Less Traveled in Mind was created for Art Challenge #10: A Road Less Traveled at The Artist Challenge. The drawing is approximately 8" x 11", created with watercolors, pens, colored pencils, and paint pens.]

[Read more →]