A Work in Progress:

This post contains images from one of my current studio projects in which I am creating artwork inspired by the life and scientific research of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who is considered by many to be the father of modern neuroscience.  Featured in this post are a magazine article written about the project, photos from a recent exhibition at the University of West Georgia, my long term completed works, and some of my short term, less finished studies.  Many of these works have appeared previously on this blog sometime during the last year and a half, beginning in October of 2013.  The intent of this post is to create a concessive overview of the project's progress.

Jasper Magazine Article featuring my artwork inspired by the life of Santiago Ramón y Cajal.

Below is the link to the online copy of the Jasper Magazine article "The Artist and the Scientist," pp. 50-52.  Use you right arrow on your keyboard to view the pages in the online publication.  

http://issuu.com/jaspermagazine/docs/110163_cropped_lower?e=3523036/11854158

Man as Sunflower, acrylic and graphite on paper, 14" x 17," 2014 

May Day:  Cajal in Spring, acrylic on Yupo paper, 26" x 40,"  2014

detail May Day:  Cajal in Spring

detail May Day:  Cajal in Spring (here with a falcon)

detail May Day:  Cajal in Spring

detail May Day:  Cajal in Spring (here with a camera)

detail May Day:  Cajal in Spring

detail May Day:  Cajal in Spring

Exhibition at University of West Georgia, Fall 2014

Exhibition at University of West Georgia, Fall 2014

Exhibition at University of West Georgia, Fall 2014

Nuclei Nest, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper, 18" x 24," 2014

detail of Nuclei Nest

detail of Nuclei Nest

detail of Nuclei Nest

detail of Nuclei Nest

Studio shot of four works based on the Inspiring Branches drawing (third from the right.)

“Nothing inspires more reverence and awe in me than an old man who knows how to change his mind.”

 -Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Man, Sunflower, and Nuclei Nests, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper, 18" x 24," 2014

detail of Man, Sunflower, and Nuclei Nests,

detail of Man, Sunflower, and Nuclei Nests

Inspiring Branches, graphite and ink on paper, 18" x 24," 2014

"I completed my latest work which features fledgling Cardinal.  I was stunned a couple of weeks ago when I spotted one.  Unexpected to me was the neutral and somewhat cool red-violet hue of the tiny bird, because adult Cardinals are red-orange and red-brown in hue.  I was struck and in awe, and felt the sweet tiny creature would fit nicely into my latest work." -Dawn Hunter, August 1, 2014.  

Fledgling, acrylic, ink and graphite on Yupo, 18" x 24"

detail of Fledgling

detail of Fledgling

Below are images from a sketchbook that I created for the project.  The drawings have become significantly developed, and now the sketchbook had evolved into a comprehensive "book arts" project.  All of the images are graphite, acrylic, and ink on paper.  Referencing Cajal's biography, the images create a symbolic visual narrative of his life through referencing his neuroscience drawings, romanticism, and surrealism.

Beginning of the in progress "book arts" images:

End of the in progress "book arts" images

Conceptualizing neurons and nuclei in an unconventional portrait.

Man as Sunflower, Sunflower as Nuclei, acrylic and ink on paper, 11" x 14"

detail, Man as Sunflower, Sunflower as Nuclei

detail, Man as Sunflower, Sunflower as Nuclei

detail, Man as Sunflower, Sunflower as Nuclei

Portrait with tree branches and roots, acrylic, graphite and ink on paper, 14" x 17," 2-14

"The brain is a world consisting of a number of unexplored continents and great stretches of unknown territory."

- Santiago Ramón y Cajal

New painting study, acrylic and ink, 18" x 24"

Landscape study for the sake of neurons #1, marker on paper 9" x 12"

Study of sunflower #2, graphite an ink on paper, 14" x 17," 2014

Study of sunflower #1, ink on paper, 14" x 17," 2014

Aquarium study for the sake of neurons #2, marker on paper, 9" x 12," 2014

Aquarium study for the sake of neurons #1, marker on paper, 9" x 12," 2014

". . . Faith vigorously promotes longevity, while doubt can doom us to an early death."

"Blessed are those who give their lives to a great idea, for they will endure in and for it! . ."

Both quotes by Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Café Chats (translated by Benjamin Ehrlich)

Surrealism, Spanish birds, Romanticism and the great outdoors: Summer time is cake,
graphite on paper, 14" x 17," 2014

Sketchbook page, May Day Birthday #3, marker, 

 and pen on paper, 9" x 12"

Sketchbook page, May Day Birthday #1, marker, 

 and pen on paper, 9" x 12"

Sketchbook page, May Day Birthday #2, marker, 

 and pen on paper, 9" x 12"

The world’s favorite season is the spring.

All things seem possible in May.

-  Edwin Way Teale

Below:  An intersection of experience and memory...The cockroaches of the stray and hay that frightened him while incarcerated as a youth during the 19th century, informed his scientific research as a man.

Forthcoming project study #10, ink on paper, 5.5" x 13," 2013

Forthcoming project study #9, ink on paper, 5.5" x 13," 2013

Forthcoming project study #8, ink on paper, 5.5" x 13," 2013

Sketchbook Drawing of an Over the Top May Day Birth Announcement:

Forthcoming project study #7, pencil and ink on board, 10" x 11," 2013

Forthcoming project study #5, pencil and ink on board, 9" x 12," 2013

Below: trying to visualize what a 19th century boy would draw in the margins of his latin book while distracted:

Forthcoming project study #6, digital study, 2013

Forthcoming project study #4, ink on board, 9" x 12," 2013

May's exquisite fragrance
of lilacs in my room;
Has brought me joy and 
pleasure and kept my
heart in tune.

The lilies-of-the-valley
strike up their notes of cheer.
For Mother's Day and May Day
are at this time of year. 

Florence Weaver

Forthcoming project study #3, ink on board, 9" x 12," 2013

Forthcoming project study #2, ink on board, 9" x 12," 2013

Forthcoming project study #1, ink on board, 9" x 12," 2013

Busy in the studio...so many ideas, so little time...

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. 

~ Henry Ward Beecher

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. 

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Started in the middle, but back to the beginning. Pages 1 and 2.

This is not because its Valentine's Day, but in spite of it.  Page 1 and 2 completed today of the accordion book featured below the top two images in this post.  I started the work in the middle, and I just got around to the first two pages today.  Channeling Munch in the neurons.

"What mysterious forces precede the appearance of the processes, promote their growth and ramification, stimulate the corresponding migration of the cells and fibers in predetermined directions, as if in obedience to a skillfully arranged architectural plan, and finally establish those protoplasmic kisses, the intercellular articulations, which seem to constitute the final ecstasy of an epic love story?" -Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Unfortunately, nature seems unaware of our intellectual need for convenience and unity, and very often takes delight in complication and diversity.

- Santiago Ramón y Cajal from his 1906 Nobel lecture 

"The structure and connexions of neurons."

Even though my project is at the beginning stages...

...some recognition for my new drawings illustrating the life of Santiago Ramón y Cajal.  Thank you Kara Gunter! (and Cindi Boiter) for the wonderful article on my new series in Jasper. I am very touched by the thought, care and depth of the piece. Jasper Magazine - The Word on Columbia Arts.

As long as our brain is a mystery, the universe, the reflection of the structure of the brain will also be a mystery.

- Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Here are some highlights from my studio and sketchbook from 2014 and an appropriate poem to accompany them.  

Happy New Year!

Sketch—New Year's Day, 1790 by Robert Burns

THIS day, Time winds th' exhausted chain;
To run the twelvemonth's length again:
I see, the old bald-pated fellow,
With ardent eyes, complexion sallow,
Adjust the unimpair'd machine,
To wheel the equal, dull routine.

The absent lover, minor heir,
In vain assail him with their prayer;
Deaf as my friend, he sees them press,
Nor makes the hour one moment less,
Will you (the Major's with the hounds,
The happy tenants share his rounds;
Coila's fair Rachel's care to-day,
And blooming Keith's engaged with Gray)
From housewife cares a minute borrow,
(That grandchild's cap will do to-morrow,)
And join with me a-moralizing;
This day's propitious to be wise in.

First, what did yesternight deliver?
“Another year has gone for ever.”
And what is this day's strong suggestion?
“The passing moment's all we rest on!”
Rest on—for what? what do we here?
Or why regard the passing year?
Will Time, amus'd with proverb'd lore,
Add to our date one minute more?
A few days may—a few years must—
Repose us in the silent dust.
Then, is it wise to damp our bliss?
Yes—all such reasonings are amiss!
The voice of Nature loudly cries,
And many a message from the skies,
That something in us never dies:
That on his frail, uncertain state,
Hang matters of eternal weight:
That future life in worlds unknown
Must take its hue from this alone;
Whether as heavenly glory bright,
Or dark as Misery's woeful night.

Since then, my honour'd first of friends,
On this poor being all depends,
Let us th' important now employ,
And live as those who never die.
Tho' you, with days and honours crown'd,
Witness that filial circle round,
(A sight life's sorrows to repulse,
A sight pale Envy to convulse),
Others now claim your chief regard;
Yourself, you wait your bright reward.