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.
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)
"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
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
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
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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