Chat Forbes
Drawings & Gouache Gallery
Click each image for purchase info
I woke up one morning composing a haiku. I got up quickly to write it down to remember: Azure simple wave / Oh how you fascinate me / Under the hot sun. I illustrated it with gouache and ink, then used Google Translate to translate into Japanese calligraphy and finally verified translation through a friend who lives in Japan.
Found an old drawing while rummaging through my portfolio probably from the 1970’s that I started but never finished. As it began in a style I still use, I decided to complete it. It's done on really rough textured paper and I love how the grain interacts with the currents and the sky.
This was drawn from a great photograph my wife Linda took in May 2022. First time in L’Opéra with great people watching to go with the beauty of this wonderful building. Unfortunately the main room with the Chagall ceiling was closed but will be there for another visit. Thanks Linda for letting me use the photograph!
I have taken numerous photographs by this crosswalk at Cafe Mabillon on Boulevard St-Germain and Rue du Four. It's a great place to people watch and enjoy an espresso, a negroni or a beer. I particularly liked this group of people waiting to cross the intersection in October 2018.
(Original Artwork not for sale)
This drawing is from a photograph taken in October 2018 at the large plaza in front of Notre Dame in Paris, Le Parvi. It was one of those compositions in which the people were so dynamic with this great energy. I like the pattern of the people flowing with the perspective of the buildings.
(Original Artwork not for sale)
Such great people in this scene at the Bar du Marché in October 2018. This is a really great place on the Rue de Seine and Rue de Buci, small streets near Boulevard St-Germain. I love walking through this neighborhood!
(Original Artwork not for sale)
I photographed this guy photo-shooting this woman on the St-Michel Quay on September 2018. I decided to draw a triptych of the three photos. The Seine, the cobblestones, the passersby and the concrete blocks provided a nice backdrop to the woman being photographed.
(Original Artwork not for sale)
I took the photograph of this scene from Île de la Cité of the Petit Pont in September 2018. I really liked the swarm of people and the great old buildings. The appearance of the seagull under the bridge by the jogger gave the composition a nice balance. The green “Ardoz” graffiti on the central building still shows up on Google Earth!
(Original Artwork not for sale)
I’ve taken numerous photographs inside Notre Dame and of Joan of Arc. The subject photo of this drawing is from one taken in October 2018 with beautiful shadows and attitude of Joan of Arc and votive candles below the statue. I’ve read a biography of this great classical figure in French history and find her story fascinating.
This is a drawing completely from the imagination with no subject in mind. It began with a line somewhere in there and grew into a flower from, I guess, stream of consciousness. Once it identified itself as a flower everything flowed from there. A very nice way to work.
I photographed this woman on Pont des Artes, the iconic pedestrian bridge over the Seine river, in October of 2018. The river and the sky were beautiful on this day with a lot of activity on the bridge. The woman and the coat standing on the bridge made a great subject.
(Original Artwork not for sale)
I drew this from a photograph I took in May 2022. I thought she looked pretty cool in the doorway so wheeled around and snapped the photo. I really liked the composition, the textures, the variety of products in the shop; and particularly, the woman as customer in the shop.
I started the Tree Triptych in February 2022. I drew an imaginary tree with ink, then filled in with gouache, then touched up with ink. I drew two more in December 2022 in the same way: one, this beautiful eucalyptus tree in the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor; and two, this gnarled old tree in Seabright in Santa Cruz. I really like how the three came together.
Refresh Options