DC No.87: Shelter

This week's drawing challenge theme was difficult for me, which made for wrestling thoughts and pressed choices. Shelter one of our basic needs—along with food and love—is not only structure but concept. 

I keep a box of old print pieces for times like these. I knew I had the woodcut teepee but was surprised to uncover the reindeer scrap, hiding beneath layers of printed matter. Finally freed to leap into the composition, I composed, embellished and drew onto these old prints to build this "renovated" shelter:

"two teepees"

silkscreen, wood cut, chine colle, silver thread and fabric trim

I've missed pen and ink this fall so I dipped my nib with an homage to Vincent Van Gogh, my pen and ink muse. After looking at many of his drawings, I developed my own versions and interpretations versus direct copy:

pen and ink wash on bristol

Shelter can be something many take for granted.  My thoughts meander to an opposite of the concept "shelter"—e x p o s u r e. There are so many homeless people in the world. And there are also individuals who are sheltered in life, by thought-process and fears. Above my peasant woman advances with trepidation, into an open space.  The smaller fellow herds his sheep, sheltering them from harm, protected by the forest.

This weeks theme was hosted by: Renilde

for more visual interpretations visit her blog. Thank you for this thought-provoking theme,  Renilde!

And thank you to Ariane, keeper of TDC theme archives.