Another revised sketch

"Slash" & Stacey in each other's arms (c) Carmen Welsh

Here is my story couple. Wanted to give the image a sense of those love scenes from 30s films. I updated my female protagonist's features and her hair. She got a "permanent wave" as they called processed hair then. Like how my male protagonist did not vary much.

Dr. David Nasaw's words - Author of "The Patriarch"

                   Dr. Nasaw doesn't know this, but he has been inspiring me since he appeared at the Miami Book Fair International via BookTV on C-SPAN. While being interviewed with Mr. Les Standiford (Director of Florida International University's Creative Writing Program) and Mr. David McCullough, on the statement as to why we have become "historically illiterate".

"It's the fault of my wonderful profession, I think, in large part. I don't think we teach history as history should be taught. History is wonderful stories about our past that help to answer questions about our present and I think the better we teach history, and the further away we get from dull, fact-dricen textbooks, and the more wonderful stories we tell, the more our children, and we, ourselves, will understand how extraordinarily exciting our history is, and how important it is to know it."
(Nov. 17, 2012) *NOTE: Transcribed from interview as accurately as I could. Any errors or misunderstandings is the fault on my part and not that of Dr. Nasaw.*

"It's Slash."

          So says my niece about my titular character.
I devoted an entire blog post about my canine crime boss on July 18, 2012. My oldest niece has lived with many of my stories since we were little, so she was constructively critical as I explained how a beloved bedtime tale had evolved since she last lived with us.
After I told her which key elements had been changed, updates, and the illustrations that accompanied the novel draft, my niece stopped me with the statement: "You need to make Stacey prettier."

It rendered me speechless. I fumbled with an explanation that the character was young and unfortunately dressed frumpy, and would, as story progress, learn to dress better, or more fashionable.

My niece wasn't having any of it: as she read romance books, she was fed-up that one person in the couple never looked up to the standards of the more attractive partner.

I took what she said, and realized how good it was that I hadn't made this a graphic novel or illustrated story. Slash has inspired, provoked jealousy, and more than one person has shown their displeasure at my female protagonist put next to my gang leader. It's been suggested that I 'bump off', or, in some way, compensate the idea that, by Slash's good looks, even his partner must add up! This niece once told me to stop drawing the character in brown suits, which I since added as a subplot!
Slash Castellano continues to infiltrate people's imagination, long before this story became a full novel. It excites me that there will be fans of this guy and other characters long before this hopefully sees publication!

In Summer/Fall Chic circa 1932 (REVISED & ORIGINAL SKETCH)

"Summer/Fall chic" by Carmen K. Welsh

I originally posted this on Dec. 21, 2011. (Orig. 5 1/2in x 8 1/2in.)

For those following the blog, there has been a series of pencil sketches (and I apologize, some have been so faint) pulled from the work-in-progress.

When updating, realized I was fresh off reading and reviewing popular1920s/1930s art movements, such as Art Deco.
Art in this period, was highly exaggerated, and with very angular, bold lines.
(Just check out Dagwood Bumstead from the "Blondie"(r) comic strips!)

This kind of caricature was also used often to portray celebrities and politicians in the glossy magazines of the time.

And the update (9in x 12in):

Another character...

Ok, so here's the BIG secret, although, if you're following me on social media, you may have already guessed it: I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL! Why is this important? Well, it's in Creative Writing, and since I get to submit drafts, read tons of stories, and rewrite projects I'm currently working on, this degree program is right up my alley!

Now, on with the show...

My male protagonist's father.
Like all else with this story, I am trying to multi-fold each character with a history, and not just for background sake, but with the intent that we are all woven into a fabric, and that each life is part of a tapestry.

"Antonio Di Castellan" by Carmen K. Welsh (c)

Take, for instance, Antonio's story - a native Italian, born ethnically a Gypsy, who later takes his inheritance to travel to the New World. His story is like millions, and this immigrant experience continues, wonderfully, to this day.

The history books gloss over things once a person steps off the boat, the ship, or the plane. Yet, luckily for writers, the story does not end there.

Here, I had creased the paper, to find it quickly in the sketchbook, and looking at the sketch, I now realize it almost resembles an Ellis Island photograph, so I'll keep the crease there.
This is a sketch that I will hopefully revise soon. I also studied Ellis Island pictures so that I could get the sense of what a man, recently from Italy, in the 1890s - 1900s, would wear.

I also added the earring because many Romany men do wear jewelry proudly.

Rearranging..

Been busy cleaning out the bookcases in my bedroom and in the den, or family room.
Since mom and I use the den as our office and for various creative purposes,she had the brilliant idea that the bookcase my dad built for me can instead be used as an art shelf! So I took down all its books ( I have tons), and afterwards, mom and I carried it out.
It fits perfectly!  It is narrow enough that it fits next to the armoire and not too wide that it doesn't block the backdoor.
Why I saying this? Because mom wanted me to clear off the family bookcases' shelves for my own use.
If I can get all, or most, of the research books situated in the den, have my taboret (art table) cleared, and more of my books stored away in my bedroom, I will feel more at rest when getting ready to sleep, and more energized to write or draw in the den.
It's some of those principles that Feng Shui adopted, which I practice.

"Don't cry, honey." (REVISED & ORIGINAL SKETCH)

"Don't cry, honey." Pencil sketch by Carmen K. Welsh

I originally posted this on Oct. 29, 2011. (Orig. 5 1/2in x 8 1/2in.)

For those following the blog, there has been a series of pencil sketches (and I apologize, some have been so faint) pulled from my novel draft.

After some soul-searching and researching through Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogues, I decided to do a dark pencil-wash. Kind of like imitating the black-and-white days.

And the update (9in x 12in):

"Don't cry, honey." Ink and pencil-wash by Carmen K. Welsh