Pen & Ink Overview

Several factors converged in my practice around 2004. First, I was deeply engaged in the high-technology oriented work I was doing on the NASA-funded EventScope Project (telepresence and telerobotics via 3D virtual environments). First, I wanted “visualization shorthand” to quickly sketch out design ideas, perhaps without a computer, and in a portable format. Pencil sketches routinely smeared in my pocket notebooks. Ink did not. Second, I saw some pen & ink drawings produced by R. Crumb at the 2004 Carnegie International in Pittsburgh. It was one of three works that were memorable from that show. The rest of the work was disappointing, further encouraging me to shift away from any kind of professional interaction with the field of contemporary art. Third, I needed a creative outlet outside of work that I could deploy anywhere, and at any time. I began developing this pen & ink shorthand that you see in these examples. I always have a small notebook with me and one or more high quality drawing pens. My notebooks are filled with both notes and sketches. I have been consistently producing these notebooks since around 2004.