Codex Paradoxa Metamorphosis

These are pages from  a book I made called Codex Paradoxa Metamorphosis. The title comes from a book illustrated by Maria Sibylla Merian, in the 1600's. My book is an accordion book, based on a Meso-American model. The pages measure 20 inches by 30 inches and are attached to each other by red string. When it is completely unfolded, Codex Paradoxa Metamorphosis stretches twenty feet long. I showed this book at La Casa Azul Bookstore in New York from October until December.

The last pages of the Four Year Journal

Seen at the American Museum of Natural History.

I need to go back soon to draw more dinosaurs.

Two copies of Parmigianino’s Antea. I'm a fan of Parmagianino and this was on view at the Frick Collection in 2008. I bought a postcard of it and made the drawings last year. I'm not working in this journal anymore, but photographing it and posting the images  took considerable time. 

Yello

Friendship

Finally, I've come to the end of the pages of the Four Year Journal. 

Confessions of a Cucumber Mask

Confessions of a Cucumber Mask is part of the Four Year Journal. I don't have much of this journal left to post in the blog. That's a good thing because I have a lot of new work that wants to be part of the Interweave.

Hurricane Drawings

Because of Hurricane Sandy, I've had a good bit of time on my hands. I haven't been able to go to my job. So I'm working a lot in my journals. I spend a lot of time, in a normal day, travelling on the subway. Twice a week, I travel from Flushing Queens to South Jamaica Queens. Since I have a low threshold of boredom, I spend a lot of time drawing people that I see on the 

subway. I usually draw with pens and markers.  And when I have time, I add to and augment the drawings with ink, watercolor, gouache and a variety of other materials.

So since Sunday October 28, I've been adding to  journal pages. At a certain point on October 29, I lost electricity for two days and was drawing by flashlight and candle light.

Most of the people that I draw, I never see again. These folks, in particular, since I saw them in southern Queens, may have suffered some horrible things as a result of the hurricane. It's a big world out there.

Two Codices

On Saturday, October 13 from 3:00 PM to 5:00, will be the opening of my solo exhibition “Two Codices.” I will be showing two artist’s books, “The Lives of the Saints” and “Codex Paradoxa Metamorphosis.”  Both pieces feature collage, drawing, painting and printmaking and are exhibited not as traditional books but as wall installations.

During the opening reception, visitors will be able to make crayon rubbings from my printing blocks. Children are especially welcome to participate.

The exhibition “Two Codices”  will be on view at La Casa Azul Bookstore from October 13 until December 18 2012. La Casa Azul Bookstore is located at 143 E. 103rd Street

New York, NY 10029, between Lexington & Park Ave, steps away from the 6 train - 103rd street stop. Phone: (212) 426 – 2626. Store hours are Wednesday  through Saturday         12:00pm  - 8:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm  - 6:00pm 

I hope to see you there!

The Four Year Journal, really!

At the beach.

On the train.

Meditating in front of Canopic Jars at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Agni, the god of fire. 

Twins

Don't Sleep in the Subway, Darling.

All of the drawings are in sequential order. 

 Ex Votos. the kidney is wooden and the hand is stone.

What is Memory? 

Las Manos y el Corazon

More of the Four Year Journal. This is not my most current journal, it's just the one I've had time to photograph.