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“Mother Superior” in the sketchbook, in ballpoint. This one’s a couple of years old. When I met my biological father nearly five years ago, one of the few things he remembered from the night I was conceived was that he jokingly called my birth mother, “Mother Superior” all night; because she’d only just ‘kicked the habit;’ having been a nun for 17 years.
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#pensketch #ballpoint #contemporarydrawing

“Mother Superior” in the sketchbook, in ballpoint. This one’s a couple of years old. When I met my biological father nearly five years ago, one of the few things he remembered from the night I was conceived was that he jokingly called my birth mother, “Mother Superior” all night; because she’d only just ‘kicked the habit;’ having been a nun for 17 years.
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#pensketch #ballpoint #contemporarydrawing

Mixed media on paper, 2025. One of my earliest memories regarding drawing is adoring a reproduction of Leonardo’s sketch of Neptune and his horses under the covers with a flashlight at age six or seven… feeling drama and excitement I couldn’t put into words… but which as an adult I try to tap in my own drawing. Anyway. This is Neptune in ballpoint on shellack based ink on paper.
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#contemporarydrawing #mixedmediaartwork #drawanyway #ballpoint #ballpointpenart #nycartcollector #nycartist

Mixed media on paper, 2025. One of my earliest memories regarding drawing is adoring a reproduction of Leonardo’s sketch of Neptune and his horses under the covers with a flashlight at age six or seven… feeling drama and excitement I couldn’t put into words… but which as an adult I try to tap in my own drawing. Anyway. This is Neptune in ballpoint on shellack based ink on paper.
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#contemporarydrawing #mixedmediaartwork #drawanyway #ballpoint #ballpointpenart #nycartcollector #nycartist

Ballpoint drawing of Verocchio’s “David” from a plaster cast. In the sketchbook. #ballpoint #nopencil #sketchbookartist #contemporarydrawing

Ballpoint drawing of Verocchio’s “David” from a plaster cast. In the sketchbook. #ballpoint #nopencil #sketchbookartist #contemporarydrawing

Ballpoint figure drawing in the sketchbook. Swipe for details! #ballpointpendrawing #pensketch #nopencil #sketchbookpage

Ballpoint figure drawing in the sketchbook. Swipe for details! #ballpointpendrawing #pensketch #nopencil #sketchbookpage

Ballpoint pen and white charcoal, over shellack based ink splashes, in the sketchbook. If drawing the figure with contemporary materials, mixing Renaissance style with 21st Century tools, sounds interesting to you I’ve got a Life Drawing class starting this Summer at the ASL you’re going to love! Details to follow… but I can’t wait to draw with you!
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#contemporarydrawing #mixedmediaartwork #mixedmediadrawing #ballpoint #ballpointpenart #nycart #nycartist #figurativecontemporaryart

Ballpoint pen and white charcoal, over shellack based ink splashes, in the sketchbook. If drawing the figure with contemporary materials, mixing Renaissance style with 21st Century tools, sounds interesting to you I’ve got a Life Drawing class starting this Summer at the ASL you’re going to love! Details to follow… but I can’t wait to draw with you!
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#contemporarydrawing #mixedmediaartwork #mixedmediadrawing #ballpoint #ballpointpenart #nycart #nycartist #figurativecontemporaryart

Unwinding from a week of teaching the Ballpoint Workshop with… more ballpoint sketching! Really enjoyed drawing this beard!!! This is a #ballpointpendrawing from a reference photo generously provided by a fantastic life model - @john_a_carrasco THANKS JOHN!
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#beardlife #contemporarydrawing #nycartist #ballpointpen

Unwinding from a week of teaching the Ballpoint Workshop with… more ballpoint sketching! Really enjoyed drawing this beard!!! This is a #ballpointpendrawing from a reference photo generously provided by a fantastic life model - @john_a_carrasco THANKS JOHN!
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#beardlife #contemporarydrawing #nycartist #ballpointpen

Ballpoint pen on a 5x7 notecard. The pose is from The Passion series by the fantastic model @andrea.morani_lifemodel - I was just doodling, as a warmup, and got carried away… wish I’d done it on better paper!
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#mybicmoment #bicpen #ballpointpenart
#bic #drawdraw #contemporarydrawing #nycartist

Ballpoint pen on a 5x7 notecard. The pose is from The Passion series by the fantastic model @andrea.morani_lifemodel - I was just doodling, as a warmup, and got carried away… wish I’d done it on better paper!
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#mybicmoment #bicpen #ballpointpenart
#bic #drawdraw #contemporarydrawing #nycartist

Sketching an eye in ballpoint!
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@bic.create @bic_group #bicpen #ballpoint #ballpointpenart #contemporarydrawing #nopencil

Sketching an eye in ballpoint!
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@bic.create @bic_group #bicpen #ballpoint #ballpointpenart #contemporarydrawing #nopencil

Swipe for details and the sketch beneath; ballpoint on paper, 2025
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#ballpointpenart #ballpointart #bicpen #contemporarydrawing #nycartists

Swipe for details and the sketch beneath; ballpoint on paper, 2025
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#ballpointpenart #ballpointart #bicpen #contemporarydrawing #nycartists

Self portrait out of focus, pencils on paper, 2025. The more I work linearly the more I want to play tonally. #selfportraitdrawing #contemporarydrawing #drawart

Self portrait out of focus, pencils on paper, 2025. The more I work linearly the more I want to play tonally. #selfportraitdrawing #contemporarydrawing #drawart

Still working on this one!!!
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My next Ballpoint Workshop is next month - Feb 24th - 26th at the Art Students League - come and learn the secrets of drawing with this humble tool!!! Link predictably in bio…
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#ballpointpenart #ballpoint #skeleton #contemporarydrawing

Still working on this one!!!
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My next Ballpoint Workshop is next month - Feb 24th - 26th at the Art Students League - come and learn the secrets of drawing with this humble tool!!! Link predictably in bio…
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#ballpointpenart #ballpoint #skeleton #contemporarydrawing

Registration is now open!!! First workshop of 2025!!!

**3 Day Ballpoint Drawing Workshop at the Art Students League of New York**

Discover the art of ballpoint pens in this exciting three-day Ballpoint Drawing Workshop! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to try something new, this workshop is designed for you. Dive into the world of ballpoint pens with essential techniques for shading, hatching, and creating stunning textures with this simple yet versatile tool.

No prior experience is necessary — everyone is welcome! Our expert instructor will share the secrets behind those highly finished ballpoint drawings we see on Instagram and in art galleries. Workshop participants will be guided through exercises in building accuracy and a steady hand; gradually building tone and value; learn the differences between different papers and pens and how each affects their drawings; and receive personalized feedback and encouragement on their own ballpoint drawings and exercises along the way!

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the limitless potential of the humble ballpoint pen and take your drawing skills to the next level. Sign up today to unleash your creativity!

**Feb 24th - 26th, from 1:30pm - 5pm**
**Art Students League of New York**
**Registration is NOW OPEN**

I can’t wait to draw with you!

Registration is now open!!! First workshop of 2025!!!

**3 Day Ballpoint Drawing Workshop at the Art Students League of New York**

Discover the art of ballpoint pens in this exciting three-day Ballpoint Drawing Workshop! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to try something new, this workshop is designed for you. Dive into the world of ballpoint pens with essential techniques for shading, hatching, and creating stunning textures with this simple yet versatile tool.

No prior experience is necessary — everyone is welcome! Our expert instructor will share the secrets behind those highly finished ballpoint drawings we see on Instagram and in art galleries. Workshop participants will be guided through exercises in building accuracy and a steady hand; gradually building tone and value; learn the differences between different papers and pens and how each affects their drawings; and receive personalized feedback and encouragement on their own ballpoint drawings and exercises along the way!

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the limitless potential of the humble ballpoint pen and take your drawing skills to the next level. Sign up today to unleash your creativity!

**Feb 24th - 26th, from 1:30pm - 5pm**
**Art Students League of New York**
**Registration is NOW OPEN**

I can’t wait to draw with you!

This is “Ballpoint Trashcan No. 1” and is ballpoint pen on paper. NYC Trash has been a fun muse for me and I’ve got a long running series with no plans to quit
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#ballpointpendrawing #contemporarydrawing #drawanyway #workonpaper #garbage #nycsanitation #nopencil #nyaaalumni #ballpointpenart

This is “Ballpoint Trashcan No. 1” and is ballpoint pen on paper. NYC Trash has been a fun muse for me and I’ve got a long running series with no plans to quit
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#ballpointpendrawing #contemporarydrawing #drawanyway #workonpaper #garbage #nycsanitation #nopencil #nyaaalumni #ballpointpenart

Progress!!! This is Leonardo and Bramante having a laugh about the pope forcing Michelangelo to drop everything and come paint a ceiling. I can almost hear them laughing: “A CEILING!!!” Ballpoint on paper, 2024.
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#ballpointpenart #ballpointpen #bicpenart #renaissance #inkdrawings #illustration

Progress!!! This is Leonardo and Bramante having a laugh about the pope forcing Michelangelo to drop everything and come paint a ceiling. I can almost hear them laughing: “A CEILING!!!” Ballpoint on paper, 2024.
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#ballpointpenart #ballpointpen #bicpenart #renaissance #inkdrawings #illustration

Ballpoint drawing in progress.
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This is Leonardo and Bramante when they hear Pope Julius II has commanded Michelangelo to immediately come to Rome, to fresco ‘that’ ceiling…
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#ballpointpenart #pensketch #renaissance #leonardodavinci #bramante

Ballpoint drawing in progress.
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This is Leonardo and Bramante when they hear Pope Julius II has commanded Michelangelo to immediately come to Rome, to fresco ‘that’ ceiling…
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#ballpointpenart #pensketch #renaissance #leonardodavinci #bramante

“Danse Macabre II” - ballpoint on paper, 2024. Channeling the Halloween vibes and Holbein’s early woodcuts and I think I’ll do 4 or 5 of these; in a blatant sequence; also recalling the twin peaks of animation and illustration which loom large in my art-brain, always.
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#dansemacabre #ballpointpendrawing #ballpointpenart #halloweenvibes #contemporarydrawing

“Danse Macabre II” - ballpoint on paper, 2024. Channeling the Halloween vibes and Holbein’s early woodcuts and I think I’ll do 4 or 5 of these; in a blatant sequence; also recalling the twin peaks of animation and illustration which loom large in my art-brain, always.
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#dansemacabre #ballpointpendrawing #ballpointpenart #halloweenvibes #contemporarydrawing

This silverpoint drawing of an iconic, overstuffed, NYC trash can will be on the wall at New York Academy of Art’s annual charity auction, TAKE HOME A NUDE next week, being held at Sotheby’s - take home some trash!!!
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#newyorkacademyofart #nyaa #aanyaa #artauction #sothebys #trash #silverpoint #contemporarydrawing

This silverpoint drawing of an iconic, overstuffed, NYC trash can will be on the wall at New York Academy of Art’s annual charity auction, TAKE HOME A NUDE next week, being held at Sotheby’s - take home some trash!!!
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#newyorkacademyofart #nyaa #aanyaa #artauction #sothebys #trash #silverpoint #contemporarydrawing

Opening reception this Thursday!!! Very happy to have this ballpoint piece, “Blind Faith” in the NYAA alumni group show: “POWER DYNAMICS” at POWERHOUSE ARTS in Brooklyn! Join me at the opening THIS THURSDAY to see this uniquely curated show assembled around the theme of “Power.”

“POWER DYNAMICS”
Curated by Eric Shiner
ON VIEW: October 3 - November 1, 2024
Powerhouse Arts,
322 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Thursday, October 10, 2024
5:30-6:30 PANEL TALK with Curator Eric Shiner in conversation with David Kratz, President NYAA; Peter Drake, Provost, NYAA; Lisa Lebofsky, President AANYAA about the benefits of community in facing challenges as artists.

6:30-8pm OPENING RECEPTION
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#ballpointpenart #ballpointpendrawing #nopencil #drawdrawdraw

Opening reception this Thursday!!! Very happy to have this ballpoint piece, “Blind Faith” in the NYAA alumni group show: “POWER DYNAMICS” at POWERHOUSE ARTS in Brooklyn! Join me at the opening THIS THURSDAY to see this uniquely curated show assembled around the theme of “Power.”

“POWER DYNAMICS”
Curated by Eric Shiner
ON VIEW: October 3 - November 1, 2024
Powerhouse Arts,
322 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Thursday, October 10, 2024
5:30-6:30 PANEL TALK with Curator Eric Shiner in conversation with David Kratz, President NYAA; Peter Drake, Provost, NYAA; Lisa Lebofsky, President AANYAA about the benefits of community in facing challenges as artists.

6:30-8pm OPENING RECEPTION
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#ballpointpenart #ballpointpendrawing #nopencil #drawdrawdraw

Sketchbook spread… ballpoints.
#mybicmoment #bicpen #ballpointpenart #sketchbookspread

Sketchbook spread… ballpoints.
#mybicmoment #bicpen #ballpointpenart #sketchbookspread

#ballpointpenart #ballpointpensketch #sketchbooktour #sketchbookartist

#ballpointpenart #ballpointpensketch #sketchbooktour #sketchbookartist

Mixed Media Sketchbook. Want to learn how to do it? Weekend workshop next month October 5th and 6th in person in Tribeca!
#sketchbooks #mixedmediajournal #mixedmediasketchbook #nycartist

Mixed Media Sketchbook. Want to learn how to do it? Weekend workshop next month October 5th and 6th in person in Tribeca!
#sketchbooks #mixedmediajournal #mixedmediasketchbook #nycartist

My new mixed Media Sketchbook Workshop is less than a month away! This Moleskine features a lot of image transfers, painted over with acrylics, and colored with water soluble pencils. For info on how to do this yourself with your own photos and drawings, check out my bio. #contemporarydrawing #sketchbooktour #mixedmedia #mixedmediajournal #drawdrawdraw

My new mixed Media Sketchbook Workshop is less than a month away! This Moleskine features a lot of image transfers, painted over with acrylics, and colored with water soluble pencils. For info on how to do this yourself with your own photos and drawings, check out my bio. #contemporarydrawing #sketchbooktour #mixedmedia #mixedmediajournal #drawdrawdraw

Ballpoint in the fancy sketchbook… thinking of my biological grandparents in Ireland who were separated in death, against their wishes, and buried in separate cemeteries 100 miles apart. They died young… only 38 and 41 years of age. Wish I could get them back together…
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#ballpointpen #contemporarydrawing #ballpointpenart #sketchbookart

Ballpoint in the fancy sketchbook… thinking of my biological grandparents in Ireland who were separated in death, against their wishes, and buried in separate cemeteries 100 miles apart. They died young… only 38 and 41 years of age. Wish I could get them back together…
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#ballpointpen #contemporarydrawing #ballpointpenart #sketchbookart

Enrollment is now open for my new Mixed Media Sketchbook Workshop at the New York Academy of Art! This is an in-person, two-day event in Tribeca, on October 5-6, 2024. Registration is open now!

This workshop is for artists looking to explore the endless possibilities of a mixed media sketchbook or drawing practice. Over the course of two days, you’ll work in your sketchbook using materials like inks, watercolors, graphite, acrylic medium, paint pens, collage, and image transfers; learning how to blend them seamlessly to create abstract grounds for drawing on, or finished, narrative, works of art!

Day 1 focuses on hands-on demonstrations and guided exercises, while Day 2 allows you to apply these techniques to create cohesive, multi-layered pages that tell your unique artistic story.

Mixed Media Magic: Sketchbook
NEW YORK ACADEMY OF ART
Saturday and Sunday (2 full days)
October 5 & 6, 10am - 5pm
*
*
@newyorkacademyofart @alumniassociationnyaa
#MixedMediaArt #Drawing #Painting #Collage #ink #NewYorkAcademyOfArt #ContinuingStudies #ArtWorkshop #nycartists

Enrollment is now open for my new Mixed Media Sketchbook Workshop at the New York Academy of Art! This is an in-person, two-day event in Tribeca, on October 5-6, 2024. Registration is open now!

This workshop is for artists looking to explore the endless possibilities of a mixed media sketchbook or drawing practice. Over the course of two days, you’ll work in your sketchbook using materials like inks, watercolors, graphite, acrylic medium, paint pens, collage, and image transfers; learning how to blend them seamlessly to create abstract grounds for drawing on, or finished, narrative, works of art!

Day 1 focuses on hands-on demonstrations and guided exercises, while Day 2 allows you to apply these techniques to create cohesive, multi-layered pages that tell your unique artistic story.

Mixed Media Magic: Sketchbook
NEW YORK ACADEMY OF ART
Saturday and Sunday (2 full days)
October 5 & 6, 10am - 5pm
*
*
@newyorkacademyofart @alumniassociationnyaa
#MixedMediaArt #Drawing #Painting #Collage #ink #NewYorkAcademyOfArt #ContinuingStudies #ArtWorkshop #nycartists

“Blind Faith.” Ballpoint on paper. Finished late last night! Still a few spots in my ballpoint beginners workshop… just two afternoons will change the way you see and use this humble tool, forever! See my bio for more information! #ballpointpenart #contemporarydrawing #nodaywithoutaline #drawanyway

“Blind Faith.” Ballpoint on paper. Finished late last night! Still a few spots in my ballpoint beginners workshop… just two afternoons will change the way you see and use this humble tool, forever! See my bio for more information! #ballpointpenart #contemporarydrawing #nodaywithoutaline #drawanyway

Found a sweet little tree in the park to draw! This is #ballpointpen in the sketchbook. Join me for a two day Ballpoint Basics workshop at the Art Students League and learn the secrets of this humble tool and why it’s the perfect complement to a successful sketchbook practice! July 22 and 23 in the afternoons!!!

Found a sweet little tree in the park to draw! This is #ballpointpen in the sketchbook. Join me for a two day Ballpoint Basics workshop at the Art Students League and learn the secrets of this humble tool and why it’s the perfect complement to a successful sketchbook practice! July 22 and 23 in the afternoons!!!

I will never forget the night we first met Frank! This drawing is how I remember him. He was first cousins with my biological mother and when I reached out about meeting family in my 40’s he and his incredibly joyous wife, Mairead, hosted an unforgettable gathering of about 40 people… 1st cousins, and 1st cousins once removed, and 2nd cousins… and 3rd cousins… all together in a tiny house roaring with laughter late into the night in the picturesque countryside of Roscommon Ireland. It was the ultimate ’pinch me’ moment in a long, dramatic, adoption adventure. Rest in Peace, Frank Madden. This is graphite on paper, for Mairead. #graphiteportrait #memorialportrait #adoptionstory #familyportraits #pencildraw

I will never forget the night we first met Frank! This drawing is how I remember him. He was first cousins with my biological mother and when I reached out about meeting family in my 40’s he and his incredibly joyous wife, Mairead, hosted an unforgettable gathering of about 40 people… 1st cousins, and 1st cousins once removed, and 2nd cousins… and 3rd cousins… all together in a tiny house roaring with laughter late into the night in the picturesque countryside of Roscommon Ireland. It was the ultimate ’pinch me’ moment in a long, dramatic, adoption adventure. Rest in Peace, Frank Madden. This is graphite on paper, for Mairead. #graphiteportrait #memorialportrait #adoptionstory #familyportraits #pencildraw

Latest ballpoint drawing. #contemporarydrawing #ballpoint #drawanyway

Latest ballpoint drawing. #contemporarydrawing #ballpoint #drawanyway

Self portrait as a mess of contrasts. Ballpoint and watercolor on paper. #ballpointpenart #watercolorsketch #drawanyway #contemporarydrawing

Self portrait as a mess of contrasts. Ballpoint and watercolor on paper. #ballpointpenart #watercolorsketch #drawanyway #contemporarydrawing

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Interview with the Art Students League of NY

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