Vis a vis / Robert Trudeau 08

Vis a vis / Robert Trudeau 08
Originally uploaded by trudeau

The aching difficulty of appropriate communication.

Sometimes we become patchy-headed robots when we cannot gather the personal resources needed for effective communication.

"You made a mistake. I've been wounded."
"I know. But that's as good as I can get it right now. Mistaken and wounding."
"Can't you see it as I do?"
"Essentially, my understanding is limited. Why can't You see it as I do?"
"You are frustrating."
"Sadly, so are you."

You can see some degree of warmth as well as obtuse distance in the figures. Facing each other, they are looking past each other. They've shaved their heads in mourning, in sacrifice. Otherwise, the terrain is that of a cold, denuded battlefield.

Yet the idea of a struggle to get past the ramparts is implied.

Jambo

Jambo
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Jamming on a rug, on a face, on a mass of knots tied in woolen thread. Got to do another one like this. The improv nature of this one has a certain appeal, but I'd like to see one executed with more deliberation.

Cole Porter & Josephine Baker in New Orleans

Cole Porter & Josephine Baker in Paris / Robert Trudeau 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Yes, they fell in love in Paris and, despite his marriage and other liaisons, shipped out for a sortie to New Orleans. There they stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel on Canal St and hung out, incognito, in the Blue Room. Their after-hours suppers at Bailey's were part of the legend of the Roosevelt.

Billie the Kid and his mane

Billie the Kid / Robert Trudeau 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Is there anything more joyously eye-catching than a fine hat? Well, yes, there is. But in this sketch it's the hat and people who know how to purchase and wear them that's up front. And what of a finely processed head of hair? Equally righteous, I'd say.

I plan more sketch work on Billie but as a character he's part of my pantheon.

The new interlocutor / trudeau 09

The interlocutor / trudeau 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Since this is one of my favorite images, I've redone it in cross-hatching. If you search for Interlocutor you will see my explication of this sketch - the tendrils go in many directions.

Creole riders, almost done

Creole riders / robert trudeau 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Cold Carnival. Most of them are cold. And it's raining. Sobers you. Still, there might be jolly fun ahead. You go with the ritual and see where it leads.

Creole men can find fun even when it's hiding.

Smile, Shreveport / Trudeau 08

Smile, Shreveport / Trudeau 08
Originally uploaded by trudeau

With population sliding and the recession making itself felt more clearly, it is reasonable to offer this encouragement. Shreveport may not be handsome, but a smile makes it better.

Rabbin

Rabbin
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Secular priest, and all that. Since this site is composed largely of works in progress, it's good Rabbin finds a place here.

Nicholas says Happy Holidays

Nicholas
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Saint Nicholas (270 - December 6, 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey), says Wikipedia. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints.[2] In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southern Italy. While such movement is not rare, it is one of the more interesting kidnappings in church history.

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, the Republic of Macedonia, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla, Bari, Amsterdam, Beit Jala, and Liverpool. In 1809, the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Sancte Claus the patron saint of Nieuw Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City.[3] He was also a patron of the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors, who protected his relics in Bari.
All hail Nicholas.

Guardian angels for Sara and Chris, upon their first marriage

Friends 2
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Getting back to couples: friends, lovers, former lovers, long-time friends, maybe lovers, semi-friends, deep friends plus long-time lovers, sympatico but not lovers, should be lovers but stopped at friends, platonic friends, cannot be lovers regardless, fantasy friends, scarred lovers,
universal, free and pathological friends and lovers.

Let us celebrate them all on this holy day. Amun.

Circus Boy 1 / Robert Trudeau / Wacom Bamboo

Circus Boy 1 / Robert Trudeau / Wacom Bamboo
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Back to the Bamboo after months away. Ha. Certainly it is awkward. Yet there's no better way for me to experiment with color.

Inspired by Circus art and the louie colors of that stylized world.

Reggie Runnels / sketch Robert Trudeau

Reggie Runnels / sketch Robert Trudeau
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Reggie will be my rep in responding to the many kind greetings received during my hospitalization. He will appear on the thank you notes as a symbol of appreciation and brotherhood.

Thanks, Reg.

Marvin & Malvina / sktch Robert Trudeau

Marvin & Malvina / sktch Robert Trudeau
Originally uploaded by trudeau

From the hospital stay during my recent aneurysm repair in Houston.

Don St Martin & Reginald LaCoste

Don St Martin & Reginald LaCoste
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Sketch is based on a couple of fellows I observed in Houston, though I imagined them in New Orleans. Don is a barber in his father's shop and Reg is a sous chef and trumpet player.

Cole Porter, Josephine Baker in New Orleans

Cole Porter, Josephine Baker
Originally uploaded by trudeau

A study for a show called Couples. Everyone seems to love celebrities.
And these are my favorite pop artists of the recent era.

Merci to my comrades

Merci!
Originally uploaded by trudeau

In this time of health issues my long-time comrades at Caddo Magnet High have sent marvelous gifts of consolation and honor. I am humbled and delighted. This is part of my Thank You to them.

Dixie goes to Carnival - in New Orleans

Dixie at Carnival / Robert Trudeau 08
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Bandages as part of one's costume or mask is not an untoward idea, is it? Today Band Aids come in colors. They make this neat prickly sensation on your skin. Also, they're quick, eh?

The rest of Dixie is bastardized Maori. The raised facial tattoos. The flowing ink pattern tattoos make her look as though she's been in a wind tunnel air flow study.

The background expresses a musical vibe that comes from the soundscape of the entire Creole city.

Is that a perm?

Two books / Robert Trudeau 08

Two books / Robert Trudeau 08
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Notes from a series on couples. Having sketched it, I'm impressed by how I can be so sappy.

Still, I like the place where the noses overlap and the bizarre eyes and non-Rohrschach test and the unconsummated kiss.

The background doesn't really look like books, but that's good. Talbot said they looked like palapas, which is lovely. I like that the dif in facial coloration is the product only of the frequency of the horizontals.

Workshop time. Do another.

Ascha means "hope" and "life" in Hindi and Swahili

Ascha means "hope" and "life" in Hindi and Swahili
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Sketched as a gifty to Wendy Benscoter and Pam Atchison, managers of ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com, on the launch of the new web site.

Wendy and Pam have employed me as the arts guide editor, a territory that I relish. And they both sent gifties to me on opening day.

Merci!

Willie & Willie Mae Williams: based on Louisiana characters I've met in Shreveport

Willie & Willie Mae Williams
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Lot of style and character to local men and women of color. I'm trying to capture the independence of spirit as well as the sartorial sense.