Sunday, August 3, 2008

The Fun Ship Sailed

I am back from the first cruise of my life-maybe the last one, too!
I am still trying to figure out why anyone might call this way of travel a vacation-
you are literally living, eating and playing with 3000 people for five days.
Now, those of you who know me probably will realize that I am quite happy, thank you, to spend loads of time solo.
But, I did go on this trip with my mom- for lots of different reasons- and we had a grand time together-though when it came time for the towel folding into a swan demo, I made my way to the casino.
I broke away from my usual, favorite spiral sketchbook format because I did not know what to expect.
I brought along a precious little book that my friend Cheryl Phelps gave to me. I was waiting for just the right time to use it- and this was it- it has a very smooth surface, my pen just glides over it, which made all the rockin' and rollin' of the waves not to matter too much!
Here is a little sampling of the Fun Ship...





























10 comments:

Anna Nadler said...

I am speechless. This is amazing!

Ira R said...

these are great Melanie.

Looks like a non-stop activity line ship...ok, a hairy chest contest, thats to be expected but did they fit las vegas and the concord hotel in one ship? An art auction?

Your line quality is fantastic and so certain.

Stephen Gardner said...

Wow Melanie, this is a clinic in reportage, it's what I have in my mind to do when I attend an event but can never even come close to achieving. I'm going to be studying these for some time. Great.

Anonymous said...

holy... these are mesmerizing. truly. like stephen, i too will be studying at your feet...

memi said...

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your comments and support-
Anna, thank you for continuing to stop by
Ira, this is a place that you do not have to leave, if that is your inclination-though I seriously doubted the integrity of the Picasso litho that I fell in love with, a girl can dream...I hope that you are spending many days with the tried and true Mr. P in Paris.
Stephen and Orangefrute- I think that this is my way of storytelling, and the more that I do, the more that I learn to see. It's my crazy way of vacationing.

erinaceous illustration said...

these are incredible! i agree with stephen. i especially love the dancing scenes. looks like you had quite a vacation!

heidi Younger Illustration said...

one word, WOWZA !
VERY mesmerizing indeed. Love the dancing, the sunbathers, everything.
I didn't go on a vacation this summer, but now I felt like I did.
Well worth the wait!
: )

memi said...

Thank you , Heidi and Erin-
If the vacation had been more distracting, there probably would not have been as many drawings!

See you soon!

Lynne the Pencil said...

These really are sensational! What sort of a pen do you use? You seem to be able to acheive a wonderful variety of line thicknesses. So expressive.

memi said...

HI Lynne,

I am just discovering your comments- thank you!
I use a Pelikan cartridge pen- my favorite...