Now and then I have been asked for a catalog of my prints and drawings, and now through the wonder of digital technology I think I have finally found a way to present these works that doesn't cost a fortune to produce. I hope you enjoy the following efforts of mine, whether or not you decide to purchase any of the prints or drawings. I'm not a trained artist and have learned my techniques by trial and error, by observation, and by a simple but compelling desire to makes these things. Though I have recently produced a couple of prints with political content, in the main my works focus on the everyday things and people that I love--"saving graces" in a world and a time that otherwise offers a lot to distress and anger us. If we lose our capacity for pleasure, celebration and laughter, we indeed are doomed. Sometimes I need to remind myself of this, and I think this is where my attempts at visual art enter into how I choose to spend my time. And at my present age--67--what time remains for me to add something to the lifeI have been given--the good life, a lucky life, let me add-- is anybody's guess.
If you decide you'd like to own one of these prints or drawings, please contact me at robert.abel@the-spa.com . I don't have the capability to accept credit card payments--my income from prints is too small--so payment will have to be by your check mailed to me at 27 Stockwell Rd., Hadley, MA 01035. I guarantee the works in that if you decide after viewing the real thing that it does not meet your expectations, if you return it in good condition, I'll refund your money .
For the sake of convenience, I have divided the prints and drawings into four categories, which might be considered ongoing preocccupations. I'll try to create separate files for each category so you can jump right to the one(s) that interest you. These are: PORTRAITS (below); BIRDS AND BEASTS; FISH; MOMENTS (scenes, activities); CARDS; POLITICS and NUDE STUDIES. Of these latter, let me say, given the antipathy of some religious people to any imagery of people out of their clothes and their quickness to claim offense at such imagery, these folks should just pass over this section. Though I think it would be laughable to describe my nudes as pornographic, I also simply cannot abide the coyness and preciousness of nude studies which attempt to hide the fact that human beings have hair here and there and almost everywhere. If anyone finds anything depraved or degrading in my nudes, I suggest they see a therapist.
The Upside Down Girls--I suppose you could call this a three way portrait. Inspired by my energetic grand daughters (see also Cinderella Dressed in Yella). The image is 15 x 19; 10 are on 18 x 24 paper with small margin on the top; 10 are on 22 x 30 paper with plenty of margin. $45 for the former; $60 for the latter.
The Real Emily Dickinson--Everyone seems to have an idea of what the reclusive poet was like. This is my version (2006). The image is 12.5 x 15 on 18 x 24 paper. Edition of 20. $60.
In the Stream--this is the print at the very beginning of the catalog, a kind of self-portrait. 1995. Edition of 15. 5 colors. 13 x 16 on 14 x 17 paper. $40.
In the Garden--seven colors, with some handwork for details. 10 x 15, some on 11 x 14, some on 14 x 17 paper. Edition of 20. $35.
Blossoms--2004. 14 Colors, 18 x 12 on 22 x 15 paper. $40.
Green Tea--2004. 10 colors. Edition of 12. 13 x 17 on 19 x 22.5 paper. $75.
The Hikers--2002. Edition of 15. 12 colors. 13.5 x 16.5 on 19 x 22 paper or larger. $100.
Three Rascals at Lunch (Tres Hombres al Almuerzo). 1994. Edition of 15. 12 x 14 on 14 x 17 paper. 7 colors, two states (one with a red wall in the background, another with a gray wall in the background). I have 4 left. $60.
One of a series of prints (some yet to come) featuring waiters and waitresses.
2002. 10 colors. Edition of 20. 13.5 x 13.5 on 19 x 22 paper. $40.
The Tragic Waitresses at the Old Maverick Diner--2002. Edition of 15. 8 colors. 13 x 10 on 17 x 14 paper. $35. Poets who visited the diner late at night in the 70s gave them the name--deserved or not.
The Wall--Because a friend brought from China some beautiful big sheets of rice paper, I did a series of drawings in ink (black, yellow, green, and red) all of which resemble each other, five of them, 27 x 54. Each drawing has three women in it; each woman was drawn with a different style of brush-pen. $100.
The Reader--this is one of the first prints I ever made. 5 colors. 10 x 12 on 12 x 14 paper. $20.
The Advice--2000. 7 Colors. 11 x 13 on 14 x 17 paper. $25.
To order any of these prints, e mail me at robert.abel@the-spa.com or write to Robert Abel, 27 Stockwell Rd., Hadley, MA 01035.
