Volatile Organic Compound's in 2-D

 Another series that started with some simple designs using Adobe Illustrator.  The designs were printed on matte paper then altered with watercolor, and pencil.  Then comes the naming, or assigning of meaning, hence VOC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compound

 I don't know where my imagry comes from... but these pieces affect the environment and human health like VOC's (at least I like to think so.)  I like how Robert Motherwell talks about painting, starting with a pure surface, messing it up, then bringing it back to that pure feeling. 

Check out www.scottgarrette.etsy.com to see more

New work 2010

The new year began with some much needed time off and time on. I took a week off from each of my jobs to focus on some new creations. Painting is my passion and is too often neglected for quicker and cleaner creations. Art is art, and I'm happy anytime I can create, but there is a difference in satisfaction from medium to medium.

I got out the watercolor paints and after cutting apart several fiberboard boxes from Christmas, the painting began. It's been cold, very cold, and my work space is in the unheated garage. Out comes the portable heater... and the stocking hat.

Roll with it

A good morning for painting.

Started out with the struggle of not knowing what to do. Sat down to draw on the computer, nah. Maybe I'll do some work and research, nah. Watch a show online, browse FB or Twitter... NO!

I'm beginning to appreciate the portability and spontaneity of watercolor. No need to squeeze paint out that will inevitably dry when the days responsibilities awake. Such a simple setup and cleanup. It's great to have options.

I've been working to control my color impulse, the desire to add more and more different colors. It's good to have control, even when I'm preventing a desired action. It's a good example of living life on arts terms.

What to do with something new

Black and White

or

Color (watercolor, crayon, marker, colored pencil...)?

The Prize in my Cereal Box

You can imagine my surprise when I opened this cereal box and found these strange markings. I would have felt better about the $6.00 I spent if I knew there were cool markings inside... that's worth the six bucks! totally!

Till nothing's hot

Till nothing's hot

excuse me if I don't stir the pot
let it all burn till nothing's hot
and the fire that started it all
is dead

there is no room for listening ears
it is all filled up with anxiety's tears
only patience can withstand the cold
that follows

we have no time
we must hurry and stop
that we may go again
even sooner still
and warm our hands
beside the fire


©scott garrette 2009

Freedom I can't find

It... what is it?

The sun is out today. Clouds moving steadily across the sky while a jet plane soars high above cutting through the blue that mends itself again.

I don't know what I'm looking for - trying to find something - feeling like I need to find something.


*this image is not in production yet. i'd love to print this one on vinyl and have it go from floor to ceiling*




©scott garrette 2009

Out From Far

i can not see what is in front of me
when i always look back
yet i must be going somewhere
i must be seeing something
a memory or a dream
which could it be
i may have lived a thousand lives
and yet i still hold this one so dear

a voice calls out from far
i have not heard a more welcoming sound
from just next door
a man comes out
speaking to those who can hear
yet all is silent
and there is no one here but me

in the woods again

In the woods again

In the woods again I follow
a trail that seems to have been made for me
or for three...
so peaceful here, so colorful
I don't speak to show my gratitude
it is known and not misunderstood

© scott garrette 2009

when the earth shook

when the earth shook

as the blue sky appears
the moon dips into the clouds
just behind the mountain top
the earth shook as it came near
in the darkness of the early morning.

she closes her eyes
for a new day
lay your head down
song birds sing their greeting
as the baby of my soul awakes
a squeak and anoter toucan appears
watching and protecting the moon
the black bird and the earth shake
with a golden beak we wake

Written in Jan of 2004 in Costa Rica at a beautiful farm called Finca Ipe. It was the first and only earthquake I've felt. More of a shudder than a quake, but strange none the less. The moon was full, and everything was quiet. I remember thinking that there were wild animals running through the woods nearby, that was the sound that woke me from my sleep. We were sleeping in an open air stilted shelter made as a yoga retreat house. Oh, it also sounded like hard footsteps on the teak wood floors, but there was no one there. The serenity of the experience is what I remember most and how out of tune I am to natural happenings. I think I can tune-in... if I try.

Ginger Bread Houses

so much exchange
of self-interest
goods in excess
from foreign halls
we want it all
but make not our own bed

give me this for that
and put out your welcome
mat when a neighbor
comes by to say hello
charge him $20 for the stay

It's all commerce
the American way
building family values
with ginger bread houses
we'll eat it all
don't forget the bed
get yours before i do


I'm not sure when I wrote this, but I'm pretty sure it was 2004-ish. Luckily, many of my writings have survived all of my moves. My collections begin in 1996 while in college at Baker University and randomly cover personal thoughts, subtle observations and some social commentary.

music to die from

music to die from

Up on green mountain
I hear the music
of the gasoline instrument
that sputters perfume
to melt my skin

They come like the gusts of misty air
around the bends
through the cloud covered hills
gently caressing my internal
combustion chamber


Originally written 1/10/2004 in Costa Rica.
It is hard to escape diesel fumes on mountain roads.

the waves are blue

Just over there
the waves are blue
birds jump from tree to tree
I'm barely shaded by these giant leaves

What are those words I hear?
sudden laughter then a pause
Where are all of my friends?

Some of the birds don't flap their wings
The wind is hot
someone left the heater on

There are few people playing in the waves

The first of a series of "words and pictures" using imagery and words created by Scott Garrette.
This writing comes from a visit to Costa Rica in 2002.

Trees and Circles

I had a Dream the other night... I saw a silhouette of a tree, with circles floating at the top.


The last time I had a dream like this one was about 3 years ago. That is when I started my Square the Circle series that you can see in my Etsy shop

I like the imagery and I've got lots of willing models near by. So, here's kicking off the new line of drawings, paintings and prints.

New Prints

prints at my Etsy shop

These prints are so much fun to work on, I have a hard time doing anything else right now.

They are made using an original Color My World™ drawing that has been imported to my computer. The drawing is then manually traced and colored digitally. It's a whole New World for me to explore... and very exciting.

I print my images on premium glossy photo paper, said to never fade for 108 years... The clarity and overall quality are outstanding! My house will soon be filled floor to ceiling with prints. I guess I'll need to invest in some frames.

All prints are done in short run batches of 150, and will be signed, dated

and numbered on the front. I ship the prints flat in bend proof rigid mailers. They are also protectively placed in a plastic sleeve for proper storage and damage resistant handling.