Grandaddy

This post is more of an extension of a previous post called Papa. The project will build on the original prototype that I built for Papa. Although it starts as a sketch or a realistic pencil drawing, in the end it will turn into something totally different. To explain, I will start by taking an aerial view and then working down. This series was a focus on fatherhood and the relationship between a man and his son, or characters that play that role. 

I have been know to get off topic when I write, but I will try to keep this blog specific to my own experiences in fatherhood. However, for this post, I wanted to share a piece that I have been working on. In my other research class, we were asked to choose a theme for creating art. I have so many likes and interests, so when I am asked to commit to something like "choosing a theme" for my art work, it is a challenge. I have created themes before where I would do a series of related work, but for the most part, I get an idea, sketch it out, and just do it. Recently, it has been weighing on me to do something in regards to my fatherhood. It may have something to do with me being a father, or my own relationship with my father, but I think what sparked most of my feelings towards this theme was my realization that my own grandfathers are not invincible. Honestly, at 32, I am lucky to still have any grandfather left. But still, their declining health has made me realize what I will really be missing when they are gone. - excerpt from Papa blogpost to help understand the project

Grandady was a special man. By no means perfect, and he would tell you this much, but I believe he tried his hardest to live his life the right way in his older years. I never knew him any different than a loving grandfather. He was born and raised in Franklin, TN, where he raised my mother and uncle. He was a very successful car salesman. When we were in public, it seemed like he knew everyone. Quite often, it was someone he had sold a car to, maybe several. Franklin is just outside of Nashville. Growing up there, he can to know many celebrities and country singers. When he would tell stories, one of the many things he was good at, he would often just use someone's first name like 'George.' "George who?" I would ask. "Well, George Jones, of course!" Oh yes, of course. A big personality with big personality friends.

 

The sketch still has a few hours left of work, but I am happy with it so far. When done, I will scan this in with my photo scanner and then send to Photoshop. I will then print this off in 6 different section and do a photo transfer onto 6"x 6" wood panels.

You can follow the process here on my website: https://chasenlampleyart.wixsite.com/portfolio/mixed-media

This series, which will consist of Papa, Grandaddy, my dad and my father in law will become part of a bigger series for my Capstone project entitled Identity Through the Lens of Printmaking. Most of the show will be made up of small series like this one showing different parts of my own identity and the people and places that helped shape them.