Three Verbs: Live

The first in the "Three Verbs" series of "sketches" I did in Photoshop. I scanned some "found objects," magazine clippings, etc. This one is titled "Live."

This series was done over a few months in the winter of 2001. I wasn't sure at the time, but I can see now that they were done to express my three biggest concerns in life: 1) that I get the most out of my short life, 2) that I love more deeply the people around me, and 3) that I continue my search for truth.

As I look at these now, I revisit the emotional terrain I was on at the time. Funny, how art can have that power. It's the closest thing to time travel I have, I guess.

Three Verbs: Love

The second in the "Three Verbs" series of "sketches" I did in Photoshop. I scanned some "found objects," magazine clippings, etc. This one is titled "Love."

Three Verbs: Believe

The third in the "Three Verbs" series of "sketches" I did in Photoshop. I scanned some "found objects," magazine clippings, etc. This one is titled "Believe."

The Angry Soldier. The drawing of an embittered soldier for a larger piece that illustrates how at times in my life I've seen the world as a battle ground, and I felt like I was at war with everyone. After I came out of that funk, I kept seeing this little guy in my head, and I put him down on paper. The only thing I accomplish when I act this way is isolation, which just makes things worse. I mean, who wants to hang around a guy like this, who is angry at the world, snapping at everyone he sees? I drew this guy for me, in the front page of a favorite sketchbook, and I came across the image frequently, sometimes at just the right moment. I need these reminders to keep me in check. My songs work that way for me too. A positive message sung at the right time can be good medicine.

Floyd the Flamingo as a cowboy poet. Drew this on the inside back cover of a book I was reading at the Nashville airport, after seeing a guy sitting across from me in a comically over-sized cowboy hat. I drew the attention of a little boy who seemed perplexed that this cowboy I was drawing had such a long nose.

Another plane drawing. Floyd the flamingo, the "mascot" for my band, The Trailer Park Troubadours. He's on stage and having a good time. I may use this for posters for my solo shows.

This was drawn on the airplane last weekend after finishing a chapter on Abraham Lincoln in Sarah Vowell's book, "The Partly Cloudy Patriot." I drew this on the end sheet next to the inside front cover. Not a terribly accurate portrayal of the man, just a caricature. The flight attendant stopped twice to watch (I was in an aisle seat), and a third time to ask me, "Is that Abraham Lincoln?" and "Did you really draw that?" and before walking off to deliver more peanuts, she said, "You're a good drawer." Ha. I love that expression. Haven't heard that one since I was a kid.