instagram feed | Michael J. Bowen Artworks

mycobowen

📔 SPREAD #11 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ ⁠ The

📔 SPREAD #11 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ ⁠
The left page is an old sketch of a girl named "Teddy" who enthusiastically demanded that I drew her because of her love of art. That sketch laid in my drawer for many years and after gluing to the page I added the concentric lines of the #turkeytail mushroom. ⁠
⁠
The right page is an old pen and ink drawing that shows the development of my natural "flow state" style of drawing where a line or shape reveals itself as a character or subject. Adding to the effect of this raw sketchbook style is the wet ink bleed from spilled water near the spine. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 2⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue drawings on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠
#mjbartist #mycobowen #thesketchbookproject #sketchbookproject #visionaryart #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #originalart #rawart #ink #marker #graphite #mushroom #mushroomart #art #love #sketch #handmade #creative #artistsoninstagram #inspiration #artoftheday

⁠ 📔 SPREAD #10 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ A c

⁠
📔 SPREAD #10 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ A censored anatomy drawing of my reproductive parts becomes a monument for an onlooking robot and skeleton in a bear suit sending healing energy. A cut and pasted ink drawing of a short and squat man reaches the testicle bridge overlook wearing a red root chakra crown cap and red shirt. Red energy flows onto the left page building up waveforms that create a bird of consciousness glaring straight back to the source.⁠
––⁠
So what is my interpretation? This piece mirrors back to me an imbalanced and over-stimulated root chakra energy that is out of line with my natural balance. As a highly creative person, I've had difficulties separating creative energy from sexual energy and have turned my male anatomy into "an attraction" that is put high on a mountain. The skeleton in the bear suit and robot are trying to connect and send healing energy to help find balance in this survival chakra. ⁠
––⁠
See uncensored version at sketchbookproject.com when the book gets digitized and published! ⁠
⁠
✂️ 2⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue drawings on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠
#mjbartist #mycobowen #thesketchbookproject #sketchbookproject #visionaryart #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #originalart #rawart ⁠
⁠
#ink #marker #graphite #drawing #jung #jungian #archetypes #redchakra #rootchakra #sexualenergy

It's time for change. #vote #humanrights #bidenhar

It's time for change. #vote #humanrights #bidenharris2020 #johnlewis #marchwithjohn

⁠ 📔 SPREAD #9 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ Wher

⁠
📔 SPREAD #9 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ Where to even begin explaining this one! 🤷🏼 The first layer started with a sketch of the character on the left and a bubbly female figure floating in the air with their arm over a pregnant belly. After rounds of defining lines, adding color and texture, natural objects, elements and mushrooms began to flush out. A pseudo-self portrait with pink hair, flaming crown chakra, donut ears, and sea creature nose is dressed in a jester/court justice uniform. The crown chakra flames entangle with the energies of three spirit eyes and mushroom rings. A purple capped mushroom's dimensional lid is opened by the pregnant figure revealing a green spiral universe. Another mushroom cap interacts with the scene bringing seed science and firefly knowledge of light. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 3⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue drawings on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠
#mjbartist #mycobowen #thesketchbookproject #sketchbookproject #visionaryart #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #originalart #rawart ⁠
⁠
#ink #marker #oilpastel #coloredpencil #graphite #mushroom #surreal #strange #eyeart #mushroomart

⁠ 📔 SPREAD #8 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ A bu

⁠
📔 SPREAD #8 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️ A burly mushroom man made of mountains is burning rainbow energy through his gill-powered mushroom motorcycle. Big bold energies dance through space bringing together metal, matter, nature and physics. Floating above his giant arm is a stylized symbol of the letter 'e' with an eye of consciousness. In the red flames, a cityscape with a paradox-twisted astronaut is falling and landing at the same time. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 3⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue drawings on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠
#mjbartist #mycobowen #thesketchbookproject #sketchbookproject #visionaryart #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #originalart #rawart ⁠
⁠
#ink #marker #oilpastel #coloredpencil #crosshatch #graphite #motocycle #mushroom #gills

⁠
📔 SPREAD #7 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️⁠
––⁠
This drawing is one of those #jungian #archetype dream images that defy logic and reality and is full of symbolism. ⁠
⁠
A large fish walks onto the sharply divided black and white background staring at the viewer. A tiny pituitary gland interacts with a circuit board which is projecting a woman's anatomy covered in lingerie. ⁠
⁠
The fish is awkwardly supported by a pair of abstract legs with one of the lower legs spinning spider webs with a marching spider by its side.⁠
⁠
So what does it mean? The fish is a symbol of the unconscious depths of the psyche. Typically a fish would be found in the undercurrents of mental (water) energies, but here it is evolving and walking onto the earthly ground. The black and white #yinyang background splits the scene into two distinct spaces: positive/negative, black/white, empty/full. The images reflect back to me a disoriented fish out of water caught up in the traps of technology and material trying to evolve its consciousness through #taoist principles and balance. The spider is helping to weave a new reality and provide sure-footing for this new being. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 2⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue sketches on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠
#ink #graphite #oilpastel #blackandwhite #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #visionaryart #surreal #dreamimagery #shaman #spider #fish #originalart⁠

⁠
📔 SPREAD #6 ✏️✂️🖋️🖌️⁠
⁠
⬅️ Left page: A mysterious female figure (Red Spirit) without facial features adorned with a red dot on her 3rd eye emanates flowy red and orange energy. This piece came through me in a flow state and may have been a vehicle for moving the overactive red masculine energies from my root chakra. Orange (sacral) feminine energies mix with the red energies providing a symbol of balance and healing. Ink and graphite drawings of menacing thorns and spiritual symbols are pasted above the sea of red/orange creating a juxtaposition of material and organic matter. ⁠
⁠
➡️ Right Page: Another spiritually inspired ink and graphite drawing of #ganesha shows crown chakra droplets passing through the 3rd eye and creating whimsical portals swirling below. Oil pastels mix feminine orange energies and masculine blue energies opening the throat chakra. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 5⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue sketches on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠
#originalart #angel #shaman #chakra #ink #oilpastel #coloredpencil #doodle #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #ballerina #crosshatch #3rdeye #visionaryart #sketchbook ⁠

📔 SPREAD #5✏️✂️🖋️ ⁠ ⁠ ⬅️ L

📔 SPREAD #5✏️✂️🖋️ ⁠
⁠
⬅️ Left page: A magic ballerina surrounded by a pink aura skillfully demonstrates how to change air into form. Clipped from the raw sketch on the right page, these doodles create interesting shapes and reveal green turtle energies. ⁠
⁠
➡️ Right Page: A quick cross-hatched ink drawing of our friend Buddha and his open 3rd eye joyfully laughing in a sea of lines and floating eyes. A clipped turntable from a '98 sketch adorns his beaded necklace.⁠
⁠
✂️ 5⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue sketches on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured to paper. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠ ⁠
⁠––⁠5
#ink #marker #oilpastel #coloredpencil #doodle #sketch #mixedmedia #cutandpaste #ballerina #pink #green #crosshatch #turtle #buddha #turntable #eyeart #3rdeye #visionaryart

📔 SPREAD #4 ✏️✂️🖋️ ⁠ ⁠ Another

📔 SPREAD #4 ✏️✂️🖋️ ⁠
⁠
Another inspired session sitting in the #sanctuary of @firstunityspiritualcampus ...these sages and angels flowed right through my crown, into my heart, through my root and out through the hand converting ink to line, shape and form. ⁠
⁠
⬅️ Left page: A warm glowing swan angel influenced by a butterfly is bringing the feminine healing to the emotional orange and yellow chakras. ⁠
⁠
➡️ Right Page: A masculine blue and purple indigenous sage downloads intelligent colors and shapes creating form and voice in the throat chakra. An old graffiti letter drawing spells IODA. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 3⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to my middle school years. Rogue sketches on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly captured. Saving for a rainy day, my intention was to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner landscape as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠
⁠––⁠
#shaman #shamanism #intellect #eyeart #angel #sage #spiritual #visionaryart #nativeamerican #graphite #print #oilpastel #coloredpencil #cutandpaste #glue #mjbartist #mycobowen #sketchbookproject #originalart #rawart #inspiration #creativity #creativeinspiration #artist #ideas

⁠ 📔 SPREAD #3 ✏️✂️🖋️ ⁠ ⁠ An

⁠
📔 SPREAD #3 ✏️✂️🖋️ ⁠
⁠
An old graphite portrait interacts with the spores of knowledge from a yellow sunlight mushroom / A checkered stick-legged creature connects to underground portals of Gaia energy / A floating jellyfish eye stares into your soul / Mountainous shaman spirits transmute blue throat chakra energies and primal desires. ⁠
⁠
✂️ 3⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to the early 90's. Rogue sketches on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration quickly recorded. Honoring my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner work as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠
⁠––⁠
#animalsoul #animalspirits #shaman #shamanism #intellect #eyeart #mushroomart #littlebeings ⁠
#graphite #ink #penandink #coloredpencil #marker #cutandpaste #glue #mjbartist #mycobowen #sketchbookproject #originalart #rawart #inspiration #creativity #creativeinspiration #artist #ideas

📔 SPREAD #2 - Brooklyn Sketchbook Project⁠
⁠
⬅️ The neck ring adorned #African woman is my 2nd drawing of this subject—the first dating back to 8th art class ('93) where I drew a similar woman from reference and for the first time realized I had an innate understanding of value, shading and breaking life down into art. At 13 years old, I rendered the image near perfectly, it was soon after entered into my first art show and mysteriously came up "missing". If anyone out there has seen it let me know - ha! ⁠
⁠
➡️ The right page has a clipped #penandink study drawing of my finger (maybe as an old man) pointing to the orange neo-surfer with magic flaming hands. #mjbartist #marker #tag ⁠
⁠
✂️ 3⁠
⁠
👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to the early 90's. Rogue sketches on a napkin or scrap paper get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration that I had to quickly capture. The strategy had always been to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. A peek into my inner work as a human ⁠on this earth. ⁠
⁠––⁠
#graphite #ink #penandink #cutandpaste #glue #mjbartist #mycobowen #sketchbookproject #originalart #rawart #inspiration #creativity #creativeinspiration #artist #ideas #freeideas

📔 I'm so excited to share this sketchbook with

📔 I'm so excited to share this sketchbook with you all! Left page: my signature #mjb initials animated in motion, just playing with shapes and planes. My fascination with letterforms started well before I discovered graffiti — bending serifs and swashes was both expressive and communicative but also so damn fun! There was a time when I only drew letters. Right page: A pen and ink winged shaman blooms from a mushroom framed within a basket heart as he prays for balance and creativity harkening back to the biggest mushroom cloud that changed the world, the #abomb. ✂️ 3 👈🏼 Swipe for detail views 👈🏼⁠
––⁠
This #sketchbook submission to the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject is a #mixedmedia curation of my random sketches dating back to the early 90's. Rogue sketches, whether on a napkin, scrap paper or envelope get tossed in a special folder of "instant downloads" and were often short sparks of inspiration that I had to record. The strategy had always been to use these sketches in a way that honors my past and present as an artist, this is that book. ⁠
⁠––⁠
#graphite #ink #cutandpaste #glue #tape #mjbartist #mycobowen #sketchbook #sketchbookproject #originalart #rawart #inspiration #creativity #creativeinspiration

Deadlines: the great motivator for the artist. I w

Deadlines: the great motivator for the artist. I was a procrastinator in school and often preferred the pressure cooker of time to help focus my mind on what needs to be done. I've had months to complete the @brooklynartlibrary #thesketchbookproject and had a strategy and ideas of what the content of the book would be. As the months ticked on, the sketchbook sat lonely and empty waiting for my vision to hit its pages. Fast forward to the beginning of August, crunch time hit and the #artstudio became the war room to crank out creativity in a matter of weeks. Dating back to middle school years I've kept most of my rogue sketches, whether on a napkin, scrap paper or envelope and kept them in a special folder of "instant download" ideas. The strategy had always been to use these sketches in way that honors my past and present as an artist. This cover demonstrates the theme of the entire book where I intricately cut sketches from their page, glue them to the sketchbook and begin the process of turning each sketch into a new piece of art. During my time @firstunityspiritualcampus in #stpete while listening to amazing spiritual leaders and speakers, I was open to channel many different semi-formless beings and put them on paper. This cover combines the #androgynous #neotibetan spiritual master paired with a #mushroom #ink sketch I did while on a phone call. The book contains 54 contour cut sketches ranging from 1990ish to present. With this raw and intentional method, concepts from different parts of my life find a way to tell a new story and reflect back my growth in consciousness and emotional intelligence. The process was like that of an extremely complex puzzle I slowly put together to create a new story. Hope you and enjoy and get some inspiration from my strange and unique characters that live in my mind, body and spirit. Follow along my feed for the next month to see the final product of the firestorm of creativity that happened this month. #oilpastel #coloredpencil #graphite #cutandpaste #glue #mixedmedia #mjbartist #mycobowen #mushroomart #sketchbook #sketchbookproject #originalart #rawart #inspiration #creativity #creativeinspiration #jung

#nonstop working on #thesketchbookproject, ships t

#nonstop working on #thesketchbookproject, ships tomorrow! Here is the cover in process #wip

Lots of arting going around here…#thesketchbookp

Lots of arting going around here...#thesketchbookproject @brooklynartlibrary

The 🔥 firestorm of creativity in the studio con

The 🔥 firestorm of creativity in the studio continues this week as I prepare my 32 page #sketchbook for the @brooklynartlibrary
#thesketchbookproject. Swipe for video action!
.
.
#mjbartist #originalart #graphite #drawing #coloredpencil #oilpastel #cutandpaste #art #artistatwork #creative #mushroomart

Check out this creepy #mushroom being parasitized

Check out this creepy #mushroom being parasitized by another fungus. Great horror movie inspiration! #mycophile #naturerules #fungusamongus

Instagram post 17944293262367006

Instagram post 17944293262367006

Instagram post 17937332833387432

Instagram post 17937332833387432

♾️👾 . . . . . #thesketchbookproject #sketc

♾️👾
.
.
.
.
. #thesketchbookproject #sketchbook @thesketchbookproject

Load More… Follow on Instagram