Grain to Graphite Drawing # 4: Funk Factory Geuzeria

Title: Grain to Graphite drawing #4, Funk Factory Geuzeria. 2017. Medium: Graphite pencils on Aquavelle hot press 300lbs. paper. Size: 18"w X 24"h. My first experience regarding Funk Factory Geuzeria was on a lark. My good friend in Madison was kind enough to pick me up a bottle of Levi Funk's, "Fox and The Grapes," A Lambic style beer with Foch grapes. The complexity in depth and balance provoked both my curiosity and impressions that few beers can. It reminded me of visiting an art exhibition and recollecting what if any pieces of art work captured me enough to go back and view a second time. This experience was true with Levi's traditional yet original Lambics, except art in liquid form. Levi followed up with other fruited blends such as the acclaimed Framrood, and Frampaars, which sparked my inspiration for the drawing. When Levi is not blending and selecting adequate barrels, he's filling them and waiting patiently for them to mature. However, as of this weekend (June 23rd 2017) Levi can add another task and milestone to Funk Factory Geuzeria. A tap room open to the public. This quaint building was housing barrels the last time I visited. Levi was kind enough to invite me in to take some reference photos and explain some of the inner workings. The drawing above is a meld of various still life objects and photographs I took. There were many challenges regarding new textures I had never explored, as well as trying to capture believable glassware. Large drawings also tend to take more time in pencil. I am looking forward to visiting the tap room soon to see how it has evolved and to try the fantastic offerings. For all the details, and updates, check out FUNK FACTORY GEUZERIA. Cheers!

Hopps Series 2: Brewers Art

 When I came up with the idea of doing this Hopps Brewers series two years ago, it was the result of stumbling upon my old sports cards; specifically the 1986 Topps Baseball cards. Secondly, it was a much needed break from an extensive series and exhibitions of my main drawing medium being graphite pencils. After I finished the first series of the Brewers Art I started a graphite drawing series called "Grain to Graphite", as seen below. My latest "Grain to Graphite drawing is a larger realistic drawing in which I staged a still-life reflecting my experiences and images of Funk Factory Geuzeria and the unique work that Levi Funk is doing. During the drawing process I needed a break from the scrutiny of the wondrous, but laborious and challenging raspberries. The remedy was to take a brief intermission. Series Two of the Brewers was spawned. This was also important due to the fact I had experienced new breweries that were taking their craft to the next level and needed to be inducted. There are now a total of 100 Hopps Brewers card art. All of the originals can be viewed at CBC Fenway in Boston, MA. And now... back to the Funk Factory drawing, which I hope to have finished by early June. Cheers!