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labornthyn — Tree of Life

Published: 2008-02-26 18:07:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 5746; Favourites: 135; Downloads: 1
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Description The above is the older, poorly scanned version of:
[link]
I left this old one up for the sake of comparison...
Visit this link for the better scanned, enhanced version.

double A4 Canson Bristol; 0.10 Rotring Rapidograph, black ink

The completion of this work was quite a saga for m personally. It was initiated in December 2000 in an apartment in the city of Tianjin, China, and worked on through an intense time into January 2001, after which for various reasons I fell into a depressed state, and the drawing was left only half completed. I ceased drawing for many months thereafter, during which I landed back in the States for a brief interlude, went on a mad bicycle journey through France, across the Alps and down into Italy to end up in Rome in October 2001, where I was soon able to find a job. I hadn't drawn for so many months, and I had to go to the art store to buy new rapidographs, which I had not even thought to pack in my bicycle bags. In a wonderful room in the Pigneto district in the southeast corner of the city, I began to draw again, this time an ouroboros.

Many months, and many strange times beyond this idyllic life, I once again found myself back in the States in December 2002. I was there to fulfill my fantasy of converting my grandfather's workshop, which had been collecting dust and rubbish for the 25 years since his passing, into my personal live/work/art chamber. Thus I spent 9 months in absolute hermetic solitude, sleeping on a reassuringly solid bed of pine planks I built to raise myself above the concrete floor, from which I could stare up at the deer antlers and old felt hunting hat of my grandfather. Nine hours a day, 7 days a week, for nine months, of solid drawing, drinking vodka and watching anime after finishing the shift at 12:30am.

The second half of the above drawing was begun soon after I acquired this domain, in January 2003, and completed in February. So a total of two years separate the top half of this work from the bottom. The completion felt extremely intense, and the ensuing isolation and focus on art was a revelatory time...

This scan makes the background too black, taking away the silvery black texturing of the original. Please check out the further detail shots in my gallery, which are flash photographed, to get a better idea of what this piece looks like in life (this scan is very unsatisfying to me).
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Comments: 80

Neropheb [2010-04-09 10:50:01 +0000 UTC]

Hello.
This is amazing artwork.
Long time, I'm searching something, what can describe my soul and mind.
Please, can I use it as tattoo on my back?

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macaca-do-catete [2009-02-23 15:46:24 +0000 UTC]

i love your work and love the story you tell!!!! much of it is immediate portal to expanded perspectives. respect!

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PellucidMind [2009-01-21 18:26:14 +0000 UTC]

This artwork is featured here: [link]

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MadamStephana [2008-07-12 15:26:54 +0000 UTC]

Oh my God(ess)... I am so glad I clicked on the full view of this one! The detail in the laybrinth is amazing!

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labornthyn In reply to MadamStephana [2008-07-13 18:23:20 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks to you for looking deeper! Check out this enhanced view, it might be more enjoyable: [link]

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shadow-xx [2008-07-05 13:20:17 +0000 UTC]

thats amazing.

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labornthyn In reply to shadow-xx [2008-07-11 18:51:12 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for commenting!

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shadow-xx In reply to labornthyn [2008-07-12 13:07:11 +0000 UTC]

no problem.

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sarahchimera [2008-04-28 05:20:18 +0000 UTC]

You're Insane
Isn't it lovely?


yum.

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labornthyn In reply to sarahchimera [2008-05-04 01:16:47 +0000 UTC]

It mostly is (the insantiy)...and yes...

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Mgsblade [2008-04-27 10:10:08 +0000 UTC]

that quite beutiful and detailed,
Wow, the story behind it is a saga on its own!!

So did you know any of the languages of the countries you visited?

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labornthyn In reply to Mgsblade [2008-04-27 21:41:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for checking it out and commenting! Here is a better version I just posted: [link]

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BkawaiN [2008-04-25 17:56:05 +0000 UTC]

Oh my god. 250-300 hours. But then again, a lot of the times the experience of creating something is just as rewarding as finishing a large project.

I know how you feel about the scans being unsatisfying. I adore this as a scan, but just thinking about seeing this in real life has me really excited.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

labornthyn In reply to BkawaiN [2008-04-27 01:03:37 +0000 UTC]

My memories of doing certain drawings are very powerful...Earlier ones like this one, it is imprinted permanently on me. They were revelatory times. I would listen to Bach a lot of the time, and enter these insane (wholly sane) states of ecstasy. So I fully agree, the experience of the process is often a world unto itself, which can sometimes become more vital than the life outside. Then the bleedover happens into daily life...

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EyeDrood [2008-04-20 18:18:31 +0000 UTC]

This is awesome, I love the detail and the thought that has clearly gone into it.

Very impressive.

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labornthyn In reply to EyeDrood [2008-04-22 19:21:10 +0000 UTC]

I appreciate the comment...would like to get a better image of this one, but for now I've only got some flash photos in my gallery that give a slightly better idea of what it really looks like...

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LadyDarkshyne [2008-04-19 22:40:55 +0000 UTC]

very impressive, I like your style!

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labornthyn In reply to LadyDarkshyne [2008-04-22 19:22:07 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, I am glad, as I like yours as well...

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Curiosis [2008-04-18 20:03:29 +0000 UTC]

Incredible...

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labornthyn In reply to Curiosis [2008-04-22 19:22:34 +0000 UTC]

Much appreciated!

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yoyo-play [2008-04-17 08:21:13 +0000 UTC]

sooo many details...this could use a bigger preview...



still

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labornthyn In reply to yoyo-play [2008-04-18 17:23:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the comment! I am in the process of getting some better photos of this so I can have more detail shots...

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yoyo-play In reply to labornthyn [2008-04-20 13:51:39 +0000 UTC]

can't wait to see...

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throbgoblins [2008-04-12 14:10:18 +0000 UTC]

Lovely work -the textures are wonderfully realised. It looks carved

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labornthyn In reply to throbgoblins [2008-04-12 21:12:43 +0000 UTC]

Nice comment, thank you...

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mathismondhut [2008-04-12 11:02:40 +0000 UTC]

wonderfull...its hard to find words to express the experience of looking at this....

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labornthyn In reply to mathismondhut [2008-04-22 19:23:27 +0000 UTC]

I appreciate your commnent, am happy that it affects you...

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zepangborn [2008-04-09 08:20:36 +0000 UTC]

I really like this one.
My appreciation for increases the longer I look at it.

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labornthyn In reply to zepangborn [2008-04-22 19:24:37 +0000 UTC]

That is good to hear...it's what stays interesting and nutritious to the eye in the long run that I admire...

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density-tmr [2008-03-31 19:46:17 +0000 UTC]

I have not noticed this version of this artwork before. Very fine work and excellent content.

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labornthyn In reply to density-tmr [2008-04-03 00:49:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the comment...yeah, I finally got hold of a better version...

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larkin-art [2008-03-29 14:50:05 +0000 UTC]

beautifully intricate and full of divine mystery.

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labornthyn In reply to larkin-art [2008-04-03 04:46:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the comment, it is much appreciated...

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WAZA-LOO [2008-03-27 03:20:15 +0000 UTC]

God, you are an amazing artist. I wish I could see a gallery full of your work. It's so intense it makes me start to tear up a bit.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

labornthyn In reply to WAZA-LOO [2008-03-27 19:04:05 +0000 UTC]

Wow, thank you for expressing your feelings about it...I am delighted that this work affects you in such a way...

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Tillinghast23 [2008-03-25 07:33:10 +0000 UTC]

Mesmerizing! I started falling into the labyrinth by staring at it too long!

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labornthyn In reply to Tillinghast23 [2008-03-25 18:22:38 +0000 UTC]

Great to hear! Never underestimate the labyrinth!

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ballofplasma [2008-03-25 04:55:42 +0000 UTC]

incredible work!

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labornthyn In reply to ballofplasma [2008-03-25 17:58:13 +0000 UTC]

I am glad you enjoy it!

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Inkizit [2008-03-20 19:00:35 +0000 UTC]

I like your vertical composition, all is so detailed and balanced that the result is relentless, cheer beautiful work ^^

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labornthyn In reply to Inkizit [2008-03-21 19:46:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for your kind comment!

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Bulbin [2008-03-19 21:39:50 +0000 UTC]

Great. This is really impressive. I use rapidographs too, so I can imagine how working on this had to look like. Honestly, I'm shocked. How long did it take to complete the drawing?

Of course not only the number of details makes your work look great, it's also the subject, choice of objects and the composition balance.

Absolutely amazing : ).

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labornthyn In reply to Bulbin [2008-03-21 19:52:05 +0000 UTC]

Great to hear your comment. I think this one took around 150-300 hours, maybe more. I lose track of time with rapido work, go into a trance. Thanks for the insightful comment, I am grateful for your appreciation.

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selfregion [2008-03-18 22:17:58 +0000 UTC]

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labornthyn In reply to selfregion [2008-03-21 19:50:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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iMaiM [2008-03-15 05:22:55 +0000 UTC]

Your level of patience for detail is just amazing. I love this!!!

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labornthyn In reply to iMaiM [2008-03-16 04:26:30 +0000 UTC]

Glad you enjoy it! It is hard to have the patience but at certain times in life the trance one gets into when doing it is quite welcoming and destroys time...

I've been trying to get more loose and free with drawing but don't like it ver much. Keep finding my way back to the meticulous insanity.

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SunOwl [2008-03-15 03:25:31 +0000 UTC]

Excellent!

I love the way the veins come from the arms and the potential expansion of the lungs drawn as unfurling leaves. I also like the circle of 'ower' that is the navel/stomach.

Great work.

Oh and yes, the owl.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

labornthyn In reply to SunOwl [2008-03-16 04:17:29 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for your great comment. It is really interesting how the details are viewed by others. I am glad you like it, I just couldn't resist posting the link when I saw your owl picture!

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SunOwl In reply to labornthyn [2008-03-16 06:44:11 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you did. Thanks!

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