Today I Felt Like an Artist

Lee Sekaquaptewa
Salmon. 2014
Repurposed wood and cardboard
~3.5' x 9' x 2'

It's definitely not everyday I feel like an artist. Most days I'm dreading the thought of all the work and homework I have. It's sad to say that I miss just creating art that I like. I'm back in school this semester and it's taking its toll on everything I do. My free time is the time I need to sleep. The time for study usually turns to doodling and I most often am taking hours at work to help me live my poor expensive life.

I've been blessed since I've been in school. I finally certified in my major. I am, sadly, still working at McDonald's, but got promoted and becoming a manager. On top of that I have been sharing my work with students on campus during Sketch Wednesdays. 

work in progress.
Pineapple. 2014
Watercolors on watercolor paper
18" x 24"

Furthermore, my class held a group exhibition. There I showed some of my work to my professors as well as friends. I feel as though because of that show I was able to acquire this studio office to do my work. Although I spend hours upon hours here, I still never seem to get my homework done. I take notes like crazy, I draw and doodle, I paint, I distract myself from actually committing to my academics. But at least I am feeding my passion. If only I could however keep it in balance.

My professors would like to see my work "explode." I would like my career as an artist do that. However, I still think that there's a long road before then.

work in progress.
Portrait of my only Love. 2014
Colored pencil
24" x 30"

I hope things will continue to look upward. I hope that things from here will continue smooth sailing and I actually become successful. I hope I don't have to worry about picking up hours to pay rent and utilities, I hope that I won't be struggling to sleep because I just got off work and have class in a few hours.


 I don't know what the future holds, but I do have plans. I have goals. I have the friends, peers, and family behind me to help. I just hope I don't disappoint myself along the way ending up disappointing others.

Lee Sekaquaptewa
April 17a. (2014)
Pen, charcoal, marker on copy paper
8.5" x 8.5"

Lee Sekaquaptewa
April 17b. (2014)
Charcoal, chalk, and white out
on drawing paper
18" x 18" 

Lee Sekaquaptewa
Collage. (2014)
Mixed Media on Drawing paper
18" x 24"

-Lee Sekaquaptewa

Creating Website!

There will be a website for this page. hopefully I will be able to manage daily sketches here and post the finished works on the website or something like that. I am horrible with keeping up this thing.


https://sites.google.com/site/artofanongenius/

Taking Responsibility

To whomever,

I am taking complete control of this blog an things will be changed, just a bit. Thanks to James, who started this. It's a good place to start. I will try to not no mess things up.

Lee S.

iPad Sketches

Sketches

The ride from Pullman to Yakima Valley is about a three to three and a half hour drive, I get bored. sometimes i'll pull out a pencil or box of pencils and pens and markers. but why fidget with the hassles of doing such things when you have an iPad handy? you don't have to worry about dropping shavings everywhere, messy materials, or even losing pencils and utensils.  These are my drawings of June 10, 2013.

Ride to the Rez

-Lee Sekaquaptewa

Inspiration.

Inspiration

I tend to draw a lot inspiration from the shows I watch or things I read. I am big fan of cartoons. I grew watching things like The WB’s Animaniacs, Sonic the Hedgehog, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Batman, Rocko’s Modern Life, Ren & Stimpy, Rugrats, Disney Animated features like: The Lion King, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast. 

When I grew older and new things became available on television and anime started to rise. I would wake up to the FOX Network and see things like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. I was at first off set to a style of animation. However, with the introduction of Pokemon and Toonami I was able to get a sort-of-hyper-appreciation for the style. My brother would get videos that I later enjoyed a lot of. Things I used to watch took a turn from childlike things to adult themes. It started with Gundam Wing, Tenchi, Slayers, Trigun, Goldenboy, and Agent Aika. Things then softened out and I became used to such styles that I would try to emulate them into my drawing as a kid.

What became an instant liking was artwork from the album covers to the Gorillaz. It was, However only later that I would become such a great fan. 

I continued doodling and trying to draw. I picked up a lot from my brother and would watch him draw or look at his drawings and even clean them up to be from expressive sketch drawings to polished line drawings. At some point later in life and mostly now I see how much I still yearn to be able to quickly sketch, draw, and be equally comprehensive in the different media he has become attuned with.

Things I am driving most of my inspiration, nowadays, are books, anime, music, and artists that I appreciate right now. One of the greatest artists that I know of is my brother, I understand that it’s a bias source, but I have been yearning and striving to get at his level with everything. Another source would be my instructors and studies. They have the drive to get them from where I am to where they are now. Working with my friends and peers to see how I am growing.

Seeking the advice and not entirely going solo really helps. Harsh criticism is essential and well sometimes I’d rather just have bad art than no art at all. I am usually upset with my work because I lack the patience or knowledge to get it done how I expect it to. However, that’s something I learn every time I draw or paint, or do something. I learn how to do it more efficiently, creatively, and gain more patience because I know what needs to get done and how to do it.

One of my favorite artists next to my brother is Jamie Hewlett. His style of illustration has become one of my top favorite. Which brings me back to a book I would reference a lot of material from as a kid that I became acquainted with again.  Without Hewlett, my brother, or such fascination with cartoons and comics I would have gotten where I am today. If it weren’t for other people’s interest I would have continued with my studies and practice in arts.

What I like most about Jamie Hewlett is character design. I am just always in awe of his ability to illustrate such clean, simple, images. Learning more about the artist has even given me a great appreciate for his artwork. 

I am running out of things to talk about here so yeah. We’ll get back to more inspiration stuff later.

-Lee Sekaquaptewa

Sketchbook Pro for iMac

The other day Lee had gotten off work and started to work on his skills with drawing on his computer. I can imagine him restless and feeling creative. He grabs his computer, he grabs his tablet and pen... he starts some music. Frustrated and thoughtless, he stops and erases all that he's done. He messages someone on Facebook and asks them a simple question: who's your favorite cartoon/comic character. He begins to work... and then he is content. He had the motivation, the skill, and talent to create something for someone. He draws for people.


The first one of Dr. Zoidberg (from Futurama) eating a burger. Lee drew this for one of his friends who's leaving the fast food restaurant to continue on with the next step of his life after college.

"Study Study Graduate" was a drawing for another friend, dedicated to Susan. It's a picture of Jake the Dog from Adventure Time. Someone who is also graduating. From what I heard, she's a respectable woman who works hard, studies often, and is definitely glad to be graduating.

The last one, a Calvin and Hobbes comic, dedicated to his buddy, Seth. A comic about a friendship between a boy and his stuffed animal. A great comic created by Bill Watterson.

Interview with a Non-Genius by James Irwin

Name / Age / Location

My name is Lee Sekaquaptewa. I am twenty-two years old and currently living in Pullman, Washington.

Brief intro to who you are / what you do.

I am a creative person, I like to think. The idea of artist and what an artist does to me is kinda skewed by what different people perceive as artists. I like to believe anyone is an artist in their own way. My way is just imbued with many different facets. I wouldn’t necessarily call it all art. I like to cook, play piano, write music, draw, and paint. All of these things are just pass times that I enjoy. I am not an “artist” who lives off what he creates. I would love to, I just haven’t found the right way to do it. I create for the simple joy of creating. I create things.

What’s your favorite piece of work that you have created?

That’s a very hard question… most of the time the things I create are usually someone else’s by the time I finish them. I love my sketchbooks and well I would have to say those would have to be the things that are most intimate to an “artist.” They have drawings dedicated to people, notes, ideas, and everything that I could possibly imagine. It is the embodiment of who I am and possibly even what I am.

Cover Idea -  Walking on Eggshells EP
Ft. Lee Sekaquaptewa, Lucas Salazar, Mike Sekaquaptewa, Jonathan Crass

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment, I am trying to collaborate with a few musicians on an EP album Walking on Eggshells. The work consists of me creating music starting from my piano with chords and then progressing into tracks instrumented by Simple Lead Keyboards, a False Drum Set, False Bass, and Vocals and Guitar by various people willing to work with me. 

Who are these people you are working with?

I am trying to work with my old manager from McDonald’s, Jon Crass. A very hippie kinda guy with interesting tastes in music and philosophy that’s just intriguing to me. Then there is my older brother, Michael Sekaquaptewa, who has been singing and playing guitar for the past decade about. He’s someone I have been trying catch up to since I was young, creatively and as a person. Lastly, there is a friend I made through connections with my younger brother, Lucas Salazar. I don’t know much about him other than that he likes music, creates music, and plays gigs with his friends in Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and other places that I’m not too sure of. I have been invited to them just haven’t been able to go.

What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?

My goals for the future, both work wise and life… I would have to say be alive and try to attain some sort of ease and happiness with myself. To be able to take care of myself without the freak-outs, depression, and need to fill a void with false promises, people, and essentially the “junk” in life that brings negativity, which is mostly my thoughts.

I would like to be successful. I don't what I would really like to do other than that. Be happy, be successful, helpful, loving life, and loving the people that are around me unconditionally.

What are you doing when you’re not creating? What (other) hobbies do you have?

When I’m not creating I am working for the “man.” I am currently a burger flipper at McDonald’s, and I hate it mostly. If I am not working I am sleeping or trying to sleep. As it is right now, I am not a student. However, I still try to study. Anatomy for the Artist and The Art of Seeing are books that I am currently reading. I write in my actual journal on occasions. 

I also watch a ton of Netflix, cartoons, and youtube videos. In addition, I am a “Facebook Junkie.” 

I like to hang out with friends, but for some reason I have been isolating myself to the point of debating on if I have friends; or if, whether or not, we’re all “too busy.” I never find the right time to hang out with people or people don’t have or want the time to hang out with me, at least that’s what I feel. 

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a horrible person. I wouldn’t say that I am outgoing. I have a super Debbie Downer syndrome. I’m usually never “happy.” But, I do enjoy the bursts of joy that come along with a visit with a good friend, colleague, family member(s), etc.

Do you have any favorite blogs you read?

I don’t really read any blogs. I am starting to, however. Starting with this one and my brother’s. I have branched out to other friends’ and well hopefully we can get links attached to this and whatnot. I usually look at people's websites.

• http://nickovichblog.wordpress.com

• http://mariahboyleart.com/home.html

• http://www.nicholasflatley.com

• http://ericalain.com

• http://karriadieken.com/home.html

• http://www.austinstiegemeier.com

• http://dorkusmonsart.tumblr.com

Digital Painting
8"x10" Print Sold for $40

Do you sell your work?

I don’t normally sell my work… I usually just give it to people and leave it around. People offer me and ask me for something I usually just do it, sold or not. I haven’t sold anything really. 

In addition to the music that I am collaborating with other people to work on I am doing some things for other people visually. I am painting, attempting to paint, a family portrait for a friend. I will be compensated for it. However, the size I am painting it and my skill in painting are frustrating me most of the time that it sets me off. I see it as starting somewhere though. 

Things I have sold were small things. I did a charcoal drawing and mosaic and sold each for $40 in high school to a teacher, that was amazing. I have also sold a comic character to my brother for the price of food when I had no money when I was younger. I sold a print to near stranger who is now a long distance friend. 

What else should we know about you and your work?

I deal mostly with graphics, line work, and definitely trying to branch out to do more versatile work that would hopefully land me an illustrator, design, or even studio art job and career. I would like to somehow incorporate my music and my visual creativity into one another.