On Production and Creation

In 1844, Richard Wagner wrote:

"Each man must please himself, and nature has placed her approbation on this by supplying the greatest pleasure men ever know as a reward for doing good work. I hate this fast-growing tendency to chain men to machines in big factories and deprive them of all joy in their efforts—the plan will lead to cheap men and cheap products. I set my face against it and plead for the dignity and health of the open air, and the olden time."

(Sourced from Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Musicians by Elbert Hubbard, 1916)

Valkyrie. Photo illustration.

Wagner

Thought it would be fun to draw a young Richard Wagner in conté. So I did: 

Distinct features and a giant genius forehead make for good practice!

nina with wagner 700 px.jpg

Interestingly, my basset, Roediger, sat down on the drawing in progress on several occasions, then spat (!) at it. He's never done that to any other artworks of mine before.

Since Roediger is already quite partial to classical-derived metal (being mine and all), and is pretty much a dog of colossal intellect (being mine and all), we might have a clear case of reincarnation at hand: going to play Ride Of The Valkyries to test the theory! ;)