J. D.. Hillberry

[Shan]

J. D. Hillberry produces realistic charcoal and pencil drawings.

Quote by the artist:

"Like most artists, I have a need to communicate pictorially rather than with words. Although I try to push the limits of realism in a black and white medium, simply imitating reality isn't my primary goal. I use the technical skills I have developed to tell a story or evoke an emotion. I feel I've successfully communicated with someone when they identify with the essence of a particular piece, and it brings about new thoughts or feelings."

Now judge for yourself just how well he communicates with you.


Escher's Nightmare



This drawing is based on a lithograph done by M. C. Escher in 1948 entitled "Hands Drawing Hands". Instead of the hands working as a team to create each other, my version depicts one hand attempting to destroy its creator. It is also a pictorial definition of the old adage: "One hand doesn’t know what the other one is doing." - Quote by artist

Shan

[Shan]

Remember each drawing is done only in charcoal and pencil. No color is added.

Putting It Together




My two-year old son was the inspiration and model for this drawing. At this age, he was just beginning to learn about himself and what the world has to offer. I believe that this self-exploration and development continues throughout our lives in our quest to make ourselves whole. When we keep our minds open to new experiences, we are continually "putting it together". - Quote by artist

This are absolutely fascinating to me. I wish I could draw even half this good.

Shan

[Shan]

What does an artist have to go through to get the drawing he wants?

The Frustrated Artist



Sometimes I have the nagging feeling that I could have done better on a drawing. After tearing it up and starting over, I am often faced with the reality that my first attempt was the best. For this drawing I had to draw a self-portrait, tear it up, tape it back together, and then re-draw it including the tape. The hardest part was tearing up that first portrait. I kept wondering whether this was a good idea or I had gone crazy. What’s next, cutting off my ear? - Quote by the artist

Enjoy.

Shan

[Shan]

This is a Trompe L'oeil piece by Hillberry. Great work.

Money To Burn



Author's quote:

This drawing is my latest "Trompe L'oeil" piece. The entire image you see here is drawn. The illusion of the frame is drawn with charcoal. I used ink for the writing and graphite for the shading on the title card and money. Colored pencils were used for the match heads and the color of the $100.00 bill.

Enjoy.

Shan

[Shan]

This guy is really good with his pencils and charcoal.
Another Trompe L'oeil by him.

When the Chips are Down



Author's quote:

An up-side-down horseshoe like the one in this drawing is said to be a sign of bad luck and this poker hand is about as bad as it gets. To compliment the busted royal flush, I drew a broken frame. I tried to take realism to an extreme and even drew the title card. The person that bought this original drawing got a kick out of the "Not For Sale" on the price tag.

Enjoy.

Shan

[Shan]

Guess who is looking at you? It's the artist, J. D. Hillberry.

The Man Behind the Artwork



Artist quote:

This self-portrait was originally done for use on my business cards. My idea was to render only the areas of my face that would stay relatively the same through the years. So in the name of “creativity”, I placed the wrinkles around my eyes and mouth in shadow, and cropped off my graying hair. As the years go by, I'm starting to think I should have cropped out everything but my hands.

Fascinating isn't it.

Shan

[Shan]

I have enjoyed every minute that the girls and I have spent readying together. We started reading together almost from the time they were born. This picture holds a special meaning for me even though we still read together, nothing can replace those first months we spent reading and all the pointing at pictures, laughing, trying to say the words, etc.

Story Time



Artist's quote:

Reading to a young child is a great time to snuggle, and that alone is a good reason to do it. But during all that snuggling, something else is taking place. A very special gift is being exchanged. Psychologists believe that in the first few months of life, all a baby knows - is what is in front of them. To a baby, if it isn't in their line of vision, it doesn't exist. Reading to a child can be their first experience with abstract thought. Their imagination is awakened with ideas and pictures that don't necessarily exist in the real world. What a wonderful gift - to teach a child to imagine!

Enjoy.

Shan

[jokerjoker1]

1 of only 3 artist I've seen or come across that impressed me.Beoing an artist myself , very few artists' work have minute flaws.You are in my opinion one of them.