There’s a particular class of artwork you’ll see a lot of on the Simonson website: the rough sketch. Rough sketches are spontaneous, loosely drawn works which are often used to try out different ideas for a larger work, or simply as practice, in the same way a pianist practices scales. Simonson may produce dozens of sketches in a 2-hour session, but most of them will end up in the trashcan. Works that survive the artist’s critical eye get signed and dated, then put aside to be scanned for showing in the online galleries.
Simonson’s rough sketches are usually pencil works on paper, but sometimes manifest as acrylic works on paper or canvas. You can identify a rough sketch by its loose, unfinished look and, often, a delightfully spontaneous energy. You can also spot a rough sketch by its price: these original works are surprisingly affordable, usually occupying the under-$100 range.
One reason these original works are so affordable is because they really are rough: not only is there a loose, unfinished quality to the art itself, sometimes the paper is not in pristine shape. There may be bent corners or a coffee stain here or there. Not enough to show when framed, in most cases, but keep in mind that these works are intended to be documents of the creative process, not polished works of art.
You’ll find rough sketches scattered throughout both the Art and the Art Members Only galleries, but you can go directly to a Rough-Sketches-only gallery by clicking on the Rough Sketches link at the top of the page in the general galleries. Or click on these links:
Rough Sketches (G-Rated) Rough Sketches (Nudes)
Remember, if you fall in love with a rough sketch, it’s best to act quickly: these works tend to sell fast, and they’re originals, so there’s only one of each.
(Shown: Divining Rod, pencil, $80.00, November 2016.)