The Artwork of Tom Sena

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Tom Sena: Inkrubs

By Tom Sena

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#115 (revisited)

2007-11-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

I figure I should post this, and the other two that follow this one, below. They were done much earlier on (last year, actually), but were never posted on here. Been getting some reactions so I thought I'd give them some new exposure on here. This one kicked off a small-scale series of inkrubs I did, using the whole "counter-culture" breakdance/hip-hop/skater vibe.

1s & 2s (study)

2007-11-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

-Figured I'd keep posting some of these on here; get them out and noticed a bit more. This one actually involves some relief-type elements, which are hard to see here. Parts of it are raised slightly higher, using a foamboard backing and gluing them down in consecutive layers.

#90

2007-11-26T12:29:00.000-08:00

-Another in that earlier series of breakdance/hip-hop/skater counter-culture subject matter I had previously worked on. This, like the ones above it, were done much earlier on than the Audrey Hepburn & Steve McQueen portraits just below this one.

"Audrey"

2007-11-20T11:50:00.000-08:00

My newest inkub, done just after I finished "McQueen", which is just below this one. The Mrs. has always loved Audrey Hepburn, so it's about time I pay her some homage. From a still promo shot from "Breakfast at Tiffany's". I'm actually in the process of having this piece of artwork put onto blank artist journal covers. Hoping to sell some and get the work out there a bit more.

"McQueen"

2007-11-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I created any new inkrubs. Finally got back on that workhorse and knocked out a few. This one is Steve McQueen from the movie "Bullit". (yes, that's how it's spelled...)

"Marilyn"

2006-05-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

The gem of the "Icon" Series, which I've had requests to post on here even though it is a series I created earlier than the "Dogtown & Z-Boys" Series you'll see posted further down the page. This piece, of iconic movie starlet Marilyn Monroe, is an inkrub on multiple collaged papers, with white chalk. It measures 32"x 40".

"Ali"

2006-05-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Since I didn't want to limit the subject matter in the series to just movie stars and musicians, I also decided on sports figures also, and who better than the G.O.A.T.? Inkrub and colored charcoal on collaged newspaper. Measures 32" x 40".

"James"

2006-05-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

The second piece I created for the "Icon" Series, this also measures 32" x 40". Inkrub and white chalk on collaged newspaper.

"Elvis"

2006-05-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

The 4th piece I created for the "Icon" Series. This one is also 32" x 40" and is inkrub with blue & white chalk on collaged lined legal pad paper.

"Bob"

2006-05-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Inkrub and white chalk on collaged newspaper. Measures 28" x 30". Another piece in the "Icon" Series.

"The Beatles"

2006-05-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

This piece measures 28" x 30" and is inkrub, white chalk, and black conte crayon on collaged yellow legal pad paper.

"Frank"

2006-05-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

This piece measures 32" x 40" and is inkrub and white chalk on brown kraft drawing paper. Part of the "Icon"Series.

"# 887"

2006-04-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

The latest piece in the "Dogtown Series". This one is also inkrub and airbrush on watercolor paper and measures 22" x 28".

"# 8"

2006-04-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

I have begun trying a new subject matter, this time using images from the original group of 1970's California skaters called the Z-Boys. This piece is an inkrub with charcoal and airbrush and measures 22" x 28".

"# 65"

2006-04-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

Inkrub with charcoal and airbrush on watercolor paper. This one measures 22" x 28 also.

"# 42"

2006-04-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

Inkrub, charcoal, and airbrush on watercolor paper. This one measures 22" x 26".

"#75"

2006-03-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

This piece was finished 3/23/06. Inkrub, airbrush, and acrylic paint accents on unprimed, unstretched canvas. It measures 18" x 24".

"Gods of Thunder"

2006-03-09T07:14:00.000-08:00

This is now the largest inkrub-based mixed media piece I've accomplished to date. It measures 48" x 52". It incorporates the inkrub technique, spray paint, acrylic, and charcoal on unstretched raw canvas.

"# 551"

2005-10-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

The latest inkrub on yellow composition paper, with white, red, and black conte crayon. Measures 32" x 40"

"#546"

2005-10-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

Inkrub on red graph paper worked over with white, red, and black conte crayon. Measures 24" x 40".

"#10"

2005-10-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

A new twist on the inkrub and white conte, this time on yellow legal pad paper. This one measures 24" x 40".

"#17"

2005-10-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

The third installment in the "Urban Dancer Series", this one measures 40" x 32". I decided to add some color to this one, utilizing some blue pastel to counteract the white conte and black ink.

"# 497"

2005-10-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Another one of the "urban dancer series", this one is also an inkrub on newspaper with white conte. This piece measures 32" x 40".

"#496"

2005-10-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

A new piece in the series of inkrubs I'm working on involving imagery of urban breakdancers. I added white conte in some areas for contrast and illusion of movement & energy. This one measures 30" x 40"

"The Offer He Couldn't Refuse (Revisited)"

2005-10-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

My largest inkrub to date, this one measures 32" x 40". I'm continuing to experiment with the inkrub on collaged newspaper, observing how the ink oxidizes on the surface of the paper. It's presenting some interesting challenges working this large, but is ultimately rewarding when the end result comes out how I envisioned it. White conte was added in some areas for contrast.

"G.O.A.T. (Revisited)"

2005-10-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

I have begun to experiment now with the inkrub technique on different surfaces, this one being collaged newspaper over board. I have also decided to work bigger, with this particular piece measuring 18" x 24". Added conte white and colored chalk in some places as well.

"The Rebel"

2005-10-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

-Another in the series, this one of one of my favorites, James Dean. Inkrub with colored pencil and paper collage. Measures roughly 6" x 8".

"The Master"

2005-09-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

This is the third piece I created using the "ink rub" method I've been experimenting with. After pulling the image, I then collaged paper to create the overall color effect. Measures roughly 6" x 8".

"G.O.A.T."

2005-09-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is a piece that I created almost accidentally, while experimenting with ink-rubbing images from the computer printer. I overworked the print with pencil and conte crayon and mounted it onto collaged paper. Hopefully, this will launch a series of more experimental type prints.

"G.O.A.T. (Part II.)"

2005-09-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is the second piece using the same image of Ali. I've begun experimenting with ink rubbing and collage, trying to develop some effective imagery. This one is 5" x 7".

"The Offer He Couldn't Refuse"

2005-09-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

Just a small (8"x 10") linocut print I pulled in the studio the other day. Black ink printed over collaged construction paper.

"Listen, Learn" -2005

2005-09-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is the first piece in one of many new series of work. This series utilizes layers of applied colored latex paint over plywood. When each layer dries, a new color is applied over it. Once all the colors have been applied and the last coat is dried, I then take to the surface with a power sander (usually 60 grit) and allow the colors to combine as they surface up from the bottom. The image is then painted over the surface in acrylic, as a simple contour. This piece is titled "Listen, Learn" and measures 36" x 44".

"Skillz" -2005

2005-09-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

This is the second piece in the series, entitled "Skillz" and uses the same techniques as the the first piece. It also measures the same, 36" x 44"

"James" -2005

2005-09-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

This piece measures 32" x 40" and is created with thin black marker on matte board.

"Marilyn" -2005

2005-08-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is yet another on the "Icon" series. It also measures 32" x 40" and is done the same way as the "Bruce" piece.

"Bruce" -2005

2005-08-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

This is a piece I created earlier this year as part of a series called "Icons". It measures 32" x 40" and is created in pen & ink using alternating diagonal lines in a small grid layout. The image, of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, is the 4th in the series.