My SWAP Painting + Lunch with Laverne

My group, SharingWithArtistPartners (SWAP) is in their 19th session swapping paintings with each other anonymously. Being the leader/list-mom, my partner can't be anonymous because I send out the info (draw the names, etc) so - when I found out Laverne was the one painting something for me this time we got together and agreed to meet since we only live 10 minutes away from each other!

I had a lovely time visiting and having lunch with Laverne. And my painting is very special because it's a local landmark. Those of you in the NKY area will know of Motch Jewelers and their clock. Pretty cool, eh? This was done by Laverne in pen and ink with a watercolor wash. Thanks, again, Laverne for the visit, the lunch, and the great SWAP painting!

We are getting snow. The way the weathermen and women are talking, it's going to be a doozy, with up to 5 inches of snow and then ice and sleet and general yuck all through tonight and tomorrow. We'll see. If we get much mess, I won't be going to class tomorrow :( and I'll miss it. But it's better to be safe.

Finally Finished WatercolorWorkshop Artist Portraits

Well, I apologized to both of these ladies since I didn't do them justice at all. But here they are. I won't name them until someone guesses who they are over at the Yahoo group where this was a group project for February.

I obviously need to do portraits more often to keep in the groove.

Now I think I'll read the rest of the evening...

Figure Drawing + Other Drawing

Open Figure Drawing at Manifest Drawing Studio (at the Essex) today. We had a male model this time. This model likes to do the quick gestures with some odd poses and I did a few of them and then the long pose, with one break, was almost 2 hours.

Then I was sitting watching t.v. and noticed the latest Drawing magazine and the cover so tried to copy that drawing - didn't do a very good job on the copy - but I kind of like this (except the eyes need more work).

No Painting Today

Since I didn't do any painting or drawing today, I'm sharing this painting from the latest American Artist Drawing magazine (winter 2008). It is simply lovely. By a Chinese painter named Zhou Sung and titled Pure Fragrance.

Enjoy!

I'm also sharing 2 photos of the gorgeous sky we had the other evening. After the storms, this was what the clouds looked like.

What in the World...

These are both at the "what in the world have I done now" stage but I know I can still work with them with wet into dry right now and they will still be okay - I'm sure of it, yes, I am, I am, I...we'll see! haha

GCWS Meeting

Had to miss my life drawing class today since the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society monthly meeting was today. We had missed 2 months due to bad weather and it seemed like there were fewer people than usual - maybe they were out enjoying the warm warm weather before it turns cold again. Had a great presentation from Curtis Heuser (http://www.livingmurals.com) who is a decorative artist creating interiors that are amazing!! And I took a few photos of paintings brought in - for the postcard advertising our upcoming show at Evergreen Retirement Center. No drawing or painting today.

Take a look at our new blog: http://GCWS.blogspot.com
for information and other interesting stuff about our group. Our out-going president, Sandy Maudlin, created it and it just may take the place of my minutes that are getting more like a newsletter all the time.

Catch you tomorrow with more work on the portraits, I hope.

Checkerboard Painting

Well, I thought about it more last night and this morning and came up with this - so far. Remember, it's about Size with a Checkerboard Composition and Viridian (which is a lovely color I rarely use but should put back in my palette - it lifts like a dream, too!) for the unifying color throughout the painting.

Sandy is sick with a bug today so no class - so I went downstairs while the computer was off and unplugged (lightning and thunder and horrendous rain this morning with wind shaking the windows). Here's what I have so far.

Now I need to watch my Janet Rogers dvd on portraits before tacking the 2 artist portraits I'm working on. The pressure will be on because I want these to be good and good likenesses - they will be seen by the "models" when finished :)

Monday Sketches + Why I Don't Have My Homework Ready

Well I am supposed to have a painting finished by tomorrow's watercolor class - but that is not going to happen! I did choose my 2nd set of design/composition/color elements, and began after thinking about it for a few days (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!).

So - here is the first sketch on wc paper of the Shaker Village Kitchen pots and bowls but this time I have to work with 1) Size, and 2) Checkerboard, and 3) Viridian. I almost put that checkerboard back when I drew it - checkerboard? How am I going to incorporate that into this painting? How do I use it without going overboard and being obvious? Well, I don't know...so this is what I came up with. And size? Well, I could play with the sizes of the things on the table, making some larger or some smaller - go ask Alice!! - or I could play with the size of the checkerboard - making some parts large and some parts small...hmmm...still thinking, obviously, and no painting. But that's not a bad thing since I usually just rush in and make a mess without thinking it through. Yeah! It's a good thing that I don't have my homework done!

So did some doodling and sketching in my Exacompta sketchbook today and read through more of Jean Pederson's new Expressive Portraits book (yes, I have those portraits to do but I have all month for them).

Checking Figure Studies in Blogs

I did a little checking and found that OVER A DOZEN blogs have figure studies on them without that warning on them. Since I did not have Blogger contact me or anyone else contact me about my blog but chose to do this on my own (after reading Bruce McEvoy's blog and his comment on male anatomy being a no-no on the blogs). However, I have gone back to keeping my blog open to all. Why? Because, instead of the "warning" saying this blog contains adult content or nude figures it says

"Some readers of this blog have contacted Google because they believe this blog's content is objectionable."

And that is not true, as far as I know. It is just the warning label Google puts on the thing when you check that box that says there is Adult Content on the blog. I don't like that warning. And I'm not going to use it. If I went to a blog and saw this warning I might turn away, not knowing that it's just figure studies of the nude body we're talking about and not pornography (which shouldn't be on a blog anyway anyhow).


I think most artists will support me on this (and, in fact, they have!). And I think Blogger should get a different "warning" label than it is using.


In the meantime...here are the beginnings of 2 portraits I am working on for a WatercolorWorkshop group project titled "Paint a WcW Artist." We get to pick from the photos the artists have uploaded and choose anyone to paint. We've got some good looking people in our group and I chose these 2. No names yet. We'll see if the final looks enough like either one for the members to tell who it is.



































































The first one is more finished as of today. The second may take a while longer and I want to show her off in desert colors since she lives in the southwest.

I tried going back to my self-portrait but I think I've ruined it. I'll check later but it was making me soooo sad to paint it that I stopped, totally frustrated. I tell you, ladies, these hormones are making me crazy, sad, tired, achy, witchy, twitchy, angry, overly emotional, resentful, unrestful and everything else you can think of. And I am tired of waking up several times throughout the night, looking at the clock and knowing I'll be awake for another 1/2 hour to an hour before dozing off again. And if I'm going to continue to have strange, vivid dreams then I want them to be about flying or swimming in a river of turquoise with golden fish or walking in a forest of mistletoe and redwoods and moss that feels like sponges under my feet. There - I've put in my order and we'll see what comes up tonight :)

Apology to Those Offended by Human Anatomy

I have changed a setting on my blog which warns that there is "Adult Content" here. I think my figure drawings from my life class may offend those who do not want to see the human body even as an art form. I apologize to anyone who was offended by this and there should be a disclaimer before you click on the site that asks if you want to enter or not. It is your choice. There will continue to be figure sketches and works using the human body, both male and female, in my content pages. I put this on after reading another blog where the artist said he could not post the male figure in frontal view. Also, there is some controversy in our town (the Cincinnati tri-state area) over the showing of The Bodies Exhibit in town - which has made me more aware of other viewpoints.

And now to something entirely different...

I wanted to share with you what my wonderful husband did for me - as a surprise birthday present, he had a plaque created to commemorate my winning WatercolorWorkshop Artist of the Year - it was such a fun surprise to open this last weekend. Here is a photo of me and the plaque. Now, I know everyone who has won this award in the past and those who will win in the future will also want one of these. I sure hope their husbands, wives, and/or partners will have one made for them, too :) (Should have combed my hair before this photo was taken!)

Mary's Painting of Me!

As my friend, Mary, said, "Turn about is fair play." So she painted me - and called is PixieRhonda from the expression on my face. She didn't try the glasses as they would have given her fits BUT this is her very first portrait and I think she did a fantastic job. It does look like me, minus the lines and wrinkles and other gifts of aging :)

Thanks, Mary!!!

And I got my latest The Artist's Magazine today and who is featured with a nice article and painting? Our own inspiration and challenge-inspiring Myrna Wacknov! If you get it, this article is titled "21 Artists Over 60" and it's about those who are still producing great artwork in their 60's like Myrna - and on into their 70's and 80's.

Check out Myrna's blog and join us in her monthly challenges (see sidebar for her site).

Myrna, you rock!!

Figure Work - Life Drawing Class

These 2 figure drawings were done in Life Drawing class today - there were twice as many students today as there were the first day last Wednesday and it was a bit crowded. I have to get there earlier to get a good spot next time. Our model was Dexter and he models for the Cincinnati Art Academy and the Manifest Gallery open figure sessions and others, I'm sure. He has a body-builder's body.

I did better on the first version (with Carin helping me get the ankle and foot right) than the second version which drove me nuts on capturing the leg that was in the air. Plus, he was lying down and dozing and kept moving just a bit here and there and especially that leg so each time I looked at it, it looked different! Something you have to get used to with a live model trying to hold a pose for 2 hours, I guess.

If you are offended by nude male anatomy, don't look further...

Class Work - Shape/Cruciform/Cerulean Blue

Well, no one but Ritzy understood the instructions Sandy gave us were to paint the thing before coming to class so we all came with work-ups of the painting but nothing started. I had my value scale and then the cruciform shape set out in darks and then the photo traced on the wc paper. So...laying in the unifying color (Cerulean Blue)thoughout a lot of the painting, I waited for that to dry and then put in the darks using a mix of Quin Magenta, Quin Burnt Orange, Indanthrone Blue and Ultramarine Turquoise. Put my cruciform shape in with those colors very dark.

Then all I had to do was keep the whites and bring in the mid-values and colors.

Sandy said she was proud of me for sitting and thinking long and not rushing in - but really I was just too tired to paint today so was resting :) Thanks to everyone who helped me work this one out and gave good critiques in class!

Now, time for a nap!

Facing Fifty-One

Here's the start of the self-portrait I'm calling Facing Fifty-One. I've got a long way to go with this and probably won't get anything more done today. I want it to be colorful but muted and I want that rectangle to represent a window or a bright, warm spot I'm looking towards. What do you think?

Mary's Eyes + Figure Model Saturday

My friend, Mary, said I needed to darken her eyes more - of course!! Bette Davis eyes are deep, rich, dark brown. So I did. And I intend to try another, yep, I'm enjoying this, so why not - and Mary is going to paint one of me (as she says, turn about is fair play, right?) ha ha ha. So here is Mary for now...and I'm hoping she'll let me post her painting of me when she finishes it.
And now I'm fifty-one. But it's not so bad - and, hey, it sure beats the alternative, right? :)

I'm working on a self-portait, too...don't want to rush but do want it to be loosely painted so...I need one more step and I'll be ready to share - definitely tomorrow (sorry for the delay but I've been having a birthday weekend so still having fun and sharing family time today).


I forgot to post the open figure session drawing I did Saturday, too. Here she is - a very interesting and curvy model. I enjoyed sketching her.

I've Been Tagged Again!

Pablo V Lara has tagged me - gosh, I'm just honored he even knows my work - he is a master watercolorist!! Do check out his work (see sidebar for link).

So now I must come up with 5 things about me that you don't know and list 5 other artists - easy since I now have some new faves!!


1.
I have shrunk 1/4 of an inch, according to my last exam - or I've been telling everyone I'm 5'4" when I was really 1/4 inch shorter than that.


2.
I will watch The English Patient and To Kill a Mockingbird every time they are on tv, I don't care if I've just seen them the previous week.


3.
I would rather email someone than phone them - that way, they can read it and reply when they want to, not when I interrupt them on the phone.


4.
I have one dear dear friend who I send cards and write to - yes, real pen and ink on paper writing.


5.
My husband once bought me a very expensive Waterford fountain pen and I hardly use it but it is a work of art and I love the feel of it in my hand - but you can't carry them in your purse if you're on a plane - the pressure will cause the ink to flood out!!! But there is something romantic and womanish about a fountain pen. Ok, I guess I'm a romantic, I admit it.


And an extra, while talking about romance:
6.
My husband can still make me laugh out loud with something surprisingly funny, and he is still the smartest person I know.


And now - please go check out these bloggers and artists and writers and photographers and other creative people (you won't be sorry):

http://debbieegizio.blogspot.com

http://wwwartpleinair.blogspot.com

http://redheadart.blogspot.com

http://lauraswatercolors.blogspot.com

http://www.robinpurcellpaints.blogspot.com

Enjoy! Share the art!

Now I'm off to run a few short errands (I hope they are short) and then home to paint!!

All Behind Me Now!

Well, it's all behind me now...the first 50 years of my life, anyway! I found this photo taken back when I was about 30.

Twenty years ago...really?!?! Where did that time go? Where did this woman go who could fit into a size 4 skirt??!?? ha-ha

Thanks so much for all the birthday greetings and emails and thanks, too, for your continuing support in checking my work, my struggles, my trying new things, and just saying hello once in a while! I'll be busy with figure drawing and a visit to Manifest Gallery to see their new show that opened last night (I don't do openings - too many people) and lunch out and then out to buy - wait for it - buy for my very special 51st birthday - a - yes, you'll never guess - a new -

pillow! ha-ha Nothing says old and decrepit like wanting a new pillow for your birthday so your neck and head and shoulders don't ache when you get up in the morning!!

Then I'm going to do a self-portrait later today so stay tuned.

Mary's Portrait - First Attempt

Well, honestly this may be the only attempt. I didn't get a good likeness, elongating her face more than it should be. But here's what I got. I need to watch Janet Rogers' dvd on portraits again and get back in the groove.

I'm planning a birthday portrait for myself, too, either this evening or tomorrow after open figure session.

Busy Day so Far...

Another day, another migraine! UGH!!! Maybe it was the change in routine as I had to do without my coffee and oatmeal this morning in order to get some bloodwork and other tests done. All seems fine and I'll know more when I get the results - it's just routine stuff. Other than legs that ache all the time, I'm doing well for an old broad! ha-ha

After the tests, I talked Jerry into driving to Norwood's Speckled Bird Cafe to see the artwork of Rebecca Weller (http://rweller.com/) there - she's doing bird motifs and still Asian-inspired work and has sold a few smaller pieces. All interesting color combinations and texture and several pieces I wish I could have. I do wish the cafe had more wall space to show more of her work. She is a wonderful artist with so much talent and style. (I had a lovely quiche and a warm and frothy cut of mocha latte surrounded by her work - yummmmm. )

I also did my regular check on the Cincinnati Enquirer artblog (http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/art/) to see what's up in our area and came upon an article about Emil Robinson and his work in London - yes, he's left us for London for now. He won a nice grant that will help out immensely, I'm sure. Emil paints and draws like an angel (he was in my Tuesday night figure drawing session through Manifest Gallery). You can check out the article online - scroll down to the 2nd entry there.

If I get rid of the headache pain today, I will draw and paint. If not, I may just sit still and try to not think about it...and just look at the artwork of others.

I have begun work on the challenge Sandy has given her Tuesday class. I drew these elements out of the hat:

1. Shape

2. Cruciform

3. Cerulean Blue

So my painting has to be a cruciform structure and the painting has to be more about shape than anything else and cerulean blue has to thread throughout the painting of be glazed over or under the painting - somehow tying it all together. Many artists call this the "mother color" but I don't care for that term and just say unifying color since that explains better what it means - it unifies the painting.

Here's what I have so far:

And the drawing, ready to place color on - but not today.

Life Drawing Class - First Day

I signed up for the Life Drawing class through the Art Academy of Cincinnati. We had our first meeting today and, although I started the class (and ended it) with a migraine, I was very pleased. The instructor, Carin Hebenstreit, is a painter with a gallery/studio in the Pendleton Art Center in Cincinnati, and she was very helpful already. There are many of the students who have taken this class again and again from her. I would think after a time you'd have learned what you need to know and would work on your own but they may use it as a way to get experience with models they can't afford otherwise.

Anyway, she helped me sight up and measure things and see how I was elongating things (and making the head too big - yep! Sandy told me I always do this!). I'm hoping to get better under her instruction = 12 classes. Wish me luck!

Both of these are graphite pencil on Aquabee sketch paper.

As soon as I get rid of the migraine symptoms, I have homework from Sandy's class (similar to Myrna Wacknov's challenges) but I have to do a good value study first. We will be working with the same photograph each week - 3 weeks or 4 - and using different design elements and colors, etc. Here is the photo I'm going to use, taken at Shaker Village by Jerry, my in-house photographer :)