Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Summer of Love

Sunday, March 21, 2010
Oh very young
As for the photo transfer process, having read several blogs on the topic, I started with an ink-jet print of a personal image, testing a variety of photo papers, gel mediums, and transfer techniques. In the end, a simple ink-jet print on 20 lb. bond, using water as the transfer medium, provided the soft, misty image that I sought.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tyvek and watercolor
Tyvek: A light, tear-resistant and water-resistant paper by Dupont. When I ask others if they've heard of Tyvek, the general response is, "That's the stuff they use for wrapping houses and making Fed Ex envelopes." Not what you might expect as a vehicle for watercolor.
Following a watercolor demonstration using Tyvek, and being one to enjoy the exploration of new mediums, I just had to give this a try! The exploration was freeing, as the flow of water and color is less controlled on the water-resistant paper. The results are delightfully surprising, producing a range of soft to vibrant colors and lines. The paper allows for the repeated placing, pushing, lifting and adding of color, creating a depth more like work with oil or acrylic.
This is my first exploration with Tyvek, working a bit larger and more loosely, taking advantage of the vehicle.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Winter's day

I see the world in panoramic snapshots. At times the sheer beauty of nature is overwhelming: How can I recreate in a painting what already is perfection?
While not a photographer, I'm beginning to think about how I might incorporate my photographs into my work - with transfers, words, paint, and pen. My mind is already composing a series of narrative lifescapes...
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Gesture
How wonderful it was to find a local life study class! The class provided an excellent opportunity to begin rebuilding direct observation skills and reacquaint myself with form, proportion, and foreshortening.
I was reminded of the value of the gesture drawing - a quick sketch to capture movement, weight, and emotion. Slowly my hand and mind loosen and begin to work as one.
Life Gesture - Charcoal - 10" x 14"
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Road Home

I've wanted to paint this scene for some time, using an Impressionistic style - a significant shift in style after working on several detailed drawings. The softening of vision and releasing of control challenged me in new ways and caused me to explore different aspects of myself.
I also wanted to use a limited palette, with simplicity of color to express the quiet yet vibrant moment. For this I chose a split complement of green, orange and purple, working with Sap Green, Prussian Blue, Brown Madder, Indian Yellow and Payne's Gray.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Morning Routine

Sunday, September 20, 2009
Whiskers and Fur II

As we look into the eyes of our subject, we have the opportunity to glimpse their unique spirit. Their portrait is like a page from their life's story. My favorite subject, Buck, conveys his mild annoyance at a nap interrupted, with a squint of his eye and without the slightest effort to raise his head.
With this drawing I revisited a technique tested in "Whiskers and Fur". I wanted to modify and refine the technique through practice to obtain cleaner whites and clearer touches of color. While I do not aspire to be a photo realist, I do want to possess a range of well-developed skills in order to select the best technique to communicate the images in my mind.
Whiskers and Fur II - Graphite - 12" X 16"
Friday, July 31, 2009
Commit to the human condition

I see an older Chinese woman feeding bread to mallard ducks along a neighborhood creek. Workers from Mexico washing cars on a grey day dressed in bright orange t-shirts. Teenagers on prom night, one in polyester ruffles and rose wrist corsage. A heavy woman in shorts with an artificial leg crossing a busy street. A boy in a pickle costume on a hot summer day waving a sandwich shop sign.
I see these images as simple drawings perhaps in pastel, emphasizing the people with color, allowing the surrounding busy-ness to fade. The first image in the series is a mother in a simple dress, pushing a stroller and walking hand in hand with her daughter, all pretty in pink. It's Mother's Day.
Mother's Day - Pastel - 11" X 14"
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Passing Reflection

Sunday, May 24, 2009
Bright shiny objects

I recalled the pumpkin episode as I painted the Dogwood blossoms. I started with a gentle watercolor wash in soft pastel hues. Then, one warm Saturday afternoon, while shopping for watercolor paper at Blick, rows of watercolor pencils caught my eye. Ink intense. Bright shiny objects. Must have.
I bought a handful of watercolor pencils and rushed home to try them out -- on my tender Dogwood blossoms. With the first application, an inner voice moaned, "Uh oh." Gone were the soft petals of spring, replaced by a bright commercial graphic suitable for a luau. "Oh, well."
Sometimes its good to push the limit. Try something new. "You'll never know if you don't go."
So now I know a bit more about watercolor pencils -- and I love my No. 6 round brush all the more.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Yeah, draw

Looking around outside, the campus landscape didn't offer much in the way of inspiration, with the exception of a bed of vibrant purple irises. After three hours meditating in drawing on one particular iris, I returned to the studio with the other students before the end of the session.
"Well, there's no time for a critique, so I'll see you next week." With that the instructor adjourned our first session and began walking toward the door. But before she could exit, a student asked, "Is there homework?" The instructor paused. "Yeah, draw."
Monday, April 20, 2009
Art for art's sake

Thinking I must push the boundaries of art to have merit in the art community, I have been paralyzed by self-imposed pressure to create the unique and perfect picture, with a profound message. I wrestled with this thought, as the pictures in my mind's eye seemed common and, in turn, of little value.
Yet as I began to draw those everyday things closest to me, I found a pure desire to create -- art for art's sake. This creative force is unique to each of us; perfect in it's expression. This is art's message.
I had a strong desire to create a drawing working from a dark graphite background, using an eraser primarily to form the image. My black and white cat seemed the perfect subject. The image emerged from the paper much like a sculpture might emerge from stone. The unexpected result was a soft texture in the mid-tones, conveying the feeling of fur.
Surely this is not the first image of a cat drawn from a graphite base, but it is my individual expression of this one cat. And so it seems, as I press my own boundaries, I remain on edge. And by keeping the "art for art's sake" discussion alive, the political dialogue continues. So perhaps, this is it. Art.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Out and about
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Beginning drawing
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sketching in nature

Saturday, March 21, 2009
It takes time to see a flower

I am fascinated by the delicate, graceful poppy -- how the green pods unfold like a ballerina dancing -- how the fragile petals crinkle like a fine rice paper.
When I draw a flower, it captures my attention. It is my mediation: the noise of the world fades to peace-filled quiet. In this sketch, I was intrigued by the fine "hairs" on the stem of the poppy.
I opened this entry with a quote from Georgia O'Keefe that speaks of this meditative experience. It takes time to see, really see. When someone tells me, "I can't draw," I suggest they first take time to see - line, form, relationship, texture, light, dark, color. And feel. This is where we begin.
Consider another well-known quote from Georgia O'Keefe -
"Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like having a friend takes time."