My Art Journey

2007-01-29T20:17:00.000-08:00

I think the flower collaged canvas is done. It started with the vision of a pale background, with an inked or sepia toned botanical type sketch. Mmmm..along the way things changed somewhat...

I have also decided for various reasons that this will be the last posting in this blog. All future art works will be posted on my other blog . I think there will be a cross over between the more traditional painting type artwork and my textile artwork. These last 2 canvases combined many techniques, including a pasted scrunched tissue paper background and a background collage of magazine clippings. By having 2 blogs I feel I am drawing a distinction between art & craft which I don't feel comfortable with. I know that in the future as these 2 fields (of more traditional art and fibre/textile art) merge I will have to make a choice as to which blog they belong on. In the long run it is just so much easier to keep one blog.

2007-01-19T01:22:00.000-08:00

I had an idea for another canvas, with collaged flower pictures, a light wash of colour, some crackle medium & a floral study over the top.

So far, I love the effect of the collage. Not too sure about the centre background. It was collaged but I thought it would be too much so I painted over it. Now I'm having second thoughts.....

I'll just have to paint/draw the main focus & then see how it looks.

In the meantime I have signed up for a couple of community college/adult education classes. One is in Visual Art Skills and the other is in Life Drawing. They both start late February. I can't wait, as I'm sure I'll learn plenty.

2007-01-16T03:24:00.000-08:00

I 'think' I have finished my painting, "Koi". Parts have been reworked repeatedly until I wished I had left it as it was to start.

This is truly a mixed media work comprised of tissue paper, acrylics, pastel pencil & charcoal.

2007-01-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am still here; yes I have been a slack blogger.

I am blaming the end of year madness, the finish of my Life Drawing class for the year, the Christmas/New Year happenings & the kids being at home on school holidays.

I was very lucky to receive lots of arty goodies for Christmas. I got my easel, a few books and some new materials. So, no more excuses.

One present to myself was The Artists Way. I was a bit dubious, doubting I can commit to any 12 step program; and wondering if perhaps it was too "out there" for me in terms of concepts. However, it kept coming up. Presenting itself to me at every opportunity. I read more about it and decided there was only one way to know if this program is for me. I have bought the book (well 2 copies actually, but that is another story!) and started Week 1. Week 2 will start tomorrow. I have kept up with the morning pages. I even had my Artists Date this week. So far so good, although some of the other activities in week one escaped me so I will read back over them and perhaps address them also in Week 2.

Wanting to try different mediums I have purchased a set of acrylics and started on a canvas. Lots of work still to be done. And, of course, as with most creative process, it is developing along different lines to what I had first invisaged. Here is a sneak peek. Hopefully, one day, I can reveal more.

2006-12-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

One picture to show from last nights life drawing class. Charcoal & pastel.

2006-11-29T13:57:00.000-08:00

I feel that I have been in an artistic void. I have attempted the last couple of week's EDM challenges but produced nothing to show for my time. I haven't really felt like drawing.
I missed last weeks Life Drawing session and so accomplished nothing there either. So last night I had difficulty finding my comfort zone. I used some different mediums, some oil pastel (which I quite liked & will explore further) and some inks. The inks are gorgeous, with vibrant colours. I tried some bolder, freer lines; not attempting an exact likeness but more an impression of what was before me. Not happy with the ends results but at least I finally made a mark on paper.

2006-11-18T02:47:00.000-08:00

2006-11-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

Here's the cropped version, I'm much happier with this view.

2006-11-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

At last night's Life Drawing class we had a local high school boy dressed as a mime. He is a drama student and as part of their studies they are required to do some work experience outside of school.

This shows the end result of my night's attempts. Earlier drawings have been collaged onto the last drawing I made. I am not happy with the 2 earlier drawings & now wish I had not stuck them down permanently.

I am quite pleased with the top drawing. It wasn't until then that I felt I had managed to capture the shape of his features. I might do some 'selective cropping' later.

The main drawing is charcoal & pastels with some ink used on the bottom images.

2006-11-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

Pastel pencil. Next time I would choose a paper with less texture.

2006-11-08T19:58:00.000-08:00

EDM Challenge # 92: Draw a Brown Paper Bag

Pastel pencil.

2006-11-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

EDM Challenge # 10: Hands

This drawing was of a photo in a magazine. I guess it could also cover the EDM challenge#70- draw something you're afraid of. I have mild arthritic symptoms but hate to think that my hands will one day become severely affected.

2006-11-02T16:10:00.000-08:00

EDM challenge #91: Draw an apple

This was done in watercolour on Arches 300gm paper. I am quite happy with the actual apple. Just need to work on my shadows more.

If time permits I will try an apple in pastels.

2006-11-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

Last night's life drawing class presented me with another challenge. The model was very slim, almost boyish & muscular. She is a yoga devotee.....and she brought her dog. I much prefer drawing well rounded bums, bellies & boobs! I had to fatten her up a bit in my sketches.

2006-10-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

EDM Challenge # 1: Draw A Shoe

2006-10-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Ballerinas

2006-10-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Everyday Matters Challenge: draw something with wings.

My first attempt, will have to do better next time.
This drawing of a wooden flying pig was done in pastels on black paper.

At the moment I am trying different mediums, trying to find my comfort zone.

2006-10-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

An interesting angle, if nothing else. This drawing was done as an outline in pen on the reverse side, pressing firmly enough to make a mark on the back. The cardboard was flipped over and charcoal rubbed over the marks. Some white oil pastel was also used.

2006-10-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

Fitting the body into a cube.
A succession of 10 second poses.

2006-10-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

Let The Journey Begin....

Another life journey, another blog.
All my life I have dabbled in some kind of craft. I feel a need to do something with my hands, to reproduce, to create.
Can I draw, can I paint ? Well...no, but I want to!
I have started going to life drawing classes and enjoy the quick sketches we are required to produce in 20 seconds. Free, easy lines. I find when I have to spend too long on a sketch that my drawings become too 'tight'. Too wrong!
I have also joined the Everyday Matters Group . My idea behind this was to stretch myself by undertaking the weekly drawing challenge and drawing something I otherwise would not have. So, between EDM and the life drawing class I will be drawing at least a couple of times a week. Not all my efforts will find their way onto these pages, don't want to embarrass myself THAT much.
Here are a couple of drawings from my first life drawing class.