Back to Tuesday!

Blogger is accepting one image at a time? Or is it again my computer?

It was very nice to have Jordan home from school for the holidays. Her poses Tuesday evening were very introspective and intimate. So easy to imagine a scene playing out on stage. Imagining wonderful backgrounds and settings. So much to do so little time.

Although I felt stronger with the second pose, I seemed to have distorted her right shoulder. New pencils, really needed the new paper I splurged on Wednesday. First pose is on a blue background. I was rushed to photo in the falling snow at vet clinic yesterday before work. Refused to phot blue without flash! So many ideas roaring around in my head with new papers, new oil pastels...

Portrait by David Hettinger

I scored again Tuesday night as David gifted me with a portrait from 20 years ago. The model didn't show up so we all took turns doing 20 minute poses. I had just recently filed through some of those as we were asked to share early work with the group. Have to locate again as my piles were redistributed for Christmas morning. But so much else to do today. Thank you David!

More Danger

Had evening drawing with the ever lovely Jordan. Hopefully I'll have opportunity to photo on Thursday when back at vet. Had a 50% off Michael's coupon and ran over hoping to replace some used up oil pastel white. Not at Michaels... spend some dollars on a few drawing materials I've been using up, but clearance going on and supplies in stock minimal. Still cost $30.00, with 50% off color pencils, a couple more watercolor pencils... a micro-pen recently lost... small package of oil pastels. I'm off and running, now what about paper?

Pumpkin

I spent a few hours working at the veterinarian today, and brought in some work to photo. This is the piece I had been working on for Cat Guardian's fundraiser. Unfortunately, I've not had a reply back about my donation. We'll see what happens. I enjoyed creating this drawing of my beloved Pumpkin. She was named before I got her. I have two orange Tabby now and others previously, but Pumpkin was not orange. Well, she's photoed, matted and framed. Just waiting for a reply.

A little more Danger

I've really got to keep on this project with January 4th deadline, but have been wasting a lot of time trying to learn to use the functions of new scanner and where and how to change uploads! Started another sketchbook page last night but eyes were dropping after shoveling the drive twice yesterday. Didn't go to work as my road hadn't been plowed until 5:00 pm. Still waiting on another plow today before I go out. Of course I still need to shovel the drive again, but the snow seems to be lightening up now. So much getting done with a few days off and being snowed in. Finished a cat portrait in oil pastel, but don't have camera fixed yet.

Dutch, Moto and Murfy

Well, I finally finished the portrait. Still need to get it delivered. Did not turn out as I had anticipated, actually feel it carries a strong cartoon effect. I do hope they enjoy it. It's long overdue and now nearly off my plate, I can move forward.

Christmas Party and David Hettinger's Raffle win!

I need to apologize again for the quality of photos. Both my drawing of Sylvia and David's drawing of Jordan were on blue paper. Someday...
I assumed we'd only have short poses as at break we were quitting and celebrating Christmas and how much this group of artists mean to each other. So I didn't bring my oil pastels, but worked in color pencil. Sylvia's poses were fluid. I fell into the zone quickly. Lotsa wine, champagne, and rum punch alongside delectable array of feasting options. Chris Hughes brought a great chili to partner with shrimp and cocktail sauce, hummus, meat pastries, spinach pastries, salsa with avocado and cream cheese, confectionaries, even taffy coated sesame seeds. I made gingerbread cookies without a clue as to the spread that would be set up. The highlight of the evening, Ronnie raffled of several of David Hettinger's drawings and I was so fortunate to win one. The other great prizes were nice too, chroma paints, wine and cheese? gift baskets, I brought in a nice pointsettia from my sister Darlene to raffle. I wasn't really paying attention to the other prizes. I got one of the best! A recent drawing of Jordan at a summer group. Maybe I'll find my view of the same pose? If I remember, I'll share it here. In the meantime I'm the proud new owner of an original David Hettinger. http://davidhettinger.com Merry Christmas to me!

Self Portrait

I stayed up late reworking this piece last night, have the onset of a cold and am not thinking properly. I thought this piece was done, then changed my mind three times. Skipped the bad roads and expenditure of life drawing this week and drew at home rather than clean house, exercise, or prepare for Christmas. (Also that vexing dog commission... which is likely my weekend time expenditure.) As was my previous oil pastel,"Ode to Rousseau" there are layers and layers of changes. I could actually make a whole new drawing by scratching into the piece. Critically, I changed things and really lost my self perspective or should I say the perspective. It used to have a nice ear rather than the pretzel it ended up with. Really, I don't walk around with pretzels in my ears. I shortened the face too much to be realistic. But I think I may have gotten some of my soul embedded in the layers.

Yesterday with Ashley

It was very nice to get back to life drawing,after a week off for Thanksgiving. A full house, good friends, good music, drinks and snacks with a great model too! Ashley does fiber/fabric works and when I locate her sites I will share here. Her pieces sound fun and interesting. My ears perked up when I heard fingerless gloves. Thinking I need a pair of those! Anyway,worked with the poses and oil pastel medium. Feeling confidant with more growth happening.

New Toys and Aggravations

Well, I finally made it here. A week after picking up a scanner at Good Will for $3.99
Had I read the instructions that came with the software, maybe it wouldn't have taken a week to do. But wing it I did and yesterday, I wondered if I needed to uninstall it all and start over, but this afternoon when I turned on the computer it reconfigured itself and deleted files for me without any aid from me. And then it works! Yee haw! I did have to buy a power cord for $11.99, so I suppose it cost me $16.00. Lots more learning to do in setting it up as I really had to adjust the brightness, contrast, and color to match the actual sketch... but here's latest Danger Danger sketch all on a wing and a prayer!

Arthouse Sketchbook

"I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous, everyone hasn't met me yet." ~Rodney Dangerfield

Finally got another page in. Muse tempting me tonight?

Holiday Hues Fine Art And Gift Gallery

I am scheduled to volunteer Saturday November 28th
and Saturday December 26th
from 11am-2pm. See you then!

Life Last Night

Ashley was beautiful as usual. Nice group attended last night as Patrick was in town from his current location of Rio. It was very good to see him again. Hoping he doesn't stay away so long. David came too. Been about 6 weeks since he's attended the Tuesday group. I was able to fall into my work and stretch my experience with oil pastels. Still a ways to go. Full pose is quite difficult without a point on the pastels. Able to get much cleaner drawing when cropping the pose. The evening was over much too soon and with upcoming holiday it will be two weeks till next group.

Nunsense

Mom took us to a show Sunday. Another local event, for me anyway. Couple sisters and sister in laws came in from Naperville for a dinner and show. It was a wonderful production, with a great group of local ladies who did fabulously in song and dance. It would be very nice to get out to more events, filling that inspirational well. Hardly had a moment to talk with my sisters as there was some distance and lots of chatter during intermission. Afterwards got caught us in short reminiscing with Sister Mary Leo, a great partner in the art appreciation programs of Yorkville school district I had chaired. Got out to cars and my family hadn't missed me a bit. Hmmm. Darlene brought us all Thanksgiving bouquets and they were wondering where the extra flowers came from. It was a good day followed up with a nice visit to cousin Laura to pick up mat board she purchased for me. Some herbal tea and sketchbook chat. Like I took a day off!

Time

I've been meaning to share this pix and many others. The fields of corn across from my property. Many stages have passed since I captured this state. Seemingly impermeable in my mind. I've been watching the ladies dance and for some time it had been a magnificant chorus line as they took to the winds in unison and stretched arms and legs exquistitely. Now, they've been windblown stark dry and seem to be exhausted as their limbs are splayed in many directions. Across the street they've been harvested. Stunted lengths of ankles and knees will be subject to winter's harshness. I can now see the neighbors farm across the street. It must be time for new friends. I miss the old ones though.

Arthouse Sketchbook and Acrylic Study

I worked again last night on acrylic painting and carried it a bit further. Intended to work more this evening but backed up with business aspects. My photos , taken at vet clinic are pretty bad as the flash distorts the view, but an impression is here.

Another page in my way too far behind vanity sketchbook. Camera kept flashing and colors receded.But another page it is! More Danger to come!

Chroma Interactive Acrylics

Ronnie brought her acrylic samples and brushes and paper to play with to figure drawing tonight. Smooth beginning, not sure if I'll head back into completing. Brought home a palette, stored in the fridge. Timely application? Group all trying new media and didn't want to continue this pose, but start over. My second one is blech!

And my dearest friend Adrian painted me a gift rather than the model. I saw that he was furiously busy across the room rather than at my side. I was so surprised at his gift. It will come in very handy come those bleak February days. Thank you Adrian!

Holiday Fine Art Show and Sale

OK. I've spent far too much time searching for a program to crop pictures. Maybe tomorrow. I've got three pieces in the Holiday Show at Naperville Art League. Can't make the Opening Reception or Open House, but hoping it's a sucessful show with enough advertisement to bring public in.

Looks a little better cropped?

Solo Classical Guitar Concert

So many little issues with computer. Still not cropping, had a hard enough locating these photos after scanning them. I had looked forward to this afternoon concert and was not at all disappointed. (Well... I didn't get time in the weekends sun and warmth with too much blocked out in my weekend schedule.)I am so very tired from constant commitment week after week after week after week. Having had my vacation time in the hospital last February...which was the last time I had two days without at least two jobs. So as the concert started out with early classical, I had a hard time not falling into major relaxed mode. It was an hour of sheer listening bliss, for free, 15 minutes from home. I am grateful the faculty of the Fox River Academy of Music and Art arranged this program to introduce new faculty to aspiring students and welcomed the public. Thank You!
P.S. After numerous attempts to add a link here...it's in the sidebar.

Gerry

I know I've shown this before, but this oil pastel of Gerry I framed up for the holiday show at La Grange Art League. Now I have the week to prep some work for Naperville Art League's Holiday Show. Deadlines. Picked up a couple frames at Goodwill this afternoon. Haven't started transformation as I spent some time cleaning up after Captain's latest shredding of cat beds... stuffing everywhere! Transplanting some plants from my sis Darlene who works with Schafer's Greenhouse. So much to do, some of the gutters cleaned, some of the leaves mulched, If only I had a weekend like other people with 2 full days off, life would quickly change.

Ode to Rousseau

Another piece from Art Smart classes. We were studying Primitive Art. Again strictly from imagination. I spent some time last week working and reworking this in oil pastel. There is so much added to the surface, I could actually carve into it. But I finally pulled it to this point where I considered it finished.
Spent several hours today matting and framing. Then several more hours running these last two pieces and Oil pastel of Jerry for juried holiday exhibit at La Grange Art League. Thought it quite brave as the pieces seem so amateur to me. But I felt it a necessary leap. Of course not all shoppers are looking for strict professionalism. Or did I mean the perfectionism that I've been skinning from my being.

Perspective Study

Yes, of course again I have a great respect for pastel artists. I began this painting with my summer students at La Grange Art League and decided I must work at it and grow. I worked it and reworked it and changed it (even one more time since I photographed it at the Countryside Vet Clinic where I work several hours a week on computer.) I believe I may have completed a much better piece had I been working from a photo or even plein air, but this is from imagination and it had to continually change to balance and become a pleasing view. I'm hesitant to say it is complete, but feel the piece itself has no more lessons for me. More humility as I have not studied nor mastered the tools. It's a mix of high fi grays, earth tone chalks and a few remaining pieces from my son's childhood art supplies.
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to judge the student art for Indian Prairie District 204 Reflections Program. The theme this year was "Beauty is." I enjoyed a couple hours out of my workday working alongside Zaki, Belgium artist working as director of Naperville Art League. K-12 entries broken into four categories, we were able to choose five in each to progress into the next level of competition. There are some fabulous little artists out there. Hoping down the road they don't get censored and quit or stray from their art. Then I may remember their early work once they've entered the professional market.

Captain Destructo

Does he look guilty here? Taken before this weeks chewing. I had intended to photo my yellow trees today along with some fading cornstalks and maybe my devious scarecrow. Came home to find my camera chewed on and maybe a new battery door will repair it. Maybe I'll use the old camera, and you'll see my yellow trees when the snow flies.

More Danger

"I'm in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out if the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." ~Solomon Short

Many are out there quoting the freedom of speech while Amazon.com is selling dogfighting videos. The cruelty depicted is horrendous torturous crime. Aren't purveyors also responsible for the content of their sales? I will continue to boycott Amazon.com until they are removed.

Arthouse Sketchbook Project~Danger

"Much talking is the cause of danger. Silence is a means of avoiding misfortune. The talkative parrot is shut up in a cage. Other birds, without speech, fly freely about." ~Saskya Pandita
Page one in sketchbook for the Arthouse Project. More to come.

Chante

Such is a day. Found a roll of copper wire on my lunchtime walk today. Wonder how much it might be worth?
Final class of first session of Young Rembrandts this afternoon. Kids all said they were returning next session. Asked them to invite their friends. Now to see the enrollment happen.
Drawing tonight with Chante, more new friends. Wonder what it would be like to be retired and filling time with things you'd like to learn? Seems like a dream come true. Unfortunately I won't be retiring. Likely ever. I'll be 85 in some diner filling coffee for truckers who can't stay awake. At least they'll likely humor me in my old age.
Anyway, I feel advancement in my use of the newest tools. Almost to the point of added realism. Well, almost. Chante is a very lovely youth. We're very fortunate she likes us.

Fall Colors

It was a beautiful lunchtime walk today. Watching the colors change day by day and wanting to record so much. In art, in words, in prints. And then I've not enough time in a day to both see and record and pull into the needed exercise. There are many again in my prayers. Need to get cards out for them too!

Imagine on Main

Linocuts available at Imagine on Main, downtown Oswego, Illinois.

Never Ending Adventures with Captain the Cat

Pictures from a week or two back. If current pictures were available, you'd see his very sad face as he's been rather naughty and I've been very displeased with his destruction. But... while playing in the back yard, he decided to see what was up on the dog house roof. He scrambled to get up, it took him quite some time, but now he knows how Snoopy feels... on top of his world.

Gerry and Chante

I really wasn't looking forward to the double pose tonight, trying to master the new medium and challenged too? But it turned pleasant. As details seem difficult to muster in the medium, I'm staying away from full poses and keying in on smaller section. Gerry and Chante worked well together, Ronnie worked hard at orchestrating a pose that might tell a story. Stories could be told but the viewer is invited to discover the story. New friends tonight I personally didn't chat with, deep into my own zone, challenged, yet not intimidated. Obviously a very good place to be.

My Birthday Numbers

Thanks Elena for looking these up!

#10. God wants you to hold positive thoughts about this situation, as everything is working out for the highest good. Call upon God to help you stay optimistic, as your thoughts are an influencing factor in the outcome.

#12. Keep your thoughts positive about the future, as what you are thinking influences your future. This is a message to keep your faith and hope strong, because these are strong determining factors right now.

Hmmm... sounds like they were written for me. Quite curious in fact.

More Gerry and Oil Pastel

More progress at learning to use the medium. I tend to be very critical and those great artists around me keep encouraging me. Sold a couple pieces to Adrian tonight. Thanks Adrian for your kindness! You're a gem! I was enjoying the black paper again, but am not using the texture to its fullest. So very much to experience. Then I felt I muddied up the bristol paper, when of course Gerry comments about us all being Picasso. How much flattery does a girl need? Ok... anybody want to help with a critique?

Dry Point Plates

The late summer project completed. I had three more plates that I beveled initially and considered a triptych. Where did I place those ever so safely? I got an hour in Sunday evening and another Monday evening and now I have all cut plates ready to work with. The filing down of edges is done for some time. I was glad To pull into this long overdue project at work outside on the patio. Clamping and filing and turning and I'm a bit stiff from repeated activity, but with goal accomplished and new goals to etch plates. So much to do and so very little time.

Oswego Art Gathering/ Fox River Academy

Took time out this afternoon to meet some really important people. Artist Maureen Gasik and Dr. Shiho Saito gave time this afternoon to share art with the community at Hudson Crossing Park in Oswego. Art supplies provided, many unsuspecting park visitors had gotten enmeshed into an art activity. I took the opportunity to get some free sketching time in and follow up on river walk a year past in photo op and sketches of riverwalk sculpture. The Blue Heron, so close to my heart.
Left my ink pen in portfolio, but still used the opportunity to draw. Wonderful conversations with artist and director and hope to be working in near future with them both.