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.

Interesting, huh?

Libra (September 23 - October 22)
10/2/2009

It's important for you to be creative yet sometimes your artistic flow is blocked by your fear of being judged by others. If you believe something, you'll see it now; if not, it may remain invisible. To this point, praise can come your way today, but it might slip under your radar and arrive unnoticed. Shifting your own thinking and accepting yourself just as you are can make a positive difference in your ability to express yourself freely.