Ballerinas Also Rest

Sequined Skirt   conte crayon/pastel   20.5 x 12

I always look forward to Tuesday evenings when Ballet Excel Ohio teams up with Cuyahoga Valley Art Center to provide young dancers with live models for the evening.  Typically the session begins with a series of 1-5 minute poses, wherein we are more likely to be treated to particular dance movements, where the body itself, as well as the negative space surrounding the body, becomes the subject.  The major shapes in the work are complex, broken up and imply the energy of the dance.  Subsequently, the model is posed in a more static restful position which she will hold, with small breaks, until the end of the session.  This is when observational skills are piqued and extended.  The major shapes are more self-enclosed, less dynamic.  This quietude leads to a completely different kind of work...one that is more of an exchange between model and artist, one that offers an emotional countenance.  These things, then, become the subject of the work.  Two completely different kinds of work.

In looking back over the past works, I see that most of my work has been a welcome exchange between the seated model and myself...a quieter, more serious kind of contemplation.

I think that when our sessions begin again in January, I will try to make more creative and dynamic works from the gesture poses.....a bit daunting....but very exciting....I love giving myself new challenges.

Clownfish

Clownfish   mixed/paper   19.5 x 12

are important roles to dance in "The Little Mermaid".  And these dancers were so impressive....quite a pair.  They were both dedicated, focused and graceful to the max.  No Alphas.  Two halves::one whole. And....just as a school of fish moves instantly together, sensing the minute neuromuscular movements of the others, these two young dancers were oh-so-in-sync.  Each pose, not only portrayed each dancer to advantage, but also formed an interesting together shape.  They moved without speaking a word.

THESE DANCERS WERE AMAZING!



And...as for the highly developed sensitivity to the movements of the other....

I sometimes think that the world would be so much more pleasant if we all learned this sensitivity...we all learned to dance.

And....just maybe...we would be better drivers.

Ants-in-Your-Pants-Goals

S.

I am, without a doubt, a goal-oriented person.  I am a list-maker who derives great pleasure from being organized.  The end of each studio session is dedicated to actually naming the goals for the next, unless more time is needed for contemplation of a given work. 

That being said, travelling presents a problem for a person like me.  It is simply not possible to drag along armloads of art supplies.  And so I have devised a solution that keeps me content at the same time I am able to visit without too much offense.  The latest venture was a visit for a week in North Carolina.  Three very small watercolors were made on a deck providing afternoon sun.  But my favorite activity is to make small drawings from life while the family is gathered around, in discussion, or in front of TV.  Nothing posed.  Just several drawings begun at once and keeping an eye out for the model to resume a particular pose.  This trip I ended up with two small drawings that pleased me.  This one took a couple of hours, but I was content to pick away. Kept my attention up.  Feels good to produce something worthwhile. 

And.....keeps the ants out of my pants...temporarily.

Tiny Dancer

Little Mermaid   charcoal, conte and gold leaf on toned paper   21.5 x 14

It has been so much fun to paint and draw from a live model again!  Due to the fine efforts of Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Center's new director Danielle Dieterich, young dancers from Ballet Excel OhioExcel Ohio have been modelling each Tuesday evening and will continue for some time.  We artists, mostly older, are treated to the movements and costumes of these young dancers. 

"Little Mermaid" was drawn in charcoal and conte crayon on a toned paper.  Gold leaf pieces were added later.  I had actually hoped for more covering on its application, but due to the fact that the adhesive was mostly dried up, and the high humidity, a more mottled effect was the result.  But I am happy. 

This pose, subtle yet powerful, is, I believe the result of a strong core and a slight curving of the small of the back.  I appreciate the strength and willpower of this young dancer!

Rest Notes

There is the music score...and then there are the spaces between the notes, the counter spaces, that define the piece every bit as much.  That which is played...and that which is not. 

We were recently treated to a visit from our California dear ones.  As we wanted to make this visit extra special, we participated in so many varied activities.  Our grandson is only six, so we also varied the tempo of our daily doings to include some rest time....mostly to watch shows or movies.  To me, this down time is invaluable.  I enjoyed this down time by opening my book and observing my loved ones as they relax....a pleasure. As we don't see them as often, my sketchbook acts as a bit of a diary, a photo album, of this special time. 

Truly my pleasure.

The Wee Hours

Sophia   Sketchbook Drawing

are, for me, sacrosanct.  I greet the day, coffee by my side, as I take in my book-of-the-moment.  This is a luxury of my age to be sure.  Sometimes opportunities present themselves in a way that are impossible to resist.  While staying at our son's house, I chose a quiet corner to carry on my morning moments while both he and his wife prepared themselves for work.  Their cat Sophia, who is the quintessential lap cat, snuggled close by just beneath the reading lamp.  I had plenty of time to complete the sketch as she slumbered.  Sleeping beings are so relaxed that their weight literally melds into the support surface, in this case a soft hassock.  My day was begun in deep consideration, admiration and love.  Good Morning Sophia!

On the Move...

Sketchbook Study    Maine Coon

Drawing from life involves patience, much patience, and a bit of luck.  Our son and daughter-in-law have two beautiful Maine Coon cats, as well as a beautiful balcony that overlooks a wooded area and stream in their apartment in balmy North Carolina.  One lovely morning, I sat, watching and sketching, while Gus spent his time catching bugs and admiring the woodland activity.  In this sort of endeavor, I try to have three or so sketches going at one time.  Over the years, I have found that beings of all kinds tend to return to comfortable postures time and time again.  If one is lucky, extremely lucky, some sort of artful drawing results....and sometimes I prefer these small works to more calculated paintings and drawings.  There is a freshness from errant lines and the searching of the pencil. 

A morning well spent.

Remnants

Remnants   mixed on paper   11 x 16.75

is a mixed media drawing utilizing some of nature's creations left behind in autumn.  This drawing was begun as a workshop demonstration on value.  In this case, the darks move from left to right helping to explain the objects in the drawing...a tiny unhatched blue egg within a twiggy nest, some sweet gum seeds in a jar and a pie pumpkin.  The objects themselves require planning and fairly good draftsmanship in the rendering.  I like to think, however, that there is something bigger, more important, than each of the chosen items....it is the rhythm between them that, for me, simultaneously simplifies and empowers.  So be it.  My final answer.

I used:  charcoal pencils, conte crayon, watercolor, powdered charcoal and gouache....quite the concoction!

There is simply no substitute...

Bundled (Mo)   Watercolor   14 x 10

for drawing from life.  It is in this life situation that we are able to understand the forms, the roundness, the hills and valleys of the human face.  And, when practicing, the best way is to use pencils or charcoal....values will teach these subtleties more easily without the added complications of color.  I have seen seasoned artists freeze up when faced with portrait-drawing.  It is here that small errors in scale and measurement show up.  And, when we freeze up, we tend to see the human face as we did when we were children....two eyes, a nose and a mouth....and perhaps a  couple of ears and some hair.  Getting the eyes "just right" will help, but is not the true foundation of drawing the human head.  In actuality, the simple planes of the head tell the true story.  It is indeed an overwhelming task.  It is easy to practice on yourself in the mirror....perhaps limiting yourself to just one quadrant of the face.  That success will urge you onward.  My friend Mo does a self-portrait each day, both to improve her skills and to understand herself maneuvering through life.  Her set-up is stationary in her bathroom.  Her drawings are done in an old copy of The Gulag Archipelago.....one page a day.  Whatever medium spins her fan at a given moment.  What a wonderful way to learn.  Let that be a lesson to us.

thesis + antithesis = synthesis

Cloaked in Tradition   Charcoal/Mixed on Paper   30 x 18

I am fascinated by word etymology.  These three words are just perfect to describe the process of becoming oneself, personally and as an artist.  We begin with the thesis...who we are at present.  I believe that at this stage we are influenced by many others and we go through many stages of "wannabe".  Gradually, over time, we begin to discover who we are not....our preferences.  We end up with a synthesis, our own small pinpoint on the continuum of artistic being.  Hopefully, our particular dot does not intersect with someone else's.  For me, that is the ideal...the notion that my work can only be done by me.  For example, I cannot tolerate many hard lines in my work....lines, to me, are fences that stop, boundaries put in place...boundaries that are confining.  This notion is totally autobiographical, totally me.  I adore organic line, an ephemeral feeling and a merging of the pieces/parts.  I have come to know that.

"Cloaked in Tradition" was begun as a drawing from life.  The model was a young Asian woman who arrived wearing a lacy corset-top and black lace leggings.  For the session, she was asked to wear a silky kimono of green and border-decorated with chrysanthemums.  I saw the conflict between who she is and the person she became while on the stand.  Working on a large piece of watercolor paper given to me by a friend, I used a combination of pastel and water from a very large brush.  Later at home, I used printers ink and an uncut linoleum block to print over the drawing.  A smaller block was cut with floral shapes and printed on a horizontal band.  The final pass was to merge all of these processes.  My tendency these days is to err on the side of underdone, as that pleases be more than going too far.  I also felt that the paper was slightly unforgiving.

This work was presented at last evening's critique.  The leader felt that the head needed more description, more solidity, and that the measurements were off a bit.  The fact that she appears to be sitting without a chair or support was also mentioned.  I realized at that time, that I prefer standing myself and don't spend a lot of time sitting down (fidgeting problem), so chairs don't seem to fit into my own scheme of things.....what with all of those hard lines and such.  I hoped that the kneecaps, protruding into the stretched lace leggings would preclude my need for a chair.  As always, these thoughts from my colleagues will be considered, but in the long run, it is my definition, my aesthetic, that must be played out.  I don't wish to collide with someone else's dot.  (more on "shadow tag" later)

Drawing

Marcie...a sketch

Drawing is just about the most fun that is possible for me! Love it, love it, love it. It is also provides the necessary drafting skill that underlies paintings. Tomorrow, Saturday, I will be leading a mini-workshop at Summit Artspace in Akron in collaboration with the "Women's Work" exhibit. It is from 1-3 pm and we will be drawing from a live model. Our goal will be drawing like a painter, rather than a drawer.....we will avoid defining lines as long as possible and will concentrate, instead, on mass. ( I am picturing a vague ultrasound image here) And.........BTW, our model Marcie is the star of an Agatha Christie play at Coachhouse Theatre that just opened............"Appointment with Death". She is so very good at being so very nasty. There are so many wonderful things to do in the Akron area.....hope to see you there.