30-3: Van Gogh Cafe

Sept. 29 - A new arts group came together in Stillwater, Minnesota tonight. Called "The Van Gogh Cafe," in honor of our first subject, it consisted of a room full of folks - all women - interested in convening for talk of art, life, and a bunch of et cetera.

After sitting down with the beverage of our choice we listened to a presentation on Vincent van Gogh illustrated with examples of his work, both well-known and obscure. A vase of fresh sunflowers on our table was a great added touch, though at least one folk's allergies were set off by same. Oh, the price one pays for being in the presence of a little bit of beauty. Following the presentation we shared questions and possible answers regarding Vincent's life. Was he perhaps affected by chemicals present in his paints and solvents? How was his work presented and marketed after his death? How much of his life is myth? Fact? One recent visitor to France spoke of one region's artists seemingly to work only in the style of van Gogh's bold style.

Chat following the main topic ranged freely - and time zoomed toward our 8:30PM adjourning. Heading out the door we agreed that The Van Gogh Cafe is very much a welcomed addition to Stillwater's arts activities.

Winslow Homer will be the topic of next month's meeting: Thursday, Act. 27th - from 6:30 - 8 PM, at The Bikery, 904 4th Street. All are welcomed, and there are no costs above the price of a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and maybe a tasty treat or two. For more information contact: The Van Gogh Cafe@aol.com

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

OADMD - Peachy Pie

On Sunday Tara and I went to The Bikery for coffee. Though arriving before noon, we were "late." Few objects of desire were sheltered in the pastry case. Boo hoo? Boo hoo?

But, lo! Several large slices of peach pie called out "We're still here! We are peachy!" We decided to share one thick slice, got two forks, sat at an interior table corner (all the lovely window tables were taken - boo hoo), and bit on in. Crust was good and crusty, filling was peachy-keen. Definitely a sharing size.
To prolong the enjoyment I draw pie. Fun free-form angles and curves. Pies are angles. Pies are curves. The sketch is sort of cubist as the actual pie changed shape and size as penciling proceeded. Forks become abstract pokey things. Crust and filling meld into peachy tanny goldenroddy mass.


The peaches at the paper's bottom are a daydream of Summer. I tried to reach one's Inner Peach.


By drawing and eating turn by turn a sketcher can enjoy pie a wee bit longer than the usual eater. Look carefully, hunt for the appropriate colored pencil, scribble a bit, repeat. Inspect the geometry of a particular peach slice. Decide to shade or not to shade. Discuss life with daughter. Go get more coffee. Repeat. If words come to mind write some of them down.


Still haven't worked on the Sharing Theme. Maybe today.


The Star-Tribune Sunday paper holds quote from guitar great Jeff Beck - he is motivated by "Pushing and challenging myself musically to create new sounds and new music." Challenge. Challenge. I gotta remember the challenge part...... and must remember to draw with darker colors and higher contrast.

Lines from the pie day: draw faster looser slower freer
"Peach" Prismacolor is far pinker than these peaches.
One can be inspired by pie's shape (changing), color, sparkle, and charm.
I do so love a Charming Pie.

Today will probably be pie-free. But I'm thinking about French Onion Soup for lunch....

It's snowing out - now and forever.

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Motivational Scone

Happy New Year! and on to the Best Year Ever - Part the Fifth:

Once again the One-A-Day Motivational Drawing (Dec. 29) finds me at Stillwater's The Bikery. A recent exercise is bravely putting my hand into the bag of colored pencils - mostly Prismacolor goodies - and being willing to draw with the four pulled out, regardless of hue, plus the beloved Sharpie Marker. Eeek. What to work with today? Medium grey, dark umber, a peachy sort, and grass green. Not exactly the most vibrant in the bag. But self-imposed rules are self-imposed rules.

Soon the paper holds words: Yuck! DON'T BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE..., Do Something fast-Intensely-Focused Non-stop For an Hour Almost Every Day.

I tentatively do a few passes with the colors - they sort of blend into a late-afternoon high sky landscape. Hmmm... there are possibilities. I don't hate these pencils quite as much as I did when they first appeared. Heck, it's not their fault they're today's team. Let's buck up and make the best of it. Hmmm - have to remember that for real life. Ya sure - ya betcha.

All this time a fresh cranberry scone has been sitting quietly on it's plate. Complete. Un-chomped..... On to seeing - on to drawing. Oddly, the chosen pencils work out fine - and the Sharpie is just the thing for the darkest of shadows. Look- draw - look - draw. Most fun is recreating the pointy black shadows thrown by innocent sugar crystals sitting atop scone. Play with values - from white plate to inky shadow - all enhanced by brilliant sunshine.

A few more scribbled remarks and the page is complete. Last sentence: I love drawing.

Yup. And eating good scones.
Try a Motivational Drawing. Or even a Not Motivational Drawing. Start with drawing tools you truly enjoy using, and some day dare to use what ends up in your hand!

On to The Grand Adventure -

Sue

Casual Art

We had an awesome Blueberry Festival up in Ely, Minnesota this past weekend - thank you to old friends and new customers! Our goodies have been restocked at Mostly Moose and More downtown. And once again I'm trying to exercise off an art-fair eating frenzy...

This afternoon I cut up a large piece of sanded pastel paper - large goodie picked up for free at a Lake Country Pastel Society meeting two years ago. Because it was free it was easier to chop up than some papers. Also, it was slightly damaged. It felt good to toss away that last little piece - although the hoarder in me still felt bad about wasting possibly useful stuff.

Now one large piece is five smaller pieces - so on to the adventure! I did a small bear from the back - using only Nupastels. No text yet - don't know if it needs any. And started a red-toned dancing couple. The couple traded places during the dance - female is now on left - original thought had her on the right. But with no pressure to stick to plan - bam - just switch sides and continue on. Whew.

Also toned a sheet of Wallis paper orange-red. Will probably get two small works out of the sheet. Might attempt some "cute" stuff on purpose. After all the years of doing "not cute" stuff on purpose.

Tara and I went to the Bikery this morning to drink coffee and design. She has a magic sketchbook right now - one of those that refuses to accept any bad drawings. So lovely fashion designs are filling the pages. I just keep chopping white cardstock in half and seeing who comes out of the Sharpie markers. Three or four possible card designs today. I had a long list of possible things to work on - of course none of the new bears helped cross anything off the list. Sigh.

Time for chocolate mint ice cream with a small handful of almonds tossed in for good measure.

Fare-thee-well,
sue