Drawing for Discipline

Once upon a time, perhaps 30 short years ago, I bought a studio photograph of an infant in a wonderful Christening gown. Now the vintage photograph collection includes 19th century schoolyard kids, old folks on various couches, a whole album of two sisters' train trip across Canada, and whole lots of images that simply proved too fascinating to not rescue from antique shops, estate and/or garage sales. Real people, real lives, living on paper, whether in black and white or fading shades of color.

On a recent drawing-at-coffee-shop adventure I decided to use a photo chosen at random as a bit of focus and inspiration, and to see what my brain would tell me to do with it.

Starting with a sheet of heavy black paper I "knew" the images would begin as a value study. Look, scribble, look, measure, scribble, compare, re-measure, scribble. I "knew" the drawing would focus only on the subjects' heads. These decisions appear to come unbidden, the thoughts simply are. Then I have to agree to play by each new rule. So far, so good. Go for one hour - see what happens. Even with years of life drawing classes, I've never been secure in being able to depict humans, especially faces. But if faces are made of shapes, well, perhaps results won't be a complete disaster. Be brave in the attempt. Strive for focus, not for perfection. HAVE FUN.

It's amazing how quickly new rules pop up. Sorry, guy, you've been blocked in, but now you're going to be blocked out. It's mom's, auntie's, grandma's turn to shine. Immediately the mind ignores the left side of the paper.

On to the drawing adventure - (to be continued)

Sue

Old Tomatoes

Shortly, yes, shortly the huge mounds of snow will melt, mud will happen, and green will appear in our backyards. But I want to pick ripe tomatoes NOW.

In honor of a pretty good, for me, gardening year, and with hope of having those last green tomatoes turning red and yummy, I saved four of the little rascals and watched to see what happened. In time they did fight the good fight, sort of turned to a reddish hue, and then just became kitchen decor.





Recently I took a small nibble and realized that in this case redder was not better...... Sigh and sigh. But I just couldn't toss out these four pieces of last year's fun quite yet- they deserved a tiny bit of honor for hanging in there and trying their best. Out came the camera and on to tomato inspiration!






Now they sit inside of the computer, all warm and cozy and ready for their close-ups. We will return to them shortly and dare to find ways of making these little orbs even more immortal. Mere old tomatoes - ha! They're the best we've got for months -

Artists - appreciate your own versions of "old tomatoes" - boxes of family photos, stuff in the refrigerator, the scene right outside the window. If it's dull or icky - well, not too icky, that's O.K. Simply use what you've got to take your mind, pencil or paint somewhere even just slightly new.

The first week of the new year is behind us - TO TOMATOES.... AND BEYOND!!!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Older Polars

Sometimes it's nice not to sell originals. These two guys are done in oil pastel back when I was afraid of the powdery stuff.
They have their own quirky power - even in repose. One is actually napping. The other - not so much.
Today feels like a napping day. But no - too much to do - so on to a cup of Earl Grey tea, a small gingerbread bear, and geting on with the hours left in this Wednesday.

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

"Fuzzy Stick" Fun

So.... I'm old...... but have finally come around to know the joy of "Fuzzy Sticks."

Springing into Winter

Saturday, Dec. 4, Tara and I trekked back to St. Paul, MN for the final day of the Landmark Center Holiday Bazaar.
We needed a bagel fix so braved the sidewalks and roadways leading to the local Bruegger's Bagels shop. The paths were semi-well shoveled, so in some places the snow was piled high.
Unlike outside, the bagel shop was warm and cozy, the coffee was good and hot, as were the bagels. Eventually we knew we'd have to return to Landmark - so we did.


Here is Tara heading to Bruegger's. I couldn't juggle coffee, bagel bag, purse, and camera well enough to photograph return trip. Her 12-foot-long Dr. Who-inspired scarf was doings its best at keeping her warm.


Here is a little guy who was commissioned as a God-father gift to a recently-born lad. Customer G. picked him up at Landmark - Thanks! I hope cub and lad make everybody happy almost all the time! (A seasoned mom can at least cross her paws.) He wasn't around the studio very long and I miss him already. Maybe I'll make him a brother some day.
Working on this colorful cubby helped keep me from looking out onto all the new white stuff. I'm from Big Snow Country in NORTHERN Wisconsin - think Lake Superior - but have lived here in "southern" Minnesota long enough to be spoiled by snowfalls of "only" 4 - 8 inches.

Did plant the daffodils and iris before this storm hit so can finally look forward to Spring - whew. Planted in the dark and pouring rain but did the deed. Even put chicken-wire barriers over the fresh mud spots. Take that! - you smarty-pants squirrels. I'm not really counting on having out-smarted them - but am slightly proud of actually making the attempt.

Art events are mostly over for 2010 - maybe one last thing at a co-op in Rochester, MN - and now it's time to spruce up the studio & catch up on life. (Stuff is always at American Gothic in Stillwater & other shops around the land.) Gotta crank up the carols, try to ignore the cookies, and get crackin' on those cards to customers, family and friends.

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Landmark Center Holiday Bazaar - Dec. 2- 4

Greetings on this Brisk and Nippy Morning -

We will be off shortly to St. Paul, MN for the second day of the Landmark Center Holiday Bazaar. The grand old building is festooned in finest holiday cheer, and customers & craftsfolk alike get carolled to enough to make most of us fairly jolly and of good cheer. The free food samples sure help, too!

The building is also home to a beautiful woodworking museum - the gift shop has exquisite work from baubles made of exotic woods to funky awesome purses.

Yesterday's crowd was a mix of super busy to nobody in the booths - we took it upon ourselves to entertain by way of making stuff from pipe-cleaners - or Fuzzy Sticks - as the bag was titled. Tara, I, and the lovely Loren created things not seen before in the universe - my creature began as a bear, of course, but quickly - well, not really quickly...., through the afternoon - morphed into the beginnings of a fine giraffe, then a genetic mutate giraffe- chicken thing, and is beginning to become a serious giraffe again. Tara made anime creatures, and a fine flamingo - quickly adopted by Loren to perch on her shoulder. Loren made and shared some gorgeous fuzzy bracelets. Fun was had by all. some simple pleasures are the best. If you are bored go buy a bag of Fuzzy Sticks. Life will be oddly but pleasantly different.

So it's back on the road and on to the day. If you're in the area come join in the festivities!

Stay warm - don't fall,
Sue