![]() ...forgot to post CED 125 yesterday, so here it is (left) along with the one for today. And about today... It's Cinco de Mayo. I think I may make a drawing or painting of a lovely Mexican lady.
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![]() ...CED #124... So far, I am really digging the May pieces. Maybe it's the blue, calming me down? The simplicity of working with just a Prismacolor on Bristol board? Not sure. One thing that, well, I don't want to say bothered me, but it was a slight concern that has been coming up...maybe I should work a little bigger for this month. Now, I am not talking about revisiting my summer tree series and going all 18x24 crazytown (hmmmmm...well, maybe...) but I did make the decision to bump up my CED size for my May pieces to at least 8x10. Next obstacle for me, and this is totally on me...now I am a little stressed because the first two are smaller. Ummmm...and don't judge me...I think I am going to re-draw those first two to 8x10 scale. My graphics savvy friends are probably shaking their heads...I mean, I know I could just scan them and resize the work digitally...but...for me its all about those originals. I am going to battle with this over the weekend. Maybe I can just let it go and concentrate on the rest of the month...or maybe I will just give in and re-do the pieces. Sigh. ![]() ...the good news is, I finished my CED #123 early, like...before 4pm. I had thought to myself, 'self- you really need to work on your Magic Hat painting tonight- or make some more art.' No such luck. Nap, 1.5 mile run (which is really good for me, super proud!)...no painting....no drawing. I was, however, motivated to work on some potential shirt designs for the PBG Cheerleading program for next year. Came up with about ten designs, hopefully we will use at least one of them for next year. Another major distraction- I found out today that I was nominated for the 'Thank a Teacher Contest' hosted by the Ron Clark Academy and Promethean. The winner of this competition will win an all-expense paid trip to attend the Educator Training Program at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. I would LOVE to have the chance to attend one of his trainings- he is an AMAZING teacher...graduated from ECU (just like me!), received a NC Teaching Fellows Scholarship (me, too!)...has written books...taken kids all over the world...in short, he knows his stuff. So...fingers crossed. If I don't get selected, it was cool to be nominated and I will just go back to making art every single day and teaching my students...but it sure would be cool! So anyway...here is the link...if, ummmm...anyone is out there in internet land reading my blog with a minute to spare before Monday, May 7th at 12am....just sayin'.... But blue it is! (The Creative Every Day theme for May.) Well...the theme is 'One', but I thought about it...discussed with my trusted inner circle and decided that I would interpret 'One' as 'One Color', aka 'monochromatic'. I am going to use one color and the tints, tones and shades of that color this month as I continue to work in my portraiture series, which seems to be what I like to draw the best. Heck, I will say it- that IS what I like to draw. FACES. Love it. ![]() Blue it is. The only thing I have to be blue about is the weather...ugh. Boo. Hiss. Other than that... My students are rocking out, making some amazing art...only about three weeks of 'work time' left so we are going to be going into overdrive. I am going to be writing a column for my friend's art magazine...more to come. Tomorrow I hope to sit down and finish my Magic Hat painting. I just found out about another art show today...ocean-themed...hope I can participate! Oh yeah, and CED #123 is done. Just kidding. It has been an interesting month working with this theme. I feel that overall I was able to maintain my theme, but also branch out into whatever interested me. One thing that I am convinced of- I think I am really finding my style as an artist. It feels good, like a pair of shoes that fits just right. My style is figurative-based, mainly the female face, with saturated, unapologetic color, digressions in texture, unabashed curvilinear line that screams 'I LOVE ART NOUVEAU' and yes, the occasional sparkle. And, well, this month at least...some fun, whimsical 3D polymer clay candies. That being said, below is my slideshow for my CEDs this month, music courtesy of DJ Johnny Nice, per usual. (thanks, beb!) ![]() Another art happening...I completed my monthly self-portrait. It is a combination of stippling (ink on paper), acrylic paint, acrylic paint mixed with modeling paste for texture, felt pieces, a hand-painted cupcake on felt that I later hand-beaded...add some gems stones and glitter and there you have it, my April self-portait. And...you guessed it. Mention that it is late, blah, blah...time to go to bed...blah, blah...but it sure feels great to be finished! The theme for May...'ONE'...what am I going to do? No idea! Goodnight!
![]() ...was too tired to post last night, but the show was fun! It felt like an art scavenger hunt at times, stopping off the turnpike to deliver the Star Wars paintings, stopping in Bear and Bird to pick up the Square Show pieces...trying to figure out where to eat, and then navigating our way through Davie to the venue for the moustache-themed event at Stage 84. Well, we found it. Very cool place, almost like a small coffee shop feel, with a little stage, couches and tables bright red walls lined with art. On one side- the pieces that were either being sold or donated to the silent auction. On the opposite wall, a collection of paintings on canvas by students with autism. There was a contest for most heroic beard, etc...very eclectic and very fun. ![]() As for today...where to start? I will start with the weather because it had a major impact on the events of the day...namely the poolside brunch I had planned as a going away party for my friend Ashley. Sheets of rain. Buckets of rain. Drips, splashes, puddles- BLAH! Plan B was to have the event inside... we made it happen, and it was fun. I even made my own sunshine and two clouds for the wall. And Ashley, my friend and avid collector of my art...good luck in Boston! I will send you new art when you get settled in, and you can bet John and I will visit you! After the brunch...cleaning...napping...delivering a commission to Lake Worth...discussing a new commission (THANKS, PAUL!)...dinner out with the husband...another nap...a jog...and finally TV time and putting the finishing touches on my CEDs from this week. One more to go...and my self portrait and then April will be complete.
And now, of course, I make an excuse about how it is late and I need sleep...because it really is! ![]() After painting the edges of my Star Wars pieces (still got to wire the backs)...I settled down in my chair to work on my entry for the Magic Hat show later in May. We are supposed to create a piece inspired by their new summer ales. I sketched out a few ideas, got John's input and finally selected the Blind Faith IPA. I wanted to stay within my style, but incorporate imagery that would related to the name of this ale. Went with a blind folded gal, 'bout to take a sip, hair all awry...as for the faith...I referenced indirectly Byzantine iconography (which I love), using the mandala behind her head, which doubles as the spiral image that is on the bottle caps. Per usual, started out with a light pencil sketch, then went directly to painting in the outlines with black paint. My favorite way to work. Truth be told, I was feeling ambitious. The piece isn't due til later in May, but my intention was to complete this piece and drop it off to Gina (she's the curator for the Green Room shows) along with my Star Wars works later today. ![]() And you know, I probably could have done it. Finished the piece, I mean. But, I promised John I would run with him. And it would be good to get up, can't stay seated all day. Also...I don't want t rush the piece and miss out on the chance to work on the details more. My stopping point? All the basic colors are blocked in. Went with black and blues since that is what is used in the label. I made her hair shades of orange to compliment the blues, and I was thinking she was probably a fiery gal. The bottle needs a ton of work. But it's a start. No since in rushing it, I can drop it off at the Star Wars show next week. ![]() I wish this graphic would show up a little bigger...but anyway, tonight is the art event that will benefit Austism Speaks. The event is down in Davie, so it is a bit of a drive, but going to make the most of it. Pit stop in Wellington to pick up fellow Tipsy Art girls, Jessie and Sofia, then down to Bear and Bird Gallery to pick up our pieces from the Square Show, dinner...then donning our moustache accessories and heading down to the event. Not sure if I will post again tonight, but you can bet it will be an art-filled evening! I love waking up, walking in the kitchen and seeing the work that I completed the night before, on display. No matter how crazy it gets, and how messy, I try to always 'set up' my work for the next day. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, makes me feel better about the paint under my nails, aching hands, sore shoulder...and it gives me motivation to make more work. Which is exactly what I need today, as I attempt to tackle the entry for the Magic Hat show, and find some time for the rest of my April CEDs and self-portrait.
Cheesy? Maybe. True, I think so. I worked on my Star Wars painting tonight for the show at the Green Room in Fort Lauderdale. All five paintings are pretty much finished, going to take a look at them tomorrow with fresh eyes and in the daylight, maybe add some details and paint the sides of the canvases...wire them for hanging and they will be all DONE! Yay! I put a hold on the CEDs to complete this project...tsk, tsk. I still have the last ones for the month and my April self-portrait waiting for me to...well, figure out what to do with 'em. Hmmmmm. Perhaps after some sleep I can come up with a plan. Another decision to make...do I start my Magic Hat entry so I can deliver that with the Star Wars paintings, save myself a trip down to Fort Lauderdale? I am not sure what I want to do with that piece yet...again, maybe tomorrow it will come to me.
Side note...hands are hurting pretty bad from the combination of non-stop drawing, painting and beadwork. This happened to me when I was in graduate school and it really stressed me out. I want to take it easy..but I can't stop myself from creating. Also, I am trying something different with painting to try to prevent the 'painter's shoulder' that I seem to get from standing at the easel, arm raised for hours...I took apart a flimsy easel to make a larger table easel so I could rest my elbow on the table while I painted. I guess I won't know if it worked til tomorrow. I meant later today. It is almost 2 a.m. which means it is tomorrow...and I need to go to bed. Goodnight! |
AuthorArtist and Art Teacher
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