Plein Air

I did some plein air painting today with a group of artists. It was nice to be out in the open air on a day like today. Hazy in more ways than one. 😉 I was a little rusty. Its been at least 3 years since I painted outdoors. We had a nice relaxing time sharing ideas and techniques. It was much needed! Thank you!

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Perceptual Drawing 1 & 2

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This is a handful of the trois crayon and conte crayon assignments that my drawing class completed. We had the critique on Thursday and some of the students hung up the finished works. The Drawing 1 students had a more geometric still life and the drawing 2 students worked from a (Georgia O’Keefeish) still life with bones, rope and bottles. Both classes had to deal with textural elements and mark making, using conte crayon.

I think that they all turned out so interesting. Each student interpreted the still life in an interesting way. They are all so different! I think they did a great job.

A Collaboration…of Sorts

My daughter and I just finished this collaborative piece. She started the acrylic painting several months ago. Today we pulled it out to add a little oil pastel on top. She directed me every step of the way. For example I was told to, “Add some pink grass at the bottom of the tree. Now add some dark blue.” In the end, she felt that my tree was a little too representational for her liking. I suggested that maybe it was finished and she told me that we were “not finished” as she pulled up her black stool and made the necessary changes to the tree. The marks do add a little more movement. 😉 I am fascinated by the way that her “artistic eye” has started changing. She really likes to draw circles with dots of color in the center (see the details to the right).

They remind me of Chuck Close’s technique, used in his contemporary work. Do you think that he was inspired by a 3 year old?

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Who knows?! Maybe she will end up being the next Chuck Close. Either way, I’m having a lot of fun watching her creative side grow.

Art Blast 2016

I just wanted to share a few of the Picasso inspired “Blue Guitars” that my 4-7 year olds completed today, at the Mobile Museum of Art. These three were my favorite. They are a lively bunch but very creative! If your children did not get to participate in Art Blast this summer, be sure to check it out next year. We have a lot of fun!

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This is Brandon’s (4 years old). He cut out his shapes all by himself. 😉

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This is Jayden’s (4 years old!). I love the expressive lines that she incorporated.

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Ella (7 years old) did a great job adding monochromatic tints and shades of blue.