Figure Drawing Techniques...Collaborate!

I had SO much fun at the figure drawing session at Shane's studio last night! I have a pile of my son Jack's paintings in my studio - well, let me re-phrase that - JACK'S studio (where he kindly lets me work every now and then) and of course I can't throw any of them away. So when I was packing up supplies for class last night I grabbed two paintings Jack did on mat board and thought they'd make great backgrounds for some figure drawings!

Well - here they are! I love them! Jack - the three year old whirling dervish that he is - has so much fun with chalk and paint. He just creates amazing line and composition - I just sit back and wait for him to say "more paint, please!" These may be some of my favorite pieces of all time.

I can't wait until we collaborate again!

My Next Inspiration

There are stretches of time in every family when the only times you all gather together are for Weddings or Funerals...luckily the last occassion my family got together for was my cousin Dan's wedding in Colorado. My mom brought a bunch of old photo's from her parent's house, and I just fell in love with this handful...I am prepping my studio and a new surface to paint the one in the upper left of my grandmother holding my mother's hand...it's marked "Easter of 1955". I love the clothes, the wind catching her dress...even the look of the tree and the house in the background!

The one of my mom, her brothers, and her dad on the front porch just makes me hear banjos in the background...the pose of my mom on the front porch makes me laugh! (you can click the image to see it larger)

I love seeing old photos...it's too bad we only get to know our parents as adults!

SOLD - for $4500

This has been quite the adventure!!! The original commissioned painting commemorating the house's final auction went on the block Saturday - and brought in a new record for one of my paintings! $4500! I didn't get to see it sell (I got there too late!) but here are some shots from Friday night's preview party. What a night! There was a live orchestra playing music outside with all the huge gazebos and statuary for the gardens, as well as the race cars, bentey's, and Rolls Royces that were for sale...plus these amazing little cars called Henkel's. Inside there was a Jazz singer on one end of the auction house, then as you meandered passed the tables of chicken kabobs, raosted lamb, filet mignon, and pastry stuffed with Brie, there was a dance party going on at the other end! It was crazy! But SO much fun. Also, a bunch of the signed posters sold for $500 a piece! Three other paintings of mine are going on the block today...I will let you know how they do!

Figure Drawing Techniques...9

I got to draw from one of my favorite models this week...Mike posed for our drawing group Thursday night...here is a quick, 2-minute gesture and our long pose for the evening. The long pose is on a gessoed piece of watercolor paper (this is actually the 4th layer on this board - there have been many attempts to draw on this surface, and every time I paint over it in frustration! But that's ok! It just makes for a more interesting atmosphere for the figure!). I like surfaces that I gesso myself - the brush strokes give a great texture and it hold s the charcoal much better than the ultra-slick machine rolled gessoed surfaces that you can buy.

Commission Update - Auction Poster

Well my commissioned poster for the auction house is finished! I delivered the painting about two weeks ago, then went back to the auction house to sign the limited-edition run of 110 posters! I don't think I have signed my full name that many times since we bought our house!

I am so pleased with the result and I look forward to watching the original painting go on the auction block this coming Saturday. This painting commemorates the final auction for this particular auction house, and it promises to be a very exciting event! I will try to post pictures of the painting when it goes on the block.

Figure Drawing...the Pregnant Model

What a special treat! At our figure group last night Katie modeled for us...only 8 weeks away from her due date! (Can't wait to meet her little Jack!)

She was absolutly glowing...with the overhead light her beautiful belly was a wonderful shape to draw. The gestures were two-minute poses - I started with blocking in the large shapes using light pastel, then defined areas using charcoal pencil.

The top drawing is on a gessoed board, which is actually very slick, but I think it can out very soft and feminine. If I can "fix" the drawing with a good spray, I might tint or glaze it and see what happens.

The last drawing is done by a very talented artist - you can see his work here - http://www.shanemcdonaldstudios.com/ - he is the host of our Wednesday night drawing group. Beautiful drawing, Shane!

STORQUE ARTICLE

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/spotlight/article/featured-buyers-etsypatrons-etsys-team-of-buyers/2563/

This is so exciting! My piece "It's not about you" is featured in a Storque Article! The Storque is the blog for Etsy and content is contributed by staff and artists and in this case - a team dedicated to Etsy Patrons! I am very flattered and greatful for the kind words about my work.

Thanks guys!

http://www.EtsyPatrons.blogspot.com