Background

My weekend was primarily devoted to housework (ugh) and family time (fun!)

On Friday night, we attended the Cub Scout banquet for my little guy. Now, I normally am very involved in every aspect of this child's life -- with the exception of Cub Scouts. There are various reasons I am not involved, but let's just narrow it down to the fact that my husband is a wonderful father and he and his son seem to love this group. So, being out of the "loop", I was quite surprised when said son was awarded a card stating that he is now certified to begin carrying a pocket knife! I dutifuly applauded, as a good mother should. Said child just turned 9. He is not a violent or mean kid, so I don't imagine any thuggish behavior, however, I'm sure I will get a phone call from the school anytime soon.....

Anyway, with all the family fun, I could only steal away to the studio for bits of time and decided to work on the backgrounds of both works in progress. These pieces are rather large for colored pencil (around 12 x 16") so, for those of you who work in the medium, you know how long it can take to cover that much ground. And it can be a little boring. My husband says that watching me draw is like watching paint dry anyway.

So, here they are. I've decided to try putting a pattern into the sofa on "Teddy and Me"; maybe I was really bored, but I think it gives the work a little more interest. Both pieces still need much more work. Stay tuned!

Phase 6 - Teddy and Me

I seldom burnish my work, but this piece seemed to call for it to push the darks to where I felt they should be. This time I used a stiff hog bristle brush which allowed me to move the color around more subtly than when I burnish with another pencil or solvents. I am very pleased with it...so far.
I promised myself that when I started this blog I would keep my big mouth shut about anything controversial or political. BUT, I want to share with you something I do feel strongly about - rescuing a pet from your local shelter. We rescued our dog, Buddy Tucker (sounds like a country-western singer doesn't he?), three years ago. He is a full-bred chocoloate lab (according to the vet) and absolutely one of the best dogs I've ever had. The shelters are full of wonderful dogs. Don't worry about which dog to choose; they choose you. Buddy took one look at me and it was all over! I haven't regretted his choice and I don't think he has either.

Phase 5 - Teddy and Me

One of my reasons for starting and maintianing a blog is that I thoroughly enjoy looking at other artists' blogs. I have listed some I check regularly and will continue adding my favorites. Be sure to check them out; they're wonderfully motivating, interesting, educating and many times funny.
Here's a new one I have added to the list. Duane Keiser is one of the pioneers of "daily painting" and has been blogging his work since 2004. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:15 a.m., he paints a small painting live via webcam. What fun! Be sure to check it out.

http://duanekeiser.blogspot.com

Phase 4 - Teddy and Me

The reference photos I am using for the work are of my youngest son, who, as I told you in a previous post, is much older now (about 2 years). But I've been thinking about this while working on the drawing and looking at his face; he has changed a lot. He recently had another birthday and suddenly, he is not a little boy anymore, but a big boy. I'm not sure exactly what that means, other than he is more aware of his world, his limbs are longer, he is learning so quickly, and he seems to need me less.
I have been a mother for almost 30 years now and it seems I have always taken care of a little person. I'm beginning to see that that phase of my life is winding down which causes me some sadness but also a mixture of excitment and curiousity about what's up next for me.
I'm sure there's much in store for me to become and do, but none of it will be as challenging, fulfilling, heartbreaking or as rewarding as raising a child. What a ride!

Phase 3 - Teddy and Me

Last night I spent several hours in my studio working on "Teddy and Me" and sort of watching/listening to "24".

Is it me, or does that show tend to follow the same outline every year? Also, I personally would not want a role in a TV show where I had to wear the same clothes all season long! I mean, what fun is that? Do they even need a wardrobe department?

All in all, it's still one of my guilty pleasures.

Phase 2 - Teddy and Me

My son, who is the model for this drawing, saw me working on this last night and seemed a bit concerned with it. I asked him if he objected to me doing this piece. His reply was that he was very young when he sat for this image and he's "not like that now" and that I should "tell people". The picture was taken two years ago. So now you know....

New Work in Progress - Teddy and Me

Today I am starting a new colored pencil drawing, "Teddy and Me". The "Aviators" are still on the board, but I like to start on a new drawing before one is finished; that way I have a seamless transition. I hate the lull between starting another work AFTER one is finished.

So, here it is. Only the preliminary graphite drawing, but check back and I'll show you how it moves along.

"Waiting" - colored pencil and watercolor painting

Yesterday was my youngest child's 9th birthday. That, along with school delays, shopping for the "Cube World", parent-teacher conferences, and doing some other mom-ish stuff, I did not get to my drawing table. So I thought I would show you the work that was not accepted into the "Explore This" show. I happen to like this painting very much, even though I may never know why it was rejected, I will always think of this as one of my favorites. I used my daughter as my model when she was eight months pregnant with my grandson, Mac. Could explain my attachment to the work.

"The Aviators" - colored pencil drawing, work in progress

My son was home from school yesterday due to the weather...AGAIN! But, a very nice neighbor invited him to come spend the afternoon with her son. God bless her! So, I was able to work for a couple of hours without interruption. Nice.

Here's the progress I was able to make on "The Aviators" while he had his weather-related play date:

More Work in Progress

Today is my daughter's 29th birtday! Tomorrow is my son's 9th birthday! Valentine's Day has a completely different meaning to me than to the average American woman. (However, the husband did bring me coffee in bed, a romantic card and a large box of chocolates. Good husband!)

So, being that it is February in central Ohio, the layers on the ground are as follows: 6 inches of snow, 4 inches of ice, and then another coating of 3 inches of snow again! Lovely to look at....

Oh, well, the weather has fuelled my need to hybernate which includes eating (lots) and drawing. I've made a lot of progess with the drawing currently on my table. I think I'm going to call it "Aviators".

Acceptance

Good news! I just received notification that one of my drawings has been accepted into the "Explore This" CPSA show in Brea, Ca which will run Mar 24 - May 4.

The song "California Dreamin'" is running through my head! But then I have my child home (yet again) for a snow day because central Ohio is being buried under the "storm of the century". So, if I can't get to the west coast, at least my drawing can make the trip.

The "Explore" show allows artists to explore their medium of colored pencil by encouraging us to work on unusual papers or other supports, prepared surfaces, and mixing with other media. My piece, "Blue Lucidity", is done on three layers of drafting film with color applied front and back on each sheet. The layers of color gave the work a lot of depth and luminousity.

Colored Pencil Work in Progress

I started a new piece last Thursday based on a reference photo taken while attending the CPSA show in New Mexico last July. While my sister, Linda, and I were wandering around Sante Fe, we stumbled upon a church where a crowd was waiting for the wedding party. A mariachi band was at the ready.

I loved the interesting clothes, sombreros, and instruments. But, more important, I really liked the way these gentlemen convey the fact that they are professionals and take their jobs very seriously. I respect that in another artist and want to show that in this work.

My plan is to post photos as I am working.

Step 1 - Detailed sketch. I am working on buff colored mat board. It measures 12 x 16". I know this image is difficult to see, but I have made the sketch very light because most of it will be erased once I begin to apply the colored pencil.

Step 2 - Beginning to glaze. I seem to always work from right to left even though I am right handed. I may have done so because I want the gentlemen on the right to be the main focus of the drawing.










Step 3 - More glazing. Had to work around my son's birthday party (little before and a little after). We took four 3rd grade boys to an indoor water park.

Step 4 - More and more glazing!

My Newest Work - Blues

Here are my newest colored pencil drawings completed in time for a theme show for the month of February.
I am a member of a co-op gallery, Studios on High Gallery, in the Short North Arts District in Columbus Ohio. Of the 17 types of work displayed in the gallery, I am proud to be the artist who draws: graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, mixed media.
As someone who usually has to wrestle with the "blues" this time of year, it was not difficult for me to tap into those feelings to create this body of work; but it has been rather difficult to really see them now that they are finished.