January 09 Virtual Sketch Date

"Clemetine"

5 x 7"

pastel and colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

Spent much of the day watching the innauguration with my young son reminding him that he was seeing history being made.

But I found time to finish this month's VSD (Virtual Sketch Date). As in my past VSD posts, I decided to try something a little different that the way I usually work. This month I did a pastel underpainting and finished with colored pencil on a tan-toned Ampersand pastel board.

Check out the other entries this month; many of them are wonderful. You can see many of the members' drawings on a Flickr page here.

December Virtual Sketch Date

"Winter Valley"

5 x 7"

colored pencil on pastel board

This month's VSD is a little early due to the holidays but I was able to eke out a little time to do this one and I'm glad I did.

I don't usually do many landscapes and when I saw the reference photo, I balked a bit. But I decided to plunge in and, as I usually do for the VSD, I decided to try to vary my style a bit. This one, I thought, should be rather pastel-like and loosely drawn.

My main inspiration for this style of colored pencil drawing I can directly attribute to a friend and a wonderful artist, Linda Wesner. I had the privilege of pariticipating in a small class and demo Linda gave at one of our local colored pencil guild meetings where she generously demonstrated her style and technique. Take some time and check her work here. She has won many awards and her work has consistently been selected for the CPSA International Exhibitions.

Linda's current body of work is inspired by "vanishing landscapes", rapidly disappearing rural areas due to suburban development. Intriguing, beautiful and contemplative.

Linda has also been a bit of a mentor and always treated me as an equal (as if) and encouraged my work. Thank you, Linda.

Boy, it's great to have artist friends.

September Virtual Sketch Date

Virtual Sketch Date - September, 2008

colored pencil, Neocolor II, watercolor pencils on pastel board

5 x 7"

Ok, I know, long time between posts. And I have plans to fix this soon. But in the mean time, the Virtual Sketch Date is keeping me honest. Be sure to check out all the other entries, too.

Last of the Dandelions - Finally!

Dandelion Series - Stage 4

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

6 x 6"

It's finished! Actually, this series has been done for a while, but I hadn't photographed it. No excuses, just crazy busy (a good thing), loads of projects, a son home for the summer and an incredibly wonderful social life (lots of fantastic friends who I never see enough of). Not to mention, scootering around whenever I get a chance!

Here at the end of summer, I can get a bit frantic trying to fit everything in. I love summer; there's never enough of it. So, especially in August, I try to absorb as much of the waning season as possible hoping that somehow I can store it up for a long grey winter. (Central Ohio has one of the greyest winters in the U.S. Sigh.)

Next week school starts again and my young son starts fifth grade, so I will be back in "work mode" more often and will post several new works, projects and updates. I'm looking forward to it.

Dandelion Series - Stage 2

Dandelion Series: Stage 2

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

6 x 6"

This is the second of four in my dandelion series. And, yes, when I took this photograph, there was actually an ant on the flower.

For those of you who work with colored pencils and have never used it before, I encourage you to try the pastel board as a support. Here's some of what it offers:

1. Lots of layering.
2. Solvent use.
3. Dry brush burnishing.
4. No worrys of bending or tearing.
5. Acid-free and non-yellowing.
6. Great for mixed media techniques.
7. Framing without glass.

Here are some of my favorite artists who do wonderful work on pastel board:

Kathrine Tyrrell: http://makingamark.blogspot.com/2006/12/ampersand-pastelbord.html

Nicole Caulfield: http://www.nicolecaulfieldfineart.blogspot.com/

Ranjini: http://www.vividpencils.com/stilllife_page2.htm

Maggie Stiefvater: http://greywarenart.blogspot.com/search?q=pastel+board

"Where can I get these great Ampersand pastel boards?", you ask. Here's a link to the Ampersand web-site with the "where to buy" information: http://www.ampersandart.com/

If you do try it, I would love to hear your thoughts about it and see your work. Ooh, and if you find some new as-yet-untried technique, please share!

A Series of Weeds

Dandelion Series: Stage 1

colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

6 x 6"

This is the first of my dandelion series. I have three more on the table. They show the life of a dandelion from infancy, youth, middle and old age.

I know, I know, they're weeds. But I don't care. Here's why I like them:

• I've always thought they were beautiful. Just simple, bright and promise summer is on the way.
• They're the first bouquet most kids give their moms. And as a mom, the most cherished bouquet you'll ever get.
• These babies are survivors, too. Who can't identify or root for the underdog? No matter how much they're dug, pulled, sprayed, or stomped, they come back.
• The metamorphosis they go through will never cease to amaze me. I still pick the fluffy ones and make wishes. (You can blame me for the sprouts in your yard.)

Those are my reasons for paying homage to them in this series. Hope you like.

When We're Fragile

Yes, I know, I know: Long time, no see. No excuses. Just an explanation:


First, I have been working, making new art and finishing old pieces that are lingering in my studio. I currently have 6(!) works in progress within view. (I read books the same way - several novels, audio books, short stories at the same time.)


Second, I have been ruminating on some big decisions regarding my work. Here are just some:

• Should I branch out and show some other work NOT done in colored pencil?
• Is it time to switch media to more oil (i.e., more money)?
• Should I stay in my art coop or is it time to move on?
• Should I attempt to show my work at other galleries?
• While wanting to teach colored pencil and drawing classes, how will it negatively eat away at my studio time (which is SO precious).
• What other avenues are available to me as an artist?

Those are just a few things mulling over in my head - constantly. Yes, I could probably do all of the above; but I want to do whatever I choose very, very well. (Oh, the curse of the Virgo perfectionist!) And, how will I do all of these things while juggling many, many other family responsibilities. (Unlike Maggie Stiefvater, whom I admire SO much, I am not the Queen of the World or Super Girl; I know my mortal limitations.)

So you see, I have been pondering some big changes and that brings up number 3.

Third, whenever I am faced with big changes (the biggest for me is leaving the co-op), I can spiral into the abyss of depression. Long family history topped with the fragile ego of a creative spirit is a legacy I have dealt with for all of my adult life. It is a fact of my life, albeit a sometimes shameful one (why do we continue to perpetuate this!), and I know will probably never just disappear. So, once in a while I "go under" and eventually emerge.

So here I am emerging.

This drawing I just completed last night and it suits my current mood perfectly: intact but fragile. Here is "Fragile Hold", colored pencil on 8 x 10 Ampersand pastel board.

Returning to Work - Finally!

Glowing Cathedral

8 x 10" colored pencil on Ampersand pastel board

Glowing Cathedral - WIP progession

Change the World a Little Today

Next Three Stages of a Work In Progess

"Glowing Cathedral"

8 x 10" colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelboard

Today, Bloggers have united to talk about good deeds we have done and promoted on our blogs, so I will, once again, share my Kiva experiences with you.

Check out their website for more info here. Feel free to check the background information, the press coverage and validity as well. I think you'll be impressed.

"If you give a man a fish, he eats for the day. If you teach a man to fish, he can feed himself and his family." This is a philosophy I buy wholeheartedly and have always wondered how most of us could "teach a man to fish". Here's the opportunity to do just that.

The micro loan you make (I have done as little as $25) could change one person's life forever; many of these third-world entrepreneurs are asking for less than $1000. They live a life I can only imagine. But, I so respect and admire resourcefulness and feel it should be championed. You can check out my lender page here; of this I am proud.

(If you really want to feel like Santa this year, a Kiva gift certificate makes a wonderful gift for that person who literally "has everything".)

I also want to share that I have just applied for my passport as I will be going to Bolivia in March to work directly with some local artisans and merchants and to physically help to build an orphanage. My job, before I go, is to collect as many new and gently used art and school supplies as I can before I go; I hope to ship a ton! (Artists, you know you have a lot of "good intention" art goodies laying around that will never be used - by you! Let me know if you decide to part with them.) As an artist and an overly blessed American, I think its the least I could do. I'll keep you posted on this news, you can bet!

New WIP - Cathedral

8 x 10"

colored pencil on Ampersand pastelboard

of the Columbus Greek Orthodox Cathedral

The above piece I have not as yet named but it is a landmark on the south side of the Short North Arts District, The Greek Orthodox Cathedral. It is a beautiful building both inside and out; the congregation has been so generous in sharing their wonderful church with us, its neighbors, for various community events, fundraisers and their own Greek Festival.

The bricks used to construct this church are a very light and warm tan during the day, but when lit at night, they glow. Whoever designed the lighting was a genious.

I really like the way the orange plays off the blues and purples in this piece. And, once again, I have fallen in love with this pastelboard; I may never go back to paper! (Oh, yes, I will....)

Negativity Can Be Fun

"Snowy Pine"

Colored Pencil on Ampersand Pastel Board

8 x 10"

This piece was a challenge and a lot of fun (my favorite combination when doing a drawing) because I chose to do it on a dark green Ampersand pastel board. So, all of the lightest lights you see are drawn in. Essentially, the whole drawing is of negative space.

While working on this piece not only was I happy with the challenge, but I was also reminded that no matter how much I dread the winter coming on, there is a beauty in it. I will look closely for it this year.

Short North Arches Finally Finished!

Short North Arches

16 x 20"

Colored Pencil Drawing on Ampersand Pastel Board

I drew this piece right onto the surface of an Ampersand pastel board. After laying down the initial few layers of color, I realized I wasn't going to get the color saturation I wanted, so I used Gamsol to dissolve the wax and "paint" the color deeper into the board. I was then able to go back over the work with more layers of color.

Because I have admired her work for a long time, I asked Nicole Caulfield to share with me how she finishes her work in order to frame it without glass and she generously did just that. Nicole first sprays her work with Lascaux fixitive and then Krylon Kamar Varnish. I ran out and bought both products and am very, very pleased with the results. Thanks, Nicole!

Once I frame this puppy, I plan to show it at Studios on High Gallery in time for the holidays. I'll let you know if it sells! (Or, if you're interested, drop me a note!)

Weekend Flashback

Current WIP

Short North Arches

16 x 20"

Colored Pencil on Ampersand Pastel Board

(I love working on this piece! I am trying a whole new process here, at least for me, and I'll let you know exactly what I've done when it's complete. I am kind of finding my way along on this, so check back.)

Saturday night was my 30th high school reunion. What fun was had by all (some had a little more fun than others!), but I think we enjoy seeing each other more as we all "mature" (I won't say "age"; no, no, no!) and are each more comfortable in our skin.

Many had parents they were caring for or had recently lost, most of us have kids (but not all), and most of those kids are grown or still going through that painful process, and some of us are grandparents. We all have some wrinkles; most have a grey hair or two (unless the expert colorist at the local salon has worked some magic) and we just don't give a damn what anyone used to think of us anymore. It only mattered that we were still getting together, remembering and laughing about what a joy it was to share our youth with each other.