100 Drawings (but really they are paintings)

These works are a part of a series for Jane Davies' 100 Drawings online class.  Each week we work on at least 10 (though I'm lucky if I get to 7) paintings.  She gives the lesson on a pdf and on video.  Discussion, observations and critiques happen on a private blog.  It's hard not to compare my work to the many talented artists taking the course.  We definitely are a mixed level group.  The comments are thoughtful and inspiring.  What Jane really wants us to do is observe our pieces;  really see what is happening in the pieces as it relates to variation of size, color, texture, value, hue. Leave out the judgement or process as we observe and write about our work.  That's not as easy as it sounds.

Variation! - just put it down and vary everything

  

Color, just color - it doesn't matter if it looks good or not

As we play and explore, creating more and more, we begin to see those subtleties of the work.  The two pieces below are about color and stripes.  I've added a lot of texture as that's what I was drawn to do.  I haven't heard back from her if I strayed too much from the assignment but I don't really care.  My intention is to do many more of these as it was a fun way to play with color.  Mixing, creating texture and finding all those variations of value, tone and hue!

Stripes and Color

100 Drawings

I'm working through the100 Drawings course with Jane Davies. It's a 10 week course where you create 10 drawings on cheap paper each week. The first week our lesson dealt with line. We worked with black, grey and white line and layers of white paint.  I loved the simplicity of the prompt and pushing myself to cover up and let go. 

Here are the first layers before adding layers of white opaque and transparent paint. I'm using graphite, black paint, markers, pencil and paint pens.  More photos to follow.   

Sometimes we need to look close

Was fortunate enough to be given the macro Olloclip from my son.   Loving this tool to get up close and personal! I especially love the depth of field that it creates.

For my dying father

Dad

The tenderness of his hand 

The smooth flesh warm as silk

Grabbing my own, I know you are there

A loving squeeze 

I'm there for you my fatty guts

Loving endearments to the young skinny girl from long ago. 

I'm there for you dad

Grateful for your generosity, your shy, quiet grace. 

As your voice stilled, stolen by disease

your eyes twinkled with joy, with love for the life you courageously embraced. 

May courts and mountains with views far and wide be always with you my dear father. May you charm the angles and souls of a life beyond. Bringing laughter and giggles with your mischievous smile. 

His tender hand squeezed once more.  

I know you are there.  

Christmas Tree Pillow

I hand painted a cover for my outdoor pillow.  With an old sheet sewn together, I painted with acrylics a Christmas tree.  I add graphite details but not sure how that will hold up to the snow and rain.  Time will tell.

Art Journal

Spending some time with my art journal this week 

Landscape, acrylic on canvas 8"x 6"

You never know when you are going to create something!  The painting above came about by cleaning off my brush when painting a commission for my daughter.  The spontaneity of the painting is what brings me joy.  It was an accident.  No thought or pressure; not trying to achieve anything.  Just a quick study that ended up making me very happy!

It seems that a lot of my work lately comes from cleaning my brushes - see post below.