Still Life

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Still Life, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

Just a quick update on my crazy life.

We are out Plein Air Painting again and boy does it feel great! Monday was our second outing. It was windy, and cool but we stayed out for two hours then retreated to Margaret’s studio. Once there I set up a still life, and this was my view. Margaret painted the bouquet on my right, and Mary painted it from across the table. It was a great day.

Flowers from Jeanne

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A knock on the door brought a delightful surprise today. It was a lovely bouquet from a dear friend of mine who had to move out west. We met only a year ago through my Plein Air outings. Jeanne is a wonderful artist, and a beautiful woman. It was heartbreaking to meet someone so nice only to loose her to a large move. Thankfully the internet allows us to keep in touch, but it definitely is not the same. We did get to share some great times last summer drawing and painting together.

Today was such a beautiful day that I was able to open up the back door and take some lovely photos in the natural light. Mind you the back room is our mud room, so I had to disguise the junk with some drapery. I think this photo turned out rather well.

I wish I had time to paint them. I’ve got a couple of big things on my plate these days. One is getting my artwork organized for Margaret’s and my show next week. The other is helping Patricia to get an Ontario Arts Council grant written. Maybe I will get a moment to breath, and in that moment I can paint or draw these beautiful flowers.

Exhibition – Plein Air & Other Works. Countdown 7 days!

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I can’t believe there are only 7 days left till we hang our show at the local arts council. I’m busily trying to cross things off of my list of things to do. I’m very excited for one thing. I’ve complied a book and I will be debuting it the night of the show. It is a self published work, and I will speak more about it after the launch. I’ve even applied for an isbn number! Horaay! I’m officially an authour/publisher!

Photo Rescue!

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This photo was taken by my sister on my niece’s 5th birthday. My Dad and niece had a bond like no other. The photo was sorely abused under a magnet frame on my refrigerator for many years. I felt the need to rescue it.



dad-syd After, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

Cropped to 8×10 aspect ratio.
Gaussian blur background.
Burn in details on dress.
Repair spots and stains.

Virtual paint out “Romania” preliminary sketch

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Virtual paint out preliminary sketch "Taking the Sheep Out to Pasture, Romania"

I’ve attempted to add work to the virtual paint out project since December, to no avail. Last night I did a preliminary sketch of the painting that I wish to submit. I’m going to go ahead and submit this anyway because I don’t think I will get the painting done this month.

I’ve been very busy, and it looks like my schedule will not slow down anytime soon. This sketch does not compare with the work that is being submitted. The project is the brain child of Bill Guffey.

Kildare & Len’s from Windsor Regional Hospital, Met Campus Cafeteria

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Went with Sheldon on Tuesday for his check up at Windsor Western Hospital. It looked like we were in for a long wait. This time we went to the cafeteria for tea, and pastry. YUM! I brought my new sketch kit with me. This house on the corner of Kildare and Len’s has always been a favorite of mine. I just might go back and sketch some more houses from the cafeteria. Especially since it’s only a block from home. I’ve had just a wonderful January 2011, and this is the first sketch of February 2011, in my Christmas present to me, my first Watercolour Moleskine! I love it! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds in store.

Keep your pencils sharp, your watercolours wet, and close at hand!

Sketching by the TV

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I’m not content to watch television, it bores me. So, I was watching it the other night, something I rarely do when I spied a small creamer in the hutch beside the TV. I pulled it out and got my sketch pad out of my purse. It started as just a wee sketch of the pitcher and its shadow, and developed into an imaginary room.

Afterward, I sketched this quick imaginary forest, which I painted at a later date when I took my nephew to a doctor appointment. I’m never without my sketch book and paint anymore thanks to an idea I got here on Flicker. I will post a link in my blog to the group.

Teaching Life Drawing, and Loving IT!

20 Minute Pose (sold)

Finally, my class has come together. It has taken me a year to get a reliable model, and interested students. I advertised it in January and February of 2010, and each class had to be canceled. I almost gave up, I was very disappointed. I’m glad I didn’t give up! I started advertising in November for the January class. Who knew it took that much lead time to get interest? For the first class I only had 2 students. It was just enough to pay the model. I didn’t mind because I would get to draw, and draw I did. Next week I am starting the second session, and I may have to open a second class. I’m so happy.

Here are some more images of my work

One Hour Pose
20 min Life drawing, Conté on BFK

5 Minute Pose
Life Drawing 5 min

20 Minute Pose
20 min Life drawing, Conté on newsprint

The following are four 30 second gestures. It is amazing what you can do in 30 seconds.
Two 30 second gestures Life drawing, 20 min Life drawing, Conté on newsprint

Two 30 second gestures Life drawing, 20 min Life drawing, Conté on newsprint

WELCOME TO AMBULATORY CARE, Windsor Regional Hospital, Windsor On. Ca.

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Scanning my sketchbook.

These were done today while waiting for Sheldon’s appointment with the skin Doc. I probably should have upped the contrast on the second one so you could see it better. They are both apr. 4×6

To people who’ve lived in Windsor for a long time, this hospital is referred to as Met Hospital or The Met.

There were two elderly couples across the room from us. Their conversations were quite interesting. The man in this sketch worked in the Gold mines. His wife was in the military, where she learned to drink beer. But, neither one drinks anymore.

The gentleman in the lower right of the first page of sketches was also a miner up in Sudbury. He talked about the number of men who would go down into the mines together and how the rapid descent made your heart jump. He and his wife reminisced about the cabin they bought and renovated as each child came along. When she first saw the cabin she exclaimed to her husband “What did you buy?!”

Their conversation reminded me of how I felt about the small house Sheldon and I bought when we were first together. We paid $12,500., and it was located in an alley that ran between Chatham St E. and University St E. Take a look at the google street view below. See that tiny house in the ally? Well that was our first home. I walked in the front door, and there was the most horrid hand painted mural of a waterfall on the living room wall. It was heated by a small gas space heater. I liked to say you had to go outside to change your mind.

If you do a 180 on the Google image below you can see how close to Detroit, Mi. we lived. That’s the Renaissance Building across the Detroit river.