Japanese bondage and Rembrandt

Last night I went to a free reception for MCC students at the Phoenix art museum to see the Rembrandt show that's currently there. It was a good show and I enjoyed it. What was most impressive to me were the etchings. That with a simple line, Rembrandt could show mass in a figure. No shading, no nothing, just a line. Wow. I am in awe.

From there I headed over to the latest anti-art figure drawing night, where the models were doing...ahem...Japanese bondage (see above photo). Those folks organizing these sessions get some interesting models for sure! As usual, once we started drawing, I was lost in the process. I'm getting better with using just a drafting pencil to draw. The fellow who sets up these nights is an amazing figure drawing artist. He uses a drafting pencil as well, and is far better at that technique than I am. But with practice, I'll get more comfortable with the medium.

art journal day

Have spent most of today playing in my journal. I have to turn something in next week, and it's not going quite a quickly as I need. 12 pages, hmm....

Anyway, have been enjoying myself despite the stress of not having a lot done. It's been kind of like that. I had a lot of computer work to do yesterday so of course my computer decided to freak out on me. All of sudden just quit, shut itself off. Then I couldn't get it going again. Just about in tears I called the Geek Squad, you know the emergency computer repair guys that come out to your house and fix the computer? Well, they couldn't come till WEDNESDAY!! What kind of emergency service is THAT! As I proceeded to have a heart attack, on a whim I pulled out a thumb drive I had plugged in on the side of the computer, and...as Harry Potter says, "It was like magic!". All the programs came back and it's been working fine ever since. Go figure.

Anyway, must get back to work. One down, 11 to go...

great graphic design in a small format

I found this book awhile back and it's fabulous! It's a book of business cards, but not just any business cards...they are like little pieces of art. Even the ones that are just typography are compelling to look at and very creative. I highly recommend a peek through if you come across this little gem.

My graphic design teacher keeps telling us, "put good design in your eyes so it can come out of your hands. You have to feed your eyes like you feed your stomach." That's exactly how I feel! I HAVE to have creative things to look at ...it IS food for me. I can tell when I'm starving, and it's not a good feeling, for food or creative art. It's not optional; I have to have it to remain sane and happy.

I know my ex never really understood my need for magazines and books. But there's nothing better to me than to have a beautiful glossy magazine or book filled with pictures to look at before I go to sleep at night. It's like a midnight snack for my soul. I'm devouring whatever I can get my hands on lately, studying design avidly, and practicing like a lunatic on the computer. Graphic design world, here I come!

anatomy drawing

Here's a photo of one of my anatomy drawings that I snapped the other day (you know, the one where I couldn't get my jpeg to post, then took pics with the idea of posting, then the camera battery ran out..yeah, it was like that). There's a lovely shadow of my dog's head reflecting on the drawing..oh well, you get the idea.

Our model was a burly guy about 55 who looked like he'd just ridden up on his Harley, but a real teddy bear (like most of the motorcycle dudes I've ever met...tough looking on the outside, sweet on the inside). He was great to draw because he had more bulk than other models we've had and it made it more challenging to sketch.

More art coming up shortly...

Arghhh!

Sometimes I really hate computers. For some reason, even though Blogger says it takes JPEG files, I can't get my JPEGs to show up. I have a bunch of stuff I'd like to post, but it just won't work. Sigh.

AND, my digital camera just ran out of juice as well...guess I won't be posting any art till maybe tomorrow.

testing...

Art every day!

Above: journal pages waiting for writing and some further embellishment.

Life is good. I get to do art every single day! In fact, I'll be in trouble if I don't. THAT's pretty cool!

My life is full of creative projects right now. I have lots going in each class. This weekend I have some things to work on, foremost art anatomy and my art journal. That's right...I get to work in my art journal AND am rewarded (by hopefully a good grade). I'm supposed to have two sketchbooks going right now, and I do, but I can use my actual art journal for one of the classes.

Tomorrow is an open session of figure drawing at school and I'm taking advantage of it. 6 hours worth. I should be able to get caught up and maybe do an extra credit drawing.

Will attempt again to post some class projects...we'll see how that goes.