Saturday art play

This morning I was visited by Red Cross volunteers. They came to install new 10 year fire alarms.  Its a program for senior citizens.  They also talk about fire safety and evacuation planning.  Very nice people.  Installer was super tall, doesnt even need a ladder.   They did this for some neighbors a few weeks ago and had to use step stools. 

Waiting for their  scheduled 10 -2 appt., gave me time to make some collage papers, and work on a little watercolor I started yesterday.

Faded rose with painting.

As much as I love my fresh roses in the garden, there is something special about a faded rose.  These were sitting on my kitchen counter in front of the nasturtium painted by my friend Virginia Keith. 

Judging - "Show Me The Monet"

No. Not the Judge Judy kind of judging.... this is about art.     Judging an art exhibit is an interesting phenomenon.    Each judge has his/her own criteria and tastes.  It is totally subjective. 

For many years I volunteered to work as assistat to judges at two art leagues. So I met and observed a lot of judging.  My teen aged grandsons also volunteered with me to do heavy lifting.  Then afterwards we would critique the art and the judges.  Lol.

Two of my mixed media group are newbies to mixed media and showing art.     So, along with my good friend Jean, who is a fabulous watercolorist and teacher,  who went to see the opening of the Pastel Society exhibit at the Haggin Museum.

We were fortunate to get to talk with a few of the artists.    The best part of the day was discussing every piece amongst ourselves.  That way we saw them through our own eyes and also through each others.   

I have only been part of a panel if judges at one art show.  I loved it.  It was interesting  debating when we had differences of opinion.   Good experience.

I have seen judges, overwhelmed by the number of paintings in a category, make some odd decisions.  I have seen them go by the most beautiful, best executed works, because the subjects were not original enough..... how many egrets, barns, still lifes are truly original.?  No matter how stunningly beautuful they might be. 

In one case the judges circled the room again and again.  One noticed a small insignificant not so well executed painting of a subject that caught their attention, and gave it a second place ribbon.      They talked on and on about how original it was.

Let me point out that assisting the judge or judges - it is your duty to keep your mouth shut and pretend to be invisible.  You are only there to take notes, or record and mark winning entries, or move things for them.  You are not to express your opinion in any way.   

Golly, its hard.   Particularly in a case like this. I knew the artist.  It was a painting based solely on a photograph from National Geographic.  A no! No!

Technically it should not have even been admitted into the show.    Too late once they are hung, to stir up a hornets nest by challenging it.    Or maybe I should have.......   but I was told what my job was (and wasn't)  so I bit my tongue. 

Going to the Haggin the other day got me thinking about judging art shows.    I remember I had recorded a BBC program some years back so pulled out the dvds to watch today.   "Show Me The Monet" was the title. A serial where arists bring their works before a panel of three judges who then discuss the work with the artist present.  Two of the three judges must approve the work for it to be hung in a prestigious show.   

My copies were not high quality, so I thought to check You Tube and sure enough, there it is.    If the subject interests you, please check it out on You tube.  Its a good way to learn more about the judging process. 

Stormy weather

Good golly, we have had strange weather this week.  Huge downpour last Thursday, and again on Sunday.    Sunday was my granddaughters baby shower, which had been planned as a garden event.

Just after serving lunch, it started to sprinkle. 30 minutes later it was pouring.  Then thunder, hail storm, pouring rain, flooded streets, a real mess.  We were all inside crammed together but enjoying the day.     We will never forget this party.

 My friend Ruth's shed was hit by lightning.  It wasonly about 10 feet from house and thats the corner if the house she was in.  Neighbors all shaken from the sound of impact.    Scary stuff. 

Hail so thick at Lincoln center it remained piled on ground for two days.    Hey. This is California.  This is not our kind of weather.

Drawing

I have continued my practice of drawing from nature on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings at senior art groups.   Its such a neat tidy, easy to transport activity.    I use the Strathmore Toned Tan 5.5 x 8.5 (80 lb.) sketch  pads. 
I started a new one in April. 

Part of what makes this fun, is finding what to draw.  Sometimes I take something from my own garden, other times I look for plants or fruits at the different venues.

I usually start with a quick pencil sketch and then go on to add color with watercolor pencils.  Here are the first few pages. 

Socialize

This collage started with layering scraps onto a canvas board.     Today I thought Id try the Bob Burridge exercize.  Color green.   Inspiration the word socialize printed in a magazine.  Its a scrap I saved for the color - not for the word. But I needed a title so here it is.   

This one has a focal point from another magazine scrap. Page 12 of something...wish I kept the whole page so I could credit the artist that created the face.  It makes it all work together. 

No no, not again.

Damn.  Heres that piece i have
worked on for so long.    I just added the crow lower left, and small bird perched on hand.  Why?

They were scraps in a file I was cleaning out.  Who knows what else I will find next?  Lol 

SAYING GOODBYE

This collage was inspired by those two words which were on a scrap from a magazine.    Hmmmm....   chose to use blues again as separations can be sad.   I finished this before I started watching Bobs.  Blasts.    Now I notice two of his first decisions are the concept and colors.    We are on parralel paths it seems. 

I first built up a textured background.  Then I added the figure on the right.  I thought that was done, but after a few days I decided to add the figure on the left.  And left center empty.   

 Im not sure where the focal point is.  Or if it has one.   I like the tension of the space between the two as they part, leaving unsaid words and unfinished business there.  

This is painted over an old painting I never cared for.  Only bits of it can be seen through the scratches and layers.      All done.  

Little Moments

I finished this collage I showed previously.  The poem by Julia Carney is the inspiration.

Little drops of water,
little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean
and the beautious land.

And the little moments,
humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.

 This is in honor of my mother, a woman with so many good qualities.   She took motherhood as seriously as she did everything else.  She was an extraordinary teacher.   Mom had little time for fun in her life.  She didnt have girlfriends to go to lunch with and to laugh with.  She was all serious business, although she did have a keen sense of humor was kept under wraps most of the time.

The picture on upper left was taken when I was about 14. It was a family outing to a lake in the high Sierras where we camped for the night.

Poor Mother. She didnt really like to camp, get dirty, or sleep in a sleeping bag.    She was always chilly and usually ended up bundled under blankets in the car while we explored and goofed off.

My brother had constructed a makeshift boat from inner tubes and bits of wood.  It could seat two.  Dad and Bob managed to put it on our camp trailer and this is the day it was launched.   Its the only picture I have of Mother  sitting out in the sun for the big event. 

Bob and I paddled off - not far as there were serious design and construction flaws/challenges.  Mother was convinced we would drown, so we stayed in a small inlet where we could walk it out if it went down.  It didn't sink but was impossible to maneuver.  Hardly sea worthy.  Lol.  We never used it again.

 This little moment is precious to me.  I'm all that's left of our little nuclear family.   It deserves a memorial.   Life is made up of little moments isn't it?

Bob Burridge paints

I recently found the Bob Burridge web site and his You Tube videos called Bob's Blasts. (Check it out) He is delightful.  Jack Lemmonish, quirky and personable.  I love how colorful and free his work is so I am indulging myself with watching one or two segemnts a day.   And I bought three of his dvds.  Today I tried my first piece following his formula.  I wasnt using  good quality paints so didnt like the colors, even though I mixed and layered etc.   I will make it a point to invest in some better acryllics.  Most of my old ones were dried out so I was limited. 

 Im ready to jump into this to see if I can do it.   Concept, colors, composition, and commitment.      His formula sounds easy enough but I have never planned an abstract collage painting in this way.   I may have a concept and colors, but never think about the composition, letting it lead me wherever.   But they are always disappointing.  Perhaps this is what will help me get results I like.   We will see.   It will be fun trying. 

Peace on the porch

A pair of doves decided the wreath on my front door might make a good nesting place.  Fortunately I found them before construction got under way. As I removed the wreath they sat on neighbors roof watching me and discussing their options....then flew off looking for a more hospitable landlord.   Much as I like birds, this was not the right place for them.   

It appears not to be the best place for lizards either.   Lulu caught a tiny one and stood guard over it for ages.  I think she was hoping it was faking so she could chase it again.

Puzzlement update.

We poked a hole in the wire trap bottom and laid it on the side.   He figured it out and left.  Im so glad he is

free again.

A puzzlement

Lulu my little terrier/terror hunter would not come inside after her walk.  I was busy and figured she was basking in ghe sun. Or terrorizing local lizards. I finally went out to look as she did not respond to my "do you want a cookie?" Call that is always the sure fire way to get her to come.     I spotted her by seeing her tail wagging near a group of flower pots.  But her head was not sniffing at the bases. Instead she was sniffing and licking at the top of a stack if bait traps which are there for decorative purposes. 

The sun was so bright i could not see what was there. Must be a bug was my first thought.  Looking more closely I saw this.   

 Poor little lizard fled from Lulu and got itself wedged between cages which have been stuck together for years.    It went down from the top through a small opening then crawled upward.

I am not sure how it will get out, but i hope it finds its way.  I moved it into the carport where Lulu cant harass it.  My nature watching has added a new experience to enrich my life.   

Earlier today I had Canadian Geese land on my roof, not uncommon where I live.     But noisy.   

Marbeling play

Our local mixed media group played with some marbelling techniques and products yesterday.  I had set up work stations in my carport as we expected to get messy.   We had some last minute cancellations so there were only five of us.  It wirked out well as we could sit together and see what everyone else was doing and getting immediate feedback and hints.  Easy Marble hy Maribu was what generated the project as Julie Fei Fan Balzar had put up a YouTube video showing how easy it is to use, and what striking results can be created.    Here are some pics of results on paper and fabric.

the product sets up really fast on the tap water so we could not get lots if swirls, but it is strikingly beautiful. Im going to experiment with it more now that Ive gone online to the company website and read all their hints.  

The second part of our morning was spent playing with the shaving cream and inks on paper and fabrics.  These will be incorporated into collages.