This is a continuation from the previous post. Here are some samples of the canvas boards I’ve been painting as I practice the techniques Jesse Reno taught in his two-day class at ArtFest last month. These are in the order that I made them. Click on an image to read more about it. I’m up for any comments especially from anyone else who has taken classes from Jesse.
Long time, no post. Combination of busy-busy-busy with feeling a pretty bummed lately. Don’t really feel like going into either right now so on to more interesting things. I’ve been spending some time (after work and on weekends) puttering away on some small paintings. I had struggled a bit in the Jesse Reno class I took at ArtFest last month but knew there was something about the technique and ideas of seeing things in new ways that I wanted to play with some more. I scrounged around my supplies and found a stash of small canvas boards (around 6 x 6 inches and 8 x 8 inches). Using similar materials and techniques from the class, I’ve been playing with lots colorful initial layers then going over them to spot shapes or creatures, things, etc. and bring them to the forefront. It’s been something of a learning experience (seeing things in new ways) and I am “getting it” now and enjoying the process. I like some of the pieces I’ve done and a couple are just so-so (I need to snap some photos and post them–soon–promise!). It’s is interesting to see the first one I did on through the most recent. The first looks like Jesse Reno style then I see the look change more and more to my own as I move on piece by piece. I like that because while I really do love Jesse’s work and don’t mind practicing his look to learn his technique in using their materials and “seeing” things anew, I want my stuff to be mine, you know? So, I’ll post some photos to share what I’m learning but I see these pieces so far as being exercises and about learning and not about finished artwork I’d call my own right now. Just want to make that clear because I don’t like the idea of copying and it sort of irks me when people take a class and then all their following work looks waaaay too much like the class instructor’s style. It’s important to find our own artistic voices and separate pieces we make while learning with later finished pieces that are truly our own. Hope that makes sense. I may need more coffee. Okay, off to scavenge for caffeine. Bye!
I had a wonderful time at Artfest and I am so glad I finally took the plunge and went. I met the most creative and welcoming people and look forward to staying in contact with my new friends.
Like most of the attendees, even though I had such a good time, I came back home totally exhausted (mentally and physically) and needed some time to catch my breath and process the whole thing before posting about it. Here’s a quick overview.
The first two days I was in Jesse Reno‘s “Freedom to Create” class which really tested my patience (but that’s why I signed up for it in the first place!). On day one I hated everything I put on the papers and just didn’t see the point of trying to make it work. I ached for new, blank sheets of paper! But I chose this class because I wanted to work on pushing through that place where I often get stuck in the art making process. It seems like there is always an ugly phase where it just doesn’t seem like things will work out and I have always been so tempted to tear up the paper and hurl it into the trash.
This time I pushed myself to keep going and on day two it felt like a weight had been lifted. I may post photos of what I have once I do some more work on them (the idea in the class was to work on techniques knowing that two days wasn’t really long enough to complete something–although some classmates created amazing works in that time). I may do more of these exercises of throwing down paint then looking for images and working with what I see. It tests my desire for control and I think that’s a good thing. I also like the idea of allowing myself the freedom to make mistakes and/or changes as I go (what might start out as an elephant could morph into a bridge or a tiger or who knows what!). It’s sort of therapeutic. Oh, and spending two full days in that class I now find myself referring to people as “dude” quite a lot (gee, thanks Jesse! heh heh). Here’s some photos showing Jesse in the demo stage teaching his technique:
On the third day I took Brenda Shackleford‘s book binding class (titled “Get Your Sheet Together”–gotta love that!). I was so caught up in learning the technique that I didn’t think to snap many photos. Brenda is a wonderful teacher and now I’m thinking of all sorts of art books, sketchbooks, etc. I want to try with this technique. I’ll post more on that later.
I need photograph the fabulous swaps and goodies I received and post those, too. I am still a bit in awe of the generosity and talent of my fellow Artfest-ers leaves me in awe. Ah….still so much to absorb from this experience.
Oh, and before I sign off, I have to mention how beautiful Port Townsend is! Nice people, gorgeous natural setting, and deer roaming all over the place. I wanted to call home and say, “honey, pack up the kitty and head north–we’re moving to Port Townsend!”
I've been fighting bronchitis (never had it before–ick) and, after trying to keep up last week, I finally realized I needed to slow down and get some rest. To avoid going stir crazy I've been doodling a bit to pass the time. This is guy is full of daisy shapes but he seems celestial to me so I've been calling him star man:
Some very abstracted people and creatures have been coming out of my pens and paints lately. I'm enjoying these and find it interesting to see how they change and take on a certain look of their own as I work the paper.
Here's a really doodly background paper I worked on. I'm thinking I may incorporate it into a banner background. I'm getting tired of the sheep and feel like it's time to use some of my own artwork for that space.
Hmm… have been feeling a little down on things (see last post) and trying to search out the positive in the everyday. So far so good. I’ve also been trying to focus more on making time for creative projects. Also, so far so good. But how about a big, amazing, fantastic, wonderful, creativity-packed extravaganza to improve the ol’ mood?! How about me finally attending ARTFEST!!!!
I saw something on Teesha Moore‘s blog about this being the last year she hosts ARTFEST and I figured after 12 years of saying “well, some day I’ll go” I better get going already. I can’t wait! I am running around doing my happy dance. I head up to Port Townsend on March 28 for the retreat. The first two class days I’ll be learning how to “create free and expressive work” with painter Jesse Reno. On the third day I’ll learn book binding from Brenda Beene Shackleford. In between all of that I get to hang out with amazing creative people who love to make art. I have been aching for this. I am counting down the days–yay!!!
Hello my poor little neglected blog,
I've thought of writing and posting so many times since my last post of (gasp) almost two months ago. What has been holding me back? Well, I have been more than a little concerned that if I let loose and just start writing it will end up nothing more than a big rant against so many things and who wants to read that?
This thinking has lead to questioning what a blog is for and what the posts on it are really about. I've been recalling all those pretty blogs I see that are full of tidy homes, fantastic meals, perfect projects, amazing children, etc. They seem to show a standard most mere mortals would find very hard to achieve. On the other end of the spectrum is the rant-fest where everything is wrong and horrible and boohoo and, and, and….. Neither seems right to me.
While I struggle and strive to figure things out (and I'm guessing I'm not the only one), I do know that I want to keep you, my little blog, going. Here's sort of how I think I can sum up how I've been feeling (just a snippet from the last couple months):
The ugly side of life: I'm getting increasingly frustrated with the selfish, thoughtless, rude behavior I encounter on the bus and when I walk to and from the office where I work (scary-angry drivers, pedestrians so focused on their "smart" phone they collide with others and then glare?!, demanding signature gatherers, aggressive panhandlers, and so forth). I am getting burned out on people and that scares me. I don't want to become one of those thoughtless, jaded types who stops caring about others.
The beautiful side of life: While riding the bus home from work the other night, a man who looked a little hard on his luck took a while getting on because he had 5-6 large cardboard boxes full of groceries (basic items but the sort of things you'd see for a picnic or other happy gathering). People on the bus moved to make room for him and his items and didn't shoot angry stares or grumble. He thanked all and tried to take up as little space as possible. When he neared his stop he apologetically told the bus driver it might take a little while for him to move all the boxes off of the bus. The bus driver said "no problem" and the other passengers echoed the sentiment. Then his stop came up and I watched four young women sitting nearby (they didn't seem to know each other) hop up and get the boxes to help. It was amazing. The man thanked them and they wished him a good evening.
I am making an effort to search out the positive and good each day rather than let myself be weighed down by all the bad stuff. I am trying to find some balance. For all that irks me, there is a lot of good out there.
More later,
Elizabeth
The decorations are still up–I usually take them down January 2. The homemade cookies and candies are gone (doled out to neighbors, coworkers, and family). I sent some cards out but not as many as I’d have liked to (I may send out some “happy new year” cards to make up for that). My sisterinlaw has returned to Calgary–I have to say that having her here was probably the best part of this Christmas (sending warm hugs up to her in the chilly north). Hubby gave me a nifty new camera that should be easier to use which I hope will encourage me to snap more pix that I can post here. Oh, and I baked my first-ever fruitcake! I tested it on a few willing subjects and we all agreed that it turned out great (soaking it daily with cognac probably didn’t hurt!).
We spent the day before Christmas with my sisterinlaw. We lunched in the International District, browsed the goodies at Kinokuniya, hit some cute shops downtown, and went to Magic Mouse Toys where I found my much beloved Pig Popper–best stress relieving toy ever!
I had meant to post this way back but things have been sort of hectic these days. A while ago we spent an evening with our "nephew" (ok, the kiddo of dear friends but I love him like family so I'm claiming some auntie status here!). I brought my sketchbook where I doodle my monsters and creatures and Alex zoned right in. Below are the monster drawings he contributed to the book. As he created them he told me detailed stories about each. I think these are great and I'm happy they are part of my sketchbook. We had fun and I can't wait to do it again.
I missed the summer show and last December's, too. Something about the weekends–I am all excited to go and do something all week long until the actual weekend arrive and then I cannot seem to crawl out of my jammies and venture out into the world. This time I'm going, though! The Urban Craft Uprising (I've been twice over the years) is a blast. Imagine booth after booth of great, often edgy art and craft vendors. It is heaven for me and I am lucky to have it here in Seattle so no excuses and no missing it this time!
