When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

series

« Previous Entries Next Entries »

Rude Awakening

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007


 

Rude Awakening (#6 of the series) Edmonton, AlbertaThree quaint old apartment buildings in the Strathcona District on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, Alberta were demolished to make way for a large condominium complex — a shame, considering all the new windows that were just replaced a few years ago. To remove them beforehand would not be financially viable for the new builder, but it’s not the way things are done in oil-rich Alberta these days. Everything: fridges, furnaces… someone’s home the week before — smashed and crushed within 36 hours.

Individuals would gladly use these second-hand materials, even volunteer to take them out. China would kill for that wood. The trip to Mexico is still fresh in my mind, and of how they utilize everything, even wire frames of old mattresses as fence material. This destruction was wasteful, almost painful.

 

Rude Awakening 02On the other hand, it was very interesting to watch! It’s these sorts of extremes that conjure up perplexing conflicting emotions, and all the travel this year leaves me with so much revitalized energy to draw upon for a long time. I haven’t been painting, but these kinds of experiences are where all worthwhile art originates.

Brittany at the Beach

Friday, June 8th, 2007


 
Brittany at the Beach, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Brittany at the Beach, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

More Children in the series

Adam

Thursday, June 7th, 2007


 

Adam, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Adam, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Post-dated note: Adam , Merit Award winner, cash prize at the VAST 19th Annual Juried Exhibition held in Denton, Texas July 29 – August 23, 2007

Adrian, The Muddy Field

Monday, June 4th, 2007


 
Adrian, The Muddy Field, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Adrian, The Muddy Field, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

True Colors photo – exhibition acceptance

Saturday, June 2nd, 2007


 
True Colors photo - exhibition acceptance
One of the photographs from the series True Colors is accepted into the exhibition Visual Rhythms / Ritmos Visuales, an all-media juried exhibition that embraces the flavors and rhythms of Latin American influenced art and cultures] at the Target Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, scheduled July 28 – September 3, 2007.
The storefront photo was taken in Guadalajara, Mexico. Beyond the clutter of typical-style pottery and items for sale, a child in a high-chair peeks out from behind a shelving unit The chair in front of the child indicates that someone, probably Mom – no doubt also the store-owner- was there a few moments before, feeding him or her. Two dogs and some pigeons scan the floor for leftovers. The room has a courtyard open to the sky, typical of the area, and there are more pigeons up on the window ledge on the back wall.  Available, white mat, black frame 23 x 27 inches.
Please visit the trucolors.info website to view the complete creative tribute to Mexico.

Alexander’s Cat

Friday, June 1st, 2007


 
Alexander's Cat, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Alexander’s Cat, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Thanks to all for your responses to the recent group of pencil portraits. The portraits are practice using tones and values, something that needs more attention as a foundation to color.

Renee at Dance Class

Thursday, May 31st, 2007


 
Renee at Dance Class, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Renee at Dance Class, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

Evelyn

Saturday, May 26th, 2007


 
Evelyn, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper
Evelyn, 11 x 14 inches graphite, eraser on paper. When drawing I use the eraser as much as the pencil. Taking advantage of smudges that build up gradually is a good way to keep adjusting the placement of things  and clarify details. This is especially effective with portraits.

Lucas at the Museum

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007


 
Lucas at the Museum,11 x 14 inches graphite on paper

 Lucas at the Museum, 11 x 14 graphite on paper. Original NA. Prints available. 22 x 26″ white mat and frame.

Post-dated note: Lucas at the Museum is part of the Growing Up and Looking Back Exhibition: Reflecting on Childhood, Parenting, and Home in Swainsboro, GA October 13 – November 3, 2007

True Colors – a creative tribute to Mexico

Saturday, April 28th, 2007


 
True Colors - Mexico, a photographic series

This red bench is one of many on a newly built walkway along the shoreline of Lake Chapala in the small, charming town of San Crystobal De Las Casas. The True Colors photographic series and website is my creative tribute to the colorful landscapes, culture and style of south-central Mexico. One hundred of my favorite photos out of the thousand-plus taken have been selected for the website, developed separately from the main website to highlight the project as one complete and independent Art endeavor.
Using the Paint Shop Pro computer program I’ve isolated a main portion of each shot, then superimposed this colored image on top of a black and white version of the same photo. Altering the photos this way has a powerful effect on our impression of the subject matter. In some cases the true colors intensify so much against the grey tones the scene becomes surreal. The collection can be viewed at http://www.trucolors.info
Credit and many thanks to my husband for encouraging and co-creating the True Colors website, as well as all websites associated with my Artwork.

« Previous Entries Next Entries »