Drawing Fundamentals

I recently completed my first drawing class.  It was a 6 week course taught at a local art league headquarters by a very enthusiastic artist named Eileen.  She taught us contour drawing and shading and I completed my first ever still-life drawings.  My favorite activity was drawing on mid-tone paper using both dark and white pencils.

My first still-life

I like using the white pencil

From this course I learned that drawing is not difficult in the way that I thought it was.  Seeing things like an artist is the challenging part.  Looking at a still-life and translating the shadows and colors into shades of grey (values) is what I find difficult.

I have signed up for another session of the course and I will be learning to draw with charcoal.  I’m not sure if I will like getting my hands all messy (as a child I hated having messy hands) but I am determined to try another medium in my continuing search for the area of art at which I am naturally gifted.  Perhaps I will never uncover my natural gift, assuming it exists of course, so I will enjoy the search and the little discoveries that come from it.

- christina

Art as a Vehicle for Change

This morning I was watching the CBS morning show and saw an interesting story about a New York artist who is trying to affect change in a crime-ridden community through art.  London born Killy Kilford has created inspirational street signs with the help of local students to post all around Newark, New Jersey, where the murder rate has been increasing. His goal is to surround people with positivity.

There is a website that describes the positive street sign campaign.  What positive message would you put on a street sign?

- christina

Elmhurst Art Museum

Last weekend I visited the Elmhurst Art Museum and saw an exhibit of Richard Koppe’s work from the 1950’s.  Here is how the museum describes his work.

Combining aspects of cubism and surrealism, Koppe explored line, color, composition and space, producing works that are both playful and intricate.

I really enjoyed his abstract paintings as well as his drawings of fish.  Here are some photos of his works.

- christina

I love the background on this one.

Interesting color choices.
I wonder why he added the circles?

Koppe's fish drawings are great!

Lola

If you have been reading my blog you know that I have wanted a Bernina sewing machine for a long time. I finally bought one at CREATE in August!  Her name is Lola.

I got a great deal ($999 for a $1,499 machine) from the local Bernina store and the company rep at the retreat.  Isn’t she is a beautiful machine?  The first time I turned it on it made a terrible noise.  I read the manual but couldn’t determine the problem.  I contacted the store and after talking to 2 different people we finally figured it out (it was a switch up on the top by the bobbin winder). 

My first training at the store isn’t until September 27, but I have been able to sew a few straight and squiggly lines already.  Unfortunately, I can’t figure out the automatic threader, which is one of the features that I need most desperately!  All in good time.

Buying Lola was a dream come true for me.  Which of your dreams have come true lately?

- christina

The HeArt Felt Booth

Here are some photos from the booth my friend and I had at the CREATE Mixed Media Retreat in Chicago.  Her company is called HeArt Felt.

Me and my friend, Lucy

The booth sold paper ephemera and hand dyed fabric

Lucy's hand dyed fabric is beautiful

My journals and pouches on display

 - christina

Something to Smile About

I was walking in downtown Chicago with my kids and saw this great sign. 

Hard to resist an establishment that offers this type of service.

- christina

Summer Goals & CREATE

I finally accomplished my summer goal: making handmade journals and canvas pouches.  The goal was to make 20 of each.  I did make 20 journals but I only sewed 15 pouches.  I ran out of canvas, time, and enthusiasm.

On August 15 my friend and I had a vendor table at the Artist Faire of CREATE Chicago 2014.  It was a learning experience for us both.  We did not sell very many items, but we are happy that we did it nonetheless.

Ultimately, I am proud of myself for making all of the journals and pouches and achieving my goal.  In addition, Joanne Sharpe bought 2 of my pouches! Maybe she will use them in one of her online classes. 

Did you achieve your summer goals?

- christina