Hazel in the Mirror
December 16, 2013 § Leave a comment
Here is the last in a series of three drawings of my dear friend Hazel. It is based on the subject of reflection and in this portrayal we see the clarity in her mirrored image. At this point in her life, she was in the nursing home and her surroundings had been diminished to a few pieces of furniture in a small room. The once gracious hostess and teacher never lost her dignity and was always inviting and warm. I hope to be able to possess such strength and wisdom.
Reflection of Hazel
December 6, 2013 § Leave a comment
This is another drawing of my piano teacher Hazel. It was a three drawing series of her that was part of an exhibition based on the theme of reflection. Here, she really fills the picture plane. I see the folds of her clothing bearing a similarity to the folds of her face. It reminds me of what a dear friend she was. Even though for most of our relationship I was a girl, age didn’t matter with us. I could turn to her for anything. She understood me and I her.
Using Watercolor to add Intensity to your Drawing
November 25, 2013 § Leave a comment
This is a piece depicting chili peppers used to demonstrate to my drawing students how watercolor can support drawing. I added pen and ink and pastel to refine the details and add intensity. I particularly enjoy the looseness of the wash with the clarity of the pen and pastel.
Watercolor as a Drawing Medium
November 25, 2013 § 1 Comment
I am returning to watercolor after many years to explore its use with colored pencil and ink. So far, I am very excited as it has lent a vibrancy to my work that was lacking. This is a piece completed some years ago. If anyone has any tips of their own, please feel free to share!!
Swirling Dragon Fruit
November 15, 2013 § Leave a comment
I came upon an unusual food item in an organic grocery called dragon fruit. I was struck at the similarity they bore to fish with the brilliant pinks and tail like fronds. I imagined different colors and sizes of them swirling and chasing each other. The result was a pastel activated with spiraling forms throughout the composition conveying a sense of motion and speed among a world of lush hues.
Reflection
November 4, 2013 § Leave a comment
These are two drawings I completed some years ago that were part of a series based upon the theme of reflection. They are two still life portrayals with the introduction of my mirrored image. I was applying what I had learned about gradations supporting the contour and allowing the idea of our reflections having an impact upon our sense of identity.
Reworking Jess and Frankie
October 24, 2013 § Leave a comment
I’ve changed the drawing of Jess and Frankie submitted in a previous post. I’ve brought up the contrasts, color and value, allowing the dog to project forward, I chose to take the liberty of pulling the blanket up and over the subjects. This device provides continuity as it moves throughout the composition. The blanket also helps to tell the story of a young woman and her dog nestling into its warmth and softness. Still not sure if I’m done. Any comments and advice are welcome!!
Jess and Frankie
October 14, 2013 § Leave a comment
We could be two inches tall as we enter this magnified view of Jess and Frankie, We become part of a sentimental moment when the dog nestles into the arms of his mistress peacefully asleep. Included are the contour or line drawing, a partially completed gradation, and the final drawing in color pencil.
Flowers Taking my Mind off Writing
October 3, 2013 § Leave a comment
I’ve been working on writing about color drawing lately and I have to say I’m really up in my head. For all you writers out there, I hope you know what I mean. Writing is as intense as drawing and both, when working under a time constraint, cause my brain to hurt. Very cerebral!! So I thought I’d post a few floral images to take my mind off things. These were an examination of organic forms as they related to sculptural images such as urns and a garden bench,
Old Man in the Eaves
September 26, 2013 § Leave a comment
Here’s a look at two views depicting the architectural sculpture of an old man under the eaves of Pillsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The work was completed in colored pencil, Conte’ crayon, and pastel and on two very different papers; Canson colored and a Fabriano hot press showing two different vantage points and two different effects, The drawings were part of a series looking at the relationship of the buildings we create and the architectural ornamentation that adorns them.
Dr. Mary McNaughton and Drawing 