Putting the "Fine" Back in Fine Art

Studied this period in college - LOVED IT!

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of planning, ordering supplies, phone calls, emails...but it looks I will have full classes, or near full, for the first installments of my art class series for kids.  I've putting A LOT of time and thought into it, in spite of the fact that the decision to go forward was only made a few weeks ago.  I hope people are as happy with the classes as I am.

"Twittering Machine" - Paul Klee

Just Lovely

I've been on a search for reasonably priced reproductions to add to the few I've saved over the years - not an easy task.  But, I think I've found some options.  In the process of all this, however, I found myself back in the midst of some college art school feelings and memories.  It seems so long ago...but then again, it doesn't.  I can still smell the linseed oil and turpentine in the studio classrooms. 

Anyway, that's when I was thoroughly drenched in the world of "fine art."  I started to think about how I used to be able to frequent galleries and museums around L.A. - I'm especially missing the museums - there's nothing like seeing good work in real life.  Books and prints can never seem to capture the whole impact of an artist's work.  It's just not the same.

Kandinsky

It's been fun browsing through all of the images available to view online (though not necessarily purchase or copy).  It's made me remember how much I enjoy looking at GOOD art.  For me, that mainly means representational work (not always, though - everything shown in this post are images I like). I do enjoy some abstract work, but it's hard for me to get excited about a giant gray square or drippy paint splatters, even when seeing them in real life.  I don't like having to read an explanation in order to get anything out of the piece.  But, that's just me - I like to see a story being told.  I guess that's why I've gravitated toward illustration. And, that can be done with surprisingly little information sometimes.

Morandi - Master of the "peaceful" still life

I'll be the first to say that I was never a very good artist in college (several reasons for that probably) - I'd like to say that I've improved over the years...in some areas, at least.  But there is soooooooooo much art out there that just isn't very good.  It seems that a lot of people are "successful" - mainly because they can talk a good game and "sell it" - skilled or not.  Excuse me, my disillusionment with the "fine art" world is showing.

Romare Bearden

Well, that was a long time ago.  Now, I'm enjoying my search for reproductions to use - I just can wait to share some of them with the kids.

Illustration Friday: "Strings"

I made it - just under the wire. Since this is the week I don't teach my class, I really wanted to try and do something for IF. (Click on the picture to see more detail).

I always chuckle when I see those rope lines meant to get young kids from point A to point B. The kids are always doing different things as they move along, usually getting distracted, BUT they dutifully hold onto the rope. I once watched one little girl who was bringing up the rear as she looked everywhere except where she was going, just following the tug of the rope, and she ran smack into a door frame (barely phased her - she was fine).

Anyway, that's what jumped into my head when I saw the topic.

I hope to add color to this one day, but I knew that wasn't going to happen before they changed the topic. I'll repost it in the future. I can see that I really have to make an effort to carve out time to work on illustrations these days with everything going on. And, it's only going to get busier as the holidays approach (YIKES). Oh well, such is life...

Illustration Friday - "Packed"

Unbelievable! I actually had a few minutes last night, so I thought I'd just play around with the theme. The word "packed" made me think of going places with kids...and all of the "stuff" that goes along with them. I ended up doing something that I actually liked!



Of course, it's only a pencil sketch - no color, no polish. But, that's one of the things I like about it - I didn't take the time to get all fussy about it. So, here it is - as is. I call it "Goin' to Grandma's."

Just checking in...

This is turning out to be an unbelieveably busy week...

-Our 2nd to last science co-op class is tomorrow
-The last homeschool support group meeting tomorrow night (party + used curriculum sale)
- It's the last week of indoor soccer practices Tuesday and Thursday (in between science and support group)
- Our multi-subject co-op picnic/party is on Wednesday afternoon
- The kids' last youth group meeting and bbq is Wednesday night
- The Presidential Physical Fitness co-op picnic/party Thursday afternoon
- My usual work schedule (5 evenings per week)
- AND I promised the kids we'd see Prince Caspian on opening day (Friday).

It's a lot of fun stuff, but it's a lot of running around and a scheduling nightmare. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

I'm not sure how much illustration or blogging time I'll have this week (I'm thinking NONE), so I wanted to at least check in with a quick update. I don't have any pictures to post (and I don't like posting on an art blog without some sort of visual) However, I haven't been working on very much except trying to iron out the composition and some details of my chicken drawing.

The composition is proving to be a little more problematic than I originally thought. As I sketched out some roughs, something wasn't working right. I needed to change some size relationships. I'm still tweaking that a bit.

Well, there's a light at the end of the tunnel - if I survive this week, I'll have a little more time to work on my illustration projects. So, check back soon - I won't be gone long.

The History and Science Fair...AT LAST!

I somehow survived the world's busiest weekend! I won't go into all the details, but this is my first opportunity to sit down at the computer since Friday.

The History and Science Fair took place yesterday evening - the culmination of weeks of work on projects, papers, and crafts. Still, it was a lot of fun. Needless to say, I didn't work at all on any drawing, but I'd like to share my the kids' projects.

My 5 year old daughter did her display on "Plants." Hers was the basic stuff - seeds, roots, leaves, etc.

My 9 year old daughter did hers on "Bobcats" and made a box diorama to go with it. She's very creative and crafty, so I really didn't have to help her at all. She even had birds suspended on little threads, flying across the scene.

My 12 year old son did his on "The D-Day Invasion." He's always had a fascination with different periods of military history - right now it's World War II. So, he built a pretty elaborate model out of chicken wire and plaster cloth with bunkers and Hedgehogs made out of balsa wood.

Then, our history CoOp had a display. Our group (really it's just 2 families) has been studying Ancient Greece, so we had pictures of our activities (such as our "Olympic Games") along with some of our crafts (Red Figure and Black Figure Pottery, etc.). We also had some food samples: barley stew, bread, and olives. The display was entitled "My Big Fat Greek Project" and the girls even dressed up - it was fun!

One of the things that is fun at this annual event is that each of the 22 exhibitors submitted a question for a "scavenger hunt." So, the visitors can search for the answers on each of the displays and collect a prize. In these pictures, the kids are working on their scavenger hunt questions at my son's display (the yellow one) and my daughter's display (the red one).

Just a note of interest, the little boy dressed up in the Abe Lincoln outfit spoke during the optional oral presentation part of the evening. He's only 6 years old and he recited the Gettysburg Address from memory. Apparently, he has a real knack for memorization! I was impressed! And my kids complain about memorizing the preamble to the Constitution...