Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Art and loss

This is a hard post to write. Recently my grandmother passed away and she was by far one of my favorite people. She was an integral part of me becoming an artist, simply because she told me I could do whatever I wanted to do with my life. While a student, I showed her my drawings from a life drawing class and she said they were wonderful and she was happy for me. She told me I could do it.

Art impressed my grandmother. That fact alone made it worth doing. She told me about the emotion in Michelangelo’s Pieta, especially the one he created later in his life. She told me it is a much better Pieta than the one he created earlier in his life. I suppose it’s because life experiences accumulate and we eventually learn what it means to feel pain and loss. Perhaps later in life artists figure out what is worth expressing.


I don’t really know how to end this post. Events and loss can rattle you in unexpected ways. I guess the only thing there is to do is to keep making art, even if it’s with a little more sorrow.

My grandma Erazmus

Friday, October 10, 2014

Another line and another rope drawing

This week has been productive, despite not posting on the blog until today! I’ve been sticking to my calendar and I find that helps in moving me along with projects.

This week I (sort of) finished another drawing, had a great photo shoot on a golf course, and spent another day outside making some “lines” with natural materials. The video and photograph are from this past Monday’s work.

I am going to continue using pieces of bark I find at the entrance of the wetlands where I work to create one very long line amidst this particular patch of trees.




Sunday, October 5, 2014

Studio visit avec moi

It’s been a while since I made a post with a studio shot.

In the last month and a half, I’ve finished three drawings (the white free falling rope ones) and now I’m onto another drawing (on the easel). My video, Undrawn, is coming along. Now, I am trying to figure out how to make the transition in the video from drawings to photographs. As of right now, I have ‘small aquarium’ on my ‘to buy’ list for the video.

I find even the best laid plans are subject for revision in the midst of a long-term art project.



 

Free Fall I and III, charcoal and gesso on paper.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Today's line making

Today I am grateful to be back in my home state and working in its natural environment.

I made another ‘line’ with natural materials but added one of the arrowheads bequeathed to me by my grandfather. While it is a challenge to work outdoors, it is very peaceful (except for the mosquitos). There is also a sense of reward and accomplishment to make something in a few hours, photograph and videotape it, and then walk away.

Today I decided to work with color to pronounce the line, which has me questioning my decision to make my film, “Black Sheep,” in black and white. Especially when I can take advantage of all the colorful leaves and the temperate fall weather.  

Below are some shots and a video of today’s work.