Painting three

 Painting three brought a new challenge. We had to use a palette knife with the Spanish palette. This contained Indian Red, Ivory Black, Titanium White, and Yellow Ochre.  It was such a great experience.



Below is a picture of Tom's painting on the left and mine on the right. We had the same still life that he so kindly set up.  The funnest part was on day three our daisies had started to slump. So a little imagination was required.

 The painting on the right is a close up of mine.

A close up of Tom's on the left. He does just the most amazing work. The true patience of a retired Kindergarden teacher.
















Tom hard at work!

















Kendra's painting!


















Rachel's painting!

Frida Kahlo Swap

 Well the swap is in! I just received my ATC cards from the Frida Kahlo Day of the Dead Swap! Super fun!!! I got some really original cards and I enjoyed the uniqueness of each of them.  The first one (to the left) is done by Lynnette April of Sandy, Utah! I just adore her use of embellishments.

 This second one is representative of the holiday Day of the Dead! I love the lime slices for eyes. This was done by Frances Perea.

My final card was again from Lynette April. Too lucky to get 2 cards from her!  Since I have been busy with my formal art education, I am so happy others are filling my addiction! Happy ATC's.

Michigan Mud 2013

Michigan Mud 2013 was held at Delta College this past weekend. It was a weekend full of ceramics lectures and demonstrations by some of the finest in the field.  I was asked to volunteer with some of the other students. It was beyond any expectation.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures. However, when I finally got my act together, I took some photos of these artists and craftsman in action.

This first artist is Daniel Johnston. I think these pictures speak for themselves. danieljohnstonpottery.com/ 

Working side by side, Daniel was joined by Brian Kakas. Brian is an professor at Northern Michigan University. His work is very precise, and fascinating to watch. (I enjoyed the fact that is was very mathematical and technical, all while being aesthetically interesting.)
www.briankakas.com/

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The entire weekend was filled with information and great demonstrations. I was lucky enough to be able to watch these amazing artists work.

Painting #2

 Painting #2 came due in a hurry. It is tremendously fun to watch everyone learn and grow. I enjoyed this experience. All of us did a still life, but we all stand at different easels. This is mine....

 Here is Tom's. He does a magnificent job and I love his use of color to add depth and volume. He is a retired kindergarden teacher.

 This is Kendra's painting. I just love her ability to paint the chrome bottle and the copper pitcher.

Here is James, he is always adding his own flair!















Here is James, Tom, and Kendra getting ready for critique.

Sea Scallop Swap

 These are the garland sea scallops that I received in my most recent swap. This first one wasn't signed. I love the gold!

Angie Miller did this beautiful scallop. I enjoyed the 3D embellishments with the starfish, shell and textured yarn.

 Kate Pyle did this gorgeous mermaid! I just love the fact that she went off the scallop with her sea weed.

 Sabine Busch from Germany did this lovely scallop. She even covered the back!

Barb Dankertson made this colorful seahorse with the coolest water bubbles!

Painting

 As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am enrolled in a formal art program this fall. Truly rewarding is the best way to describe this experience. I am learning a lot, but I think the best part is interacting with people who are so different than I am. It is a refreshing change.  Painting started out with a still life. My first attempt was the one on the left. The colors were definitely too saturated and recognizable.  It was an effort to learn how to mix and apply oils.  Then to paint without drawing.......that was challenging as the eraser is my favorite tool.......It evolved to the one below. Definitely, a great experience in light and shadow.

 Getting ready for critique!

I am fortunate enough to have James in my 3D design class as well as my painting class. He took an independent study with Andrew our painting instructor this summer. He also states that painting is "his medium". I agree as this is his painting on the right and this is not the finished product. It was awesome!

Tom is a retired kindergarten teacher. He has been with me since drawing last semester and he is so much fun to have in class. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that keeps the class lively and fun. I love his rendition of the trash can behind the bison skull! Such great attention to depth, volume, light and shadow!

Ceramics-Too much fun

 So I embarked on a full time schedule at Delta this term. I am absolutely having a blast, but it has changed the direction of my art for the time being. For the next 11 weeks I will be doing a lot of painting, ceramics and 3-D design.

Ceramics has been so much fun. Austin and Dustin are in ceramics II and I am able to follow their work, which quite frankly is just amazing.

This first few pictures are of Austin and the bust he created of himself. Just amazing to watch the progress!

 Dustin is working diligently. At first I didn't know what he was working on, but loved the intensity......

 ....and here it comes to life. Simply amazing.
I am so lucky to be able to be in the company of these talented artists.

These remaining tiles are the work of the artists in the ceramics I class. This is my class. No shock to those that know me, the anatomic hearts are mine. After firing, someone's blew up in the kiln, and took out the bottom heart. (The pictures were before firing.) No worries, it was my least favorite and now I get to redo the piece.


One thing that this endeavor has taught me is that there are so many talented young artists out there. They are passionate about what they do and I am lucky enough to be in their company every tuesday and thursday!