February 2016 Wrap Up Post

T.G.I.F.
image size 12" x 16"
acrylic painted papers on wc paper
available

Plunge
image size 12" x 16"
acrylic painted papers on wc paper
private collection

Good Guys, Bad Guys
image size 12" x 16"
acrylic painted papers on wc paper
available

Running Through It
image size 12" x 16"
acrylic painted papers on wc paper

Looks like February is almost over and so it is time for another wrap up post. I made some fun pieces this last month and so I would like to share. 

1. T.G.I.F.: This last month I taught a sketching class at ACME Art in Mokelumne Hill. As preparation for the class, I sketched a series of still life setups involving cocktail related items-glasses, a martini shaker, shot glasses, etc. I was inspired by what Anne and Will of ACME call "Schnickle Art." A schnickle, as I understand it, is a family name for a cocktail. Schnickle Art is a class that they offer in the evenings where you get to make artwork. See the confluence of ideas and why I got inspired? You never know!

2. Plunge: This second piece started with some general sketching. As I added shapes and lines, I began to see people and ladders and the idea of a high dive. It reminded me of visiting public swimming pools when I was a kid. We had one in Hayward called The Plunge. This piece reminds me of when we were all a little younger:)

3. Good Guys, Bad Guys: Very often I will start a piece using leftover scraps of paper from the last painting. It's a nice way to continue to study something that I learned with the last piece. For this one, I wanted to emphasize some different colors (which I did) and in the process, I also brought out some different shape formations. People suddenly appeared and to me, they reminded me of the game of "cops and robbers" that we used to play as children. Lots of reminiscing this month I guess.

4. Running Through It: The only mildly serious piece in the bunch! This painting was inspired by one of the books that I read about the Colorado River. I honestly can't even grasp the enormity of the river itself let alone all of the diversions, tributaries, and smaller rivers that shoot off from the main stem. I was also really struck by how "used" the river is-not by people recreating but by consumers: cities, towns, agriculture and individuals. Just incredible. The title refers to using the river both as a resource and as a place to recreate. 

What's Up?

One of my pieces, Precarious, was accepted into the Spring Obsession Art Show at Ironstone Vineyards. The show starts on March 19th and closes May 7th. Stop by on opening day-it's always fun-or come by in the interim. Either way, Ironstone is a beautiful venue and Murphys is a great place to shop, eat, and walk around.

My class, Stretching Your Sketching Skills, will be offered again March 19th and April 1st at ACME Art in Mokelumne Hill. The class is all about sketching for fun. We use still life setups as the basis for learning about shape building, using fun materials such as crayons and markers, and just having a good time with other sketchers. Please consider signing up or letting a friend know about the class. Previous sketching experience is helpful but not strictly necessary. Just come with an open mind and be ready to have a good time!

Creatively Speaking:
Is everyone using Pinterest these days? What? Why not? I am and let me say that it's great tool for being creative! You can organize images and ideas, learn about different styles of art and art history, and it's a good way to develop your own aesthetic tastes. Whether you like to cook or garden, to D.I.Y. it or to decorate, Pinterest allows you to search for what interests you and keep those ideas all in one spot, just like a bulletin board. Give it a try if you can. I really recommend it as a helpful creative tool.

OK, on to March! Thank you to everyone for reading these blog posts and supporting my art making efforts. It's appreciated.
Libby