Hello!

Good morning,

I have been thoroughly enjoying the morning, reading through all the very talented artist's blogs I have been finding. So many talented people out there in the blogsphere! I need to get a more professional looking page if I want to attract folks to come and read my drivel... Life has been good so far this year, taking a much needed break from classes for the holidays. But it is back to the grindstone once again come February, and I suppose in a way I am ready to try again. 

I've been looking at a couple of new techniques to try, some special paper clay thanks to the Ultimate Paper Mache site. It sounds like a sculpture medium I could really sink my teeth into. This isn't drawing, I know, but scrawling on paper has been less than satisfying lately. I have been working on portraits that don't look like who I am drawing! It sure would be a blessing to know just why they fail, too! I am totally at a loss, except to say that measurements are probably the biggest culprit. I need to bury my hands into 3D, and more tactile materials for a bit.

So don't forget to come by and say hello often. You are all so inspiring, and the encouragement always welcome. Bon!!!!

Keith

Well, this is my last week in the semester, and I am done until February. Let me tell you, I am Sooo ready for the break! The holidays always creep up on me during the Fall semesters. I can't believe it is December already. Just had a birthday, and I just felt like I slept through it. Oh well...

Anywhosits, I thought you might like a peek at one of my final projects. He's not done yet. Holy cow, seeing them beside each other like this, I see all kinds of mistakes!!! Wonder why I didn't see them when I had the photo next to the actual drawing?Folks, I know this means nothing to you, but I just learned a Huge Helpful way to see my work in a whole new light!!! This is probably the best Christmas gift I have ever received, as stupid as that sounds. I don't get to see the drawings this way when I post them to class...

Happy Holidays everyone and don't get yourself too worn out during this time. Love to all. I have to go fix this. Thank goodness I still have until Saturday midnight!

We Have a Gallery!

It would seem that the world creeps into the most desolate places, even here in Nowhere California. Last week, they opened a real art gallery here! Sometimes, the invasion is a good thing. There are actually quite a few decent artists here in this place, so finally having a venue to display our wares is lovely. And it puts to mind the inspiration that I need to get my act together and set up to show my work... At last! Everyone needs that jumping off point, eh, and I am no exception. I find it rather intimidating, though, because there is so much more to going professional than simply creating the art. There is the business of pricing, setting up websites and with it a professional looking logo, etc. And then there are those little annoying details like printing Business Cards ~~~ OMG, business cards!! Makes me wonder if I am truly out of my mind after all.

Well, dear friends, if you can think of any creative logo names, I would really appreciate hearing them. Thanks very much in advance. Happy weekend.

Amanda

Been busting my butt all week (Mondays are my Sundays) trying to get all my assignments in for class. This week we did portraits and facial studies, and I took complete advantage of my poor daughter, Amanda. She posed for all kinds of pictures while she was just absolutely miserable with the flu. Don't know what I'd do without either of my kids! Eric posed for some too, but Amanda went out of her way to let me do whatever needed to be done to finish my homework. The picture here is my finished final assignment. It's a bit stylized, but it is finished. All I can say, is that the professor had better be kind... This is only the 4th portrait I have ever drawn, and the others weren't very good! Hideous would be a better word. Anyway, here is a toast to all artist's muses, wherever they may be!

Thought I would check in and say hello!

Thought I should check in and let the world know that I haven't fallen off yet. School is very busy as usual, but since I promised I wouldn't show off my nudes any more, I can't post them. My son is a Senior this year, and my daughter just started driving back in August, so needless to say the kids have had me running in three directions to Sunday. All good things, though, and aren't I lucky to be able to say that! A kid in college and one on the way, where DID the time go?!... I had a lovely time at my 30 year class reunion in September, saw lots of old friends and a couple of cousins I hadn't seen in many years, so it was a good time. It was tempered with a tragedy, though. The day after, one of my friends from the reunion passed away. Her husband came home to find her~~ turned out to be complications from diabetes. So sad!
And about a week ago, my uncle also passed away after a long bout with illness. He died the way he wanted to, though, out in the woods on a camping trip. We suspect he knew his time was near. When I have to leave this world, I truly hope I can go the way I want to go as well!
So, that is my life for the last short while. Did you miss me?! wink, I missed you too!!!