Great Courses - How to Draw

I have been thinking about taking a drawing class for a few years.  I have never had such training and thought it would help me elevate my art.  A summer course at the local community college looked interesting, but the commitment was 8 weeks of 3hrs four days a week.  Very intense and with my volunteer commitments it did not seem reasonable.  As a result I found an online course from Great Courses.  They were on sale ($49 vs $334!) so I bought the How to Draw and the Fundamentals of Photography.  With these courses I can work at my own pace, but I have to remain disciplined! Hmmmmmmmmmm...

BTW You Tube has lots of How to Draw videos like the one below.  However, the Great Courses course is 80hrs of video and it is presented by a full professor from the University of Washington.

Yuma Art Symposium

I am happy to say that I am attending the Yuma Art Symposium this year.  Unfortunately I have been unable to find anyone to attend with me...

I am looking forward to seeing the works of
Geoffrey Gorman.

Jason Hess, ceramic artist from Flagstaff, AZ

 
Craig Nutt, wood artist

Mi-Suk Hur

Good News!

After discussions with a local cermaic supply house and the Skutt technicians, it appears as if I can replace the printed circuit board in my kiln for a little under $300 and will not have to replace the $700 control unit.  I am waiting for the board and hope that after installation all is working again!  Cross your fingers!  I have...

2017 and New Inspiration!

A new year, new inspiration!  I have already signed up to attend the Yuma Art Symposium this February and DSLR classes at the local community college.

Last year I did no ceramic work and my kiln still remains broken!!!  However, it is on my list too find someone to repair it and fork over the $$$$ to get it done!

I also want to get back into welding and I am considering a class in the fall.

Last year I did do three paintings and  a found object piece that was in the Found Object Show at Tis.  Below is the fundraiser event for kids art in which I contributed the monarch butterfly piece.  It sold at the auction...

Kiln Not Working...

It happened in December...  I filled my kiln turned it on the standard program and a few hours latter checked on it only to see an E-0 error on the display.  After some research, found it was either a power spike or a complete display failure.

I was pretty depressed and the studio was cold so I put it out of my mind for the holidays and my road trip.  Now, I am back to it.  Unfortunately, I think I will have to call on some service person; worst case it will cost me $600 plus labor for a new display!!!  That is a hard pill to swallow!  I am very discouraged...

My goal this month is to find someone to troubleshoot the kiln and get my MIG welder set-up!

Mother Nature and Her Four Seasons...

I finished my latest painting "Mother Nature and Her Four Seasons".  However, it did not get accepted into the "Four Seasons" show.  I never received an email and had to send several emails and make a call to get a response.  When I finally did get a response; my work "did not fit in".  I can accept the rejection.  It is the non-response that bugs me!

I actually have a few more details to add, signature and final finish which will enhance the colors.

I'm Back! - I think!

After speaking with my youngest sister the other day, she pointed out to me that I have not enter a post in my blog in a long, long, long time!  It is true!  No excuses...

I have cleaned my studio and have a new project I am working, so I have come back to art and hope to have a productive 2016 even if I am getting a late start!

Below is a painting I submitted to the "Visions of Silence" PCA show in late 2015. (Not the best photo angle...)

Below is a companion painting that I need to complete by April 16, 2016 to submit to the "Four Seasons" show at PCA.  I will post the completed painting later.

As one can see, I am back!  :)

Where Have I been?!?

It has been a slow "artful" summer!  I did complete a mask for the October "Day of the Dead" art show at PCA.  And a friend wants to buy it for her daughter-in-law.  Otherwise, my studio was only a holding place for "stuff".

With fall in the air it is time to get back into the studio!  Stay tuned...

It's Cleaning Time Again!!!

It baffles me that my studio can get so cluttered so fast!  I have had lots going on and I did dry my lavender in the studio!  But really how does this happen???