11.26.2008

New Mannequin and Gratitude



photo of my easel

Tonight, the last pumpkin from my garden will turn into pie. It will be the beginning of a series of kitchen events that will culminate in the 2pm feast tomorrow. The studio will remain quiet during this time; the mannequin - the blank canvas - the new drawing/idea - all waiting patiently for Friday morning.

To all of my readers here: I'm very grateful you've chosen to read this blog. Thank you for stopping by - and best wishes to you for a happy day tomorrow.

11.24.2008

Mannequin - XII



Superpowering, charcoal on paper, 8.5 x 11 inches
"You must be absolutely honest and true in the depicting of a totem for meaning is attached to every line. You must be most particular about detail and proportion." - Emily Carr (1871 - 1945)

11.21.2008

Mannequin - XI



Overpowering, charcoal on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
"[Weight and force] are of similar nature as regards pressure and the stronger overpowers the weaker. Weight does not change of its own accord, while force is always fugitive." Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519)

11.19.2008

Mannequin - X



Mustering, charcoal on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches

"As a student I thought there was a formula of some kind that I would get hold of somewhere, and thereby become an artist. There is a formula, but it has not been in books. It is really plain old courage, standing on one's own feet, and forever seeking enlightenment; courage to develop your way, but learning from other fellows; experimentation with your own ideas, observing yourself, a rigid discipline of doing over that which you can improve." - Andrew Loomis (1892 - 1959)

11.18.2008

Mannequin - IX



Turning, oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches

"I went there often, for Vollard liked to ask questions and learn what you thought about things, sometimes about pictures and often about other matters as well. He didn't mind my turning things upside down, since they were already in that state, and so we got on nicely." Leo Stein ( 1872 - 1974)

11.13.2008

Mannequin - VIII



Recovery, charcoal on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
"There is an acute pleasure in falling, if one is confident of recovery, as swings and gravity railroads prove. " - Leo Stein (1872 - 1947)

11.06.2008

Mannequin - VII



Outstretched, charcoal on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
"Even when reasons are as plentiful as blackberries, one should be careful about using them, since they are often either unripe or rotten." - Leo Stein (1872 - 1947)

11.03.2008

Mannequin - VI



Missed, charcoal on paper, 11.25 x 8.75 inches

I've been enjoying R. Chunn's blog lately, Alla Prima, with it's beautiful and soulful still lifes accompanied by artists' quotes. It's inspired me to comb through my own small collection of art books and copy down phrases that warrant savoring. Here's one I came across this morning:

"With the model before it, the background is transformed." - Robert Henri (1865 - 1929)

11.02.2008

Mannequin - V



With Outstretched Hand, charcoal on paper, 12.75 x 9.75 inches