Brain Dump

I made a few adjustments after this photo was taken.

I spent my mornings and after sculpture working in this painting for 2 weeks now. Wish we had the model for another 2.

A very busy next few weeks. I signed up for a sculpture class. Quick sketch, in clay , what a great idea. I forgot to take a picture before I cut off the mask for my first one but here are a series of shots of the second week. This one is much smaller, less chunks of clay.

The Hat show! Tired of cold and snow, needing green, I made a fern hat With my fellow Starline artists Kate! She makes awesome jewelry .

Today we painted Clare , I painted till lunch, then headed over to the Carriage house for my first sculpture class. What fun. I thought it was a gesture class in clay. But it's fun 2 hours of slapping clay into a form. Then back to painting for a couple of hours. Still attempting what I learned. It's the same concern I have , paint more, just need to paint more.

A close up. The camera faded the photo. I think it looks better.

Arrived a bit late , ended up with a side view. Good practice, stopped 15 min before time was up, I ran out of medium. Was a short day

Have a doctors appointment downtown, going to make the best of it. Art Institute or paint. Maybe draw. Making use of the now expensive train ride. It's cheaper to drive my Smart car, but once you figure in the parking fee, miles put on the engine, not to mention the tires. The only option is to train it. Last night after I put my painting cloths in the washer. I started a search for recipes for mediums. I'm more confused then ever. I copied as many as I could into my note pad for discussion with painting friends. I'm interested in their experience, expertise . In business it's called " institutional memory " Maybe that's what has happened to oil painting. Oil painting not being used to its full potential. Maybe we forget, or are not aware of its capabilities . Or chose to ignore the rich heritage that comes with each tube of paint, medium and the threads that make up the surface . Interesting , could be an analogy for our society. Reflection ...

Tried the new canvas, well the 30+ year old canvas. It's rough , and the paint maybe soaking in. We determined that its acrylic primed , because it hasn't cracked from the rabbit skin glue. It's also picked up moisture from the years. It has a taught middle but the sides are wavy . Maybe an indication of moisture absorption. The consciences is to iron it with a dry iron. I didn't prime it with Cad red acrylic not knowing it surface. We will do 3 more hours next Monday on this pose, hopefully the light will not change much.

Monday, painting with friends at the Palette.

I got the tilt of the head. I corrected it after lunch

The Palette had a workshop , model was hired. We didn't want to cancel on her. So Mary set us up in the Gallery. I loved the pose , some found it difficult to paint , lots of light that we are not use to. Which I loved, well , I guess I will find out when I start to paint from the photos taken Deciding last might to take graphite pencils . I had no idea where Mary s choice would be. It was a given that it would be indoors , considering the pouring rain. Once again faced with that large white piece of paper. I set out to create a drawing that I could fool with , a study for a larger painting. I was gifted a large roll of cotton canvas , delighted and thankful. ( Dawn) my hero! I have large canvas stretcher bars That finally have enough material to cover them. This drawing hopefully will end up being a 3 x5 foot painting. Or larger. Nervously approaching this challenge

A difficult day, working out usually helps. But listening to NPR s interview on the way down to the gym. It hit home, tough love and drug abuse. Just getting thru daily life, watching your mom die knowing your son is stealing you blind and using , praying no harm comes to anyone around him, and to himself On the way home , yet another tear jerking story about how important family is to your health . All the while mine is falling apart. Only if I could get it into my paints! Paintings......! Capture the pain the abuse ....the hurt. I'm so reserved , pulling inward toward the point of pain. Lets see if I can get it out! Going to draw with friends!

Had a hard time keeping the old habits from reappearing . I found myself getting a little muddy. She was really orange at one point. I lighted her making her to light. Absolutely beautiful skin tones. I need more time...... More practice.