Lost and Found!

Yes i disappeared for a while!! I moved from teaching elementary to high school - and got totally immersed! Not to mention that I also am teaching (and learning) 3D!! well, they call it it ceramics i call it "mixed media in 3D" ~ which makes totally better sense since I do a lot of mixed media art too!
Well, even though i was off the web grid for a tad bit ( one school year!) I did not stop my sketching  or art.

My son is getting ready for college and we went on a college visit road trip, so I did do some exciting sketches then~









Sometimes I get tired of getting hung up on getting down the details in ink, and then I dont want to "just draw" any more. But the atmosphere is still so charged with electricity that I must keep on going. What better way than to start splashing color around to catch the "oomph" of the moment. Was I able to do that with this one?

Rice University Campus

 I went to Rice University too for attending a one week Professional Development on AP 3D. So I thought Id share that not only was son having fun visiting colleges so was mom!  Being a full time art educator and mom and a elder parent caretaker and a wife  and a professional artist and a regular workshop presenter can be quite time consuming! But if I didn't make time to "at least" sketch, Id forget how to breathe!

Rice University Campus

Summer Break

This feels like it has been a very long summer. Mostly spent indoors, fixing this and that. My friend finally dragged me to check out a artsy kind of store filled with all kinds of odds and ends ~ including a RICKSHAW outside their door! One thing that really caught my attention inside the store was a basket made from sea kelp pods! Yep, you read it right! And so below I have a sketch of the inside of the store and a partial view of the "kelp basket" . Funny thing was the shop person didn't know what the basket was made of~my friend had to research it! However, this short trip and sketch session turned out to be quite a fun day! Sometimes, you just have to let go, aimlessly and you will find the most interesting things amongst the ordinary!! 

I have a block!

I have no excuse, so my sincere apologies for neglecting to write for so long! Hand slap! So, let's see, what's been happening since I last wrote ~ March, April and May!!!! Nope didn't really draw spring stuff, my problem was I got a block! The sketchbook I was working in, was almost filled, and I usually start a new sketchbook while I still have space in the old one. This somehow helps me with the transition from old to new. You know what I'm taking about, new sketchbook, blank pages and somehow nothing connects. I tried, but after fiddling through two new sketchbooks (I turned one into a note book), I stopped. I just did not want to draw in the sketchbook that I had ~ we just didn't get along! Then just recently, a few weeks ago, I decided to force draw. I drew something I enjoyed drawing in the past, I knew how to, and it is always in my head. I made a castle imaginary scene. Imagination, what a strong element we have! And so much of it, but sometimes we forget we have it! So having played around bit, and also practicing some basic skills, helped me to sort of wake up again to continue to draw again. Now, I have also joined another group of sketchers, which I am very excited about!! We are about 7 or so, and in different parts of the world. We discuss, chat, analyze, critique, share and enjoy everything about sketching and drawing! We communicate through Skype and have a group page to share our work. This new adventure has awoken me up totally!! All my senses are awake and my fingers have been drawing away! I am definitely inspired!! Here's a few sketches I have done recently ~ 

Advantages of an Art Educator

As an artist it is very important for me to practice drawing from a live model, to keep my observation skills honed. However, being an art educator, makes it difficult for me to attend the figure labs near me during regular days. So when the school does a one day "Jump Rope for Heart" day, I am overwhelmed with joy! I don't teach a regular class that day, but help monitor the kids as they " jump rope"~ we gather in the gym and I bring along my sketch book to practice my quick & fast gesture drawings!!! 

This year I brought along my water refillable brush and a sketch and wash pencil by "General" , some manilla paper and some loose strathmore paper out of an old sketch book. I was set. 

The trick to making action drawings is in your skill to observe and record with your eye and subconscious mind. Watching consistently makes you see the rhythm of movement being created by the model. In my case, jumping rope. It doesn't matter if the model you are observing moves away while you are drawing. The next jumper who comes across your line of vision may be doing the same movements. Your eyes must linger on the contour of the figure ( model) being observed, every fraction of movement being followed by your pupil is like drawing with your eyes. Don't think about the pencil in your hand. The hand moves automatically with the eyes, following the contour and gesture. Very quick, scratches, dashes, dots and squiggles. Now move on to the next drawing. Each drawing taking only seconds to draw. A most exhilarating feeling! Try it, as an art educator, you have no shortage of models, for the rest of you, go visit the local playground, watch a sport on TV, go to the zoo. 

Now I am thinking of using white pastels to do some highlights on the Manila paper - later, I want to share these right now! 

Joan's Place

Once in a while it so happens you walk into a place and WHAM! You are hit by this huge haven of compositional delight! Everywhere you turn there is a fascinating composition calling out to you, to be laid out on paper or canvas, to be inked and colored ~ and nothing gets in the way. The ink, lead or color become alive, and pull you on to create, create and create! I draw every day, but this sudden unstoppable desire ~ that you MUST draw a particular image comes around in waves ~ when it does ~ drop everything and draw like there's no tomorrow! 

I visited a friends house recently and everything around her house ( inside & outside) was piled with composition, I enjoyed drawing and haven't stopped yet, I guess it will end being a series with the same name as the title of this post.:)

A bit of reality a bit of imagination!

So I have been drawing / sketching people off an on for quite sometime now!! And I always wonder what they are thinking about? Sometimes I create my own stories about them. The sketch below was done while I was waiting at a local restaurant for some friends. What fascinated me was her hat. It was quite warm inside but she was totally immersed in her coffee and had not taken off her coat nor her hat. I wondered what she was thinking of and so after a quick sketch of her I just decided to draw a city scape in pencil behind her as if her thoughts. The two mediums worked out great to show the now and the dream~world.  The city scape is purely from my imagination. I like this new style of portraying my drawing. I think this is going to be the first of many more to come in this style as a series. 

The many pauses of life!

My life is becoming a tad tiresome! I'm going through menopause, my husbands going through man-oh-pause and my car through mechanicalpause!! Needless to say, I'm spending a lot of time at the local garage and I feel like I live there! Good thing I have my sketchbook with me at all times, so that helps pass the time!

Finding Cinderella

So, how does one get back to becoming inspired? To go back to drawing and sketching? I went back to the foundations. Literally, drawing the basic shapes, shading and practicing the values. Then I started to draw just about what I saw in front for the sake of practice only. I didn't worry about documentation nor story. Sometimes one just needs to draw in a vegetation mode till the ink catches on and wakes up. Then everything happens as a reflex and before you know it, you will have several pages filled with what's happening around you, along with a story to tell. So I guess the point I'm trying to make is that no matter what, don't stop drawing, even when you don't feel inspired. Practice, practice, practice- you never know when inspiration hits you. 

This sketch above was done, when I got lost downtown - trying to find a way back to the freeway. Found myself in a remote, empty, scary underpass. And then suddenly I saw it! A white carriage , Cinderella's Carriage ~ I had to draw it!! 

So what have you been doing to find inspiration?

Back to Sketching

Yes it's been a long time since I posted in my blog~ but I haven't stopped sketching. I've been drawing every chance I get, some are just line practices or calligraphy. I haven't really been anywhere, so I've done a lot of imagination drawings of imaginary scenes! And the few that I did on site, I kept forgetting to take pictures to keep up with the documentation and posting!! Many of my sketches have been around school.

Well the years coming to an end, I'm on winter break- so the family decided to go visit the West Texas family in San Angelo. Hadn't been there since papa passed away. So here are two ink sketches of my sister Mina's backyard (partial) and inside her house. I did the water color after as finishing touch back home.

When on Summer Break....

Oh my!!! It has been a long summer break, took son to get his learners license at the local DPS. Everyone and their grandma was there! Well it pays off to keep your sketch book in the bag! So many interesting people! I love people watching!

This lady was wearing a sarong type of skirt, probably from Indonesia or Nepal or ?? The unknown makes the imagination go on a wild trip, as it creates story in a story in a story! 

Next as I turned, I saw this lady with fascinating dark eyes. She looked like she might have been a model in her younger days- of Hispanic heritage. In front of her was a an African American lady wearing a cool hat. She looked quite bohemian. Maybe she was an artist too!

All this time while I was trying to recreate story after story about each one, in the background a continuous mechanical drone was calling out number after number after number~ it was a very long day!

Remembering Jean

My friend Jean Vandergrift - passed away  recently. She was a nurse educator and loved art. She was an avid supporter of art and art education! So she left her art work to be sold and the proceeds went to Sugar Land Area Artists - Scholarship fund. A bunch of us got together on a Saturday at the local Imperial Sugar Farmers Market and had a booth next to the "flower lady" - it was a good morning and we sold almost all if her art! Thanks Jean!

School ends and Summer begins!

With wrapping up end of school, moving my whole classroom from outside temp building to finally back inside! Taking care of parent stuff and chauffeuring son to drivers Ed!!!! Haven't had as much time to sketch! However, that's when every little sketch moment is so much more precious~! In May since everyone was busy closing shop, it's also the time the kids are reminded about the local libraries summer reading programs. So I took advantage of kids sitting quietly as I sketched them.

Ink and Wash

Sometimes simple black and white with maybe a touch of color works great. The family dragged me to go walk in the park... Something I absolutely hate to do! Anyways it was a beautiful day, and I ended up with two ink drawings of the park. I did the basic wash at home. The very light touch of veridian green and the spot of red- just enough color to keep the drawing interesting.

Visiting KEMAH -with one E

Went to visit Kemah recently. A small waterfront city just before Galveston. It was the last day of Spring break! What a day to be on the road! Every one was already there and when we reached the Board Walk, it was so crowded, and no parking place! So we ended up going to a restaurant outside the "touristy" spot, and ate tons of crawfish, with songs sung by an amateur singer! It was a nice family time though. Now under the well known Kemah bridge there are some great shops to buy fish from! Though the stores can be quite fishy smelling~ I sat in the car while fish was being bought by the family member. Of course I had my little sketchbook and sketching tools with me. I drew the bridge or overpass (not sure what's the right jargon here)- I used my Lamy filled with Noodlers bulletproof ink. I added the wash later at home to cover some "oops"- I think the black and white turned out great! I like it.:) Ofcourse I misspelt Kemah with an extra "e" in both my sketches! :/

Mid Spring Break

So Wednesday spent time with another art educator to go visit a local Hindu Temple and sketch it. It was a beautiful day! It is amazing how we forget to stop and look around at everything right next to us! This is the one exercise we should all do whether we draw or not - just to appreciate life.
This sketch was done using a Lamy fountain pen filled with Noodlers Bulletproof Black ink and water color.

Its been a long long time

OMG! It HAS been a long time since I have posted anything!! I have been so busy with school, and setting up next years professional development plans for our teachers that I have not had time to do much else!! I did however, start my spring break off by attending the NAEA ( National Art Educators Association) - National Convention in Fort Worth. This was my first visit to Dallas and I must say it is beautiful!
The opening ceremony party was FANTASTIC! There was an Aztec/Mayan costumed man who blew on a conch shell-that sounded like a blast from the ancient past! Need I say he was probably the most photographed that evening! I also got to ride "Molly the Trolley" (free) and check out the down town!
And of course the beautiful Water Garden too!!
I'm so glad that I sketch! It really made me stop, look and enjoy the beauty of Ft. Worth! I'm ready to go back and see the rest of it!!!

A Passion to Draw

Why sketch? I sketch because the pen or pencil is like an extension of my finger, connected to my brain. Whatever is happening around me, my brain sees, records and enjoys-at the same moment my fingers keep moving, retelling the stories unfolding all around me. Like the ancient scribes - I too must record all that which is around me...I am an art-scriber
It is a passion that cannot be denied as I must draw, draw and draw!
I recently spent an evening sitting by my self at a local pub in Sugar Land Town Square. It was interesting to watch the animation of people around me. I did get some strange looks as they passed by my table with scattered pens - as I kept on drawing for several hours. It was very crowded- and I think they wanted my seat!

HALLOWEEN!

Well, October ended and I have a classroom full of over wired or over tired kids, from all the candy in middle of school week! I love to watch the many costumes flitting in and out off sidewalks and around yards in the neighborhood. The many bling bling strobe like lights flashing back and forth like aliens searching for a spot to land on. Parents frantically trying to keep up with their group of chaperoned kids and continuosly counting the number of winged costumes under their surveillance! The 2-3hours of constant door bells, creaking doors, cackling background, hounds baying and bats swinging - yes, the teacher is tired too! :)

My Weekend

The weekend began with taking my mom to the Dentist and not picking up after doing dishes in the kitchen. I did use every moment I got to sketch in my little sketchbook.
Like I have mentioned before ~use every moment you get to do quick sketch of life around you. I don't believe in "planning" every drawing in my sketchbook. Be spontaneous! Thats the spice of life! Same in creating art, its the unknown, the happy accidents that make the oomph!
Saturday I attended the monthly art meet with Sugar Land Area Artist and enjoyed a free pastel demo and Sunday evening spent some time at a local restaurant enjoying the ambiance.
Okay so now I am ready to go back to work for the week! :)

Stop and look!

I have been coming and going through the Bush International Airport quite a few times since December 2012, and not once did I notice the decor! Today, I had to sit a bit when I went to pick up my husband at the airport. While he was at the baggage claim, I made these two quick sketches -using the micron ink pens. I used the water color later at home. This just proves that it's really important to stop and look around you~take a moment to pause, or you will miss seeing so much! Keep sketching, and learn to really see what you draw!