For the most part, I've been working in my sketchbooks, including this sketch of my first attempt at making baguettes...
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| approx. 4" x 5" |
...which reminded me how much I enjoyed chronicling these day-to-day moments during Covid lockdown. I also realized how much I liked still life paintings and that I hadn't done one in a while. So, I began a larger painting to memorialize my first baguette, flaws and all.
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| Ma Première Baguette 14"x11" |
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| As you probably guessed, this was a mother's day card that I made for my mom. I experimented with a more abstract background than I am used to and a little bit of pen work to emphasize the flowers. I have mixed feelings about it, but my mom was happy to receive it so goal accomplished! |
Hello! In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month of May, my group of 46 Filipino American artists in the Chicago area, identified as "Sinag USA" ( translated ray of light) has a group exhibit at Evanston Art Center up to May 25. My husband & I are one of the co- sponsors of the opening reception last April & I submitted 6 9" X 12" art works for exhibit. Since I am one of the co sponsors, I mistakenly assumed that I could see my watercolors immediately upon entering the exhibit area. I realized lately, that if one volunteers to assist in the set up, that, the helpers' art work are given preference in the placement and exposure in the exhibit area than the others. Thus, after a long circular walk inside Evanston Art Center, that I found my 6 paintings in an obscure little corner hidden behind a dividing wall! Only a visitor would time to spare could find my paintings. Truly, a humbling moment! Thus I titled this blog essay as " Hidden Figures". Well, anyway, two relatives of my husband, Skokie residents, visited EAC later, after they learned there is a Filipino exhibit in the area! They were surprised to find my corner last week & texted me of their discovery! And they were happy to report" You have it!" Life is like that, One Surprise, One Day At a Time"!
The Tato Nut Donut shop was named for their innovative use of potato flour. So popular they often sell out and close down for the day. This one takes up two pages of the foldout sketchbook.
Here are the four paint-centric paintings that I was working on when you last saw me. They are all done with mixed results.
This is number one which I think was the most successful. Vague shapes, bodies in motion.
This is number two. Muddy in the middle. I should have left more of it blank like the river that runs through it.
This is number three. I think I have improved it a little since class, but I think it lacks values, too monochromatic.
Number four is not too bad, looks like a aerial photo, but I like aerial photos.
But these are all 9x12 and I much prefer 18x24 (Bigger is better). Not sure how to do that. Do I have it in me to cover all that area with my little brush? I don't think I do.
Well how about if I divide the 18x24 into little rectangles and paint freely in each one and make them relate to each other in some grand plan?
This is a study for that. I like them well enough individually but they don't relate to each other. The first is mainly indigo, the second perylene green, and the third is sepia. Dark colors with strange properties which could make a skeleton to hang my other colors on.
Maybe not. Seems to me I have the option of painting bottom to top, letting the little details grow towards or against each other, or top to bottom, picking some image to span the whole painting and then abstracting it.
Filling up the pages of the flip sketchbook. First one is a shelter bldg on a small harbor and the second a view of the street where we stay.
A lot of inspiration in the garden these days.the bottom two are quick studies in my sketchbook. The top one is 11x15.
In the mopping up stage with these things. I often get so engrossed by details that I don't pay much attention as to how they fit in with the painting as a whole, so my end stage consists mostly of stitching all the elements together which is not as exciting as pouring paint into the wild white yonder, but it gives a kind of crossword puzzle solving pleasure.
Using a fold out sketchbook 6x8. A woman and her dog and the Gehry pods (you probably thought tents)
I finished the flowering aloe plant. Appreciated the suggestions but I would have had to start over again and each of those nodes have to be painted one at a time in order to blend the colors the way I wanted. The spray makes the colors deeper and gives the painting a shine.
I've been fascinated by backlighting lately (and Paris). This paper has reached its limit, though, so I'm calling this study done and moving on to another version. What I do like and plan to incorporate in the final are the hands, the inside/outside contrast, and the light on the jacket shoulder edge.
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| 14" x 11" |
Another term ended... another class photo to commemorate the good times. We're missing a few people in the photo but suspect the fine weather may have had something to do with it. Although you may notice that one dedicated artist just finished a 5-mile run and still managed to join us.
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