Home Away from Home

Hartford turning into home away from home...but the real "fun" begins tomorrow...
One amazingly talented group of artists...more tomorrow.

Lift Off

Ok, just finished with an extremely focused push on the assignments for Hartford. Whew! I'll be posting when I'm there. At least I promise to try:)... I am excited to see the graduating MFA's exhibit as a prelude for our class in a few years and am anxious to meet new compadres in art. We may be going to the Eric Carle Museum of the Picture Book Art in Amherst MA next Sunday. Meanwhile the garden is starting to top out with cherry tomatoes and garlicscapes that may be on the dinner menu here:) Here is a nice site for how to grill them. The garden has been wonderful primary source material for one of my projects...nothing like opening the back door and doing some research. So have a nice weekend.....and think happy thoughts for me:) Stay tuned.....

Silverpoint: Wild Morning Glory

Gathering art and electronic materials to pack for Hartford. Garden seems to be out of control growing with all the rain...along with the wild morning glories which wrap themselves around the lavender stems. This is a silverpoint drawing I did during a GNSI workshop with Gerry and Melinda Hodge last summer at Ithaca College. From the workshop description..."Silverpoint is a drawing technique utilizing sterling silver wire that creates a high-key drawing that develops a lovely, slightly brown patina over time. "Tone" is created from finely layered networks of line, creating the illusion of tone. In addition, silverpoint lends itself to extremely fine detail not possible with traditional pencil techniques. Silverpoint can be used in combination with gouache to add color, and carbon dust to expand the tonal range." I really love the sublety of this medium...very fine lines. I'd like to explore it some more.....can imagine it would be good for portraits...

My Garden Grows...

Really unstable weather today...sunny, rainy, sunny, rainy. Lettuce from the garden for dinner tonight:)

Liam's Brunch at the Little House in the Woods on the Lake

Magical Sunday christening and brunch at a friend's lake house to welcome little Liam.
Preparations for Hartford continue.....

Yong Chen: A Gift

Yong Chen, an MFA'er from Hartford who is graduating this summer shared this link with me so I am passing it on to you. He was also quoted in the Communication Arts article by Lisa Cyr (June 2009). Yong, in addition to many things, has written and illustrated his own children's book called, A Gift. The website is here. It truly is a wonderful story. His paintings are amazing! His own website is here. Enjoy!

Happy Fourth

Click to enlarge.

IF: Shaky

Doing some research for the Dream assignment and came across a photo in the Library of Congress of E.L. Mitchell, a Denver Colorado Councilman who was associated with the KKK in 1880. It inspired this illo....creepy...a politician with shaky credentials.

"Riding the Wave"

Great article , "Riding the Wave" in Communication Arts (June Illustration 2009) about the Hartford program by Lisa Cyr. It is getting close to time to leave. I'll try to keep posting while I'm there. Finishing up some required reading and and working on the Dream Assignment...

Day Trip to Skaneateles, NY

Day trip for R&R and inspiration.... Skaneateles is a great little town. This place exudes charm, quaintness, and has great shopping, a crystal clear lake, and great food (a la Sherwood Inn, award-winning Giverny at Mirbeau Inn and Spa, the Blue Water Grill, the famous Doug's Fish Fry, Joe's Pasta Garage, Johnny Angels, Chang Jiang, and the beloved Rosalie's Cucina) And this is just to name a few. We ate at Giverny at Mirbeau and it was amazing! The bread is
made onsite and the desserts are to die for (or rather from) The scenery while you wait is a Giverny inspired garden complete with bridge and koi pond sporting pink, yellow and white water lillies.....dreamy.

Road Trip

Road trip to Skaneateles, NY yesterday. Post tomorrow....stay tuned.