Kisses

Kiss
graphite 8 x 5
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I've been writing my 'to do' list for this weekend and it is longer than my weekend. I've made some progress however, despite an afternoon nap which lost me an hour or so. This little drawing wasn't on my list, but just happened from a reference in a weekend drawing thread that I found interesting.

Getting that jumble of lips and noses in the right position was fun. The boy's mother took the photo and his girlfriend obviously wasn't impressed at being spied upon, therefore 'the look'. I always say that you never really see something until you've drawn it stays true for me. The exploration in detail of a kiss makes the process seem rather strange. I wonder who ever thought up kissing?

Despite thoughts of kissing, I've managed to complete the prep for my kids drawing class tomorrow and the adult one and made a start on prep for the December classes. Already I have to turn my mind to January as they want my schedule for that month.

Tomorrow's children's drawing class will be all about design with some interesting explorations into imagination, colour, values, depth, etc. My demos are turning into 1960s pop culture pieces or else I'm reverting! The clear, bright colours are an interesting change from my usual graphite.

Fortune cookies

My business life is being controlled by fortune cookies. Yes. Shocking I know, but true. I did a strategic planning day a couple of weeks ago, then went for Chinese food afterward. We each laid out our 'fortunes' and they seemed so appropriate that perhaps there just was something in them. Or we simply wanted them to be that way, more like. I like to think these three phrases will guide my business work in art over the next few months - or until the next meal of Chinese food!

Actually I had an ulterior motive for this image too, I thought it might make an interesting drawing, despite its poor lighting. Something may come of it if I can squeeze in some time. I have a whole day to myself tomorrow and I'm almost giddy with the thought of it. Oils, drawing, coloured pencil, watercolour, what will I tackle?

What's in a name? Perhaps not a lot, but the concept is the same with a provincial art procurement program. So I'll submit a piece and hold my breath to see what becomes of it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'm still working on a symbolic self portrait for I class I was doing with Armin Mersmann awhile ago. I became a bit unstuck trying to figure out what to put into the right side of the drawing, but I think I have figured it out now. Or I hope so. I've been looking at the work of Vija Celmins lately and becoming inspired. If you don't know her work, please go and look, you'll be glad you did. She is an extraordinary artist with exquisite drawing ability.

Province Announces Newly-Renamed Art Bank and Submission Deadline for Purchase Program

Tourism, Culture and Recreation November 16, 2007

In keeping with national and international practice, the Provincial Government today announced the Art Procurement Program has been renamed the Provincial Art Bank. "The term Art Bank better reflects the nature of the collection and the purchase program associated with it," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "This program is of considerable significance to artists’ careers and livelihoods, and it is appropriate that its name be aligned with similar programs in other jurisdictions." No other changes have been made to the annual program, which is open to visual artists residing in the province. The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery will continue to administer the program and care for the works purchased.

Artists are advised that January 15, 2008, is the deadline to submit work to be considered for purchase. After the submissions have been collected, The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery will assemble the jury and manage the selection process. The results are expected to be announced by the end of April 2008. Submissions can be made through an artist’s commercial art gallery or
dealer or, if an artist is not represented by a commercial art gallery, submissions can be sent directly to The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery,
addressed as follows:

Attn: Collections Technician, Art Bank
The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery
9 Bonaventure Ave
P.O. Box 1800, Stn. C
St. John’s, NL A1C 5P9

Artists are reminded that they must provide images of the work to be considered in either digital files or 35 mm slide format, as per the submission guidelines. Detailed submission guidelines and submission forms are available at www.therooms.ca, or by calling 709-757-8047. "The Provincial Art Bank collection includes significant works by both well-known and lesser-known artists," Minister Jackman said. "Displayed in Provincial Government offices and public spaces, these works reflect the cultural expression of visual artists, over time, and are a lasting legacy for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador."

The Provincial Arts Bank budget for 2007-08 is $125,000. Established in 1982, the Art Bank has more than 2,500 pieces of artwork.The Provincial Art Bank Program recognizes and promotes the works of Newfoundland and Labrador’s visual artists by exhibiting original art in public buildings. This program offers visual artists a chance to showcase their work to a wide audience, while also increasing the public’s general awareness of the importance of arts and culture in our daily lives. The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery manages the submissions and adjudication process, as well as providing ongoing support and care for the acquisitions. The art bank jury is made up of representatives from the arts community.

Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061 Deanne Fisher
Director of Marketing and Development
The Rooms Corporation
709-757-8070, 691-5681
deannefisher@therooms.ca

You are invited

My local art association is holding another exhibition on December 2nd and it would be wonderful if you could join in. These will be small works, no more than 130 square inches for the image itself. It should make for some more affordable pieces to tempt Christmas shoppers in the downtown core. I have one piece earmarked for the show but haven't got much further than that yet. I have a deadline looming to make a decision, so should do so by the weekend or before.

Today I'm nursing a slightly bruised ego. None of my pieces were chosen in the City's art procurement program. Sigh. I sort of figured they wouldn't, but there's always that sliver of hope, isn't there? It seems rejection and art life go hand in hand. I try to never let take it personally and even if nothing sells, I still have my art and name exposed to a whole new market, which is a very good thing.

The kiss

Study for The Kiss
Charcoal and conte
Copyright Jeanette Jobson

I saw the photo for this piece on Maggie Steifvater's blog. Its two of her dog's seven (!) puppies. The lighting was perfect, the colour was wonderful and I knew as soon as I saw it that it would make an amazing drawing or painting, so I asked if I could use it. And Maggie said yes.

She had named the photo 'The Kiss' and it is so appropriate, it will stay as the title. Its funny how we create a story in our heads when we see an image. This one seems sweet and innocent but the reality is more like this:

I was out playing with the puppies in the yard and they were romping and suddenly my eye was caught by the pumpkins and the light on the step. Must put puppy on stair. So first it was just one. But oh no, one's not enough. Up went the second. Snap snap snap the kiss! Which turned into a bite, and then the one jumped/ fell from the stair and took off. ;)

See how you went 'Awwwwwww' as you looked at the image and now I've ruined it for you. Sorry. But its still cute.

Thanks Maggie!

Rituals

These days people on planes are so engrossed in those little television screens built into the backs of seats, they are oblivious to anything anyone else is doing so sketching is usually undisturbed, except for comments by attendants or passengers on their way to the washrooms.

I've reached the end of my 'red' sketchbook and filled it with more images from traveling. I'm considering what the theme of my next sketchbook will be - colour again? More ephemera to add interest? Altered paper? I love the little stack of sketchbooks that appear in my art cupboard. They are proof of production and I like to take them out and thumb through them, remembering places, people and subjects. I see themes throughout them and understand how I have moved and grown as I progressed in time.

Today I taught a class but was still tired from my trip and rushing around ever since. I wasn't in the best of moods for a variety of reasons but had been asked to attend my god daughter's confirmation tonight. I really didn't want to go, but knew if I didn't she would be disappointed and I had obligation in my role as god mother to do so. So I went. The last time I was in a church was when my god daughter was christened, nearly nine years ago. So not bursting into flames as I entered the door was a good sign!

I don't have any religious leanings in me. For the most part, I find religious centres and leaders rather hypocritical. I enjoy learning about religions and how they are structured, their rituals and traditions, but I have no desire to become actively involved in one.

I had similar feelings tonight as I went with my god daughter for her to kneel before the bishop and be confirmed. He was a kind man and the ceremony itself brief. There was the child's usual giggles and chatter that covered up some worry about a first communion. "I have to drink wine! Will it taste funny?" There was that doubting, cynical part of me that sat through the service and read through the prayers and thought 'Someone prove this to me. Someone show me why I should buy into any of this ritual?' Who can get a degree in theology, then claim their calling was from 'god'? Which god?

However, the children were happy to have it over with, the adults equally content and all dispersed to the church hall for cups of tea and left over cakes and cookies from the previous day's fall sale. Another milestone in life safely tucked away, recorded on digital cameras and filed in memories.