Pears

Pears
Watercolour 9 x 12
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I've been pressed for time this week but really felt that I needed to participate in the Virtual Sketch Date for a couple of reasons. One, I was administering the VSD this month and two, I really loved the reference image from Belinda Lindhardt. (thanks Belinda!)

Pears
graphite line drawing 11 x 14
copyright Jeanette Jobson

This morning I started drawing the pears, thinking a graphite drawing and I got the master line drawing done for it. Then the coffee kicked in and I realized that I would never get a graphite drawing done in one day - or at least one that I was happy with. So I pulled out some watercolour paper and figured I'd try my hand at completing the pears in watercolour. Here are the results. The graphite drawing will be worked on when I get time.

Fall exhibition

Its that time again.

My local art association is holding a fall exhibition and I'm putting a few pieces in. It really was a last minute decision as I was called by the President yesterday to participate in a television interview tonight to promote the exhibition. At that point I hadn't wrapped my mind around it and didn't even know what if anything I could put in. So I scrambled last night to find a few pieces and pop them in frames to be ready for the morning. I and a few other artists brought some pieces to give a sampling of what would be availableat the exhibit. Events like this help give coverage to the association and hopefully encourage the public to attend - and buy!

The pieces that I'm putting in are all dry media - ranging from a subdued coloured pencil cat piece to a landscape and a portrait done in charcoal. I find myself comparing my work to others at these events. My niche is shades of gray and usually not on a large scale. Being surrounded by some quite large colourful pieces can go either way. My work can become almost invisible in comparison or it can become a focal point due to its difference. I'm hoping it will be the latter.

With favourable interest in the sneak preview of my work to my peers, I'm hoping that the public will be interested as well and some pieces sell.

For those close enough to attend, it will be held at the Capital Hotel, Kenmount Road.

Deja vu

The Reader

coloured pencil on drafting film 11 x 14
copyright Jeanette Jobson

Here is the start of the portrait that I'm doing with the fantasy creatures and my grand daughter. The previous piece was the study where I worked out placement, composition, colour, etc.

I'm using drafting film for this which is about 11 x 14. I am reducing the number of fantasy figures and will keep them faint to not overpower the reality of this. Just how I'm going to do this, I'm not quite sure of yet... That's an exercise for the sketchbook and tracing paper I think.

I had no choice but to photograph this, but as daylight disappears by the time I get home in the evenings, artificial light doesn't help with colours or values. This is in its preliminary stages, so is difficult to see at best right now and my grand daughter has that lovely pale Nordic colouring so nothing will pop out for awhile yet.

Catching up

I've finally caught up with myself after my trip and the return to work and am figuring out what I'm doing with some drawing.

I did a colour study for a portrait of my grand daughter and this was the completed piece. I learned more about what I wanted to do with the final drawing on this and what changes I need to make. Studies are always useful to me.

I've started the line drawing for the new piece on drafting film and will use coloured pencil still. I've pulled out my box of Derwent Coloursofts. I quite like Prismacolors, but Derwents do blend so well. I haven't used drafting film for awhile but love its surface. Lets see if it loves me in return! Its both forgiving and challenging so I'll take my time and use a light hand.

Yesterday and last night, the island was under a storm watch for wind and rain. St. John's received 85ml and the wind was howling all night taking most of the leaves off the trees by this morning. On the way to work, traffic was backed up so I took a detour through Logy Bay. The surf in Middle Cove was amazing with waves rolling in and crashing on the rocks. The beach was almost obliterated with water. I got out to take a couple of photos as I only had my cell phone camera with me. Later, the stormy seas had subsided a bit but this video shows the force of the ocean. It always amazes me...

Who does she think she is?

Can you name five female artists?

In director Pamela Tanner Boll's new film Who Does She Think She Is?, which opened in New York on October 17th, most people could not name more than a handful of female artists if any.

Why are 80% of art school students women, yet 80% of artists displayed in galleries and museums men?

Does motherhood affect how you create art? Does being a woman impact on how seriously you are taken in the art world?

Watch the trailer and listen to some thought provoking comments about how women as thought of as artists. How many of these comments can you identify with? I know I heard a number of them in my life and related to my work.

New York Times Review

You can visit the official site to order a DVD, find local screenings or host a home screening party. The latter sounds like a great idea for local art associations or clubs.

Visit the Theatrical Trailer on YouTube.