Art supplies

Today I treated myself to a little online shopping spree for some art supplies in the USA.

Its a little frustrating that I cannot access the supplies that I want locally, or often even within Canada, making me spend extra dollars to mail order things to this remote little rock in the Atlantic. I had a few unexpected dollars land in my lap, so I had to ensure they went to a good cause - art creation.

I browsed Dick Blick - an American chain of art supply stores that I wish I had been able to access when I was in California in February. Stores were in Los Angeles or San Diego, both of which were within striking distance of me, but I was rather in the middle and trying to find my way on my own to either store was challenging to say the least knowing my navigational skills. So I settle for mail order, which is very acceptable, except for exchange rates and potential duty payments. So much for free trade between Canada and the USA. However the exchange rate is quite good now, closer to 90 cents to the US dollar than the miserable 60-odd cents it was a year or two ago.

A post in Katherine Tyrrell's blog made me wish for more Derwent Drawing pencils in the full range of colours. Nowhere in Canada sold them. I could get the earth colours, which I already have, but not the extended range. So a full set of 24 was my first choice.

My second choice was a full sampler pack of Colourfix paper. This is a rough textured surface used predominantly for pastels, but works well with colored pencil as well, provided you don't mind it eating up a good deal of pencil in the process it seems. I did find Colourfix when I was in the US but not the smaller sheets of 9 x 12 which I wanted. I could only find the large 22 x 30 sheets and with travelling it would not have been worth my while to either have them cut or to roll them and hope they wouldn't get squashed in the travels.

I have found some Sabretooth paper here in Canada, by La Papeterie Saint Armand that creates lovely handmade paper in Montreal. Its not easy to find a supplier in my region for it and its fairly expensive at around $8 or $9 a sheet depending on where you buy it. I have a few sheets that I ordered awhile back still sitting waiting for my inspiration to hit.

So now I will have to wait impatiently for the post to arrive so another pile of 'loot' can be added to my growing stash of materials, part of which is shown above.

Birthday portrait

This is a sketch for a drawing that I will be creating for a friend's 50th birthday. I've toyed with images previously and finally decided on a composition (except for the guitar - it won't be in that position and I'm trying to sneak a photo of one of his).

The drawing will be a retrospective with him as a teenager and as he is now. He's still a teenager at heart, he just has more spending money now.

Running out of steam

I have been neglecting my blog lately. Yes I still post, but my posts seem uninspired and don't contain much of interest. Most of the rest of my life seems charging ahead at breakneck speed, so by the time evening comes, my energy levels are flagging and my mind's ability to even think of words, let alone type them is limited.

I spent an hour and a half wasting time waiting for someone after work today. I was to pick up something and there were delays, so I wandered around, wasting time til I could return and retrieve what I set out for originally.

I drove through newish subdivisions of very large houses set on handkerchiefs of lawns that looked out of place with perhaps 6 or 7 feet between houses. Ostentatiousness abounds in these estates and I find it amusing to see For Sale signs on a number of these large houses perhaps a year or so after people move in. Obviously, living as opposed to existing overcomes eventually and putting every last dime into housing doesn't get you anywhere.

Where has this craving for bigger come from? Do you remember living in houses where only one bathroom existed? And four people or more needed that one bathroom? Then basements. Why do people need basements? They say 'Oh, the kids will go down there and play.' No they won't. They want to be where you are and that isn't in the basement! So it sits finished, almost lined with dollar bills with no one venturing there unless its to rediscover what you put in boxes there originally or to avoid the rest of the family or relatives. Basements are horrible places, no matter what people do to make them more attractive. You're underground virtually! What use on earth does a basement have unless you want to store vegetables, as the original purpose likely was?

Flatrock 2007
Why Flatrock gets its name. The rocks are layered and stretch out into the sea from the land.

Even after not getting home til 7pm I guess there may be a couple of brain cells left to rant. Or not. The tree in the photo was a tuckamoor, the image taken this past weekend overlooking Middle Cove. A tuckamoor is a weatherbeaten conifer, black spruce here usually. They grow near the sea often, battered by wind and weather which rearrange their growth patterns and leave them clinging perilously to the edge of rocks, making you wonder how they manage to pull any sustenance out of the sparse soil and rock they are perched on. I wanted an image of such a tree for a drawing that I'm doing. I'm not sure if this will be the image. I need a few more and I couldn't get close enough to this tree without risking seeing the ocean really close up, so I'll keep looking for more easily accessible tuckamoors.

Supported

Supported
11 x 14, graphite
copyright Jeanette Jobson

Babies are so full of trust and life and curiosity about the world. Everyday is a brand new day full of brand new experiences. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to experience that again with the logic and reasoning that we now have as adults?

This is a drawing of my grand daughter at her finest, exploring her own world with her parents. Dress style unique and somewhat optional.

A long weekend

Its been a long weekend for me, as I took a day on Friday and today was a holiday, but it still doesn't seem long enough as I have so much to fit into my time away from work. In bits and pieces I worked on my drawing which is very slowly coming together. I still haven't finalized all the elements of it, but that will come as I progress.

These are samples of what I will be producing and price ranges.

Pendant
Trinity
$30.00

The weather was warm for a change so I got out to the beach to collect more stones and have spent time drilling them (and my finger) then started putting them together. Their organic shapes and natural colours lend themselves to fairly simple designs. I love the fact that each piece is so unique and can never be replicated. Even the earrings are not completely alike. The shapes and colours are similar, but not identical.

Pendant
High Tide
$30.00

Earrings (for pierced ears)
Logy Bay
$15.00

Dog

I can never resist a chance to draw a dog picture and today was no different. Even with other things pressing, I did this quick pen & ink then used my graphitint pencils and a wash on it. The dog is that brindle colour which is difficult to render well. He's rather more striped like a tiger.

I've started some shading on my symbolic drawing and its coming along. I still need some decent references for fish before I tackle the fish in my drawing. I want to ensure they look as realistic as possible and can't really do that out of my imagination.

Changes

I transferred my drawing of the symbolism portrait onto 22 x 30 illustration board. I've made some changes to it and I'm still not sure if its where I want it to be quite yet. The central images are fine, but I'm not quite sure where I'm going with the right side yet. I don't want to overcrowd the drawing, yet I want it to contain elements that are important to me too.

It may be one of those things that simply come to me as the drawing progresses. The photograph isn't great, as the lines were quite faint on the drawing so the camera didn't register them well and I had to try to adjust them with a graphics program.
Here are the newest additions to the farm. I know they are intended for food, but they are rather cute and do have personalities. It will be interesting to watch them as they grow. They're about 6 or 7 weeks old. Two will be picked up this weekend by a neighbour and three will remain. I'm sure there will be some drawings taking place around them.

Tagged

Cherries
Graphite sketch 5 x 8
copyright Jeanette Jobson

Wendy Prior, that wonderful New Zealand artist tagged me. Being tagged means that I must reveal seven secrets about myself and then tag seven others to do the same. That may be a challenge at this point as most of the others that I know have been tagged already. But I'll see what I can do.

Now let's see what many of you don't know about me....

1. I hate marshmallows and cotton wool. Its a texture thing. I can't bear to touch them and you couldn't pay me enough to eat a marshmallow.

2. I met a Hungarian prince at a nudist beach in the UK. My art mentor, Tom Greenshields would go there and take me along from time to time. 'Good drawing potential here...' he would say. Anyway, a good line perhaps, being a Hungarian prince, I mean, how could I ask for ID?

3. Early in my art career, I worked as an artist's model for life classes. It was interesting to see both sides of the easel and the pay was good. I also learned the art of staying very still for long periods of time. I have no exhibitionist qualities, but felt quite comfortable in the role most of the time.

4. My eldest daughter was looked after by armed bodyguards when I worked and lived in a pub in Sunbury-on-Thames. Some gentlemen who frequented the pub obviously needed armed bodyguards. I never had the courage to ask quite what they did for a living. The bodyguards looked after her well and enjoyed their time with her.

5. I love whales, and being very close to the ocean, see them regularly in season. When my children were younger, I would 'call' the whales. This would embarrass the girls no end. But the whales always arrived on cue.

6. I was asked to be an extra in 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' when it was being filmed in Lyme Regis. Unfortunately, I couldn't do so at the time as I couldn't find a child minder for my daughter for the day and couldn't really haul her around all day in period costume. However, as it was friends who made the contact (he was the art designer for the set) I was asked to the final cast party and met Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons who were both lovely people.

7. I have met Paul King of Mungo Jerry, Denny Laine of Wings and Eric Clapton. They all used to came into the pub where I worked, either socially or professionally . I'll leave the younger of the readers to Google the names and find out who they were, as I'm sure you're saying 'Huh? Paul who??'

Now who to tag??? Seems I can only come up with five that are as yet 'untagged'.

Monica Gillis, who inspired me to work with stone.

Terry Banderas, whose paintings and pen and ink work are always fresh and bright.

Farm Girl Fare. Susan's adventures on a working farm are a constant delight.

Loretta's blog - Pomegranates and Paper is simply delicious with every reading.

Jeanne Grant's constant work at her art is an inspiration as is her progress.

The three little pigs

I started transferring my initial sketch for the symbolic drawing onto a 22 x 30 piece of illustration board last night. I got the fish image on there, then didn't like how the other symbols tied in - or didn't tie in, so I'm rethinking their positions and if they should be something entirely different. Boy, this drawing is taxing my brain!

Today I spent two hours in media interviews, standing outdoors by lakes,, fighting with sound equipment that didn't want to cooperate and with the wind which liked to play havoc with the sound equipment. It finally all came together and I got the interviews done for local news stations. I hate watching myself on television so I tend to not watch if at all possible. Why is it we don't like watching ourselves or hearing ourselves? Do we have such a different vision in our heads of what we are than what is reality?

Today three little piglets came to the farm. Well, five actually, but two are destined for Gerhardt, the three will remain here to grow and become food eventually. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm used to having chickens and turkeys and geese as food animals, but larger animals seem more personal somehow.

I went into the barn to watch them, little pink and white bodies sleeping, snoring slightly. They are 6 - 7 weeks old and about 30-40 lbs right now. They seem exhausted after their day of adventure but I'm sure they'll adjust and be bouncing around tomorrow. Then I'll have some photos of them to post.

The Wedding

The greenhouse is full of flowers - or half grown plants more like in preparation for a wedding. We have been asked to provide the flowers for an Indian wedding that will take place in mid July. Do you know how many flowers are used at an Indian wedding? THOUSANDS. Do you know how important an event this is in Indian culture? BIG. Does this concept worry me? You bet it does.

There are so many variables with growing that one fell swoop of Mother Nature and the bride could be walking up the aisle or whatever she walks up, round or into, with Walmart plastic flowers instead of the real thing. So keep your fingers crossed that all is well. Right now everything is in a commercial sized heated greenhouse, simmering along nicely.

Indian weddings are all about colour with marigolds playing a large role in providing the oranges and yellows. Currently there are 4,000 marigold plants growing, along with countless other varieties of flowers, including hanging begonias which will form centre pieces of floating flowers in special bowls.

Lavish affairs come with a price tag and in this instance money seems to be no object. I would anticipate that this little party will cost in the region of $50,000 all in. Let's hope they don't get divorced six months later...

Draft 3

I've finally decided on an image for my symbolic self portrait. I just have one more image to create in the lower left corner. The colour in the drawing was more me doodling while on the phone than how the real drawing will evolve. It will be in graphite only at this point. I haven't made any decisions about colour and know that this will be something that the drawing it self will tell me.

The challenge is now to transfer it to a larger scale, about 22 x 30 most likely. This image is quite small and is the thumbnail sketch. I guess gridding is likely the best way to go to ensure I get the main elements in the right places. I can fill in the details from there.

While the images are there, I won't explain much about the symbolism. Much of it is personal and its always good to let the viewer put their own spin on what they see and how they interpret it.

Strange packages

Today I picked up a unusual package from the post office. I had ordered something from the USA but it seems it was shipped from Pakistan. That's fine, but the wrapping it came in had me and the post office clerk examining it closely.

The box was shipped in a muslin cotton sleeve and stitched closed. The time and effort that it would take to prepare and ship each package amazes me, considering the speed of today's society. The postage strip was stuck to the muslin and overall, the package was quite exotic by current standards.

Is this common in Pakistan as an 'envelope' or something unusual?

Jewellery

I have created some jewellery, some of which I have donated to charities and which has been well received, so I kept going. I am still working on beach stone jewellery and should have some of that to show early next week I hope. Meanwhile I'm putting a test piece out into the market place locally soon to see what people think.

It is a necklace and matching earrings. The stones are aquamarine and forest landscape jasper, interspersed with turquoise and sea green glass beads with silver bead spacers. The fastening is a heart shaped toggle. The earrings are for pierced ears and have the same aquamarine jasper and sea green beads that the necklace contains. This set is available to purchase for $55 (Canadian).

This is a unique piece of jewellery and will not be replicated. If anyone wishes to purchase it prior to it being let loose to the St. John's public, please email me for payment and shipping details.

Recognition

The Realist Artists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador have chosen my art piece 'The Artist's Cat' as Best of Show in the recent Spring Show that I exhibited a few weeks ago with the Artists Association of NL.

I was thrilled to receive the news and happy as that drawing sold as well. I was to be presented with the award last night at the Association's Annual General Meeting, but unfortunately was unable to attend. I will receive the award later this week however. Its good to receive recognition for work. Artists have fragile egos and every pat on the head counts.

Now to work on more ideas for the symbolic self portrait. After this week so far, barbed wire and high fences seem good choices. The sketch above was a quick line drawing, done while travelling, of a lab looking as if his walk was stopped in mid flight. Perhaps that look would sum me up about now...

Symbolism

The Creative Process in Portrait Drawing

"This class will focus on experimenting with concept, not just drawing a portrait to capture a likeness but to render an “idea”. Realism of course can be used as magically as ever but we can go beyond the boundaries that we set up for ourselves. This can be as straightforward as a certain expression on the face that’s heightened or exaggerated by the artist or it can be taken as far as expressionism or surrealism, even the dreaded “A” word can be explored (abstraction). I do want to keep it in the realm of portraiture so we have a foundation to work from but after that the depth of your imagination is your only boundary. Can an abstraction be portraiture, maybe not in the sense we are used to but there is plenty of abstraction that’s inspired by the human form and I don’t want to exclude an “ism” " Armin Mersmann

I've read over the details of Armin Mersmann's class in WetCanvas - and it is thought provoking. Its about creativity in portraiture and gives 3 options of participating. A narrative portrait, an homage portrait or a symbolic portrait.

I like the thought of a symbolic portrait even though I know it will push me into places I may not have visited for awhile. Both emotionally and technically.

It will also be large. There is a minimum size of 14 x 18, but I will go larger and likely use a full size sheet to produce my work with. I have some Somerset Velvet that may do what I want, or perhaps that full sheet of Bristol illustration board. I anticipate this to be a major work that will take several months to complete. Right now I'm toying with thumbnail sketches and ideas of how I will represent myself. How do I see myself? There are so many facets that can be explored which reflect the past and present, even looking into the future.

My sketches in my travels were minimal and fitting in when I was stuck on airplanes, drawing captives while they were unaware. I also did some line drawings of dogs while enroute also. Line drawings are my current favourite - well my all time favourite really. I love clean lines and outlines.

The French connection

I have been away on business for the last four days and had some challenges with wireless connections there, so didn't have an opportunity to post. Where I stayed was Chateau Montebello in Quebec, in the small town of Montebello, about one and a quarter hour's drive outside of Ottawa. The building and grounds were glorious and luxurious, but my schedule didn't allow much time for sketching so I did a quick amble around one lunch time and took some photos that will act as memories and references for future drawings or paintings.

This was the view from my room. Very rustic looking decor, but very luxurious. Sometimes there are perks in my job... Being in Quebec of course is being submersed in French culture and language - oh and did I mention food?? Canada is a bilingual country with French and English. However in Quebec, you won't find a single sign anywhere in English. I negotiated my way through restaurants and stores with my brain frantically searching for my high school French language courses. As some French friends have said to me, they can understand what I am saying, but my grammar sucks.

More enroute sketches tomorrow, electronics willing.

Donations

This is a sketch in pen and ink and coloured pencil, which was going to be a donation to an organization for a silent auction. I wanted to frame it before I parted with it, but left it too late and didn't have a stock frame available that would fit it, so instead a print was donated instead.

I'm of two minds about donations. I don't mind supporting causes, provided I receive some recognition from the act in terms of exposure and it needs to be a cause that I have a connection with as well. It is difficult to say no to organizations which I know need support, but sometimes I just have to do so and ensure my own needs are taken care of too.

Life in the rearview mirror is closer than you think....

I was playing with my cellphone camera and trying for an eyes only shot in the rearview mirror for an idea I had for a drawing. This photo is interesting as it seems to show three realities all at once. The past, the present and the future. The photo technically isn't great, but interesting all the same.

And to satisfy the wildlife lovers out there, here's the latest in the Newfoundland animal series. A red fox. Or the start of it anyway. Its about 11 x 14 in graphite. There are a lot of foxes around the farm and the lure of chickens is irresistable to them. I have a sort of mafia-like agreement with them. They get old eggs and dead chicks or other casualties in return for leaving the occupants of the barn intact. So far its working.

One-Day Blog Silence

Silence can say more than a thousand words.

This day shall unite us all about this unbelievable painful & shocking event and show some respect and love to those who lost their loved ones.

On April 30th 2007, the Blogosphere will hold a One-Day Blog Silence in honor of the victims at Virginia Tech. More then 30 died at the US college massacre.

But it´s not only about them. This is about all victims everywhere in the world.

Lines

Boredom is not an end-product, is comparatively rather an early stage in life and art. You’ve got to go by or past or through boredom, as through a filter, before the clear product emerges.

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, The Crack-Up

I love line drawings. I think I could happily construct drawings of simple lines and never shade anything and be completely happy. There is purity in lines that very much appeals to me. I think a line drawing was one of the first images that really attracted me at my very first art exhibition many years ago.

I did this sketch this morning (above) while having coffee. The boy was the son of a friend, at the beach and obviously not wanting to be there. You can feel his mood through the body language so well. I did another sketch of his brother (below) who was the complete opposite, head upturned to greet the warming sun of late spring.

The reluctant sitter

Joan

Graphite 11 x 14
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I did a sketch of my mother today. Its very difficult to do drawings of her as she is rarely content with the final outcome, denying her age. Photographing her is even more difficult as she doesn't want her photo taken either. So working with several reference images,none of which were good, and life, I came up with this after about an hour's work.

And no, I didn't get to my large size today. Life got in the way.

Stuck

I'm stuck in a small drawing book again. 11 x 14 to be precise.

I get into sketching mode or small drawings and its so hard to get out of that and into larger sizes and colour. This weekend I will make myself do it.

Oils, pastels, watercolour the medium doesn't matter as long as its colour and as long as its larger than my current security blanket sized page.

Apes and life

I'm toying with the idea of drawing another ape on drafting film and can't decide if it should be a chimpanzee or a gorilla. Both are quite interesting, but finding just the right reference is a challenge. I loved the hand especially on this chimp. The finger shapes and folds of skin made it fascinating to sketch.

I also looked in vain at the Anna Templeton Centre for a life or figure class in St. John's today. There were no life classes and the one figure class only had one registrant so the centre cancelled it. They say they'll call me in the fall as spring/summer isn't a good time, but they seem to be starting up knitting classes then - go figure. Seems to me that any time of year is a good time to draw...The only life class I know of is held on Thursday mornings and as I work, that's no good to me.

It seems I'm back to plan B, which is trying to start a figure class myself. I'll have to look into it after a little trip to Quebec next week. Gerry Squires is holding a life drawing/painting course at Memorial University over two weekends that I would love to attend. But the first weekend is one that I will be out of the province. Sigh. Back to plan 'B'.

Life on both sides

I do need to find a life class again. Its been ages since I have done live drawings of the human figure. The problem is finding one that is held in the evening or on weekends. Everything seems to take place during the day. Maybe I'll just have to run one myself.

I find there are enormous differences between public acceptance of the nude form on both sides of the Atlantic. Europe, for the most part, is very liberal and nudity is part of life and accepted. In North America however, nudity is still seen as representing sex with constant embarrassed jokes and innuendoes when the subject of life classes comes up. I never quite understand that, especially as most North American television is obsessed with bodily functions. Which would I rather see? A bare breast or some air brain float around singing about how easy it is to insert tampons? Hmmmmm, no contest there. But show any frontal nudity on North American television and the country is up in arms over it. Bodily functions seem to be another matter altogether it seems.

Europeans have used nudity and sex in television commercials for years without outcry from the public. Why? Because it is normal. Its natural. Have a look at some of these commercials. These are the much tamer commercials by the way. I don't want the Bible-belters arriving on my doorstep to save my soul...

And lighten up North America.

Here is a sample from IKEA. Need a new bed?

My all time favourite. Time for the kids to leave home? IKEA again.

Or perhaps a Motorola pager?

Then there's a Panasonic ad. Nothing like this in North America.

Bleak house

Lighthouse
5 x 7, graphite
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I started this as a quick sketch that seemed to expand bit by bit. I'm no landscape person. I do them when I have to but usually try to avoid them where possible. Its all that detail that worries me and at some point they get abandoned in favour of something that contains people or animals in many cases.

The photo of this drawing didn't turn out well. The light was fading and its never a good time to try for an image. I will try again in the morning for a better image. The feeling I get from this drawing is rather bleak. It looks so remote and forboding - perhaps the sky or overall grey tones. I'm sure in watercolour or oil it would look entirely different and much more cheerful.

Spring Exhibition

The Artist's Cat

Graphite, 9 x 12, Bristol Smooth
Copyright Jeanette Jobson 2007

Of the four pieces that I put into the Art Association's Spring Exhibition, just one sold and not the one that I expected. I had the House Mouse in the show for a very reasonable price and expected it to go, but I still have it. Everyone loved the mouse but didn't buy it. Instead the image of Tripod sold. That's just fine with me, but I did rather like that drawing and its always with a little regret that I part company with a piece of art. Its like saying goodbye to a friend.

There was a range of art at the exhibition, with most pieces being done in acrylic and a lot of traditional Newfoundland scenes. It was interesting to see others work and talk to other artists. I look forward to contributing more and taking part in the Art Association. Its been too long since I was involved in an organization like this. My workplan for 2007 is slowly coming together in terms of art. Perhaps in June I'll do a check on my wish list and see where I stand and how much I have or have not accomplished. It should be interesting to track it.

Last minute

Coloured Pencil Sketch 9 x 12
Golden Labrador
Copyright Jeanette Jobson

Is 10:15pm and I'm finalizing frames for tomorrow's exhibition. Of course I leave things til the last moment, then rush around trying to do things all at once. I think deadlines are good and perhaps are what spur me to complete tasks. They also produce stress too, but sometimes that is a good thing as well.

I was supposed to have a board meeting this morning, but as full quorum didn't turn up, it did not go ahead. This is very frustrating for me. I spend hours preparing for board meetings, writing reports, financial statements, analysing provincial and national interaction, working out thoughts, questions and answers, adding my own items to agendas, etc etc. So when a board member doesn't show, it throws off my timetable and has a domino effect on the rest of my work. One meeting's results are required to provide useful information at the next meeting, and so on. The meeting will be rescheduled no doubt, but I will not have the missing information for the next. Volunteer boards are unique.

Silver thaw

Today has been stressful. Very stressful.

It started out with the world being coated in ice this morning and spending 20 minutes chipping into the car aided by letting the heater run at full blast inside and wasting more of that ever-increasingly pricey gasoline.

Freezing rain - or drizzle in this case - is expected and dreaded in April in Newfoundland. Its treacherous, bowing trees and turning steps, walks, roads and car parks into skating rinks. The silver lining of it, is that if the sun comes out, the world turns into a glittering crystal of blinding light and there is nothing more beautiful. Provided you can still remain upright while viewing it.
This is the view of the 'garden' from my dining room window. Yes, that's still snow melting out there. Its in a shadier section and is much slower to go.

Its a bit funny calling it a garden, as the land stretches around the house encompassing 15.5 acres. A section of the land behind the house was enclosed by a fence to keep the old dog from wandering off and getting lost and also serves to keep the moose from eating flowers too.

The next section of my day from hell was work. I should not go into detail, knowing that things written online can come back to bite you on the ass. Suffice to say, electronics, staff and workload all play a role in creating my own little pit of fun.

So I drew a little when I came home. A friend's birthday is coming up soon and I hope to do a little nostalgia trip for it. This is an image of him as a teenager who was guitar-mad and still is, so I'll work on putting this into motion and see if I can pull it off. This is a quick line drawing to get a feel for the portrait. Whether it is forty years ago or yesterday, adolescents don't seem to change much do they? I see today, yesterday and the future in this drawing.

Fear of flowers

Why is there cat hair on my laptop? Ah yes, the 'supervisor' at work again...

I just wrote a big long post about how I hate drawing flowers and my adventures in not drawing them with photos and drawings etc., etc., then hit the wrong button and lost it all. Sigh. I just hate it when that happens.

So instead I'll let you know about this:

An Open Book: Portraiture in Art, Literature, and Contemporary Culture
Saturday, April 21, 2007, 2pm - 3:30pm
Level 2 - Theatre

In conjunction with the exhibit Peter Wilkins: Kinetic Portraits of 12 Canadian Writers, The Rooms is pleased to present the panel discussion, An Open Book: Portraiture in Art, Literature, and Contemporary Culture, featuring writers Michael Crummey and Jane Urquhart, as well as artists Craig Francis Power and Peter Wilkins.

Join this group of diverse artists and writers for a varied discussion on portraying self and character in creative practice and contemporary culture. Representing a range of views on the subject, the participants will be here to discuss sources and strategies in their work, as well as influences and current directions in portraiture.

Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome, (first-come, first-seated).

This event is included in the cost of admission to The Rooms.

Oh and the ice is packed into the coves as I saw on the drive to and from work today. I didn't have a camera with me and light was fading by the time I did, so I didn't get any images of it. Perhaps tomorrow if its still there. Meanwhile, you can see some photos of it on Vicky's site here.

Exhibiting

I have joined the Art Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and as a result, I have an opportunity to show some of my work at one of their exhibitions which is being held on April 22nd at the Capital Hotel in St. John's.

I have chosen four drawings to show, two in coloured pencil and two in graphite. Now that I've made my decision on them, I wonder if they are the right choice and represent my work as well as they could. One is a still life, of tomatoes, the other three are animals. Should I have added a portrait or some kind of landscape? Its too late now to change so I'll stick with it and see what happens on Sunday.

This is one of the drawings that will go into the exhibit and the smallest piece. All will be for sale and depending on how well the Association has done their marketing, I hope there will be buyers there.

Animals

Tripod, the cat who thinks he's a dog has shown his colours when it comes to other animals.

A stray beagle was found wandering and secured, waiting for its owner. The cat was in the greenhouse and wandered out, took one look at the dog and attacked it. The cat had to be physically removed from the dog who didn't quite know what had hit it.

I think Tripod may have had some run ins with dogs during his couple of feral years and decided to take the initiative. He was put in the house and spent his time pacing up and down, muttering to himself, dying to get back out there and have another go at the poor dog. Animals!

This is not a drawing of Tripod, but another cat, done for practice. He has that 'well?' look about him...

Sea treasures

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came... (John F. Kennedy)

I've spent time working with stone today. Its an interesting process, full of experimentation and discovery which is fun. Using different bits to produce shapes is very much trial and error, as I haven't done this before.

I tried my first efforts on a hand sized beach stone that's a lovely mid charcoal grey. The design was a mix of several with no name in particular. The straight lines turned out ok, the curves are providing challenges so I still have to go back and refine them more. My lines aren't true, but for a first effort, its ok. I will need to practice more with this.


I then turned my attention to some very small beach stones which I will turn into pendants. They measure about 1.5 - 2 inches in length. These are the first two, which still need to be polished. The greyish larger piece is a piece of whitened sea-worn timber, perhaps from some long lost ship now at the bottom of the Atlantic. I love the concept of having something tangible that the sea has provided to use in a different way.

There are lots of possibilities for jewellery using naturally found materials. I will be hunting the beach for more varied shades and colours of stones or other treasures and perhaps unearth some nice sea glass as well.