Cerinthe

Cerinthe grew this summer in the greenhouse. It was a newcomer to me and I hadn't seen the plant previously but the flowers were enchanting, such lovely shades of blues and purples. I took some photos of it and today thought I'd tackle my arch enemy - drawing flowers. I have to say that I rather enjoyed it so far.

Its coloured pencil, 9 x 12 Canson paper. I've kept it soft and somewhat grainy so far. Just getting the richness of the purple-blues is the challenge.

The flower is cerinthe major pupurescens - Kiwi Blue for those who may want to try their hand at growing it. Its an annual and easy to grow. Its also known as the Blue Shrimp Plant.

Reality

Reality Yoked

9 x 12 Derwent Drawing Pencils
copyright Jeanette Jobson

This is not a pretty picture. Its not meant to be. It is reality - or what was reality many years ago, seen through historical reinactments. This is however a real person.

I finished this drawing/sketch today and posted it and am interested in some comments that were made about it that show how people's perception of the world is slewed.

People want attractiveness around them. They fear becoming old and they fear seeing a side of life that they may see a part of themselves in. I think a lot of this perception is in North America and how the press bombards the public with messages of how life will be better only if you have the right lifestyle, have money, are youthful, are a certain height or weight, dye your hair, wear the right clothes, etc., etc.

The thing is, that people buy into this crap like its a religion. Then when confronted with reality, they either turn away or refuse to believe it, preferring the sanitized version of life. I personally like reality, even the harshness of it at times. I refuse to fall into the trap of advertisers and corporations trying to sell their products and brainwash me into believing that it will change my life and make me happy.

There are people out there who have no money, no jobs, no houses. There are people out there with wrinkles and grey hair. People are overweight, have illnesses, dental problems, money problems and no education.

There are no easy solutions to any of the problems and these problems have been around since time began in one form or another. But don't pretend they don't exist and don't pretend that you're any better than others in the world or that anyone else believes you're younger than you are. You can wear the lambskin and live in the house, but you'll still be mutton.

How rare is your personality?

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ISFP)

Your personality type is caring, peaceful, artistic, and calm. Only about 7% of all people have your personality, including 8% of all women and 6% of all men You are Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Yoked

I've always had a love of historical things, and spent many hours exploring old houses, castles, cemeteries and historic ruins.

In the WDE of WetCanvas there was an image of a woman wearing a yoke from a historical reinactment and the image appealed to me. I have visited similar projects where the characters come to life and play the part of life in that era, making it seem more real. I haven't ever tried a yoke, but imagine that it likely is a pretty good way of distributing weight evenly to be carried.

Here is the sketch for the drawing that will be done with Derwent Drawing pencils. Or an attempt.

Summer ducklings

These are a mix of ducklings that were hatched over the last couple of months. They are all sold and here waiting in the meadow pen for their new owners.

Because they live in the barn and haven't been outside until now, they're skittish and when you approach them, they all move in a group as if they are connected. A wave of birds, rather the way some flocks of birds move in the sky. Its as if invisible cords connect them all.They moved together into the shade of the lean to awning and chattered among themselves as I photographed them. I didn't stay too long as I didn't want to stress them too much. Each day they become less timid and, if they were staying on the farm, they'd be out with the other ducks wandering wherever they felt like and not minding human presence at all.

Art shows

Junior - completed
Graphite 9 x 12 on Bristol Smooth
Copyright Jeanette Jobson

Why is there always a flurry before a show? I must get complacent and figure I have lots of time, then suddenly realize that the deadline is looming and panic sets in.

With panic, mistakes happen and everything seems to go wrong as I rush. I had the piece framed then decided at the last moment that I wanted it in a larger frame. I have a few spare frames so I chose a larger one and one by one the framing pins broke. Then I got the drawing taped in and realized it was crooked. Start again.

More framing pins break.

Swearing starts in earnest.

I finally got the drawing and the frame to cooperate, cleaned the glass, carefully pushed in the remaining framing pins and sealed the back of the finished piece. I decided I'd better wire it just in case. I didn't know how it was being hung on the other end, so figured I'd be on the safe side and cover all eventualities. Of course the posts wouldn't go into the frame would they? Nooooooo. I searched all over the house looking for my dremel drill, but its in the barn. Across the wet yard. In the pitch dark. I went on to plan B.

This is where I knew that high school math would eventually serve me well. A compass point! I rummaged around in the jar behind the kettle and came up with one, applied pressure to the frame and sure enough, it worked beautifully. Its probably the only useful thing that ever came out of my high school math.

This piece is going to Corner Brook, which is an 8 hour drive from here, so next I needed to wrap the picture so it wouldn't have chipped corners or broken glass by the time it arrived. Did I remember to buy bubble wrap on the way home? Nooooooooooooooo. Its 10pm by now and the stores are very shut. Plan B comes into action - or as I call it, recycling. More cupboards opened and searched, more swearing. Finally I found some bubble wrap from another package that didn't have all the bubbles popped (its such a satisfying stress reliever, popping those little bubbles isn't it?). So after liberal application of bubble wrap, wrapping paper and tape, the piece sits, awaiting delivery tomorrow and then on its way. Its not a pretty package, but it will get there.

Now I'm exhausted. And that was just ONE piece. The next show on October 21 is four pieces.

I'm going to buy bubble wrap tomorrow. And a bottle of whiskey.

Got tuna?

Got Tuna?
Graphite & coloured pencil 7 x 9
Copyright Jeanette Jobson

It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.

(Camille Pissarro)

Tripod's favourite food is tuna. People tuna at that. Or dry catfood which he had to learn to eat as he'd never eaten it before judging by how he tried to gulp down mouthfuls of it without crunching it up first.

His gets his fix of tuna twice a day and is VERY vocal about it if you're not prompt enough serving it up. Tuna, with additional 'fresh' morsels that he catches and proudly leaves for me in the grass by the front step. Mice, shrews, rabbit, muskrat and something with a long furry tail - that was all that was left. Disability obviously doesn't cause many problems for this guy.

What's in a name?

I've decided from the names offered as possible titles for the portrait...... and .......

it will be named Watching Her Leave which was offered by Cyril from The Teaching Life. Not an artist in the traditional sense, but creative in many other ways, especially in teaching.

The piece is now framed and will be entered in an exhibition hosted by the Realist Artists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, of which I am a member. This show is for female artists only.

"Women in Newfoundland Art"

The theme of this show celebrates women and the works of these women that have been inspired by their emotional, social and physical interaction with the environment of this place they call home.

Running October 6 to 26, 2007 at the Arts and Culture Centre, Corner Brook.

I sifted through a number of titles suggested in my blog or via email. They ranged from sentimental to profound. And I am so thankful that there are people out there who were kind enough to take time to offer their thoughts.

Naming an art piece is complex. It reflects the creator, the piece and the viewer. A title of an art piece can make or break it. It is part of the piece and entices the viewer to look deeper and create their own story within the lines and colours.

So thank you Cyril, a print of Moored will be sent to you during this week. Enjoy!

If anyone would like to purchase a print of Moored, please contact me at jjobson at nl dot rogers dot com. They are available for $45 plus shipping. The print size is 9 x 12 with a 2 inch border.

Viewpoints on Commissions

A Different Viewpoint
coloured pencil 4 x 6
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I don't think I've seen a cat with bi-coloured eyes in real life, but its seems to be a fairly common occurance, especially white cats. This image was a nice little exercise in CP to do off and on during the day.

Commission horrors come in many forms. Here are some of mine:

1. Creased, ragged indistinct photos taken against the light so the figure is almost in shadow.
2. Middle aged women who think they are 21 and want their portrait to look that way.
3. Tweakers. Those people who want changes. Over and over and over and over.
4. Last minuters. They want a large portrait. In oil. In two days. Yeah, right.
5. Bargain hunters. They too want a portrait of Mom, Dad, Fido - only the best. But they haggle over price like they're in a market in Marrakesh. Stick with your pricing.
6. No shows. Those charming people who never pick up their paintings. ALWAYS get a 50% deposit.
7. Relatives. Because they are related to you, they believe you should work for free or for flattery. No. Well ok, perhaps a sketch, but no detailed work without payment.

There are lots of problems associated with commissions and also lots of pleasure too. There is a sigh of relief when a piece is handed over to the customer and there are smiles all round with no changes requested and no argument over payment.

Best buy date for art pieces

Crabapples

Drawing is a bit like shopping.

When you don't have the money and don't really need anything, items in stores leap out at you saying buy me. When you do have money and have a need for something to wear, there is not a single thing in the whole city.

With drawing I can start out with a simple sketch of an eye for example and the rest of the drawing just falls off the pencil onto the paper. But present me with a deadline or ask me to create a specific 'something' and it will take me several tries before I can get a decent result.

I want to start a new drawing. No, I need to start a new drawing. I need new pieces for upcoming exhibitions. I have pieces in my portfolio and floating around on my drafting table. These are old pieces to me but new to others. I always date my pieces - just the year alongside my signature and then wonder 'Will the viewing public think this is 'stale'?' if its a year old or two years old. Is there a 'best buy' date for drawings and paintings? Do people want very current pieces, done within the year. Or do they buy older pieces or do they even care or notice?

What do you do? Is your exhibition art all brand spanking new or is some still dusting off from two or three or more years ago? Do older pieces smack of 'loser' and mean that you can't sell your art? The buying public are a fickle bunch sometimes and every edge to keep their attention is vital.

How old are pieces that you show?

Naming an art piece

Watching Her Leave

Graphite 9 x 12 on Bristol Smooth
Copyright Jeanette Jobson

I've completed this self portrait from all those years ago and learned to hate plaid pants. Especially plaid pants in an ill defined photograph. I tweaked the drawing when I got home today, sprayed and framed it. It will likely be a piece for an upcoming exhibition, but I still have to spend more time reviewing my portfolio and see what other pieces are suitable.

Naming a piece is something that can come easily with some pieces and totally impossible with others. Its like getting a puppy and within hours or days its name surfaces without searching, usually based on some behaviour. But art doesn't have behaviour. It does evoke emotion and memory which is what usually inspires the name for the piece. Or if there is a specific activity occurring within the piece it can inspire a name.

In this piece I'm stuck for a name., so I'm hoping for some suggestions from blog readers. The setting is Christmas 1955 likely a new doll - some sort of elf by the looks of it. I really am at a loss for a title for this and need to come up with something so it can go into an exhibition. So let's call this a brainstorming exercise and I'll throw in a print of either Weeds I or Moored for the name that is chosen!

Update

Self Portrait
Graphite 9 x 12 Bristol Smooth
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I've worked on this piece in tiny fragments of time. Early morning before work and when I get home from work, I try to fit in some drawing time, then of course weekends where I do my main block of work. I'm deepening values in the drawing to bring it forward a little.

The image isn't great, as I had a late meeting so I wasn't able to take a decent photo in the available light when I got home.

I've been adding more links to other blogs and resources as I remember them and find some new ones too. So if I am missing your link, please let me know and I'll be happy to add it again. More than anything right now I need to sleep. Its been a long busy day and I was up late last night dealing with my little indiscretion of losing all my links.

New look

I've played around with updating my blog's template to add a heading image and I've done so. This is a view of Flatrock bay in one of its tranquil moments. It may not be the final image, more the experiment.

Unfortunately, in doing so, I seem to have lost all my links to other blogs and everything else I had on the page. Sigh. Why is it technology never quite seems to work for me? But never fear my friends, I will find you all and reinstate you, safe and sound and perhaps even find some new people as well!

So tell me what you think of the new look? Is a photo appropriate or should I go with a drawing instead? I'm half scared to tinker more in case I lose anything else!

Sundays

There are bonuses to waking very early in the morning. It means that I have time to squeeze in some drawing before the day hits and takes away my time. I work more developing the line drawing from yesterday and its coming along. Aside from that time this morning, my Sunday was shot in doing other things.


I have a new digital camera - a Canon PowerShot A560. Not an expensive camera ,but its increase in megapixels over the current camera makes a big difference in clarity for images. I also bought a couple of frames as I will need them in the coming weeks.

Before that I did some repairs in the rain to my mother's porch window. In its age, the glass was literally nearly falling out so I had to locate good old fashioned putty and points and reinstall that. The rest of the windows in the porch need refitting and I'll do that over the next couple of weeks. All the windows need replacing as they are very old and the frames themselves are rotting. I guess in a few years not many people will remember how to install glass in a window as everything is vinyl or aluminum and factory sealed.

Portrait

I started this drawing today and haven't quite decided yet where it will go. It is from an old photo of me taken when I was 21 months old. The photo is reasonably clear but does not have the detail that would be in a photograph taken today. However, its a lot better than some I've seen. I'm deciding whether to use it as part of a teaching class or just go ahead and turn it into a painting or some sort of coloured drawing.

I had done a little coloured pencil experiment with it some time ago on a form of drafting film. I hadn't found a source of the correct film at that point, so the experiment was on a harder, thicker version of Mylar and didn't come out quite as I wanted. With the photo in black and white, I created the colours from my imagination and from some vague, sketchy memory of furniture and colours that I was often dressed in as a child.

I'll play with it for awhile and decide where it takes me. Today obviously isn't a painting day for me. I tried two oils so far today and trashed both. They turned into muddy messes so I figured it was best to go on to some other mediums instead. Tomorrow's another day.

Things come in threes

Artist trading cards
2.5 x 3.5 coloured pencil
copyright Jeanette Jobson

Things are coming together. Way back in January I set some goals for myself artistically and, while, its taking some time, its moving towards those objectives.

I've finally finished the ATC cards so they can be sent to their destinations. I have to say that its not an exercise that I enjoyed a lot. I don't like the very small size a lot and trying to fit detail into it. As a mainly realist artist, I'm a detail freak so not getting it in there makes me a little uneasy.

There are several exhibitions coming up - one in a couple of weeks, the other on October 21 and another in early December that I hope to enter. I just need to choose (or create) the right pieces for the shows so tomorrow I'll open the portfolio and make some decisions.

I also have a couple of teaching opportunities coming up too and need to create a course outline for one and then determine whether the other is a lecture type or hands-on session. I'm used to practical teaching by example and having students participate using materials and exercises. I can do a lecture on my training and work and how I have come to where I am now, but need to think about that for a bit. How do I make it interesting and fill a couple of hours? Any suggestions from artists out there who have done lecture series before are very welcome.

There is also another lead for yet a third teaching position that I will follow up next week. If it plays out, it would give me a little more flexibility in content and frequency of teaching.

You know I have never thought of myself as a teacher and it amazes me when someone tells me that I'm imparted knowledge to them effectivly. I have a million thoughts swirling around in my head and often they don't translate into words - or not the words that I want them to translate into. So when people learn and I see progress , its very pleasing and still quite amazing.

Killick

Killick: A small anchor made of an elongated stone set in a wooden frame. Normally has two curved wooden timbers forming a cross as the base to this center stone, with pliable sticks rising from the base around the center stone and then tied and laced together just above the stone. Used for anchoring small boats and fishing nets. Also called killock or kellick. Either from Irish or Scottish origins.

I've had a long day of meetings and no art to show for my efforts, so I thought I'd share a little piece of Newfoundland trivia with you. The photo above is a representation of a killick. These were the original anchors, used when iron anchors were not available or affordable by fishermen, both in Ireland and Scotland. As the majority of ancestors of Newfoundlanders are either British or Irish, the killick was easily replicated from the trees and rocks naturally found here.

Drawing ability

Street Performer
7 x 9 graphite
copyright Jeanette Jobson

If you can draw, you can draw, right? Why is it that some days I can draw anything almost flawlessly and other days everything I try turns into a grey mess? The latter is today.

I am tired so that likely has something to do with my inability to be coherent on paper. I wake early and usually do my best work then, even before dawn strikes the tops of the pines.

Ice cream will solve the problem. I am sure of it. I'll let you know if it works. Meanwhile I'll leave you with a sketch of another street performer. I ran out of paper with this sketch so the hand and arm are a little small as I squeezed them in to fit.

Hops

Hop
6 x 6 coloured pencil and pen & ink
copyright Jeanette Jobson

This is the first of a little botanical exercise I'm embarking on that serves two purposes. One, it give me practice drawing botanical plants, which is my weak point and two, it focuses my mind on my medicinal herbs, reinforcing their merits and uses to ensure that they don't become less important in my world.

These are baby hops which are literally covering the fence from the dining room window, stretching out towards the arbour at the rear of the house. I grew them from seed 3 or 4 years ago and the three plants that remain luckily were two female and one male so I get 'fruit' from them.

These hops are the same ones that give flavour to beer, but are also a mild relaxant, used to enhance sleep and calm nerves. It is one of the 'bitters' which aid digestion by increasing saliva and bile.

Applications: Antispasmodic/Soporific/Sedative

Hops are primarily used to reduce tension and aid in sleep.

Sleep Aid: As a sleep aid, hops can be used in a sachet inside of a pillow. The aromatic properties of the herb will help one to fall asleep.

Tension: Hops can be taken to help relax the muscles and soothe anxiety.

Digestive Aid: Hops can help to relax spasms of the digestive system and aid in digestion.

An exerpt from Wikipedia on the use of hops.

Hops have long-established and well-studied medicinal properties and uses, although new uses and properties are also being explored. Two of the many medically active ingredients in Hops are humulene and lupuline.

Dried female buds have a high methylbutenol content, which has a mild sedativecentral nervous system; it is used in the treatment for insomnia, stress and anxiety. If one has trouble getting sleep, hop tea before going to bed may help, though a quantity of beer has similar results. effect on the

Hops' antibacterial qualities also stimulate gastric juice production.

Hops have been studied for anti-viral properties and antimycobacterial properties^]. They also contain numerous various flavonoids, and they have been studied for containing Estrogen precursors as well.

Weekends

I've hardly had any time this weekend to draw or paint. Life seems to have taken over in one way or another. I've been trying to make some inroads on these little ATCs that I promised to do. I have seven, more or less, with another two to go. I can't say that I like working on this scale. Miniature drawings are challenging to compose and execute. Animals, as always, flow better than other subjects.

The pigs were sent off yesterday and it took an hour or more longer than anticipated to load them into the trailer, poor things. Like most animals, they don't enjoy change and walking up a ramp into a trailer for them is big change with lots of different sounds, sights and smells. However, I said my goodbyes to them and they are gone.
Very few people really acknowledge where their food comes from or the process, people and animals involved in it. I think if more people did know, conditions of how animals are raised would improve dramatically. I won't get on my soap box about animal rights, except to say the next time you buy meat or poultry or eggs or milk in the market, give a silent thank you to the animals who provided it.

I found a new fruit today. When I'm shopping I seem to have one eye looking for things that would make interesting drawings and today I found some. Prickly pears. These are very new to me and I've never seen them before here. The taste is fairly nondescript, but the colour of the flesh is a beautiful blood red, perfect for a painting. So those and a bag of large, bright lemons went into the cart and hopefully I'll be able to make a start on some painting tonight or during the week.