second session

I managed to finish this up yesterday - even though I am fighting an intestinal flu type thing...It was gratifying to get to finally shade and use white chalk. I used a 300 lb arches cold press watercolor paper toned with an india ink wash and loved the surface. I'm so enjoying the slow process of this. Next week we have another two part pose, but I'll be gone the following week so hopefully the teacher will be okay with me finishing it in the one session.
It's interesting that the teacher is only 34 years old- all of us are in our 50s and 60s taking the class!

Slow the heck Down

I am taking a class with Leo Mancini-Hresko at the North River Arts this spring-classical figure drawing. I have always done everything fast- and sort of pride myself on that- but this class is making me see how important it is to slow down and take my time. I spent 3 hours (with breaks) drawing this classic pose. Next week- three more hours will be spent finishing. I see the value in slowing down and concentrating on proportions and angles, holding back on details and shading. I may not aspire to paint this way, but who knows. I am so enjoying being in a class again, with my friends- all of them accomplished artists.
Leo showed us how to prepare the paper- this is 300lb Watercolor paper with india ink wash- then charcoal on top.

Foxy Mosaic- Done and Dusted!

I sent this image off to the Mosaic Society today for the upcoming salon-glad to get this done!

Mosaic in progress

I am excited to be attending the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) conference in San Diego next month. There are workshops, exhibits, lectures and a mosaic mural marathon all week. I am working on this mixed media ceramic and glass fox piece ( it's about 8"x10" ) for the salon show. I am sure my eyes will be bugging out seeing all the amazing art! 

Mosaic is a fun medium, there's a lot for me to learn, as I am working on a few outdoor mosaic projects lately. When I can't seem to get my paintings happening it's wonderful and meditative to work on these. 

"Pallete" challenge 6"x8" acrylic

This is my painting  for the girls just wanna paint group challenge

The theme for February was "palette".

Interesting to paint in black and white and fun to add the little blobs of color.