Not Okay...Okay.

Joy comes in the morning...okay. I'm okay.

DOWN....

Bad night at life drawing. I couldn't do anything. Couldn't concentrate. I tell myself it happens...tomorrow will be better. I know it will but I feel pretty bad at the moment.

AAAaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgh.

Life Drawing Classes

Glenn Thomas, instructor for Oklahoma City Arts
1 to 3 minute gestures . . .

Personal . . . a photo from my son.

This is for those who know my son Darren with his golden retriever Piper (duck in mouth)....he sent me this great picture from his iphone in Texas ... says "A Fun Morning". An Eagle Scout ... Darren was introduced to more outdoor interests than he will ever have time for.

Self Portrait - Conte Crayon on Strathmore Paper

UPDATE #2: According to Cennini pros...this is a badly off...it stinks. I feared that would be the case. Now I'm embarrassed and a bit discouraged...again...but that is how you grow is it not? It's hard work taking the criticism to heart and starting over. Glad I had the guts to post it.

Please take the poll - top right of the page.
Should I post this on Cennini self portrait thread?

Will I embarrass myself and should try again? I can't do a self portrait without looking severe because I am concentrating so hard and I can't photograph it so that it matches the drawing and that makes it worse. The strokes are much more subtle than it appears.

UPDATE #1: I posted this on Cennini with great reservations. Thanks Susan for encouraging me to do so ... I am always questioning myself wondering if I can't "see" how bad or amateurish my art is. (:O o) Most people don't respond at all to my art, and so I can only think it is not so good. If they do respond they are usually displaying reserved politeness ... kind of like "Oh that is so interesting. Oh that's good." (What does that mean? I'm thinking they really can't find anything to say ... not wanting to hurt my feelings.)

I won't think of exhibiting my art until I get better and I'm become more confident. If my work is good or if my work is amateurish I need to know ... regardless of the pronouncement it won't stop me from trying to improve myself. Obviously, I am insecure of my judgment and that is a first for me. This fine art level of art is throwing me for a loop.

These are from life drawing sessions provided by the Oklahoma Art Guild each week. To have a model each week for such a small membership fee is providing area artists with such a great opportunity to grow. The first drawing is a ten minute pose using vine charcoal. My photography continues to frustrate me. If I use a flash, the subtly of the drawing suffers. I photoshop them and still don't get satisfactory results. Any way, here are my versions of my work. I am starting a Wednesday night class with Glenn Thompson; hope that the instructions will be worth my time.



Pick your version. The real drawing is somewhere in between. This is conté on white Strathmore series 400 drawing paper.

Year's largest moon of the year...

January 2009 Drawings

5 minutes gesture drawings.





Twenty minute drawings.







Life Drawings...any comments.

Asking Stupid Questions

?????????????

Have you ever needed to ask a stupid question and didn't have the nerve to ask?

The risk of being made the fool disrobes one's ego and worst, exposes one's personal cowardice. (I took it out of the 2nd person ... knaw......)

Honest questions rip the mask off. It's the information you think everyone should know but somehow you don't know it. NO ONE IS THAT SMART TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING. Why do we think people are and why are we intimidated?

Few people want to open that door to expose the level of their real intellect and span of knowledge. So we all hide. It's that little tiny crack in the human mask that may reveal an empty space in one's pantry. That little openness could lead to a complete loss of credibility as being an educated person. Oh how people like to laud their knowledge over other people; no one, I repeat is that smart.

On the other hand, if courage overpowers the risk, and the question is asked, and that courage is recognized (because others without courage are wanting for that stupid questioned to be asked) a hero is born. What happens? Praise is bestowed upon one's head and oddly enough greater measures of credibility are pronounced upon that courageous person. What character to ask such a obvious question?

I am determined to put my ego and pride behind me and take that risk. There are some questions that need to be asked of those respected for having the answer.

I'll play the fool and in the end grow beyond my detractors.

Welcome 2009

Ring Out, Wild Bells
from In Memoriam A.H.H.
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1849)

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.