Impression of Crystal Bridges

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened  on 11-11-11. We waited until November 20 to make our first 
visit, to avoid some of the crowds.  Actually, the crowds were still there, but we missed the V.I.P.s . 


We spent the whole afternoon looking at the various exhibits in the galleries. There were volunteers ready to help lost visitors, guide tours, and answer questions about the pieces of art. The facilities are still under construction, including landscaping and trails.

 There were more galleries than we had time to cover, so we wound up spending most of our time in Wonder World, Colonial, and 19th Century collections.  I jotted down some of names of some of the pieces of art and the artists, so I could view more of their works online. I took some photos of some of the works (non-flash permitted).  I have uploaded some of my photos from the Wonder World exhibit.

Vik Muniz: White Brazilian Orchid After Martin Johnson Head

 

Nam June Paik  John Cage Robot II

    

Evan Perry: Old Self Portrait of the Artist as He Will (Not) Be Var. #2

                Nick Cave:  Soundsuit 2010

 

            Nick Cave:  Soundsuit 2010

                                                    

Drawing from Nature

Week Two  of  "Sketching and Watercolor In A Mixed Media Journal with Jane LaFazio" involves drawing from nature, and progressing from drawing to design.

Between the subzero winter and the month of 100 degree plus summer days, nature has taken quite a beating around here this year.  Fall temperatures and some rain have improved my garden.  Chose to draw a Japanese eggplant, that hasn't produced anything this year, but is attractive and alive.

Everyday Object Three

I always liked "Butch", the Rookwood bulldog, but could never afford one. The economy has driven Rookwood pottery values down about 50%, so I managed to get one at an auction recently.

I just had to keep the cats from knocking it off the table while I worked on my drawing.

Everyday Objects Day 2

I used one of my eBay treasures for my second subject in Everday Objects, a Royal Doulton ceramic basket of puppies. I've collected a number of dog figures over the years and this is one of my favorites.
 I used a combination of Tombow and Pitt pens with some watercolor for this object.
 

Next time, I'm going to have to be more selective about the object I draw and it's placement on the page. 

Sketching & Watercolor In A Mixed Media Journal

I'm back from a stay in the hospital, just in time to start Jane LaFazio's  Sketching & Watercolor In A Mixed Media Journal.  I've taken a number of Jane LaFazio's online classess, so I have most of my supplies on hand. The few items I need should arrive before I need them.

The first week's project is Everyday Objects, where the students collect a series of drawings of items around the on a journal page.  My first object, a little robot dog has been gathering dust on a shelf since I discovered how much mayhem it could cause around real dogs and cats.

 

I'm planning on adding 2 - 3 more objects during the coming week.  I have plenty of time to work on them; I'm grounded until the surgeon releases me,  at least another week.

The following photos are of a large (4" or so) praying mantis I found while I was clearing brush.  Looks like an alien, doesn't it?

 

 

A Watched Pot

 

It's been a busy two weeks.  Since my last post, I have:

• Made two trips to the vet with different dogs 
• Dropped off  an overdue library book (haven't paid the fine)
• Stopped by the hospital for a fasting blood test (I hate them, but the doctor has been insistent since the heart surgery.)
• Watered the almost-dead garden, since the predicted rain did not come
• Participated in volunteer proofreading for Distributed Proofreaders
• Assembled a new bed frame and hauled off the old one

While assembling the bed frame, I almost stepped on a tiny frog on the porch.  Before relocating it to a safer location, I took some photos.  The frog,  an excellent example of camouflage,  was cooperative and cute--for a frog.

All these activities left little time for drawing and painting.

Monday evening, I peeled and cut up some potatoes for supper.   I dropped the peeled potatoes in an old Club Aluminum pot we paid $2.00 for at a local auction. While the potatoes were boiling, I realized there was enough time to make a quick drawing.  I took my pencils, pens, and watercolor, then painted the scene in my Strathmore Watercolor  Visual Journal.

A little practice is better than no practice at all.

Vegetable Sculptures at the Farmers Market

 

My garden has produced almost nothing this year because of the heat, so I took a trip to the Fayetteville Farmers Market to buy some vegetables. I took my art kit went with me. My kit is minimal:   a mechanical pencil, a kneaded eraser, a Pitt pen, a Winsor-Newton watercolor field kit, a Ninji waterbrush, a moleskin journal, and a Canon Powershot, all stashed in a reusable black Wal-mart shopping bag.

 I wish my yard looked as fantastic as the town square garden.

 

 

 

 

There was a contest for budding vegetable sculptors.

 

The winning sculptor would receive a Chia Pet.

The market wasn't very busy, so I listened to some of the musicians, talked to some of the exhibitors, and took a some photos.

Taking a seat on a stone wall, did a quick pencil I sketch of the market.  I'm not thrilled with the result, but the more practice I get, the better the results should be.

I'm looking forward to doing more drawings on location this fall.