by Nysha | Jun 22, 2008 | Artist Way, Contemporary Realist Academy, Puppies
There are few times in life that things seem to flow, work together in the manner you intend. This is one of the times it has for me.This is charcoal on paper of a model at the Atelier, finished this month (15 x 11)I love this image. Bathed in soft light the figure sleeps (she really did fall asleep) unaware of being watched. Subdued shadows define the form resting on the draped bed.What does this make you think of? Perhaps it looks familiar? This is the same pose as an older post, but from the other side of the room.I am in the process of doing the “Artist Way” by Julia Cameron. Part of the process includes weekly ‘Artist’s Date’ or a time each week when you do an activity designed to feed your Inner Artist. This week I got finger paints and had a blast!Here are three of my favorites:First swirled on with no fingers, Next swirled on, finger swirled on half the sheet of paper then folded over to create mirror images, and a Mono-print (made by swirling on paint, finger swirling and then placing paper on top of wet paint). This date was so much better than last week when I purchased a few toys from the dollar store. One was a gun that shoots ping pong balls whose trigger broke on the first shot. Expensive toy! And last, but definitely not least is out new puppy. Isn’t he cute! And looks like a handfull at the same time,...
by Nysha | Jun 8, 2008 | Contemporary Realist Academy, embroidery, ink on fabric
So the season of bathing suits is upon us. I for one will not be donning one this season. My mouth has taken control of the waist-line and, well it’s just not a go for this year…I have been watching other figures however . Want a peek? There are faces and there are faces. These are the three faces of Mary... (These are in Ink on cotton)The first (center) is ‘Drag Mary’. “She looka like a mah(n)” Miss Swan.Next we have ‘Fake Tan Mary’ (left). She felt bad being so pale and went nuts with the bronzer.Last we have ‘Serene Mary’. She is soft focus and beautiful, but awaits her appointment to get her brows fixed. Note though that ‘Serene Mary’ is the only one with her left eye showing. Wonder why? CAUSE I SCREWED THE OTHERS UP… this was not an attempt to copy Warhol, just an attempt to get it right. Perhaps ‘Serene Mary’ can indeed have her brows worked on otherwise She will be a quartet. Bet you are wondering what purpose Mary serves in my work and on my blog! You will have to stay tuned to find out… (dun dun dah!)This is Sue. Perhaps more accurately a depiction of Sue… I am trying out stitches for a ‘drawn’ portrait. Here ‘Chain stitch’ is employed to mixed results. I have been advised to try ‘backstitch’ and that will post upon it’s completion. (Note: there is a janky spot in the drawing. I know it’s there and I know you know it’s there — just proves that drawing really does count.) This is a drawing, or...
by Nysha | May 31, 2008 | Margot Lovinger, workshops
Months ago I was reading an e-mail digest when Margot Lovinger’s name came up. I clicked the link and went to view her site AMAZING. Not much longer I learned of a class with her. You can guess what happened next! I trekked to upstate New York to the beautiful town of Greenville and the Greenville Arms. The Arms is a charming B and B with art classes/workshops. For five and a half days Margot lovingly supervised our efforts and shared her techniques. She is a most interesting person with a truly great eye and spirit. I enjoyed her as much as the knowledge. To start I took a picture or some beets. Well it was supposed to be a simple image. I thought two beets were simple. I ended up cropping it down to one whole leaf and part of another. Simpl-ER… Layers of tulle tacked down all creating light and shadow whose colors shift as the viewer moves slightly giving life and depth to the piece. Not the quickest stuff and yet breath taking. Well at least hers is — I have some time to put in to the technique before mastery! So here is my beet… can’t wait to get started on a...
by Nysha | May 6, 2008 | challenge quilt, politics, Quilt Show by the Sea
The challenge quilt at “Quilt Show by the Sea” for 2008 was ‘War and Peace’. I knew I wanted to do the challenge — well, because it was a challenge. I thought and thought about what approach to take. At first I wanted to do a portrait of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto after she was assassinated. As pumped as I was I could not secure rights to a photo of her in time to complete the challenge… What to do? I was looking at the three fabrics whose use was required in the challenge and the country-ness struck me and I started thinking about children, specifically the red reminded me of a school. Could a nursery rhyme be a catalyst? Then it occurred to me that political leaders are like Jack and Jill. Going about their own business with little regard to consequences. And the victims of their selfish ploys (war) are the next generation and the hope they embody. Jack and Jill the challenge quilt was born… When my hill was pieced and the schoolhouse appliqued I turned to stump work (a form of embroidery that is raised). Jack and Jill have shisha mirror faces. Reflecting the ones culpable… The background quilting on the border repeats icons of war and peace; dove, nuclear symbol, heart, missile, star, pentagon, laurel wreath… The poem is written around the border. It reads: Jack and Jillwent up the hillto kill off all the peaceJack fell downand broke his crownand Jill thought it a jokeup Jack gotand down they trotwith all their ammunitionand when again to aim at hopeto doom this generation Not...
