Zoo Drawings & Other WC Winter 2012

Winter Practice

Head  W2011 oil on canvas paper

Winter quarter wasn't my best production time but I did seem to increase my color sense thanks to Kimberly Trowbridge. Photo's never really do the paintings justice but it does seem to document a bit of progress. Now I just need to be able to get myself to the easel all by myself and begin to practice on my own. It's like kick-starting a car. I keep kicking the tires but nothing happens. Maybe I'll find the key soon.

Man W2011 oil on canvas paper

Girl W2011 oil on canvas

qiang-huang, a daily painter: "Addie 2"

qiang-huang, a daily painter: "Addie 2"

Snow Cold Lonely Hellebore

Well, I looked out my kitchen window this morning and saw a very sad singular Hellebore who got very cold last night but was basking in the morning sunshine with snow all around.  The inside/out view resulted in this little watercolor sketch.

Today was Magnuson Park

Magnuson Park was bright and sunny with many cold spots.  In the sun it was warm, in the shade the ice never melted. Beth and I took the oils out for a spin for an hour or two.  Saw lots of snow capped mountains with blue sky and blue water.    Also, finished (for awhile anyway) my Self-Portrait #05. A pencil sketch on sketch book paper.   

Someday I'll learn how to take good photos of my work.  Neither of these are as bright or interesting as the originals.  

A few Plein Air outings produced the following

Well I actually decided to take a picture or two of a couple plein air images that I produced just to give myself a boost and say that "yes I did do some creating during the last six months."  Not much, but a little.  I'm not very good at getting a good image of the original product yet.  I keep trying but the photo process always seems to damage the color intensity and contrast of the original.  The photo never seems to be as intense.  Oh well, I'll keep trying.  In order:

1. Looking at Capital Hill from Gasworks Park
2. On the top of Discovery Park, old buildings and officer housing
3. Fisherman's Terminal view of the Net Sheds from BNSF yard

Newest Family Member - Bean

I guess I need to be more diligent in my postings.  Its been at least six months and there has been lots of activity:  FINA World Masters Swimming Champs in Goteborg, Sweden, a week on Muckle Roe in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, end of summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year 2011 and another birthday.  Oh, and a new addition to the family - Bean, the mini poodle with unknown mix.

Bean likes to chase the big dogs at the dog park who chase the balls their owners throw.  He has no interest in catching a ball, just in the chase.  He likes popcorn and squeaky toys.  With limited eyesight he has security issues and is a great guard dog that barks a bit too much when he feels threatened.  But, we are working on that, one loud bark at a time.  Cats have gone into hiding, chase is not their game.

Palette Knife Practice

During the last week or so I've been learning or practicing with a number of palette knives instead of using a brush in oil painting.  What an experience!  Here are a few of the studies.   The Lawn Chair was en plein aire while the others were done from photos.  But the process was both frustrating and fun. 

 

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Seattle Urban Sketchers went to the Center for Wooden Boats, Sunday, June 26th.  I went and practiced some with my fountain pen and a little water color.  Here is what emerged. I'll keep practicing

Spring Pics

Seems like I only get to the postings about once every three weeks.  Oh well!  I was taking a figure painting in oil class at Gage here in Seattle and actually have a couple of results to share.  The first more finished than the second.  The first was with one figure and 4 studio sessions.  The second was with two figures and 5 studio sessions.  The models alternated so we had one model at a time with the exception of the first session where both were present.  I missed the session when the female model posed for the first time.  The second time was the last studio session so I only got one chance at getting her into the composition.    The photos of the pieces didn't come out the best but at least give a glimpse of what I've been doing on the painting side of life.

Okay they loaded in the opposite order.  The bottom was done first.    I also learned to work with a very different palette.  It was fun and I learned quite a bit.

Six weeks until FINA Worlds in Goteborg, SW.  I'm hoping to keep a art travel journal while on the trip.  We'll see if it actually happens.  It will take a bit of tenacity and dedication to be consistent with it.  But I'll try.

Another post later.

Trip to Goteborg, Sweden and Week in Shetland Isles

It is all arranged and confirmed.  I'll be swimming in the FINA World Master's Swimming event in Goteborg, Sweden July 30 - August 7, 2010.  The air transport is booked, we have a house or two rented (there are about 10 swimmers plus a few others going in our group from Seattle), events have been entered: 200, 400, 800 meter freestyle,  200 backstroke, and the open water swim (1.5 mile). 

After Sweden, I am taking a week to go visit the Shetland Islands and to do some plein air journaling.   I'll fly from Goteborg to Aberdeen, Scotland routing through London.  Then take the Northlink overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland.  It was nice to find a small bed and breakfast on the main island for a 5 night stay.  Afterwards, I'm flying from Sumburgh (southern tip of the Shetlands) to Edinburgh with a one night stay and leaving very early morning August 15th to fly back to Seattle. 


Painting/Drawing

I've been continuing to paint and draw but just not disciplined enough to document the process.  I'll get there.  Journaling is not something I've totally committed to and find hard to sit down to create.  

Legs, pencil 2H on white paper.

Fisherman's Wharf, water color, plein air in sketch book

I'll get back to doing more.  Meanwhile I need to figure out how to get from the Aberdeen Airport to the Northlink Ferry terminal on a Sunday afternoon.  

Crazy Week

Passing of PC the Cat

PC was the oldest female cat in our household of 3 felines.  She'd been ill for about a year but was doing fine until last Tuesday.  We think she had a stroke or some type of episode which triggered her sudden decline.  But, early Thursday morning about 1 AM she passed away in her little cat bed. 


We are now down to two cats, Jello and BluePurr.  These two now rule the house with iron paws as the dynamics change for the second time in three months. 


Drawing and Painting

This week produced two figure studies.  One in oil using a very limited palette of one hot, one neutral, and one cold color.  In this case yellow ocher, burnt sienna, and ultramarine blue.  Unfortunately my figure seems to blend with the couch and do a bit of disappearing but I'll try again soon,

The drawing figure was a foreshortening exercise.  I did okay in the allotted 3 hours and feel I'm getting a little better.  Again, I'll keep working and learning.

Getting back to what matters

It's been awhile, 3 months, since Duffy past away. Guess it's time to get on with it.

Artistic Reality

I have been doing some drawing and painting. Taking a "Painting the figure in oil" class that has been very helpful to someone who has been out of the media for 30 years. It's improved my ability to mix a clean and clear palette as well as make better color decisions.

We went to Fisherman's Terminal yesterday, 3/18/10, and did a little plein aire painting.  The weather was sunny and the wind was a bit cold.  This was my first time really using my new pochade box for my acrylic media.  In addition, it is one of the first pictures of a piece which I've tried to post using Adobe Element.  So, I'm getting aquainted with media, weather, and editing and organizing pochade boxes.  It's not the best result in the world but it is a beginning.

Here is another one that seemed to be okay.  I'm not too sure about the drawing quality.  (I'm always doubtful about my own abilities).  However, I went to an open figure drawing session two weeks ago and actually came out with something I liked.  So, I'm sharing.

FINA Masters 2010 Sweden

I haven't made my plane reservations yet for Gotenborg, Sweden, but I have officially signed up for events to swim at the international masters event.  I'll be swimming 200, 400, and 800 freesyle, plus 200 backstroke and the open water 1.5 mile event at the end of the party.  So, I guess I need to make my reservations. 

Orkney

I need to find a discussion group or try to establish a contact to find out what my prospects are for living for a year in the Orkney Islands and keeping a drawing/painting journal.  Any hints?


I'll return at least at the end of next week.  Again a group is going to Richmond Highlands Saltwater Park next Thursday to do a bit of plein aire work.  I'm going.  Maybe I'll have something to show.   Hope so.

Leigh

To the McDuff

In Memory of Duffy

Duffy finally left us the evening of December 21st, 2009. His little body was no longer able to contain his fighting, tenacious Scottish spirit. We will miss him greatly. It is nice to know that the spirit never dies. He’s out there chasing squirrels and sniffing the winds keeping track of the all that transpires.

Painting Prep and Duffy Update

Duffy is still here!

Well he is still with us. He has been eating (turkey meat only) and drinking consistently and seems to be quite alert. His back legs are continuing to decline due to the severe spinal arthritis. Compared to eight weeks ago he is doing quite well. For a little buddy who wasn’t supposed to last beyond mid November he has now made it to mid December. It is a day by day novella.

Artwise

I finally made a purchase. I’ve bought an Artist Essentials EASyL Lite. My holiday present to me. Not the most expensive but not necessarily cheap. It will be here by the end of next week so maybe I’ll have a chance to use it once or twice before the holidays. More to come

Update

Duffy update:

He is still hanging in there! The last 10 days have been up and down. He still needs to be watched or have a human around fairly constantly. He tends to forget just where he is when he wakes up from a deep sleep.

For a while this last week he stopped eating again. I stopped all of his medication. It’s time to let him go. It turns out his meds are what was making him refuse his food. As of Wednesday (12/2) he started to eat a small saucer of turkey twice daily. More than I’ve seen him eat in 4 weeks at one feeding. And he has continued to eat this quantity through today (12/6). Today at the first feeding he even ate a tablespoon full of rice. Yes!

Now for the bad news. The arthritis at his pelvic/spinal intersection grows ever more painful. He has increasing problems moving/walking with his back quarters. His right rear foot drags a bit. In addition his bladder cancer has progressed. He’s been having problems relieving himself, but continues to be a good water drinker.

It is very hard to consider what to do when seeing his pain. His little soul is still vibrant and aware. His body just won’t let him live much longer. I’ll continue to provide the home care until he makes it clear he would like to leave. That point hasn’t arrived yet. Soon though.

Drawing/Painting

Meanwhile, I’ve been shopping online for a lightweight plein air pochade kit. There seems to be many available from the home made cigar box to the ultra expensive. The two now on my list (after reading blogs and discussion forums etc.) are Open Box M Light and Artwork Essentials Prochade EASyL kit. Both are a bit expensive so I’ll have to think about it a bit more. Since one of my goals is to spend a year on the Orkney Islands (beginning 2011) sketching and painting I want to have a box that will travel well.

Maybe I’ll actually get some art posted soon.

Ten days of dog hospice

Well, the last ten days or so have been trying. My best canine bud, McDuff (Duffy) is on his last life journey. We adopted him 7 years ago. This larger than norm Scottie has been very close to me. He is 13 years old this fall. Duffy was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer in early June, 2009 and was given about 30 days to live. But, he fooled everyone and is still with us, barely. He stopped eating about 10 days ago. Last Tuesday I took him in to the vet. They found aggressive arthritis at the joining of spine, tail and pelvic area, continued growth of the prostate (bladder cancer related) and a slow bleed into his stomach area. Duffy was given some medication and sent home. It has almost been a week and I've exhausted every brainstorm concerning the food options to get him to eat. He has slowly stopped eating all of his fav's like toasted almonds, dried liver treats, pill pockets.

Last night I was desperate enough to go up to the local Safeway and buy a fresh oven roasted chicken. Duffy wasn't even taking his medications and my arthritic hands won't allow me to force open his jaw if he chooses to clamp it shut. So, I tore off some of the crispy warm skin (just a few pieces) and wrapped his meds in a couple of them. He ate all the pieces (totalled about 5, not a lot). We repeated that this morning successfully, but he is refusing water and still is not eating anything else.

Our next appointment is Tuesday morning. So goes everything.

No art, or very little. I missed the international (local version) sketchcrawl on 11/21 Sunday. Maybe I'll make it next month. Finished one oil painting and am starting another. I need to get back into the swimming pool. I think I've gained about 10 pounds not swimming for the last month or so. Will post more later.

Okay, my second post. I have had a great week asking myself on so many levels, just what did I want going toward my art goal. Well I came up with the decide that I must try to do something 5 out of 7 days a week. Hopefully that will be drawing, painting or something related.

I'm also beginning to learn how to take digital photos of my sketches and other work. They will be posted as they get done but my inventory of actual work is pretty small at this point.

I went to a friends "new studio" opening tonight. I've been out sketching and plein air painting with her but have never actually seen her "other" work. Her colors are marvelous. The small plein air work is beautiful in color and value. More, More, More!

More to come. Leighzy Beighzy

First Ever Post

Wow! Never thought I'd be "blogging". It's been encouraged by friends and acquaintances. I'm like many other "baby boomers" - in transition. A time when the career and parental life are becoming things of the past and the desire to let life take a new "fork" in the road. My new fork has at least three lanes: learning to draw and paint to fulfill a life long passion, masters swimming which gives me a reason to exercise, and learning to pursue life long goals long put on hold.

Here are a couple of goals for the next 3 years:

• Attend the FINA World Masters Aquatic Championships in Gotenerg, Sweden during late July, 2010
• Live and paint in the Orkney Islands for one year sometime around 2011.
• Become skilled enough in drawing and painting to journal in real time.

So to return on a daily basis is a bit much at this point but will try for weekly at a minimum and hopefully post more often.