a day at the races.

Rufina!

who am I?

Today’s goal was to draw in the style of….an artist.

Now, there are so many to choose; how do you choose?

Why would any artist try this exercise?

Here is what the day brought:

First, choose the artists. My choicesn were: Steven Holl, Astra Zarina and Sargent. What the heck? 

Steven Holl has donated quite a few books here in the Civita library, full of lucious watercolors, abstract concepts and simply composed.

Astra Zarina has mostly ink drawings on the walls in my apartment and Tony’s too; real beauties. 

I chose a pen and ink sketch of the Campodoglio. I only had a pencil to replicate. I plan on purchasing a fountain pen in Rome soon.

John Singer Sargent’s watercolors are amazing, fluent and carefree. I found his images on the web.

Astra has a lot in common with Victor Steinbrueck…hmmm… direct line and clear.

Steven…architectural, strength and simplicity and good warm up for any watercolor lesson.

Sargent is fluid and one that I aspire to in my quest in watercolor discipline. 

I will be seeing Venice for the first time next weekend!

Each artist is sending messages; they have ‘spine’ and as a result a directness in their representations. 

I discovered it is not about the media necessarily but getting inside the thought process of each artist.

Soon enough, my own line emerges and I take ‘the horse for a ride.’

Was the day successful?

Yes and no; but I did accomplish what I set to do and 

I have learned about three artists that I admire greatly. 

I recommend this process.

Why would any artist try this exercise?

Getting outside oneself; staying creative and thinking smart.

by heart

depictive study: plein air

evocative study: in studio

When I was young girl I would practice my flute; musical scales and simple melodies. 

Over and over again, I would attempt to make it perfect, almost. 

I would hopefully practice enough to be ready for the teacher the following week.

Once I practiced enough, I could tell myself, ’I know it by heart.’ No longer was it a struggle, no longer did I have to look at the music in the book; I simply played.

As I study the depictive and challenge the evocative in drawing, today, I investigated the strength of knowing it by heart. If the depictive process is meaningful and memorable, ‘I know it by heart’, then I can improvise to the evocative, 

creating new notes and melodies that are then felt in the space described.

Take a look at the evolution of the work. Let me know what you think.

Importantly, you must do the work; practice enough to be ready for the teacher the following week.

improvisation

dear diary

scroll-works

“Dear (visual) Diary“

A continuous roll of mylar and graphite has me enjoying drawing away from

 the 'regiment' of the NIAUSI proposal work.

These visual ideas come to me as I experience the world around me here in Civita 

and the surroundings; details, ideas and sometimes humor. 

Free flow of ideas in visual images is a wonderful chronology 

of my time here in Italy. (thanks Lu!)

So far, 9 feet complete; maybe 20’ long by the time I head back to Seattle, or more?

la chiesa

Turning additional pages each day in the sketchbook is satisfying and also an accurate time teller; 2 weeks in Italy so far. Civita for me is reacquainting myself with an old friend. My visit with her is much more intimate this time; we are closer as a result.

The church interior is one I did not venture into last time in 1985; maybe closed... no time? The church is peaceful, memorable and spiritual. As I was sketching yesterday afternoon, the rain came in as did the town folk and tourists, to get refuge in the church; a true cleansing.

Each sketch offers new challenges as the spaces speak new conversations. 

I began to look beyond the city walls today; that landscape. 

Holy Cow! 

much work to do in Civita!

Let's eat!

wise spirits

City of Ghosts

I do not believe in ghosts, however, I do believe in spirits. Spirits are everywhere; and yes, in they are in Civita too.

As I began my sketching session this morning, different spirits touched upon me.

Let me tell you the rules:

These spirits are those past and present. I think of them as the grand teachers that have touched my life up to now. As my pencil or paint brush dances along the page, words of wisdom and creativity flow: Tom, ’keep it simple’, Dawn, ‘always think in shape, Astra, ‘motive’.

The spirits flow in and out, moving me along. Importantly, the spirits continue to keep me present and inside my right brain.

Though Civita has reluctantly gained the nickname, ‘City of Ghosts’, I am certain Civita is a town of spirits; alive and wondrous.

Who will be meeting me next?