Silkscreening 101 - Intro to printmaking

This was a down and dirty screen printing process.  We had to draw with the inks directly onto the screen and create a complete composition on the screen and have it made in one pull.  So I decided to go with a cartoon approach.  The theme was to create something from our past memories.  I remembered having my braces just put on and the horrors of being called BRACE FACE!  I uploaded some images of the process and the finished image.

Cézanne and American Modernism - Phoenix Art Museum Exhibit

I went to the Cézanne exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum.  It was awesome to see the work in person and not exclusively from a book.  His brushwork and knowledge of color -astounding.  One thought though, I would have preferred viewing his work all together in one room than mixed in with other artists that were influenced by Cézanne.   It made it more difficult to view, a lack of continuity.   A must see.

Start of a New Semester and....

It is the first official week back at ASU and it was punctuated by a car accident. Tuesday of this week, I was in a car accident, in pain, and yet the only thing I could think about was.... I have to get my art supplies!!!!  How am I going to get all of my art supplies now? I am currently working with a wounded left hand.  This semester started out with a real BANG.

Finished Drawing...

These are some photos of the finished drawing.  I will try and post more later that might be a little clearer.  But I wanted to get something up now.

I Finished the Drawing!!!

I finished the drawing I had posted earlier.  I will post photos of the finished drawing shortly.  I was pleased with how the braids turned out.  I am also pleased I was able to get it done before the new semester started.  I knew that if I didn't finish, it would sit and never get done.

The New Semester is Upon Us

We are about to embark on a new year at ASU.  New people, new classes, NEW art.  We'll see what's ahead.  I will blog.

Finally Finishing up on The Drawing.

I am finally working on the final stages of the drawing I started and posted earlier on this blog.  I decided to stay true to what I do and simply draw the person as I see her, in her beauty, no tricks, no added gimmicks, just a drawing of a young woman.  I have the braids in her hair to add for the final touches.  I am posting a full picture of her and then two smaller closeups of her eyes and of her mouth and chin.

                                        

                                         

Second shots of the Max Painting.

I have worked on the Max Pug Up Close painting further.  It's a mixed media piece.

This is another really close up shot of Max.

Painting Just for Fun.

I am working on a watercolor painting of my puppy, Max.  He is a black Pug dog.  I am working from a photo of an extreme closeup of him.  He was sniffing the camera when I shot it.  I liked the photo so much and thought it would make a fun painting.  It's still in the works....it makes me smile.

This second photo is a real up close photo of the painting.  It's not a serious painting; it is strictly for fun.

Comments to a Fellow Friend and Artist.

I was posting a comment on a fellow friend and artist's blog: The frustration! What a great thing it would be to have a private studio space to work in. When you live in a tiny space and you work in that same space it's very frustrating.  It takes so much energy just to get ideas together and then you have to spend another hour just getting the supplies out and - well then is the idea, the feeling, the creativity still there..? I have so many art boards, paper, pencils, paint etc. tucked away in so many little spaces. I have a hard time remembering where everything is. Studio space - ahhh the dream.  I will travel to great places, have a great, private studio to work in, and will have fame for my artwork - in my lifetime. I will...

A Poem I have written - it's in the works:

The Artist is Born


Violent penetration,
stifling darkness,
mar the soul.


Convulsing, 
searing pain,
rendered anonymous,


terror wrapped identity,
toxic fairy tale potion.


Age beats the flesh of child,
A womanly form, 
dysfunction prescribed.


Violent penetration,
The Artist is born.

By Lisa Bella-Bryson

Lost soul - Lost vision - working little by little

I have found this summer to be a stretch both mentally and artistically.  I am struggling to finish up the drawing that I posted previously - I can't seem to get in my mind how to finish it.  I'm thinking of some element built into the face or something like my hand full of pencils laid over the canvas so it would be the canvas under my hands working on it.  It just sits waiting for more inspiration or direction.
I am also going to do some fun work - fun with watercolor, no heavy theme...simple, playful, happy work.
I'll post some work once I get some going.  And I'll keep you filled in on the drawing, what will be the next approach.  I don't like it when I am pushed to do stuff that just is simply not me.  I am by no means edgy-at all.  I paint things that make me feel moved, happy, sad, simple, naive, pained and alive.  My art won't cause a stir - but possibly cause a good feeling - a shared love.

Work in Progress

This is a drawing I am currently working on.  I am spending much more time on this drawing, trying to really focus on details in the eyes and brows.  I want the drawing to have a softer touch to it from some of my other works.  Hopefully it will be done before the new semester starts up.

School is around the corner!

Well a new semester is drawing near.  I was very disappointed to see that my ASU financial aid for this year has been reduced by $900.00!!!  Things are going to be very tight.  It's really getting hard to pay for an education!!!