Friday, February 29, 2008

Sketchbook



I made this sketchbook with interior pages of 140lb Fabriano Artistico soft press watercolor paper. The cover is colored Mi Tientes and book cloth over Davey board. I just used acrylic matte medium as glue since I had it. I reinforce the spine with scrap tarlatan that I have around from printmaking. The end paper is just white drawing paper. I sewed the pages right through the spine in two signatures. It is a pretty easy way to make a sketch book.


I made this watercolor as a demonstration last night during the watercolor class I teach Thursday night at Maude Kerns Art Center.

Last Friday Art Walk

It is time for the Last Friday Art Walk. Be sure to print a PDF map with all the venues listed. Check out the LFAW web page. You can join the forum or write a review of the venues.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Oscar Wilde Lecture to Art Students



I visited Leslie Jackson yesterday in her studio. She has a great studio. I have been meaning to get over to visit her since I met her last summer and I finally did. I had a good talk with her. It is difficult to meet other artists who are committed to the art. She passed on a print out of Oscar Wilde's Lecture to Art Students. I really appreciate that she did. It helps to get perspective from other artists.

It is difficult to connect with artists. After weeding out the egomaniacs and dilettantes there isn't much left. Leslie is the real thing. It takes a while in Eugene but after a while the gems appear.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Rachel Trachtenburg



I signed up for the Trachtenburg Family Slide Show Players' email list quite a few years ago. It was after I saw them at the WOW Hall here in Eugene. Well they finally started sending me emails. Apparently they are doing a Rachel show in New York where they live now. You might think they seem like the kind of vegetarian nerd hipsters that live in my neck of the woods. Well they are from Seattle.

I am happy Rachel is singing a Sid Barrett song. I was a big Pink Floyd fan in high school. I had all the Pink Floyd albums on vinyl. Now I have none. I tried making a Pink Floyd radio station on Pandora but it keeps putting in all this classic rock that I hate. Why because I like Pink Floyd does it think I wan t to listen to Rush and Blue Oyster Cult.

I wish I could go see the Rachel Show. It is like a home grown PeeWee's Playhouse. I don't see any other similarity to Paul Rubens. The Trachtenburgs are not playing characters (anymore than anyone else). They are themselves. I wonder if Rachel Trachtenburg could be a star. I think mom and dad see it. But they have a master plan to keep her safe from evil. More power to you. I wish it for you, Trachtenburgs, to somehow make your dreams come true and avoid the bad stuff. It is my dream too.