Art in Motion

Recently Kim Hanson, an art teacher from Springfield School District, asked me to come do a demonstration at a local elementary school. Kim has been getting grants for a program called Art in Motion that teams up High Schoolers with elementary school classes. Kim works with the students and elementary school teachers to do an art class for the kids. The high school kids get a great learning experience with their part and the elementary school kids love it.

I started by coming to the high school, doing a demo one day with just the High School Mentors. They watched and absorbed my process. A couple weeks later I went to the elementary school and did a demo for second and third graders. The High School mentors returned to in following weeks to work on the kids own still life project. I really enjoy doing these type of in-school-residencies. I haven't had many opportunities to do them in recent years. I assume that government funding for isn't there as it used to be.

In this demonstration I used acrylic paint. I also used a photo as reference although I usually have a table with actual objects. I use oil in my own work but the kids use acrylic so I used acrylic. There has been more call for me to teach acrylic. I think because oil is associated with toxicity. I can teach solvent free and use nontoxic colors. I have heard of more people developing sensitivity to acrylic because it is a chemical where as the oil in oil paint vegetable oil. Acrylic is still less intimidating if only perceived.

I have developed a technique for working with acrylic that is different than my technique in oil. I start by painting a fairly developed monochromatic tonal study before I begin with color. I do this for two reasons. the first is that the acrylic dries fast so it is impossible to make wet adjustments. Second the colors dry darker than they are applied so they always need to be adjusted. I found that it is best to figure out the lights and darks first and then start with the color. I was able to do this entire painting in less than 45 minutes while fielding questions. It is exciting to sit down in front of an audience and try to make a speed painting. There is always the chance I could mess up.

Last Friday Art Walk

It is already time for the Last Friday Art Walk. Teague and I will be open 6-9pm as usual. Come visit us. I have my blog set up so you can sign up to receive emails when I post. So sign up on the right and you will get get a reminder to come out to the art walk. Don't forget your map.

sketchbook watecolor demo

I did this painting in the sketchbook I mentioned before. It was during the last class of the watercolor class I teach at Maude Kerns Art Center. I will be starting up again in a couple weeks. It is an interesting light situation. The background is washed out through glass. The fruit on the window sill is back lit and contrasty. I used a photo I took at my house. I love that window because it is a perfect height for me to stand and lean on the sill. I often sit my 10 month old son, Henry, on the sill and watch.

I will also be doing a new class called Art On The Go. Each week we will be going to a different location to work. It is going to be fun.

Squidoo

Thanks to Ploverwing for including me on her new printmaker's Squidoo list.

Register Guard comes to the studio

The Register Guard, the local newspaper of Eugene, came to the studio because they were doing a story on etsy.com. A lot of news papers are including online videos along with stories.

Ready for Opus6ix

Here are three paintings ready for Opus6ix. There is a little glare so I guess you will have to ask to see them at the First Friday event tomorrow.

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.

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.

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.