San Diego History Museum

After my delivery to the San Diego Art Institute I checked out the free museum of the day, the San Diego History Museum. I usually skip that one, but not this time, and I was glad I didn't. Most of the work they had by Belle Baranceanu (1902-1988), was of San Diego in the early 40s. I have been wanting to paint street scenes of Poway and these were just what the doctor ordered to get me inspired. Most of the exhibit was in oil but they also showed linocuts, life drawing in charcoal, and her sketch work for murals.

The gallery cafe was the only place I took out my sketch book. Maybe it was because of the rain. I intended to do some sketching outside but it just felt so cozy in that little coffee area, I didn't want to step out into the dampness again.

I had the most delicious Veggie sandwich. I didn't order right away. I had to ponder and figure out what cukes meant.

Rocky

Rocky is part boxer. Rocky is a common name but the other choices were Evander which was just too long ("Evander! Evander! Here Evander!"), and Tyson which was just too mean. (I could just see him biting all the time...) Rocky is a nice name.

He loves balls, when I come up the drive way, he'll push one, or two under the gate waiting for a throw. If we put all the balls away and out of sight he'll grab a rock and drop it in front of us, sad but true. I guess Rocky was a good name after all.

Art Show

NCSFA Sketch and Paint Out

November 3rd
Old Poway Park
(Sharpie and watercolor)

Muscles of Expression

Cartooning practice. Muscles of expression from the book Cartooning the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm.

Interactive 10 Ways

Interactive 10 ways is a cool website. I especially like this part, sent to me by my niece.
Give it a minute to load.
Keep clicking on the pictures. Hit "Refresh" on your browser to go back.

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It's not polite to stare.

The North County Society of Fine Arts Sketch and Paint Out
was held at the San Diego Wild Animal Park today.

We met at the Lowland Gorilla exhibit where the big giant gorillas kept moving because they consider staring a sign of aggression. They just didn't like us staring at them. When the big fella finally got used to it he stared back, growled and looked like he might be able to stare us down.


I remember the vultures looking like interesting characters the last time I was there so I left my partner, Edith to take a look at the . . . Vultures. It took forever to find them and they weren't quite what I expected.

The lagoon is where Edith settled down
and did a pretty nice finished piece on watercolor paper.

I just sketched people and the pelicans.

Whoa, the lagoon gets pretty crowded at feeding time.

Clementine was there too but we lost her.

Careful

Current Favorite Pen

The best part of this sketch was using my new
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen from
Wet Paint: Artists' Materials & Framing
http://www.wetpaintart.com/ecommercepentelbrushpen.asp

I have probably owned every brush pen on the market,
including a few real Japanese brush pens with real hair. . .
Thinking that sketching with a brush may help painting brush work.

This Pentel Brush Pen has a synthetic tip but it is not stiff like some others I have used.
The best surprise came when I put a watercolor wash on my sketch and it didn't feather out all over the place. Now if I can just keep from losing this one . . .

Critique

Stephanie Goldman gave the critique at the NCSFA meeting. She kept stressing drawing from life, "to expand your memory bank". She could tell which paintings were painted from life by the absence of camera colors. I have never attended a critique like that before, it was quite interesting AND educational.

When I draw from photos I feel I am "cheating" even though I only use my own photos. I agree with the memory bank thing. I have always tried to make compositions on my sketchbook pages but as always the subject moves, or something moves in front of it. Why not use my memory bank to finish the darn thing? Just make something up.

Progress

That's all I expect from myself.

Cloud Shadow (or EDM #44)

A trip to the mountains to visit the inlaws and the grandpets. This is "Shadow", the parakeet. I really think they should have named it "Cloud" because it's brother is named "Sky" and besides.... It is pure white except for a few little spots of blue . . . sky. Do you hear me?

This is also Every Day Matters Challenge #44 - Draw An Animal

Susan's back in town!

These were done a few weeks ago before I started feeling like poo poo. My friend Susan is back and ready to go out sketching again. This sketch was done at the Rancho Bernardo Winery. We don't drink the wine, we just sketch! We had lunch too. Man . . . It's good to have her back . . .

North County Society of Fine Arts Sketch and Paint Out

I haven't been feeling up to par. I think you can tell by the sketches and paintings I did at the NCSFA Sketch and Paint out Oct. 6th. I had to go because I am the chairperson. Luckily there were 4 people there. That would have been sad if I was the only one. I tried 2 little pieces on the same sheet of paper, Joan (center) worked with acrylics on canvas board, and Margaret worked in watercolor. Clementine took pictures of the scenery which was awesome! We met at the Orfila Winery in Escondido.

One of my ink and w/c pieces on watercolor paper.

Sketch book journal entry.

Japanese brush pen with watercolor.

The 2 sketches above are just HUGE sketchbook entries.
11 x 14 inches.

The Weekly Painting #3

La Jolla, Californa
Original Watercolor

Image: 5.5 x 8.5
Click here to bid.

EDM Challenge #4 - Draw a mug or a cup

This is my current favorite mug.

When I went to Arizona I bought everyone in my family a little souvenir.
I found the perfect gift for myself at this little shop on the way home.
I know it's a messy drawing. I don't use an eraser.
This habit has helped me to not care
about being a perfectionist with my sketching.
"It's just a sketch"

I could never be a mermaid

Docs waiting room

The 19th and 20th Borrrrrrrrrring

Boring = The drawing NOT the work