Alex had a lovely day, picking bluets by the pond. Happy spring!
And a couple days later was Easter Sunday. Here are Alex and Clarice, bringing you Happy Easter greetings.
For my second MoDeRn ArT workshop on Skillshare, the grand prize giveaway is this Art-o-carton from Art-o-mat. (a $100 value)
This carton has works from these amazing Artists in Cellophane:
David Franke: Mind's Eye
Dennis Wells: modern art
Melanie T. Williams: Doggone series
Sharon Hardin: Watercolor
Kettle, a.k.a. John Soukup
Mary Ann Huster: Guit-art
Cheryl Alt: Alt-er-nat-ive Art
Anne Thalheimer: My Monster Hat
Dean Konop: Something Fishy
Christie Linard: Original Abstract Paintings
This collection of mini-paintings is power-packed with vibrant colors and inspiring compositions.
One hardworking student in my Abstract Art class will win this collection.
To learn more about Artists in Cellophane, check out the Art-o-mat website. I am really proud to be a part of this community of artists who believe that art should be accessible to all.
This carton has works from these amazing Artists in Cellophane:
David Franke: Mind's Eye
Dennis Wells: modern art
Melanie T. Williams: Doggone series
Sharon Hardin: Watercolor
Kettle, a.k.a. John Soukup
Mary Ann Huster: Guit-art
Cheryl Alt: Alt-er-nat-ive Art
Anne Thalheimer: My Monster Hat
Dean Konop: Something Fishy
Christie Linard: Original Abstract Paintings
This collection of mini-paintings is power-packed with vibrant colors and inspiring compositions.
One hardworking student in my Abstract Art class will win this collection.
To learn more about Artists in Cellophane, check out the Art-o-mat website. I am really proud to be a part of this community of artists who believe that art should be accessible to all.
I hope you will join us for another workshop in my Skillshare class on Abstract Art. This two-week workshop begins Sunday, March 27, and ends Saturday, April 9. On Sunday, April 10, I will publish the winners of three giveaways.
I am so excited to tell you about these prizes, because the artists behind them are amazing.
Sophie Roach Original Design T-shirt
The first prize introduces our class to the Austin, Texas artist, Sophie Roach. Sophie's work includes clients include Nike, Converse, Fiat, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Uber and MiO.
One student will win an XL t-shirt with an original design by Sophie. (valued at $30)
There is one more giveaway, an Art-o-carton. My next post will introduce you to the artists whose work is in our new carton.
I hope these prizes encourage you to learn more about contemporary artists who have so much to contribute to our ongoing conversation about art, symbols, and personal meaning in the work we do in this class.
Keep sketching!
I am so excited to tell you about these prizes, because the artists behind them are amazing.
Sophie Roach Original Design T-shirt
The first prize introduces our class to the Austin, Texas artist, Sophie Roach. Sophie's work includes clients include Nike, Converse, Fiat, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Uber and MiO.
One student will win an XL t-shirt with an original design by Sophie. (valued at $30)
(photo courtesy of Sophie Roach)
Sophie is known for her vibrantly colorful, rhythmic, and imaginative designs. To see her current work, check out her Instagram account.
Ilan Leas Original Archival Drawing on Paper
Another prize for one hardworking student is an original drawing by New York artist Ilan Leas. His geometric, zen-like designs bring to mind a more beautiful and elegant cuneiform for modern times. I am mesmerized by Ilan's intricate linework. Each drawing takes the artist several hours to complete. You can see a sped-up mini-video of him at work on his Instagram.
Pictured below is the 6" x 6" drawing in electric blue Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight pens on 60 pound, acid-free black paper (a $115 value).
Sophie and Ilan are contemporary artists whose work is inspirational. Take advantage of the time before the workshop starts on March 27 to peruse their work. This is an excellent opportunity to sketch new and interesting ideas that may later influence your work in the class and especially, your personal stamp on your final painting.
Remember that participants who upload a completed project by 11:59 EST on Saturday, April 9, and who interact by commenting on other students' projects will be eligible for the giveaways.
There is one more giveaway, an Art-o-carton. My next post will introduce you to the artists whose work is in our new carton.
I hope these prizes encourage you to learn more about contemporary artists who have so much to contribute to our ongoing conversation about art, symbols, and personal meaning in the work we do in this class.
Keep sketching!
Photo of a portion of Nuff's "Grey Haze" (above)
During my first MoDeRn Art Challenge workshop for my Abstract Art class on Skillshare, my students continually amazed me with the diversity of their interests and the depth of their talent.
Today, I share with you the progress made by one of my students, Nuff, who is an graphic designer. (Check out his outstanding portfolio and award-winning designs.)
Nuff's style cuts through the turbulence of modern life to achieve a streamlined, universal elegance. He translated this same style into his fine art work in this course.
First, Nuff chose the deep themes of
- Silence,
- Solitude, and
- Hope and Despair (especially their intersection).
Nuff's music choice, Joep Beving's "The Light She Brings," audibly resonate the themes he explored in his work.
Although I work in this class from a Kandinsky piece, I encourage students to explore other artists who speak to them. Nuff focused his research on Mark Rothko and Sophie Pardo as reference influences on his project.
Rothko
Pardo
Nuff used Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylics, but experimented with dilution and the use of other media in order to achieve the grey, aqua, and wintry blue tones he desired.
Nuff completed two pieces for this workshop. One echoes the concentric circles of Kandinsky (above).
Nuff's second piece maintains a grey mist backdrop and adds simple, horizontal, and stark strokes in the foreground.
Nuff's works make strong statements that honor the spirit of Kandinsky, our reference artist, for this course. Kandinsky thought and wrote about symbols and symbolism. I think if he could watch our class at work, he would spend time talking to each student about what his or her symbols mean. What fascinating conversations these would be!
I want to thank Nuff for his work in our class. He generously wrote about his mental decisions. I waited with anticipation to see the impact of these individual decisions on his final work. The class benefited from understanding his processes. Thank you, Nuff, for making our class a collegial, meaningful place - full of the free exchange of ideas.
If you want to a part of this class, be sure to enroll today before our next workshop begins on Sunday, March 27.
While sketching away, I like to listen to books on Audible.
I have just finished Amy Morin's 13 Things that Mentally Strong People Don't Do.
I have just finished Amy Morin's 13 Things that Mentally Strong People Don't Do.
Her chapter on not wasting energy on things you can't control really spoke to me. There is something in this book for all personality types and personal backgrounds.
In every chapter, Amy Morin incorporated relevant human experiences demonstrating mentally strong characteristics. Below you will find my one of my favorite inspirational stories from the book.
photo courtesy of ASCE
Morin introduced Ammann in Chapter six as someone who understood that to be extraordinary, he would have to risk his comfortable job and respected reputation. Ammann spent most of his adult life, including almost ten years with the New York Port Authority, as a Civil Engineer. His lifelong dream, however, was to become an architect. He risked everything to start his own architecture firm at age 60.
Instead of being bitter or discouraged before this, Ammann exemplified patience and endurance. He translated the talents and abilities he learned as an engineer into building America's most recognizable and elegant bridges. These included the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Walt Whitman suspension bridge, and Verrazano Narrows Bridge.
(Note: the Walt Whitman bridge page link has many photos of historical interest showcasing the building of the bridge.)
The Delaware Memorial Bridge, photo courtesy of DRBA
Verrazano Narrows Bridge, photo courtesy of Gregory R at Weather Underground
I appreciate the author speaking about Ammann for several reasons:
- He learned from excellent mentors like Robert Moses. He learned from them and honored the impact they had on his life.
- He was patient and did not make rash decisions. Instead, he took calculated risks.
- He was brave enough to make a significant change at age when most people are not open to these risks.
- Ammann became known for bridges of "graceful symmetry and harmonious proportions with utility and strength." (ASCE) As a result, he ushered in a new era in bridge design. Amman was willing to hone his talents for many years as a civil engineer and then to apply what he learned to his art. This brought him acclaim and recognition for something new, exciting, and eventually central to the American aesthetic.
Selfless work, patience, humility and gratitude propelled Ammann to the respected status he has today. I hope that his story will inspire you in your creative pursuits.
Happy art-making!
This is a portion of Cari's final painting, which she titled "On Pink."
I am honored to share with you the progress that my students are making in my online Abstract Art class, hosted by Skillshare. Today, I want to highlight the outstanding work of Cari. You can view her complete project here.
Painting abstract art is not new to Cari, and she really likes Kandinsky. She chose this reference work below. The diagonal lines, colors, and shapes spoke to her.
Painting abstract art is not new to Cari, and she really likes Kandinsky. She chose this reference work below. The diagonal lines, colors, and shapes spoke to her.
"On White II" by Kandinksy, 1923
Cari did not know her color scheme yet, but forged ahead with pencil sketches. Sketching is the artist's tool for playful invention. When sketching, you mentally allow yourself to process the research you have gathered. Then, you look at your compositional elements and decide what speaks to you at that moment. Cari's sketches led to the inevitable success of her finished work.
Next, Cari added some color to her sketching, and settled on a warm pink background. She continued to move elements (triangles, diagonals, ovals) around the page until she found the combination and placement she most desired.
I am grateful to Cari for sharing the steps that led to her final project. Other participants in the class continue to learn from Cari's work. Skillshare allows students to contribute in a collaborative and collegial environment at their own pace.
I look forward to sharing more behind-the-scenes progress from our class with you. You are welcome to join us in this self-paced Skillshare Abstract Art class.
Our next workshop with daily email reminders and helpful guides begins on March 27. If you are interested in a more structured approach with some amazing giveaways, join us in our next 2 week MoDeRn ArT Challenge.
Have a beautiful and art-filled weekend!
On Sunday, March 6, Clarice and I painted live as Artists in Cellophane, also known as Artomat artists. Artomat was featured by Visit Winston-Salem, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, at a booth for the Travel South USA show at Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.
Clarice and I work on artwork for a refurbished cigarette machine that now vends art behind us. Artomat was born in Winston-Salem and is the brainchild of Clark Whittington.
WXII TV videos Clarice hard at work on her Artomat collection.
Herbs loves Krispy Kreme with headquarters in Winston-Salem, NC.
After having fun at the Travel South USA show, we headed to Krankie's Coffee for a much needed coffee and Artomat refueling.
Here is the Krankie's Artomat machine.
Today, I vended a lovely and inspiring piece by Jill Caporlingue.
Check out Jill's website!
