Falling Food

Last weekend, Jack (my boyfriend's 9 year old son) and I did some drawing in our sketchbooks. Jack started drawing every food he could think of. (He says it's his best subject.) I love how he included cast shadow for each of the foods.

We were running out of ideas of foods to draw, so I got out the illustrated Italian book my mom had given us. (We are traveling to Italy this summer and attempting to learn some Italian.) I decided to include the Italian names with each illustration.

In other news, my passport arrived this week! With my airfare now bought and paid for and my passport in hand, I'm almost ready for my Italian adventure. Matt has booked all of our lodgings in Venice, Tuscany, Florence, and Rome. Now we just wait until June!

Happy Sunday friends.

It's the End of an Era

I finished up my Moleskine today. 32 individual drawings in under a year's time. This little black book has been with me everywhere I've gone in the last year. When I look back through the pages, I can tell how I was feeling at the time each page was filled. There are several unfinished drawings, when I was too distracted to stick with it. There are other drawings where I can tell I was really in the "zone" and could do no wrong with my black Bic pen.

I went to Dick Blick today, and purchased a new Moleskine. I'm looking forward to putting pen to page soon.

I Never Leave Home Without my Moleskine

February is an insane month in the Art room, when art shows and registration wreak their havoc.

There are two big local art shows that we submit student artwork to, and of course they both happen within two weeks of each other. My students and I are scrambling to finish up work for submission. At the same time, we are beginning the registration process for the 2010-11 school year. I have to spend part of every class signing students into courses for next year as well as recruiting for my Art History program. I really love teaching Art History, and if I don't get a certain number of students, I can't offer the course. On top all of this I've got to teach.....keep kids making and learning. Can we say stress?

In times of stress, I find myself spending more time in my trusty Moleskine sketchbook. It feels good just to draw, with little thought about what it will be. There is something comforting to me about creating on those 3.5" x 5.5" pages. I steal a few minutes here and there during the school day while my art babies are working and often continue those sketches at home while half-watching TV.

I've now got two Moleskines filled with these organic "doodles" crafted with a black Bic pen. I would like to turn them into a "saleable" product, but am not sure what that will be quite yet. Artists, do you ever sell pages out of your sketchbooks? I don't know if I am willing to do that, but I'm considering making prints and adding hand-colored elements with colored pencil or watercolor.

What is your favorite way to relieve stress?

Lovin' the Ledger

I found an old ledger book in the teacher's lounge today. I loved the pattern and color of the grid and decided to use it as a support for my newest collage. The earthy colors of the lines inspired the jewel toned color scheme. Instead of embellishing with black ink, used sepia on this. I had forgotten how much I enjoy that dark brown shade. It creates a nice warmness that black lacks.

I'm not sure what to name this piece. Any suggestions?

We Have a Winner

Originally uploaded by Annette Q

Congratulations to Annette Quirke, winner of the "Come Sit Next to Me" print!

Annette is a mixed media artist herself, with a beautiful blog and flickr photo stream. I encourage you to take a peek.

Thanks to all who entered, tweeted, followed, and blogged my giveaway. I appreciate your support and encouragement of my work.

Happy Tuesday.

And the Winner is.......

bored, originally uploaded by l_budde.

Well, I don't have one yet. I am still waiting to hear back from the winner of my "Come Sit Next to Me" print. If I don't hear back soon, I will choose another winner, so don't lose hope yet!

I will leave you today with this beautiful self-portrait photo from my student Leah Budde. I just love the genuine expression she has on her face here. Check out her photo stream on flickr....She has quite a knack for self-portraiture.

Happy Tuesday.