2015 sketchbooks

These are my 2015 sketch/art books, twelve (12) of them. I realized that there maybe 2 more hiding around my studio that are dedicated to notes and sketches on special media, oriental brush paintings and acrylic painting but this pile is really my general sketchbooks.

1. I started January with Sketchbook Skool's Seeing class (1st on the right). The class instructors were Danny Gregory, Koosje Koene, BrendaSwenson, Cathy Johnson, and Andrea Joseph. It was great fun.

2. The next sketchbook,  entitled Off The Map  was a $1 library book that I had gutted and created a new text block of Strathmore Aquarius II watercolor paper (80 lb. CP) The I  added the LL Bean boot key fob I won to the spine. The sketchbook took me on An Imaginary Trip to Acadia with Laure Ferlita. It started in November 2014 but everyone was having so much fun she extended it into January 2015.

3. April brought the America's Wild Woodlands another one of my library recycled book. It was used to house my International Fake Journal Month (with Roz Stendahl). This was the first time I developed another persona for this annual event.

4. In May I worked in the purple foldout sketchbook I made, 4th book from the right). It was another imaginary trip with Laure, but this time to New Zealand. Someplace I would like to go someday for real.

5. The little coptic bound book next is a miscellaneous collection of sketches that started in October 2013 got misplaced, rediscovered, then completed in May 2015.

6. The large black strathmore sketchbook on the bottom of the pile was begun in May when I just felt the need to play and take a break from "serious" art. I had been working steadily on some Oriental Brush Painting for exhibits. I wanted something to inspire new page design and lettering for my regular sketchbooks. I think this group did that and will do it again in 2016.

7. The turquoise coptic bound sketchbook (2nd from the far left) was the next to be completed. It began on a trip to visit family in July 2014. It was one of those books that I would snatch up as I went out the door just in case I needed to take some notes are get a bit of sketching done. It fit easily into my purse. It does have some good notes on flower structure, landscape composition, and color.

8-10. The end of July was the start of Roz Stendahl's Online Practice Drawing class. I use 2 small paperback moleskine Legendary notebooks and a black soft cover 500 series Strathmore sketchbook. I questioned the price of the class before I took it but it was well worth the money. Roz is a very good instructor.

11. The small repurposed library book on the far left holds 3 small imaginary visits. The first one I did in conjunction with a knitting group to Sweden (February). Then I took two more with Laure Ferlita Scotland (August) and Spain (October).

12. Roz's pep talk on ignoring your inner critic gave me the courage to do the last one, 50 small Acrylic painting. It has change the direction of my art or at least added a new dimension.

Have pulled a new sketchbook off the shelf and am ready to start the new year.

Art Goals for 2016

As with all resolutions I probably have put down more than I can accomplish. But that said, they are things that if I do accomplish will grow my work. Some relate to my serious art, some to just play. This past year I have done some play and experimentation and found that it was fun and refreshing. So here goes:

1.     Fills my Walls Journal, maybe using wall graffiti  for spiritual quotes

2.     Bind more sketchbooks using the paper that is already torn and binding repurpose $1 library books

3.     Paint in acrylics & watercolour. In the past I have felt that I should specialize in one medium, mainly at the advise and urging of others. But that really isn't who I am. I get bored and some subject cry out to painted in a certain medium. 

4.     Revisit Roz’s drawing practice workshop (ie. continue sketching every day)

5.     Continue doing oriental brush paintings

6.     Try plein air painting

7.     Get more active in LSC and LRA, shows, paint outs, workshops

8.     Continuing working on lettering skills to add to my sketchbooks and maybe make some greeting cards

9.     Log my art hours with categories for creating, medium, exhibiting, club work, reading/research, play

10.  Adding a spiritual component to my sketchbooks

11.  Painting from life using my still life set up

12.  Blog

13.  Try Gelli printing

14.  Experiment with different acrylics (soft body, high flow etc)

15.  Set up a blog just for IFJM or one that is dedicated to just play and experimentation. It would provide a safe place free from the judgment, comments and criticism from those familiar with my “serious” art.

Four Empties

Put the final touches on this small painting this morning. It is the first one I have done on the Ampersand Artist Panel, smooth finish Value Series. It is 1/8" (3mm) flat, 6" x 6" (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm). This is the first time I have worked on a smooth finish and wasn't sure how it would grab the paint. But to my surprise I really liked the surface. The dark blue bottle in the back was a clear one in my still life set up. When I started painting the clear glass it got lost in the background, thus it turned blue. I really am enjoying this size and am learning a great deal about composition, paint mixing, and acrylics in general. Probably won't have time to do another before Christmas. I need to start an oriental brush landscape.

#47 Last Roses

Another 6" x 6" painting from my book. Must get to work and paints some more but Christmas activities and duties are getting in the way of my painting time.

I have put up another blog just for books and reading, Chris reads daily 
So head over there to check out my most recent literary interest. You will find myback to the classics reviews, other reading, and maybe a TV or movie review will pop up.

My Back To the Classics 2016 Choices

Thinking back I can't remember reading a single classic except some British murder mysteries since I left college. So I am really looking forward to this challenge. My choices aren't all locked down yet and I may end up switching some around. But here goes:

1.  A 19th Century Classic - The Chimes (1844) by Charles Dickens, this is his 2nd in the series of 5 Christmas stories. Although it isn't technically a Christmas story. It is a goblin story of some bells that rang an old year out and a new year in. So I thought it would be a perfect way to start 2016 and my classics challenge off. Besides Audible is offer this one for free. It might not be considered long enough so please let me know if it doesn't qualify but I will still read/listen to it.

2.  A 20th Century Classic - TBA

3.  A classic by a woman author - Murder on the Orient Express. I have read this one before, in fact, I have read everything Agatha Christie has ever written. Earlier this year I was looking for a copy of this book in hardcover. The only ones I could find were very expensive then on Amazon I discover a version that had just come out. It a reproduction of the 1934 British edition. So I have to read this one.

4.  A classic in translation - 20,ooo Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne in French.

5.  A classic by a non-white author -The Art of War. I haven't ever read this one but it comes up in conversations often. Plus my son has read it so this will give me something to talk with him about.

6.  An adventure classic - TBA

7.  A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic - TBA

8.  A classic detective novel - The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

9.  A classic which includes the name of a place in the title - TBA

10. A classic which has been banned or censored - To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. Like who isn't reading this one or reading it this year? It would be fun if everyone who was reading it in this group did so at the same time. That way we could discuss it together.

11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college) -  The Scarlet letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Read this one in high school and remember being very angry with the man and crying. Of course, I was a teenager with emotions all over the board.

12. A volume of classic short stories - The Gift of the Magi and Other New York Stories by Henry James. 

#49 Four Corks

A 6" x 6" acrylic painting. The color temperature of the photo isn't accurate and there is some glare. I may try another shot soon. My still life stage makes lighting and composition much easier for setting up to paint.

#41 Four Wine Bottles

Another one of my small 6 x 6 paintings in my book. Having fun using my still life stage set up. My set up was based on one by Michael Naples an artist I greatly admire. I hope to improve my composition skills by studying the work of others.

Back to the Classics Challenge

I came across this challenge last year but never fit it into my schedule. This year I am taking the plunge. I usually read non fiction, cozy mysteries, and some popular fiction so this will be a good change in my literary diet. Below are the guidelines and the link is on the right of this blog. Think about joining the group and reading a book from each category.

And here are the categories for the 2016 Back to the Classics Challenge:

1.  A 19th Century Classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.

2.  A 20th Century Classic - any book published between 1900 and 1966. Just like last year, all books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later.

3.  A classic by a woman author. 

4.  A classic in translation.  Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. Feel free to read the book in your language or the original language.

5.  A classic by a non-white author. Can be African-American, Asian, Latino, Native American, etc.

6.  An adventure classic - can be fiction or non-fiction.

7.  A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Dystopian could include classics like 1984.

8.  A classic detective novel. It must include a detective, amateur or professional. This list of books from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction is a great starting point if you're looking for ideas.

9.  A classic which includes the name of a place in the title.  It can be the name of a house, a town, a street, etc. Examples include Bleak House, Main Street, The Belly of Paris, or The Vicar of Wakefield.

10. A classic which has been banned or censored. If possible, please mention why this book was banned or censored in your review.

11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college).  If it's a book you loved, does it stand the test of time?  If it's a book you disliked, is it any better a second time around?

12. A volume of classic short stories. This must be one complete volume, at least 8 short stories. Children's stories are acceptable in this category only.

And now, the rest of the rules:

• All books must be read in 2016. Books started before January 1, 2016 do not qualify. All reviews must be linked to this challenge by December 31, 2016. I'll post links each category the first week of January which will be featured on a sidebar on this blog for the entire year. 

• You must also post a wrap-up review and link it to the challenge no later than December 31, 2016. Please include links within your final wrap-up to that I can easily confirm all your categories. 

• All books must have been written at least 50 years ago; therefore, books must have been written by1966 to qualify for this challenge. The ONLY exceptions are books published posthumously.

• E-books and audiobooks are eligible! You may also count books that you read for other challenges.

• Books may NOT crossover within this challenge. You must read a different book for EACH category, or it doesn't count.

• If you do not have a blog, you may link to reviews on Goodreads or any other publicly accessible online format. 

• The deadline to sign up for the challenge is March 1, 2016. After that I will close the link and you'll have to wait until the next year! Please include a link to your original sign-up post, not your blog URL. 

• You do NOT have to list all the books you're going to read for the challenge in your sign-up post, but it's more fun if you do! Of course, you can change your list any time. Books may also be read in any order. 

#46 Sugar Pumpkin

Here is my 46th small painting of the 50. It was a sugar pumpkin we received in one of our last local farm share deliveries. This also shows the book I worked in to give some idea of my plan. The book measures 9" x 12" so it was perfect for my 6 by 6 painting and lots of space for notes. The only problem I had was with the tape. My old artist tape worked great but the new roll took of a layer of the support page every time. I tried pre-sticking the tape to my jeans, the rug anything to try and remove some of it's stickiness. Nothing worked. I may use this same idea for my International Fake Journal Month in April 2016 but paint in gouache in the 5" x 8" inch version of this book and not use tape. Hope this encourages others to try a new media.

The small painting movement

I came to this movement only recently. In fact I started my project in August. I have done oriental brush painting and watercolor forever. But I secretly wanted to work on a canvas, no matting nor plexiglass. Plus there is a quiet snobbery that divides works on paper from works on canvas. In the summer I came across the book, Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings by Mark Daniel Nelson at my local library. Liked the concept so well I bought a copy and started working through the lessons. I almost skipped the beginnings ones because they were sooo basis I felt they weren't worth my time or paint. Then decided I would go page by page after all I was new to acrylics and didn't even know how to apply paint. Because you are copying his paintings I knew I would never hang, frame or show the paintings I decided to use a large book utilized by crafters, delusions creative journal. The pages are similar to those of the Moleskine sketchbook. Using artist white tape I taped out a 6" square which I then painted a base coat of  (white, gray, or black) gesso. This was done on the right hand page of a spread. That left the left page for notes. For the most part I found it harder to paint fron Nelson's paintings than my own photos or still life set ups. So after a while I started substituting my own set ups which reflected the aim of the lesson for the ones in the book. During this same time I was reading Carol Marine' book, Daily Painting which I highly recommend.

Today I finished my 50th small painting. I plan to continue painting in acrylic as well as doing my usual sketchbook drawing, oriental brush painting, and watercolor. This was a fun non-threatening way to step out of my comfort zone. I won't be posting my 50th painting because I actually copied Nelson's 50th painting, but I will post some of my own compositions in my book.