Paris Is Always a Good Idea

Just a drawing I did over Spring break, and just now remembered to post. 

Why Do Artists Create?

A painter paints to unload himself of feelings and visions. ~Pablo Picasso

When I first encountered that quote, I focused on feelings. A painter paints to unload himself of feelings. I began to wonder why the art I had created with the heavy hand of frustration or the slow strokes of melancholy was hidden away in a small sketchbook on my shelf. Only one of those drawings has been seen by anyone else. Maybe I should not hide that. Maybe I should create more work to express my feelings.

Lifted by the soaring notes of the Prince Caspian soundtrack, I picked up my pencil and began this sketch. I found myself in another world--the world I used to enter every time I drew when I was younger, and it was magical. That brought me to my conclusion. Unlike Pablo Picasso, I do not usually create work to express my feelings. Art is an escape. It's a way to make another world as I allow my thoughts to drift away from the stresses of life. It's meant to be relaxing, not a way of venting.

Adventures with Markers

I received an incredibly exciting set of Prismacolor markers and immediately began a picture of our tree. Markers are seriously one of the most fun mediums ever. I created four pictures in one day. The fourth is not shown because I messed it up this morning by trying to draw a background. That's what I get for not leaving well enough alone. 

I have no idea what this picture means. Maybe it symbolizes how much I love rain, but you can make of it what you will.

Last night, my dad read "Ragman" by Walter Wangerin Jr. Although I generally don't like allegory, the imagery this created was particularly striking. You can find the story here: https://www.csh.rit.edu/~ding/ragman_by_walter_wangerin_jr1.htm

Because Trees and Seasons...

Our final assignment in Beginning Hand Building involved creating sets of dishes. I made everything with slabs and had some great adventures with glazes. Who knew that clear glaze on top of streaks of blue could turn into grey and burgundy? So, I'm not thrilled with the outcome of the mugs, but everything else turned out satisfactorily. Now to figure out how to transport everything.

Finished Clocktower

I walked into the art studio today and found my clocktower dwarfing an assortment of bowls and miscellaneous pottery. It has been fired!

First and Last Coil Piece

Coils aren't my friend. I've tried to establish some sort of relationship, but they refuse to fulfill their end of the bargain. After several hours working together, we've come to a mutual dislike. Here's one of the pieces I attempted when coils and I first met. At least I can say that I tried to make it work.

Word Wielder

This is for all my writer friends, especially those crazy enough to tackle NaNoWriMo next week... I'm considering trying it as well.