Ruth Ellen Hoag – Day 3

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Today was the final day of the Ruth Ellen Hoag workshop.

Ruth started the day with a challenge. She showed us some very contemporary work by artist Brenda Goodman and asked us to think about the pure use of shape, She told us that Ms. Goodman, in an interview, said she started her paintings with “automatic writing/drawing” (writing or drawing on a piece of paper without looking at what you were creating, thus, in theory, coming up with interesting shapes.)

Coupled with our exercises from days 1 and 2, she asked us now to use our reference photo and do a true blind contour drawing and then… work it. Either “outside-in/big shape to little” or “inside-out/big shape to little.”

And so… I did!

Blind contour drawing with some writing. Image quality bad due to only pencil lines on the paper.

Blind contour drawing with some writing. Image quality bad due to only pencil lines on the paper.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take more photos. This is quite far into the day.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take more photos. This is quite far into the day. Yellows are very washed out.

A few more steps down the road, right before I (daringly!) add black fluid acrylic in a "oiler boiler" to create more line.

A few more steps down the road, right before I (daringly!) add black fluid acrylic in a “oiler boiler” to create more line.

While not finished, I like the addition of the acrylic line. Overall, though the color still needs to be pushed.

While not finished, I like the addition of the acrylic line. Overall, though the color still needs to be pushed.

This was a good workshop, for me in particular, but I think everyone saw progress in their work. It was a small class (I think 7) in a very lovely setting, both of which are bonuses. Beyond that, however, Ruth has a lovely teaching manner that encourages as well as educates. She seems genuinely interested in helping students discover their artistic identity; this particular class had everything from a VERY new student to a very advanced student frequently seen in shows. Ruth had something encouraging and educational to say to everyone.

I’m going to look for another class if she comes back to this area. It might be a few years before I can afford another class, but this was worth it.

Ruth Ellen Hoag – Day 2

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Right up front I’m gonna apologize for the poor quality images today; I forgot my camera and took these with my Kindle. They are blown out, skewed, and cut off weirdly.

At any rate, today was day two of the Ruth Ellen Hoag workshop. The “focus” of the day was working inside-to-outside and small-to-big.

I got a little ahead of the game in the morning and decided to start a “redo” of “Night Racing” while waiting for directions.

[image removed]

 

This still needs some work, but I see a lot of progress in the cleaner colors, “more-me” shapes, and better placement/resolution of issues.

Once instructions were given, I began work on this painting.

[image removed]

 

This still needs A LOT of work. And I got distracted with a variety of issues (the blue shadows, the white paper to name a few). There is at least one major composition error to fix. And I tried the new technique of working inside-to-outside and small-to-big.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Ruth Ellen Hoag – Day 1

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I am running amok yet again. In a brave move to escape my normal life (and try to get painting again) I signed up for a workshop entitled “Simplicity and Complexity” by Ruth Ellen Hoag held at Ruth Armitage‘s studio in my old stomping grounds of Oregon City.

What attracted me to the workshop was an emphasis on design, which is something I’ve been struggling with. I want to move beyond purely representational work and get more “design-y” or “abstract-y”… or something.

The day started off well. Ruth H. gave a lecture on the basic composition types (according to her):

  • Radial
  • S-Shape
  • Canitlever
  • Iconic
  • Meander
  • Cruciform (x-shaped)

I feel like I forgot one, but you get the idea.

Then we went upstairs and got to work. Ruth H. encouraged us to try “blind contour” drawing as well as simple “contour” drawing to start a work; the difference is that in blind contour drawing you never look at the paper.

Then she demoed a painting start, encouraging us to work from the outside of the paper, finding big shapes. Progressively we worked inward, working the smaller shapes. This is where I, predictably, had a brain cramp. This is a great suggestion that’s along the lines of “go write a novel.”  Ruth H. worked to explain the concept, showing layering of color and shape to bring interest. But it’s a complex subject.

I worked and came close to finishing two pieces today, and will work more tomorrow essentially from the same drawing. My apologies, but my camera work on these was very poor.

untitled

untitled

Night Racing

Night Racing

 

 

I finished a painting (miracles do happen)

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Before I begin, let me start with a complete off course.

  1. Thank goodness for 911 and ambulances. In general, but also specifically as today my mom had cause to use both. She’s okay, but it makes you appreciate things.
  2. Mom gets total kudos because she took care of herself. And…
  3. When she told me, she did NOT dance around the subject but just told me. Massive improvement over past attempts.

Okay, back to painting.

I finished a painting!

Lately it feel like I am keeping up this blog in hopes that a painting will somehow materialize. Because my actual production has been woeful.

But tonight, painting night (so long since that thing actually happened,) I actually FINISHED A PAINTING!

Ensata

Ensata

I’m pretty happy with it. I’m not sure the values are just right, but I’ll take it to critique and see what they say.

I also worked on…

confidence

Confidence

I have decided her little skirt will be pink with white polka dots. I adjusted her shadows. I have made no other decisions.

Learning the Ropes

Learning the Ropes

Another one I have not forgotten about. On the advice of my critique group I softened the top line of the squirrels and adjusted the darks. I decided the “rope” was too interesting and I’m trying to dial that back a bit. I am considering adding another “rope” to prevent such a straight viewing line (in-and-out was how my critique group put it.)

Finally, I took the masking off yesterday’s start and adjusted a few lines.

hooves

Let the thinking commence.

No driving = more painting

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Today I decided to enact a “no driving” day. So, around the house an in my neighborhood, we did:

  • 2 naps
  • 3 walks
  • 1 vacuum
  • 1 lunch
  • 1 church visit
  • 4 hours of painting
  • 2 loads of laundry

Only the painting is really blog-able, though.

I was excited to get to work on the first painting the series I discussed at last week’s workshop.

valuesketch

I sketched it out onto a full sheet of paper (that’s a commitment for me), but even though I had faithfully followed my sketch, I still didn’t like what I was looking at.

i took out the grid lines and started to do my own sketching. One thing I have been working on this year is doing my own drawing. The sketch above was drawn by me, so I felt transferring it wouldn’t be “cheating.” But I wasn’t happy, so I ditched the sketch and drew what I knew from my countless hours of sketching horses.

horses

The changes aren’t obvious, but like the shapes a lot better now. Right now there are three colors on the paper and masking flue (the lightest and most shinny color.) I’m interested in what the next step will be!

I also added a layer onto my kestrel painting.

kestrel

I’m trying to decide if I’d like to add some rice paper to the kestrel before continuing.

The myth of catching up

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I had a goal this weekend. I was going to catch up and then get some painting done, taking advantage of the energy I felt coming off Margaret Godfrey‘s workshop.

Here’s what I did today.

  1. Spent an extra hour in bed petting the dogs and cat (mistake?)
  2. Went for a walk in the park with my dogs, a friend, and her two dogs.
  3. Took Finn to the vet (Note: He’s now getting more painkillers and his arthritis is officially expanding/getting worse/going to new areas)
  4. Bathed both dogs at Soapy Paws. Both dogs are very fluffy now, but Key looks a little like an Ewok.
  5. Bought some yarn for a project at Tangled Purls.
  6. Ate lunch.
  7. Voted. (No, I’m not going to tell you how or for whom and I wish everyone else would shut up about it too!)
  8. Went to see a fellow equine artist friend, Elizabeth Zimmerman of Western Rose Studio (and ended up buying a beautiful sketch of a Gypsy,) at the Mt. Hood Gypsy and Drum Horse show at the Salem Fairgrounds.

    There was also a miniature horse show going on. This one had a lot of attitude.

    This one was just charming. She wants to learn to bead her horse’s halter.
    youth

  9. Dropped off a few odds and ends at the thrift store
  10. Managed to clean my studio and put things away so the dog can no longer get to (i.e. eat) my paintings. It looks almost ready to work in.
  11. Took Key for a long hike to get the wiggles out and extra fur off.
  12. Had dinner.
  13. Balanced my checkbook (yesterday was payday!)
  14. Attempted to catch up on my email in-box (I’m down to one email that I’m thinking about.)
  15. Wrote this blog.
  16. Next, I’ll start watching two art DVD’s that are now overdue.
  17. I should also read my magazines which are just sitting here.
  18. And start my knitting project.

Of course, in theory, with all this done, there is the possibility that tomorrow I’ll get to painting.

Fingers (and toes) crossed.

Un-caped crusader?

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I have a sometimes exhausting list of things I am protesting. Frankly, even I get lost sometimes. Here’s a short list of the top issues:

  • Puppy mill pets (dogs, cats, horses, ferrets…)
  • Plastic bags (this has morphed in bags in general)
  • T-shirts at charity events (or other giveaways) (they end up in the landfill and are made with slave labor)
  • Palm oil (deforestation)
  • Rain forest beef (I should really do a lot more here, but I can’t claim to be perfect)
  • Junk mail (seriously?)
  • Sales calls (but who isn’t)
  • Guns (I’m not sure how to effectively protest this, but I don’t own one and try my best not to support gun culture)
  • Round-up (Monsanto is evil, you know)

Periodically I am inspired to volunteer on various issues, but, honestly, I’m not as dedicated as I wish I was.

Activist: a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue

Bicycle Activist?

Recently (with my move) I have taken to riding my bike to work. Now, honestly, part of the reason for this is that I don’t have parking and there is no parking around my building. And it’s good exercise. But a component of that is my desire to be “greener”. Every day as I ride my bike to work I feel sort of smug to be such a “greenie.”

Probably that feeling of smugness negates any good I might actually be doing…

The one thing I didn’t realize about riding my bike is how DANGEROUS it is. People are crazy.

Today i was riding my bike to work. I was in the bike lane along a pretty busy street, but no one was immediately around me. I came to an intersection where I had the right of way and was getting ready to ride on through and this SUV came roaring up, rolled through the stop, and was just going to go out into the traffic. Except I was about 6 feet away and coming on!

I hit the brake and said “Hey” more as a scared protest than anything. The driver slammed on her brakes and said (I really am quoting), “I’m sorry. Normally my kids tell me when to stop.”

?!?

 

If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time. Marian Wright Edelman

How about just road safety activist?

Oregon has a law that essentially says every intersection is a crosswalk. The idea is that if a pedestrian comes up to an intersection and wants to cross the street, cars and other vehicles should let them. The law also says that if an intersection is more than 100 feet away, the place where the pedestrian is becomes a crosswalk and the car should yield.

Frankly, if you’re a pedestrian and expect drivers to follow this law, you’re out of your mind. My big suggestion is don’t hold your breath.

Thus, when I’m walking my dogs (or just me) I ALWAYS wait for a significant break in traffic or for cars to stop.

Down the street from my  house there is a marked intersection. The reason it’s marked is because it’s a main crosswalk for a nearby school. In the mornings and afternoons safety guards enforce the area.

When I get home in the evenings and take the dogs out, it’s not guarded. But because it’s marked, it’s a more reliable place to cross than others.

A few weeks ago the dogs and I were waiting for a break in traffic and a school bus saw us and stopped. A jeep was just cresting the hill in other direction, so I figured they’d see the bus and us and stop. But no, the driver completely ignored us and sped on by while we waited in the intersection. The bus was indignant enough to honk.

Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of a reward. Princess Diana

Farcical Feline Arrester

In spite of these incidents, I don’t think transportation is going to rouse my activist ardor. But a few weeks ago, something came into my world that inspired me to take up a cause.

Kittens.

A few doors down from me there is an abandoned house with a huge porch that has been dug out underneath it. Cats are EVERYWHERE. For the first few months as I dragged the dogs past it, I assumed (hoped?) it was a colony that someone had done the spay and neuter work on.

Then the kittens appeared. A total of five, as I later found out.

The Willamette Humane Society (WHS) does a good job of advertising their low-cost spay and neuter clinic, and they have a grant that allows anyone in my zip code to get a free spay or neuter. So I contacted them and found out they would take any kittens and I could make an appointment to have any adults I could catch sterilized.

I had noticed that someone was feeding the colony, so I left a note saying I would be willing to help get the animals sterilized and the kittens into good homes. The elderly woman who contacted me said that she didn’t really want to deal with the colony anymore, but did like one of the cats (black mama cat with stubbed tail) and she’s like to see her returned. She “handed over” the colony to me (which really wasn’t what I was hoping for) and said I could call her when everyone was fixed (literally) and she’d take over feeding again.

So, at the end of March I began “Operation Kitten”. My goal was to catch the kittens so they could go to WHS, be socialized, and then adopted. After that, I would start trapping the adults, hoping to catch the mama quickly to avoid more litters.

After a total of 12 hours over three weekends and three different trapping methods, I caught two kittens. That batch of kittens is now too old to be socialized, so this week I began trapping.

The first shock of this process was how expensive it was to rent a trap. WHS will rent you a trap at no cost, but you  have to put down a deposit. Other organizations charge $10. After some debate, I decided to invest in a trap so I wouldn’t have to worry about renting.

The second shock was the wait to get an appointment. It took me almost a month to get the first appointment!

Finally, the day before the appointment came around (appointment on Wednesday, trapping Tuesday night…) I had carefully followed the directions about getting the animals used to going inside by feed them inside the trap with the door shut.

That evening I carefully put out wet food for extra enticement and set the door.

Imagine my shock when I actually captured a cat! Not mama cat, but definitely a cat (I had nightmares about raccoons or rats.)

Proudly I took him into WHS…

A note about my third shock: On this ONE day, there were over 20 people dropping of animals for sterilization. This is EVERY DAY! The volume is just… amazing.

…dropped him off, and made arrangements to pick him up after work.

I walked back in the door, expecting to hear the directions they had told me about not releasing the cat until the next morning.

Here’s what they actually said: “This cat has already been neutered. And he’s a friendly one, too.”

I caught someone’s pet.

I’m not cut out for activism.

The random day that helps you with perspective

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Warning, right up front. This post is about weight loss, medical stuff, and emotions. Stop reading now if you’re in it for the humor or the art.

Daily Summary

I had two doctor’s appointments today. I also had to go to work early to work around one of those appointments. A stapler in my office caused me to have a meltdown. My dog was attacked by a cat as we were out taking a walk (multiple times because the cat just kept attacking until I picked Key up.) Tonight I have to wear a strange medical device to test how I sleep.

Frankly, folks, I was worn out at 9:00 am.

Why did that help with perspective?

So with that day behind me, I opened the dog food container to feed the beasts. They had EXACTLY one more serving left. Normally, I go to the pet food store on Weight Watchers night, which has moved from Monday to Wednesday and then to Tuesday. So, I had a choice. I could let them go hungry in the morning (not really an option), I could go and get food for them and take my chances going to Weight Watchers tomorrow (knowing that the last two weeks I haven’t stayed for the meeting), or I could change my plans and go get food and attend a meeting.

Something about having the day I had made me realize just how close to giving up living a better lifestyle I am. I knew I was close. I’m tired, nothing fits, I feel awful, and did I mention I was tired? Sunday I went to the grocery store for the first time in a couple of weeks; I bought the right stuff, but I hadn’t prepped it.

The medical issue

I am not breathing well. In the last six weeks there have been tests for my heart, lungs, blood, liver, head, digestion, and I’m sure if there was some other part of me that would have been tested too. My main complaint is that I can’t draw a deep breath. Every breath feels like my lungs are a balloon that wants to expand but that is trapped inside a too-small glass jar. In addition, I’m having bad heartburn and occasional heart palpitations. The doctors are taking things seriously, but it’s a process. A long, frustrating process.

Every time I go to the doctor, I come back upset and frustrated. I’m frighted that I’m going to have to give up another pet. I’m also frightened that they are going to tell me it’s all because I’m fat. I’ll own that last one, and I’m 100% sure that if I lost weight everything would be easier. But I still believe something isn’t right. The whole thing ends up being a Catch 22; I go to the doctor hoping to feel better, I end up feeling worse, so I eat which exacerbates the whole thing.

Decision point

I had to get dog food. If I was going to go over there to get dog food, it made sense to go to Weight Watchers.

So, I went. And had a good meeting (for once, I’m not liking the leader, but tonight she was okay).

And when I came home I decided to be good to myself and prep my food.

fridge

I’m not gonna lie. I’m not sure how committed I am. But it’s been two years. I’ve lost 95 pounds; I’ve regained 75 pounds. But I have nothing to gain by throwing in the towel. I might as well keep trying.

My goal this week: Don’t gain, don’t lose.

 

Margaret Godfrey workshop, day 2

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Yes, I’m a day late with this post. My excuse is just that learning stuff is hard work.

Saturday (day 2) of the workshop focused on allowing students to explore their ideas using the tools from day 1. I did a couple sketches, continued work on the “failed paintings” from day 1, and started two new paintings.

cosmos

“Cosmos” – ice painting start, acrylic flowers, watercolor background, collage in corners. Unfinished.

stretch

“Stretch” – reworked failed painting with collage, stamping, and gesso. Unfinished.

masked

“Masked” – new painting. Forward trees gesso and rice paper. Watercolor wash start. Unfinished.

oldwoman

“Old Woman Wrasse” – new painting. Watercolor. Background with hand-created stamp; fish with bubble wrap texture for start.

So at the end of the day, what did I learn? I’m still thinking about it, but here are some ideas.

  1. Keep painting.
  2. When all else fails, add interest.
  3. Others usually don’t think your painting is as bad as you do (or they are very polite).
  4. If you’ve come to a place where a painting is failed… tear it up for collage. Or gesso over it… Or stamp… Or….
  5. My ideas are good. Follow through.
  6. Don’t rely on color for your only interest.
  7. Be bold with shapes.
  8. No one else knows what they are doing either.
  9. It can take years to finish a painting.
  10. Other artists struggle to finish too.
  11. A series is not repeating the same painting over and over again; it’s exploring an idea. And one painting can lead to the next.
  12. Stamps.