inspired

Tacoma Art Museum

The newly remodeled Tacoma Art Museum exhibit "Eloquent Objects: Georgia O'Keeffe and Still-Life Art in New Mexico" runs until June 7, 2015. O'Keeffe's work is elegant and gorgeous. I enjoyed looking at them from a distance and then stepping closer and closer until the museum staff person cleared his throat. I was just looking to see the brushwork! If you have a chance to see this show, take it!

John Nieto, "Buffalo at Sunset"

Since the remodel, TAM has opened up a large new gallery space and filled it with the exhibit "Art of the American West: the Haub Family Collection." The collection is stunning, with works by Nieto (above), Clymer, Terpening, Remington, Bierstadt, Moran, and others. This show is up until the fall of 2015.

Museum of Glass

Walking out of TAM, I was lured into the Museum of Glass by the large sign that read "Chihuly Drawings!" I have mentioned Chihuly's drawings on this blog before, and this exhibit expanded my respect and admiration for his work.

The final piece in this large show are plexiglass panels, backlit, with acrylic drawings on them. Spectacular!

For me, the truest measure of a great show is this: does it inspire? These two shows more than delivered and I leave Tacoma overflowing with ideas for my own paintings in the days and weeks and months ahead.

James Brown "I Feel Good."

Dawn Emerson Workshop -- Day One

 blocking in the major shapes using charcoal and pastel

Dawn Emerson

First day of a three day workshop in Springfield, OR with Dawn Emerson. Wow! Dawn is a dynamo and she moves and teaches with grace and energy. I feel stuffed with ideas and new challenges to think more, try more, play more.

We did a series of drawing exercises, designed to loosen up, look better, vary the line, mass the value shapes, and all the while maintain a playful attitude. I loved every minute of it! Many times, we walked around the room to look at all of the drawings. I learned a lot by seeing how others handled the same exercise.  What a great group of participants!

Today my contentment can be measured by the charcoal in the cracks of my fingers. Lots and lots!

The top photo shows my final drawing, a synthesis of everything from the day. More to come tomorrow! But, first, to sleep!

The Lorax

These cypress trees always remind me of Dr. Seuss' book "The Lorax," and I could not resist drawing them this morning. "I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues..."

Today I read in "An Illustrated Life" that sometimes drawing is a way through a rough patch, not just over it or around it. Through is the harder way but how lovely to have something to hold onto while I find my way.