Shake it up...365 Days of Drawing

I have been trying to shake it up a bit in my somewhat brief teaching class demos at CAI -as I talk a lot and work on students' paintings. So much to do in only a three hour class.

I know what I can do around a 16 x 20, or 18 x 24, demo after teaching for a while and doing public demos for lots of art groups in and around LA - but I got a bit tired of the same ol', same ol', I thought I was doing or maybe relying on, around time constraints and getting the teaching message across.

So this semester and last, I have gone for much smaller canvases, different crops, different lighting, not always that successful but pushing me not only as an artist but also as a teacher. This one paid off more than others, 5x9, about an hour of painting. I liked her expression and the simplicity of it all.

Peep, Peep, Watch The Birdie...365 Days of Drawing...

It was a packed class yesterday for the last day of the teaching semester at CAI including two dogs and one bird named Peep! A true art menagerie.

Peep was the model Jennifer Fabos' pet and was incredible as was she in her Victorian get-up.

AS for my performance, there was a lot of painting on other people's work. Some terrific work going on in the room. I was proud to be these students' teacher.

I felt MY color harmony on my demo could have been much much better so I may have another go today. I was watching the new BRAVO TV show about artists last night doing a set art challenge. One woman said it was not her "art process" to work this way.

I realized I really do have an 'art process' of my own to create something I consider worth while.

Teaching well necessitates stopping and starting on my own demo in class, not particularly conducive to my art process but essential if one is to be a 'hands-on" teacher. This is the decision I make as a teacher. To let go.

L'ORANGE...365 Days of Drawing..

I pushed the light in my teaching class yesterday to nail home some color harmony using a blue gel and orange reflector board - the set up, clothing etc. also all being in shades of orange and blue.

Time was short in class with me helping students with their own studies so I had to finish my class demo when I got home, not wanting to loose the lesson for myself.

I lost the likeness with no photo to work from but I did manage to hold onto the original orange toned canvas in the shadow side of the face which I was happy about.

I Raise My Hat...365 Days of Drawing...

Gauzy mesh sun hats, in a teaching situation, can lead a teacher to drink! Tricky shadows, tricky fabric. Teaching required...well...derr...

My class demo at The California Art Institute yesterday and my drawing for the day. There was plenty of drawing going on yesterday! And some good work in the room.

I will not be posting for a few days due to travel but I will be drawing each day.

"Mesh Hat"

9" x 12"

Oil

Class continues at CAI

My teaching class at The California Art Institute continues tomorrow. Be there! This is Keri, our model from last week.

And also my pal... I finished this study today, 10 x 12.