Perspective Lesson #2

The Gothic Theatre in my little town has seen better days, but it is still a cool building.  I have never been inside.  They have concerts there now with bands I am not interested in hearing.  I've heard the inside is pretty cool, though.  I will have to go visit the inside someday.  Drawing it has connected me to it more than I was previously.   I think I will draw it again and apply what I learned drawing it the first time.
I sat in the alley overlooking the used car lot across the street, it was elevated enough to give me a good view.  The car lot guys were busy washing all the cars while they waited to negotiate with would be buyers; they waved to me and were friendly.  It was a beautiful Colorado winter day, sunny and warm enough to sit on the concrete wall and draw.

A STUDY IN PERSPECTIVE

I found a black and white picture taken in the late 1950's of my Grandparent's home; it brought back a flood of memories.  We went there every Sunday for dinner when I was a kid, and a great many other times in between.  Their humble house was full of love and wonderful places to explore.  The house was small, but the lot was large and my Granddad had a large detached garage on the opposite end from the house.  It was full, to the ceiling, of things my Granddad saved.  My dad's racing car's body was stashed away atop a pile of other wonderful finds, of which I can remember nothing.  We would dig our way to it and sit in the driver's seat and drive a 100 MPH!
As the unofficial family historian; my qualification being a major in History in college for lack of interest in any other subject, I have set about documenting dates, times, photos and memories of and for my family.
The photo also gave me a perfect subject to begin a study in drawing perspective.  It's simple lines and face on view encouraged me to begin.  The time spent drawing the front steps, the rocks, the trees and the yard were memory filled and brought me closer to my Grandparent's than I have been in a long long time. 

EDM #70

This is a drawing of a tribute I made for my friends and co-workers who have battled breast cancer. The beauty of the monarch butterfly symbolizes the transformation they have gone through as a result of their experience and gives me courage to face my fears. EDM #70 - Draw what you fear.

EDM #9 - Organized Chaos....my studio desk and work area. I think I could use a few more baskets of 'fodder', and mugs of pencils/markers.

I took the opportunity to visit the "Becoming Van Gogh" exhibit at the Denver Art Museum this week. It was incredible.  The exhibit, as one would expect from the title, featured his work in a time line progression from black and white drawings and sketches to his mastery of color and brush stroke.  Truly, any reproduction in print or in books, does not do his art justice.  The colors - so alive! The texture - so rich! The strokes - so passionate!  I am still relishing the joy of the visit 2 days later.

EDM#38–Draw at a Museum

A visit to Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in honor of my father in law, father, husband and all those who serve and have served in the US Military.  THANK YOU for keeping our freedom protected.

I am certainly blessed to be living in Colorado. December 1st and 70 degrees - clear blue sky and little or no wind. Perfect day to start and almost finish Christmas shopping. While eating lunch on the back deck, I saw a falcon in the neighbor's tree. He blended in so well with the tree branches, that I only noticed him when he turned his head this way and that; scoping out the yard for something to eat. The zoom lens on my camera was not sufficient to capture his image. I viewed him through binoculars and quickly drug out the hugh "Birds of Prey" book we happen to have and identified him as a Prairie Falcon. An awesome treat for a beautiful day.