Abstracted Ideas, 4.5x4, Ball Point Pen, M. Stermer-Cox

Why Abstract Drawing

I like working on abstract designs; they’re interesting and challenging.  One of the advantages of “non-objective” abstraction is that I can focus on composition problems.  I was going to say that I don’t have to worry so much about making it look  like something.  But, that’s not quite true.  I care that the design looks interesting and intriguing.  I want the design to draw the viewer into a dialog where the language is pictorial. I want the viewer to be part of the process, finding a little something to make one stop, look and wonder.

About This Design

This particular design is about light disrupting dark; dark enveloping light.  I started with a “scribble”.  One of the early decisions I need to make is the creation of a light shape.  Then, I decide which areas will have movement to dark shapes; which to light.  After the initial questions, the drawing progresses as a personal dialog between the paper and me.

My Hopes

When you’re looking at my abstracts, I hope you see the hand of the artist; my personal hand drawing.  Maybe you see-feel my emotional state.  Maybe you see-feel my delight at the process.  I hope you find something to enjoy.

Recommendation

For another approach to abstraction, I’d like to recommend C.K. Agathocleous’ blog.  I thoroughly enjoy her abstract paintings in gouache.

Three Legged Stool, 7.5 x 4, M.Stermer-Cox

FOCUS?

Happy mid May!  No, that’s not necessarily the proud proclamation I was thinking about, (happily).  I was thinking more along the line of the several proud proclamations I’ve made this 2012.   Do you make proclamations or declarations of intentions or goals?  Do they work for you?

My proud proclamations were based on great expectations of my creative output.   Oh, and no consideration for the time it would take to achieve my great expectations.  I wanted to focus on abstracts, washes, still life work and improve my blog content.  Focus?  Did I say “FOCUS”?  As you can see, I’m really having trouble deciding what to focus on.  Hmm.

Priorities!

Add another twist, just for fun.   I have had shifting priorities this year due to change.  Two big, ongoing changes  are switching to a vegan diet and moving our residence.  Both projects take time and energy!  And, there have been other projects, large and small.  I’m hardly alone in facing big life changes.  It seems to happen to all of us at one time or another.  How do you cope?  What are your strategies for getting it all done and keeping the artwork going?

What I’m amused with are my ambitious goals and dreams for my art and this blog in particular.  Two posts ago, I talked about changes in content.  But, as you may have noticed, I’ve been having trouble getting to the blog on a regular basis.  Hmmm, sort of hard to make great changes if I’m not writing the blog.  I’m a dreamer at heart and the proud proclamations sound ever so “doable” at the time.  So, every once in awhile, I make a proclamation or declaration of my intention.

Reality Check!

This year’s bought of proud proclamations are getting a dose of reality.  I feel like I’m almost back at square one.  For example, I might be happy just to get multiple blog posts of drawings in a week.  “So, how about a simple intention and see how it goes?” I ask myself.  Could be that re-establishing my blogging routine is a good idea.  My posts don’t need to be fancy.  Drawing, writing and posting on a regular basis sounds like a plan to me.  And then?  Oh, I’m sure I’ll make another declaration or two.  Isn’t that what dreamers do?

‘Til next time, thank you for stopping by!

About the Drawing.

This is a little camp stool that my husband and I are using as a chair for our computer table.  I drew it surrounded by moving boxes.  I liked the shapes and patterns and I had WAY too much fun with the ball point pen!

Abstract Study in Ball Point Pen, Margaret Stermer-Cox

Local Art Show

Recently, I went to a local small town art show.  It was quite the event.  The exhibition included a juried portion and a non-juried portion.  There was a diversity of media, from 2D to 3D; paintings to sculpture; photographs to digital artwork.  The community event included young and not so young artists.  The hosting organization had contracted jurors with solid artistic credentials.

As I wandered through the exhibition, talking with friends and fellow artists, I pondered the value of small town art shows.  This train of the thought was inspired by a comment I heard one of the show Chair’s make.  He had dreams of enlarging the show to make it an even grander, global event.  What show chair doesn’t dream of bigger and better things?

 Benefit: Bring Outside Artists In

But, I thought, is bigger always better?  Or, even better, what does this show bring to the community?  A couple of points immediately sprung to mind.  One, the show brings in juried artists enabling the community to see different work.  There were top notch artists from across the country who submitted works.  Local citizens who viewed the work were exposed to the creative minds of artists they do not know and might never meet. I can’t help but think this is a good thing for the community.

Benefit:  See Art from Friends and Neighbors

The second point I thought of was that the exhibition lets local artist show their work, either through the jury process or through entering in the non-juried show.  Local people see their artwork from friends and neighbors displayed in a different way.  The opportunity to communicate on a different level is established.  I believe we gain a deeper appreciation for each other.  For example, two of my neighbors had photos in the show.  I didn’t realize they were artistic photographers.  It was great fun seeing their art on display and I did see my friends a little bit differently.

Benefit:  Community Health

A third idea later emerged.  By coming together as a community and participating in an art exhibition, either as worker, artist or viewer, we all make a statement on the value of art.  It is important to how we define and interpret our community.  Or, to look at it another way, what a hole there would be if the community did not host this art exhibition once a year.  A little of the town’s soul would be diminished.  So, even if the local art show doesn’t achieve notoriety on a global scale, it is valued and vital to the health of the small town community

I hope this essay inspires you to see your local community art exhibition, or even a major exhibition in a different way.  The exhibition is about more than the individual artists, the jurors and even the artwork.  It is about what we value as a community.

The exhibition I am referring to is the Associated Arts of Ocean Shores Annual Fine Art Show (Ocean Shores, WA).  The exhibition is held each spring.

About the Drawing

The drawing is one a practice abstract study.  My main interest is the shape of the light and dark patterns.  The drawing made me think of a flower market.  I used ball point pen.

About the Drawing

My self portrait studies are about seeing and understanding the relationships among the facial features.  I certainly can understand why someone might become engrossed in drawing and painting portraits.  The lines and shapes that make up expression are interesting.  For the time being, if I achieve a likeness, that’s a bonus!  I believe likeness will come after I’ve understood and learned how to draw the form.

Experimenting with Blog Content

Inspired by recent articles I’ve read in the Art Biz Blog and Brian Kliewer’s blog, I think it’s time for my blog to grow in a new direction.  I draw and will still draw.  But I was thinking I might try expanding the subject matter.  Essentially, I’m going to teach myself to write about different facets of art and art making.  We’ll see.  I do seem to have trouble with proud proclamations lately.  Life got complicated this year and my ambitions have had to change.  But, I keep striving.  We’ll see.

The Drawing

I keep coming back to my favorite broken shell.  It changes with every angle.  Plus, it’s interesting deciding how much detail to reveal.  It’s the spiral shape that attracts me.  I still have not achieved the definitive shell!  Will I ever?  I’ll keep searching.

With this study, I added the napkin with a knot.  I wanted the folds to remind me of the waves of the sea.   It was an interesting challenge.

Blog Visit

One of my favorite blogs to browse is Celeste Bergin’s blog.  She is a painter working in the Portland, OR area.  Celeste posts paintings daily.  What I really find interesting is the artist’s life she leads and the interesting art sessions she participates in.  I invite you to take a look at her blog if you haven’t already.

About the Self Portrait

In this self portrait version, my intention was to study the planes and shapes of the face in a full, forward position.  My concern is with getting the proportions and shapes correct.  Once again, my face looks solemn; it is the expression of study.

Over the past several years, I have focused on expressive, abstracted drawings.  For the time being, I’m interested in drawing from life.  The transition can be challenging.  When drawing from life, one needs to look at the subject.  When drawing from imagination, one looks more at the paper.  It’s a change of habit and a change in seeing.

My goal is to expand my drawing and seeing skills.   So, it’s practice, practice and practice a little bit more.

Blog Visit of the Day:  Brian Kliewer

I’ve been reading Brian Kliewer’s blog lately.  Today he had an interesting article on his blogroll.  It reminded me that blogging is evolving.  Perhaps the time will come when I need to evolve this blog a little bit more.  I am interested in how he will use the blogroll as a posting.  More important, I like how he uses his blog to build community.  And, that’s one huge reason why I blog.  I recommend checking out his blog!

Sometimes I get the urge to work on portrait drawing.  The best place to start, I figure, is with myself.  My modeling skills are not that great; I wiggle and look away.  I usually have a serious expression because I’m trying to see more and understand what I’m seeing.  Each time I work on a self portrait, I learn a little bit more.

Some of my favorite bloggers do wonderful portraits of themselves or others.  I like Myrna Wacknov and David Lobenberg, to name just two such bloggers.  Who knows, when I get comfortable, maybe I’ll do a watercolor study.

Thank you and enjoy!

A Little Fun

I’m still enjoying my favorite knapkin, or rather napkin, and the not, or knot.  This particular napkin is special because it holds the folds for several days without starch.  Since it is my practice to draw as time allows, it’s great that the folds stay in place.

Why the Napkin

The purpose of my multiple napkin knot studies is to get the feel of the form of drapery.  It’s teaching myself how to see the visual language of the folds and the light.  I think the napkin has an interesting abstract quality.

Next?

Maybe a self portrait or two.

A Word About Blog Format

I frequently glean ideas from other bloggers.  Artist Brian Kliewer had an interesting article on “Building A Better Blog”.   I like several of the points he makes, including subheadings, bullets, ease of loading.  I decided to play with my subheadings a little.  What do you think?

Thank you and enjoy!

The fun thing about my napkin studies is that each change in view presents a new subject.  This knot seems to be lounging around!

Happy Friday and I hope you have a most creative weekend.  Or a relaxing one!

Still drawing my favorite napkin tied up into a knot!  I just thought of something.  Remember macrame?  I used to do a lot of macrame in the 70′s.  And, knit, crochet and embroider!  They’re all about knots!

The pleasures of drawing!  Enjoy!