The Sketchbook Challenge: doodling flowers

This month's Sketchbook Challenge theme is flowers.

I've been pressing up against deadlines for the past two weeks and needed a short break. Maybe some day I'll learn not to procrastinate. It hasn't happened yet.

So instead of taking my laptop to hockey practice I took my sketchbook and some fun paint markers from my stash. I had to sit off the the side as the propellant in these things smells.Probably not the best for my health. But if you've ever spent time with hockey players - let's just say the smell was nothing in comparison.

I had prepared these pages with acrylic washes last year and just picked a nice spring color and went to town. First with a sharpie, then with the markers.

I suppose I'm still enjoying last month's theme of doodling and combining it with this month's theme of flowers. One can never get too much of doodling. It's a lovely time to let the mind relax and wander - clear out the clutter.

Creative Wisdom: The Gap Between Art and Taste

This quote from Ira Glass, the host of the radio program "This American Life" speaks to something I think I'm STILL going through. It's something of an achievement gap. I like my work - I just think it has a ways to go before it lives up to the potential I imagine it to have.

Signature by Lyric Kinard

Ira Glass

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. 

A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. 

Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through."

Work in Progress: Zebra

Zebra by Lyric Kinard

Becoming an Artist in Italy

 Becoming an Artist in Italy

with Lyric Kinard

Arrive June 26th 

Depart July 2nd 2013

Registration deadline is 17th April 2013

******************

The beauty of the Italian countryside is a glorious setting for awakening your creative abilities and nurturing your desire to become an artist. Inspired by the alluring village of Sulmona and the astounding beauty of the Asinomania grounds, you will learn the alphabet of the visual language, the basic elements and principles artist use to create their interpretations of the world around them. With the firm support and gentle encouragement of Lyric Kinard,  the 2011 International Association of Professional Quilters Teacher of the Year, you will take your first steps on a new artistic path, seeing the world in wonder through the eyes of an artist.

Goals/Expectations

This class delves deeply into the basics of design and involves time spent observing, absorbing, and recording your visual environment. You will interpret what you see by creating easily understandable exercises in fabric and on paper in order to give you hands-on experience with each design element. Basic drawing skills will be taught - no previous experience is necessary. You will spend time working on an original composition inspired by Italy, and learn to evaluate your work and the work of others. You will gain the skills you need to make confident design decisions about your own work.

Days 1 and 2: The Elements of Art

    Introductions and explanations of expectations

    What are the basic elements of design, the alphabet letters of the visual language

    Texture, shape, line, color, value

    Explore each element with timed cloth exercises in our sketchbooks

    Basic sketching and drawing instruction and exercises

    Explore and find inspiration focusing on each element in the environment using cameras and sketchbooks

Day 3: The Visual Language

    Introduce the principles of design, the way the letters (the elements of design)

    are put together to create meaning in the visual language

    Focal Point, Balance, Symmetry, Motion, Repetition, Unity, Scale, Proportion

    Explore each principle with timed cloth exercises in our sketchbooks

    Basic sketching and drawing exercises

    Explore and find inspiration focusing on each principle in the environment and in the art world using cameras and sketchbooks

Day 4 and 5: The Artists Eye

    Continued sketching and observation exercises

    Students will begin construction of their own original designs

    Introduce the basic structure of evaluation, how to analyze and critique artwork

    Students will lead group critiques of artwork (I could bring posters if there is no local gallery)

    Group design exercises if time allows

    Final evaluation of student work - students will be let through the evaluation process, gaining the skills they need to make confident design decisions about their own work.

    Wrap up and review

Supply lists and costs can be found here:

http://www.abruzzoschoolofcreativeart2013.com/lyric-kinard.php

It's going to be the trip of a lifetime. Join me for a week of creativity, joy, and beauty!

Work In Progress: Rockstar Boro Skirt

More progress on the boro inspired skirt.

 

I've sewn down dyed vintage laces to cover the raw seams but haven't embroidered them yet.

At my current pace this project is going to be ongoing for years..... and years.

skirt front view - Lyric Kinard

 If you missed it - Melanie Testa inspired this project with a more true to form Boro project of her own.

If you haven't seen her new website yet - go check it out. It's GORGEOUS!

skirt back view - Lyric Kinard

 This will eventually be partially covered by more embroidery. I'm thinking this whole skirt will be a continual embroidered travel journal... which means the Disney Castle should show up next.

Here is a link to the previous progress posts for this project.

(I love alliteration - don't you?)

Work In Progress: Conjunctions

Part two of my collaborative process with the talented poet, Maura High.

Conjunctions by Lyric Kinard

[Conjunctions]

Maybe it was just the back and forth of the wipers,
or that they were the only people I saw
on that stretch of the road, and the rain

was pouring over the windshield,
rivulets and deltas of rain flooding
a space swept clean and then filled again, the sky

drear and seething, the dripping, somnolent trees;
or that I knew nothing about them except
what I could see in passing and then

in the rearview mirror: that they were a couple,
middle-aged, in parkas, with their hoods up,
walking out of the woods, holding hands,

and that they found daylight there,
at the seam between this and other:
a gate and a path leading beyond it, an opening.

© 2012 Maura High

The imprinted silk from this piece and "Verbesina Ocidentalis" was eco-dyed by Arlee Barr. You should check out her shop - it's got some stunning cloth in it right now that I'm having a hard time resisting.

The Kindness Chronicles

Ideas to help us make the world a better place!

Little things:

Hold the door open - especially if they are pushing a stroller or have their hands full.

Leave a post-it note on the bathroom stall saying "smile - you ARE beautiful, smart, and creative!"

(www.operationbeautiful.com)

Give a compliment - a looking in the eyes, specific, compliment.

Put a grocery cart away for a mother with little ones in the car. (did this!)

(I always really hated to leave mine alone even for a second in the car.)

Bigger things:

Babysit for the mother of young children... even if it's just so she can go take a nap.

Bring your favorite book and read stories to kids at your local elementary school.

Wash someone's car windows.

Keep a zip-loc bag in your purse with a toothbrush, toothpaste, a few dollars, and a granola bar for the next time you pass a homeless person. (going to do this!)

Stop by the fire department with a plate of cookies and say thank you.

It's not that hard to make the world a better place!

This month check out

Jane LaFazio

Deborah Stanley
Hannah Koch

and Linda Teddlie Minton

to see what they've done to make the world a better place.

If you'd care to join us please do. Grab the button above for your blog.

Send me your info and I'll link to your blog next month.