Studio Day One

The second day of class is tomorrow and I pray that I can stay on this roll I've found myself on.
Over the weekend, myself and a couple of other classmates, came into the field station as we were itching to get started. I started.... but I didn't have my canvases. (long story) I borrowed from someone else and felt constrained by not being able to work on multiple surfaces at once. Since last summer, I've always had more than one painting going at a time. Needless to say, I hit some sort of wall, but awoke with clarity Sunday morning, knowing exactly what I wanted to do come Monday.

I think it looks way better from father away, but I am trying new things, including palette knives, and abstraction. I am aiming to capture the "revelatory qualities" as my professor has said. I think it will be my mantra for the summer.

Here is the inspiration, a bit zoomed out and without the tress. I feel like if I add them, I might take away from the image. At the same time, there are spots I'd like to tone down and others I may punch up.

Apparently someone from each summer class paints this set of three trees. How could you not? There is something about the color juxtaposed with that magnificent blue sky that begs for attention. I couldn't ignore it this year.

I am not where I want to be with this piece just yet. I was using oil paint sticks for the first time and learning how to manipulate the material. I would also like to work on the contrast and linear qualities more.

Overall though to whip out these two beginnings, with another board with a ground painted, is a pretty fantastic first day. I hope to make some progress before our 1pm break so the group can head in town to catch some USA World Cup Action!

Life is not so bad on the island!

I don't have a bunch of time to write a full post, as I need to get ready for our first full day of painting, but I wanted to share this photo of the sunset last night.
The three girls in the class spent the day together, ending with a delightful (and well priced) meal at the Starlight Cafe. As we searched for a suitable setting for a nightcap, we met up with and bumped into just about everyone involved in the course, including our professor and his teaching assistant. The weekend has been full of meetings like these where we have been able to get to know each other as people and artists. I am really looking forward to working with this dynamic group, pushing myself to new limits and growing as an artist.

Back on the Island

I can't believe its's here!
I have returned to Nantucket for another two week painting course. The last week or so have been so jam packed with school functions and the other goings ons of life, which I will get to later, that the idea of spending another glorious two weeks painting, felt like a dream I would never attain. But I am here!

I arrived at our humble apartments in the late afternoon, and wouldn't you know, I was assigned the same building and am sleeping in the same bed, as last year. No sooner did I unpack and make the bed, did our last classmate arrive and after a quick change of clothes, we were off to the super market for dinner, and weekly (hopefully) provisions.

We had a lovely dinner at our Field Station. There were lots of laughs and wine with getting to know each other conversations. It was very nice to come together as a group to prepare and share a meal.

I feel comfortable in this group of people and familiar with my surroundings. I hope that will aid me with my painting. I only started with oils last summer and my goal for this course is to work a little more abstractly. Only time will tell, but for now, I count myself so lucky and fortunate to have this opportunity again, and plan to make the most of it.

Fashion as an Art Teacher 2

It used to be that my most viewed posts were an elementary lesson, There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, and a middle school lesson, Pop Art Food Poster, which is still in second place. But with over two hundred more hits, my Fashion as an Art Teacher, has been the number one most viewed post on Chucks and Crayons for a while now.

Over the last couple of weeks, I decided to take photos of some of my favorite, warmer weather wear, as a follow up.

I live in these crops lately.
I found the black Cynthia Rowley pants at Marshalls in the fall and paired them with mid-calf, black boots all winter. Initially I was hesitant that the material would be too warm for the spring months, but they have proven to be an indispensable piece of my wardrobe.
Here I paired them with a ruffled tank from Target and a black sweater... which you will see again... from Old Navy. I love to layer. The black ballet shoes have a little wedge heel for some added class. The head band was dual purpose: a bit of a vintage feel that kept my mane controlled before I got a hair cut later in the day.

I mentioned in my first fashion post that I have multiple colored jeans. I wear a variation of jeans and T-shirts most days of the week! This was most likely a Friday since it is a little more on the casual side. (also judging by the mess in the background... please ignore my lack of housekeeping!)
Here I have paired my Ann Taylor Loft  red jeans with a geeky and adorable Liz Claborne printed tee from JCPenny. Little, black glasses are repeated in lines across the shirt. The black jacket was a pick up from some teenie bopper store years ago and has awesome pockets. I added a multi- color beaded necklace (from where I do not remember) and strappy black sandals from Target.

I think this day I was happy with my swept back hair!
The green Not Your Daughter's Jeans, purchased at a discount store, are paired with a super comfortable Merona tank top from Target. It has a flattering cut and funky print. Again with the black sweater and strappy sandals.

Finally, this day was much warmer. The ease of wearing a dress  always amazes me, especially when it is as comfortable and flattering as this pick up.
Most often when shopping for dresses I have an issue with length. My nana and I were just talking about this the other day too, as she is shopping for a dress to wear to my cousin's wedding. Everything that she finds lately is cut to her knee. She would feel more comfortable with about five more inches of fabric, but thats not what is in stores lately. For me, dresses are either to the ground, which are not flattering to my body shape at all, or end mid-thigh.
I was so happy with this reasonably priced and wonderfully cut dress from H&M, (and the style from my first post) that I have since gone and purchased two more.
Only downfall... my high school students shop at H&M too and not only recognized the dress, but another girl (not my student) was wearing it a couple of days later.

While these outfits are totally comfortable and my style, I am looking forward to bathing suits, flip flops, and sunscreen real soon.