Musee des beaux-arts Montreal

I had to leave without seeing everything, but I so enjoyed my time in this wonderful art museum today. Here is a girl perhaps copying one of the old paintings in the museum. A few years ago I learned that this is an art in itself, that old paintings fade or decay and copying is one way to preserve them. It is also a good way to learn.

a goal

A few days after I come back from Oklahoma, I will be one of the artists from the WAA whose work will be hanging in a local shop. My entries are all recently taken photos, and I have been on task getting them framed. The Hobby Lobby framers whom I have seen every day this week have done a great job enhancing the look of the pix. It is pretty amazing how first you have a photograph. Then you may improve it a bit like straightening, cropping. I don't have Photoshop so I just use what the computer offers. Then a mat around it adds a nice touch. And then when it gets in a good frame, that little picture you saw in the back of the camera looks so good! It is a little scary putting stuff that I have done out there to be critiqued, but I need to get over that.

an unexpected result

Last fall I participated in a "plein air paint out" only because it was at and for Wrightsville Beach. What a lot of nerve I had! I was way out of my league. When I saw the lovely pieces the more seasoned artists cranked out, I was so embarrassed! What would I do! Which would be more humiliating? To say I am not good enough, that I can't do it and quit? Or to ignore the risk and carry on? I opted for going through with it. On the second and final day of the event, I turned in my one small, simple watercolor of the beach, matted and framed by me. I took it to the nice coordinator and said, "Here. Do what you want with it." I have wondered what became of the little beach scene. Did they look at it scornfully then put it directly in the trash? Did it make it to a back wall of the small museum? Yesterday I got a sweet handwritten note from the director saying it had sold! I was so pleased. Now the WB museum is $75 richer, and my confidence is a smidgen higher. It was a simple little picture, but I admit it was also sweet. I thank whoever bought it.

Tuesday nights

The three hour life drawing non-class on Tuesday evenings is always enjoyable.
Here is one photo during a pose when the model was facing the other side of the room.
It wasn't actually that dark in there, but I like the look the camera made. Like a Rembrandt.
And another.

something is better than nothing

There isn't much going on at the un-airconditioned Studio 15 this week. Yesterday I picked up my toys (paints) and took them home, but have I used them? oh no. 
I did go to life drawing last night. I am always challenged by it. We have time limitations, but otherwise we have the freedom to portray the model anyway we like, any medium we like, and the artists are way above me in skill and know how. There is no learning if I am not around more accomplished people. Last night after the ten minute-and-a-half warm-up sketches, I used two mediums I had not really tried, gouache and oil pastels. This little pic is the head of the model in oil pastel. Pretty pathetic, I know, but I am trying to learn to show my work.

Favorite paparazzi shot of the evening

Coming along

It won't make its way into a zoology textbook, but the painting is coming along ok. Just a little more work, and then framing, and this sea creature will be ready for Ruby's wall. It is a 12x12 acrylic and on paper for acrylics. I am finding painting is fun and relaxing. 

Tonight I will be going to a critique at an art place I haven't been to. That should be fun and educational.