Art Therapy #17

This is where Rae and Nancy make postcards and send them to each other, more or less weekly. Frankly I am surprised we have continued to do this for so long. We started this after the last election to bring something happy into our lives. I am always excited when I see a craft envelope in the mail.

I made a series of these lake watercolours because I got new art supplies. Arteza all lead watercolour pencils. I like these pencils but because they are all lead and no wood they break like crayons which I always hated. Some strokes were made with Derwent Inktense Blocks. These are very strong colors. I also like working with them. And they also break. I like pristine art supplies.

This one was made because I am thinking about abstract painting and composition. I was making this while watching an online Illustrator class. And, of course, made from scraps in my tiny office. No wonder I am always living in paper mess.

Quick sketch from Nancy... Winter acknowledges Spring.

Another card from Nancy. It explains itself.

Happy Monday. And see you next week with more Art Therapy!

Art Therapy #16

Yes, it is postcard post time again! This is where Nancy and I exchange postcards that we make and send them through the mail.

Samsara: In Hinduism, the cycle of death + rebirth to which life in the material world is bound.

It appears that we started the new year with New Year's cards. Look carefully to see Nancy's wishes in the above shot. Nancy's is a collage and mine was made while cleaning my office. My rule is that I have to make my cards with what I have in my studio area. And to work quickly.

Another thoughtful one from Nancy, meant to be a sort of New Year's resolution. She puts so much into her cards.

This is the view from my desk. Well, not today. Today it is all white and shades of grey and snowing. I want to paint again and want to do something abstract and quick looking. So these were some quick scribbles. And then I did 4 more. That is often my process. Although I think this was the first one.

New paint brushes, new watercolor pencils. Arteza 24 woodless watercolor pencils. I do like these. First I drew with these and then used a watercolor brush to soften some of the lines.

I also love these. You can get intense color with these. Derwent Inktense Blocks. They are ink sticks. I know I did the red line with one of these. I waited until the paper was damp, not wet. When the paper was dry I went in again with a blue colored pencil and added some black lines for the waves too. These are great fun. Make some art today. You know you want to.

Chazen Museum of Art

November 17 to February 4 | Leslie and Johanna Garfield Galleries

Fantastic Illustration from the Korshak Collection

This exhibition explores the ever-evolving visual landscape of science fiction and fantasy literature with illustrations from the collection of Stephen Korshak. Featuring original artwork by both American and European artists spanning more than a century, these vivid illustrations bring to life adventures, beings, and worlds conjured in novels such as Don Quixote and Tarzan, and pulp magazines including Amazing Stories, Weird Tales, Fantastic Adventures and Wonder Stories. Accomplishing far more than simply guiding readers in their explorations of new and sometimes bizarre realms, the range and impact of these illustrations is far-reaching.

On a bitter cold Sunday we ventured out to visit the Chazen Museum of Art. John was interested in seeing this exhibit. He enjoyed it but expected to see more of this artist rather than a wide range of illustrators.

We then just wandered and saw art until I went into complete visual overload. We were in the new part of the museum. And we did not even see all of that.

The grouping of the naked ceramic people always make me uncomfortable. So much so that I haven't even read any info about the artist or the name of the piece of anything. Next time maybe. Or not.

Not only did we not see everything in the new wing we never even got into the old one. There is endless exploring to do. But that can wait until another freezing Sunday afternoon. If you live in Madison take several hours and see some art here.

Gallery night...

Friday night was gallery night here in Madison. It is rare when we don't go. We headed out even though it was rainy and chilly. We made a point to get to hatcharthouse

I wanted to see Dave Watkins work. I would love to paint abstract art. October and November Hatch will be showcasing his work. He is an Milwaukee artist. I got to talk to Dave who has high energy and is really a fun (and talented) guy. For the show he was doing #fineartbombing. He had drawn quite a few small paintings and had them around the city. They are framed and attached with magnets. Eventually people steal them. I borrowed the one above so I could scan it. And we put it back in place over the weekend.

Here is more of his street art. He is someone to keep an eye on.