My Life in Squares
March 2024 came in quick and hot with an art show reception! I had the opportunity to put in 2 different pieces that were able to be shown together! I made a mixed media piece to hang and a porcelain mug. In the photo below I am pointing to both pieces.
Each piece is organized with a grid system. In the hanging piece I did a 1 inch square study on 4 squares each day to fill this canvas. This study includes exploring mark making with any possible material I had readily available. I wanted to see how far I could push my ideas and then what the final result would look like with all the squares put together. Think of them as paper tiles. The canvas edges are finished off and then I installed it into a floating white frame.
The porcelain mug I made included taping off a grid using thin tape and a variety of under glazes to make marks in various ways within each square. Some were drawn in, painted; some recognizable images like clouds and leaf stems, others organic and random. Then using a black under glaze pencil I marked randomly on the inside. I will make a video in a future blog post to share the mug’s details and discuss further how it was made.
Thank you Johnston County Arts Council for hosting this wonderful art teacher art show! We always feel so very special, celebrated and supported. And thank you to those who were able to get there and the many who wished us well on this event. We certainly felt all the love!
NEW SKETCHBOOK ALERT!
A new sketchbook!! It is a square and that is my jam! I made this video to share each page with you.
Do you ever impose rules into your sketchbook pages? I try to set limitations for certain sketchbooks so that I explore more within those parameters. In this particular sketchbook - the rule for each page was that at least one geometric shape must be glued somewhere on the page. I also wanted to work quickly and not overthink. Check it out ~
Ideas for self-imposed rules while working in a sketchbook:
Limit color combinations (Each page is a different set of colors or use the same decided colors throughout)
Limit to a specific category of objects (All your house plants, garden varieties, all your shoes, etc. - make it personal though)
Limit to one supply (I have a sketchbook that I only use thin micron pens in)
Include one collage element (Like I did with the squares or circles)
Explore a particular principle of design like variety or pattern
Only draw faces (Real or cartoon)
Only create abstract landscapes (Fun to do with scrap papers)
Recreate masterpieces in colored pencils (It’s just fun to try!)
Draw your favorite things (What do you love and cherish?)
Document your life in visual images (Draw your meals, your viewpoints of the day, your desk!)
These are just a few ideas, but the list is endless and this is an age old practice to limit yourself. Believe it or not, it can be freeing!
Always Flowers
When inspiration hits - you have to do something about it. I jumped at the opportunity to draw these lovely flower vases at a cozy and artsy home we recently stayed at. I loved how the vases were everywhere around the house. I decided to draw them for my weekly cards and also draw flower vases from memory, as well. I am certainly not finished with this idea, but I wanted to share what I have thus far.
I must have flowers, always and always.
~Claude Monet
COLOR SWATCHES
Each month I try to bring new and interesting color swatches out to see what fun color combinations I can make. This month I focused solely on digital drawing. I also practiced duplicating imagery and only changing color combinations.
I am ending this month with a special trip to France. My oldest daughter, Roz has been studying abroad for this spring semester and we are going to visit her. The Monet quote is fitting as I will be going to the very Monet garden that he drew so much inspiration from. I can hardly believe it when I think about it. I will take all the pictures and gather all the inspiration and share my findings in months to come.
Stay creative out there~
Hannah