Joyful with a Ruler
Lines seem to be the element of art that caught my attention most this month. I found myself with a ruler and colored pencils one day and I have not stopped trying to come up with new configurations. The grid! It is a theme that I come back to again and again for years now. I lean into the idea and then fall out of love with the self-imposed restrictions before too long. But this time, my love of straight lines took on a mind of its own.
They say if you pay attention you can see running themes in your work over time. That you will notice the same ideas coming around a second and third time or more. I believe this as I have seen it, not just with my visual imagery, but also with my writing. So, each time I notice another idea coming around, I try to loosen my grip and see where it will take me.
This month’s handmade cards and Artist’s Trading Cards
Monet’s Home
Giverny, France
When you go to Giverny France to visit Monet’s Garden, unbeknownst to me, you also get to visit his home and see up close and personal all the paintings from Monet’s famous artists’ friends. It was an instant classic moment for me…
We had made our way through the amazing gardens up to the front of this home. The front door and all the windows were wide open. I step inside. I looked around the crowded room and there were paintings everywhere. However, I thought they were posters or prints of the art at first glance. I thought to myself… “ahh they put up prints of Monet’s work all around the room…that is nice. That’s a lot of prints though? Wait…are they prints? “ Then I am too curious if they were prints or paintings and I began to investigate. I walked around and some of the paintings were not framed. I check the sides of the paintings and see nails. It hits me - these are actual paintings! Like real paintings in the open air that I could touch? I stopped myself from asking the attendant to the chagrin of my children and my own embarrassment if these were real. I had to take a moment once again in this place to remember where I was and all the history here. But wow - so many paintings! The home was filled with patterns galore and color was in every corner. Bright color. Monet was known for collecting Japanese prints and they had those hanging throughout the home, as well. Room after room were paintings - a Cezanne here, Degas over there and a Pissarro too! Even more than one or 2 paintings from these and other well known and celebrated artists. These were Monet’s friends.
There is much history I still want to learn about this place. Art history and also what may have happened during World War II as this sits in the Nothern region of France. Actually, my family and I visited Omaha Beach directly after our time at Monet’s Gardens.
What an incredible experience I won’t soon forget and hope to have inspiration from for years to come.
Check out that kitchen!!
recent Grid fun!
Experimenting with colored pencils and a ruler has taken my love of grids to the next level. Each paper is cut in a unique way to look like a fragment and then I begin to draw lines deciding the colors as I go. The layers of colored pencil make for a fun texture that goes beyond the material at hand.
COLOR SWATCHES
Each month I try to bring new and interesting color combinations together in fun and unique ways within the idea of color swatches. This month I drew digitally and brought plaids and grids into the mix. Check them out below:
Summer of Creativity
Moving into the summer months is always a joyful time. However, this summer I am even more excited as I am offering virtual art sessions for ages 7 and up.
Complete this form if you are interested in grabbing a spot for creative fun - https://forms.gle/hGNWp7PdiunGN5mw8
I hope you have a wonderful start to your summer enjoying the long-range views and find fresh local produce to fill your creative soul!
Stay creative out there~
Hannah