challenge CHATTER - 2012

Bob in SF wrote

on 29 Nov 2012 11:07 AM

Sam - yesterday's blustery weather blew me over to the lion house at SF Zoo for some "life engraving" of a venerable lion - added some whiskers:

I've become a connoisseur of foul meteorology for its creative possibilities.

- Bob

Turps245 wrote

on 29 Nov 2012 11:07 PM

Catherine, I love this simple painting of the humble dandylion. The glass is beautiful and the added WC really brings the painting to life!

Bob, time well spent at the zoo!. Love this lordly lion well done!

Turps245 wrote

on 29 Nov 2012 11:10 PM

I finished this Fall painting today. It was a bit rushed as the Spotlight Challenge runs out tomorrow but it was good practice.

9x12 various pastels

Berkenstock wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 12:45 AM

Catherine what nice little watercolor.  Just curious what kind of paper did you use?

Berkenstock wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 12:52 AM

Jen some nice color in your painting.  I think that if you add some thing in the water be it a deer or even a snag just something a little darker to grab the viewers attention would make it more interesting.

wetpaperfan wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 4:02 AM

JEN:  I love your pastel painting.   I brought it onto my desktop and flipped it upside down....  I just love the reflection of the sky and surroundings and and  light dancing in the fall trees.  I have several pictures I wish I was brave enough to tackle with reflections. kuddos to you my dear.   it is a very pastoral scene.    your sketch drawings are fab as well good job with the scrunched up face,  I especially like the one in the hammock.

Bob:  Turtles and now lions...  all very very nice and your tie work is great. how is the instrument coming along?  What is that cute polar bear made of that you are carving?

Catherine: I love the dandi lyons.   What a pretty and soft memory.   very nice,   was that on drawing paper?

Fred:  I checked out your new book.   what a charming series of books.   Loved the peaceful photograph on Mars....

Sam: So sorry to hear you are having some problems...  I went to the doctor all day yesterday and I have an infection in my eye now and have to put this gooey antibiotic in my eye three times a day.  makes it hard to see anything for several hours then I have to do it again...   He did give me a prescription for the pain in my hands and shoulder , to rub in.  and it seems to help...  its called Voltaren Gel.  

wetpaperfan wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 4:38 AM

I have two cats they were little 2.5 week old sisters when we got them and had to bottle feed them, they are our kids now and they act like people...  one is a calico "Nosey" the other is a Tortie named "Zena".  Nosey got her name due to her nose is all orange.  I have a picture of Nosey on my computer screen looking at me all day every day..  I just got some Conte "Sangrene" and did this quick sketch tonight.  I've never used a pastel before and found this to be fun.   I'm looking forward to playing some more with them,  

wetpaperfan wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 4:41 AM

Another note:   I will be posting quite a few pics for December.   It is hard to make a choice so you will have many to choose from.   I will post them tonight as I have to do a jazz concert tomorrow.  

C. Brown wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 8:01 AM

Jen I really like your fall pastel painting. One of my favorite artists is Piet Mondrian. His reflectives are just breathtaking. Here is a documentary about him. It's very informitive and also educational. The first say 5 minutes or so show his modern work so hang in there with it as it then goes into the landscape work he did. Aprox. 58 minutes long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd-vS1bPVF4

Geri and Marsha my little "weed" painting is just done on 93lb. mixed media sketch paper. I had the bouquet on my table and it got a little old but I kind of like flowers that are on the way out. Every morning I would get up and there would be new seed puffs that had opened over night. It was fun. I've never used drawing paper and just recently bought almost a full pad off of Craigslist for $3.00! LOL. I will be giving it a try here soon.

Marsha I love your sketch of the cat. Very simple and get's right to the gest of it.

Bob in SF wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 10:25 AM

Thanks Jen and Marsha!

Jen - your Fall pastel is a beautiful blend of warm and cool colors - great meditative and absorbing tones.

Marsha - fine and direct cat sketch! 

Marsha, you asked about the sculpting medium - I always carry a little lump of Super Sculpey (pinkish/neutral colored) polymer clay with me in a baggie + some simple tools - bakes hard in the toaster oven, then can be carved with hand or power tools, painted, etc. 

Hoping to finish the gourdophonium in time to play a few little gigs this weekend - more music than art, but hope to squeeze in a little rendering time - next gourd instrument is a kalimba (thumb piano).

Best regards to all - Bob

"Springtime":  Sculpey clay grizzly bear, painted with acrylics, then set into hand carved and machined coca bola wood, finished off as a bolo tie, 1.5x2.5"

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 1:31 PM

Bob, very nice lion engraving.  You really take advantage of the local zoo.  Way to go!

Jen,  beautiful, serene rendering of an autumn scene.  I love the coolness of it with just enough touches of orange and yellow to give it life.  I like the sky and it's reflection in the water.  Well done.  If you have to put something in the water, it should be me floating peacefully on my back savoring those gorgeous colors.

Marsha,  you've captured the essence of Nosey with this quick study.  Very nice.

Bob, the bear is painted and finished and makes a perfect end for a bolo tie.  Very handsome work.  Thanks for sharing. 

Berkenstock wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 2:52 PM

This is the turkey feather that I made last night.  The tip isn't as white as it apears in the picture.  I got my bottom too dark.  I have not got use to acylics drying darker than they appear when they are still wet.

C. Brown wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 3:11 PM

Wow! That looks like a real feather laying there! Very nice Geri!

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A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 4:01 PM

Geri, great feather.  Wonderful textures.  I agree with Catherine that it looks like a real feather.

Marsha, thanks for mentioning Voltaren Gel.  I forgot all about that.  Last year I had very painful tendonitis in my shoulder and after using it for two days the pain was gone.  I've already started to use it on my back.  Hope to have the same luck.  Glad it helped you.  Also, I truly hope that the eye infection clears up quickly.

sandichot wrote

on 30 Nov 2012 4:18 PM

Bob- Love both of your artistic products: the Bird of Paradise painting on a silk tie and the Bear on Wood Bolero tie. The lion is venerable indeed, he also looks full of strength.

Jen - Your fall scene is lovely and captivating. I really love the colors in the greenery and flowers, The reflection is wonderful and like Sammy said I would want to be floating there among lovely colors if you want to add anything.

Masha- Your sketch of  "Nosey" is really good. Your lines are loose and strong and it portrays her very well. Pastel is famous for its vivid strong colors but I have not the courage to try it yet.

Geri -Your feather comes out as soft as a real feather. You are very good feather painter.