Paper and Threads

I am very sad that the Print Studio ended today.  It was an amazing resource for artists/visitors and each of us felt that it was the perfect environment for artistic play.  The Reanimation Library provided the inspiration.  The images that were available in the 35+ shelves of books stimulated so many ideas and the copiers, scanners, and computers with Photoshop software permitted artists to experiment in many different ways. 

I made my eighth 8-page pamphlet book on Monday - this one entitled The Mystique of the Alphabet.  On Wednesday I decided that it was time to do some drawing - and made a book with figure illustrations for me to draw.  On Thursday I added collages to the altered book that I started in the workshop they had several weeks ago.  New friends were made and I shall miss them as we begin withdrawal and catch up on the rest of our life.

Here are the pages from my book entitled "Draw Me."

Posted by Shirley at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

We had 3 days of snow in Lake Tahoe - glorious for us because we took walks around the town and down to the Lake.  The snow, and especially the wind, prevented me from doing any sketches that weren't from our hotel window.  But I brought in one of the largest pine cones I ever saw and added that to my sketchbook after it dried out. 

These sketchbook images were taken with my camera and not scanned, so the contrast had to be adjusted.  Today we are going to be in San Francisco, and tomorrow we return to NYC.

Posted by Shirley at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

We are in South Lake Tahoe for the week, and I was finally able to walk in the snow this year.  I took a long walk yesterday morning through Heavenly Village - when the snow was so heavy that the mountains disappeared from view.  I stopped in the Marcus Ashley Art Gallery when I looked almost like the abominable snowman in my white parka, and found a fabulous Dr. Seuss Art Collection.

When I was asked if I had any questions, I confessed that my only question was "Can I sketch one of these fabulous little figures?"  Not only was sketching permitted, but the Cat in the Hat was put in the viewing area and I was offered a mimosa, or wine, or coffee while I sat and drew the figure!  It was 11:30 AM, so I declined the alcohol!

Here is the Cat in the Hat I loved:

And here is my quick sketch - in pieces because I had a small sketchbook:

Finally, here is the view from our window this AM - with more snow expected tonight: 

Posted by Shirley at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I am leaving tomorrow for vacation and will miss the next to the last week of the Print Studio! 

The Museum of Modern Art in New York City has a 6 week Print Studio program to celebrate two new MoMA print exhibits.  There is a work space in the Education Building and the public in invited to come from 12-4PM, every day except Tuesday, to get inspired and create art.  There are 35 shelves of amazing books to use for inspiration - called the Reanimation Library because these illustrated books were orphaned and destined for destruction.  And there is a color copier, scanners, and computers with photoediting software.

I already posted collage pamphlets that I made in the first 2 sessions - and today wanted to post the covers of all 7 collage books that I made to date in 7 sessions.  Each book is 5 3/4 X 7" and has a total of 8 pages - 2 folios stitched together with a 3 hole pamphlet stitch.

Working in the Print Studio is very inspiring and I am able to work very spontaneously and freely using a technique which is relatively new to me - collage.  My idea for a theme develops quickly as I pull a few books and start to examine the illustrations.  I then quickly select more images which support the theme and/or add visual interest to the pages.   My time is spent tearing and gluing paper, stamping, and adding watercolor pencil highlights.   These books are not amazing, but I loved making them. 

Number 1 - Inheritance of Genetic Characteristics.  This clearly originated in my science/medicine background.

Number 2: Images and Colors of Venice.  This Spring is our 3rd visit to Venice.

Volume 3:  Faces

Volume 4:  London - a City I know well.  A page from this book was on the MoMA website yesterday!

Volume 5:  Figure Drawing - another one of my passions

Volume 6: Children

Volume 7:  Blood Cells 

Posted by Shirley at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I had a wonderful day Saturday - talking a long walk among art supply stores and ending at the Flatiron Building where Gwyneth Leech was ending her fabulous art exhibit called Hypergraphia. 

The weather was wonderful and the City was full of people out walking, running, shopping, and playing.  By counting blocks, I estimate that my walk from Dick Blick to NY Central Art Supply, to Casey's Stamps, and then the Hypergraphia exhibt was 1 1/2 to 2 miles.

I bought a new sketchbook for figure drawing and a package of gold leaf, which I didn't draw - and these items which I did draw.

I'm always amazed at how little it takes to make me happy - 2 pencils, a pen, some paint and a new rubber stamp.

Gwyneth Leech paints on disposable coffee cups and creates wonderful works of art.  She sat in a beautiful small gallery in the prow of the Flatiron building for the last few months, ending Saturday afternoon.  Here is a photo I took from where she sat and watched thousands of people pass by each day. 

Here is her blog post from the last day.  She told me that she now has more than 800 painted cups - and plans are being made for exhibits in other cities.  You must read her last blog post!

Posted by Shirley at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)