Drawing People

So I'm a bit out of practice drawing people. A dear friend asked me to draw some images for her. I tried and had a hard time. My publisher and friend recommended "How to Draw Lifelike Portraits from Photographs" by Lee Hammond. It is an excellent book and helped a great deal in the techniques and tools needed to do what I was struggling with.

I had a book, the tools, and a fear in my gut that I wouldn't do well I couldn't get rid of. Through the year I have had many distractions some life made some self made. Yet the fear remained. I couldn't pin point it or even find it. I just knew every time I tried to draw the images something would go wrong and it would come out looking more like Frankenstein than the wonderful adorable children it was supposed to look like.

Yesterday my determination kicked in. I can do this, I know I can do this, I've done it before successfully - so what is the issue. Come hell or high water I decided I was going to tackle this project and figure out what the issue was and then successfully create it to the best of my ability.

I found the issue, I realized what was throwing me off finally - it was their smiles and the teeth. I was afraid of drawing teeth wrong. I kept making the mouths too small or the wrong angle. It was a puzzle that kicked in my own vanity. Funny the things that really kick off a series of fears and that ca stop a project dead in the water if you let it.

I am glad I figured it out - I now have two images looking at me with great smiles and bright eyes. I still have alot of work to do - but it was sooo worth doing and succeeding.

I can't wait to post it with the original pictures :)

The Drowning Woman

A Poem by Christina Nordloh
written on Halloween 2009

I must have appeared
As a drowning woman
To those that saw me there
Floundering and gurgling
In the warm summer air
Upside down and backwards
a shadow of herself
Grasping at nothing
As I talked about saving myself
Kicking this way and that
A fool at best
From the shore
Those that could see
Knew my efforts were fruitless
In the shallows of the pool
Their shouts did no good
Nor did lectures or silence
For Floundering was my choice
Until something changed
This morn when I awoke
And placed my foot down
I found purchase on solid ground
and stood
The water only reaching my waist
Upon the empty shore
A sign did read
"Now pick a direction
and see where it leads!"

Passing of Time

I woke with a start from a dream where I was 17 again. Yet I had all the memories from where I am now, and even a sketchbook of all the pieces I had created between now and then. It was a wild dream. It got me thinking of all the things I would change if I were to do it all over again - what would they be. Since I lack the time machine, or the ability to go backwards in time - I can only grasp what I would and can change from here. What do I want to be, as opposed to what I am allowing myself to be. Procrastination seems to be the theme for this year. Not on purpose - but as a side effect as I muddle through an ocean of emotions and thoughts.

I would love to say I have been drawing and creating every day. That my focus is on creating beauty that shines from within. In reality I have been growing and changing as a person, and realizing some of my dreams that I have let slip by over the years. I give my power to others and then make excuses when I don't take the reigns of my own destiny. It's not working lemme tell ya :P

Yesterday I saw a dream realized. A solid financial partnership between my local Art Guild and the Local Music Store. We installed artwork from 24 artists - and the place looks amazing. I recall the stress and anxiety as people had to shift their thinking to this new venue so quickly due to the circumstances. I recall the personal stress I went through trying to decide the right course of action. I am thankful that I listened to my heart - because I have a feeling this will be an amazing journey for the Music Store, the Art Guild, and myself. It feels like a beginning with some powerful after effects.

I can't change the past, I can't go back in time. However I can take what time I do have and truly make something with it.

As my Grandmother is laid to rest, and memories of my childhood echo back to me in waves of emotions and experiences. The things that are very clear are that I have loved deeply, I have daydreamed what I want to be when I grow up, I have let opportunities pass me by, and I am learning to live again. What better place to really start living than where I sit now.

Where has the time gone

So were over half way through August and I recall having a blog of sorts.. *blushes* lol

I have been so busy of late doing a variety of events and things in my life. Paramount on that list is I have gone back to work as an art camp teacher. For those of you that know me personally, yes you were right - I love teaching art!! For those that don't know me well, you'd think so to if you saw me in person. I love what I do. the kids are fantastic, and what they make is fantastic. I work for a company called Academy of Art, we only use high quality materials, and college level criteria toned down so a 6 year old can understand. They gobble it up and create amazing pieces. I will post some images so you can see what my boys have done.

I have also been involved with my guild putting together what we call "Front Range Exhibit" This is a m0monumental event that includes kids and adults of all ages, who can submit one piece of artwork. This show is going to be fantastic!! I am excited to see all the pieces . See the way the registration goes is it's by mail - the first 110 I get are the ones that get into the show - artwork unseen. What they do goes in - as long as it's family friendly of course considering it will hang in the library for one month. The applications are already in - however - if your reading this - you are cordially invited to the reception on October 23rd, 2009 at the Phillip S. Miller Library from 6:30-8 to celebrate in the creations that hang there!! Please come join us.

On a similar note I am in a gallery at 240 s. Wilcox St. Castle Rock Colorado 80104 called On the Street Gallery. Our next reception will be September 19th, 2009 from 2-8. A drawing will take place with prizes awarded for those who guess "Where in Colorado" some of our pieces that hang in this show are - kids and adults alike can participate!

I just finished a piece that I will post here - a study on phoenix's - It doesn't have a title, but it is finished. It is the first of many.

Currently I am working on two commissions for a lovely lady - portraits. They will post to my website when they are finished.

Creatively - I'm so busy just going it's hard to recall where I've been. I have rocks to wrap in wire to raise money for our event, I have angels to make and put up on Etsy and Ebay. I have baby blankets made of fleece and flannel to make and post, and I have my family to care for. Just on the go go go!!

I hope this finds you creating!!

Summer Time

Summer is in full swing. Fans and air conditioners running can be heard wherever you go. Children play in sprinklers, with water guns, and beg to stay up till the sun goes down at night. I remember these days, I recall the beauty and intensity of summer. The desire to submerge myself in crystal blue water that smelled of chlorine. The endless days of hide and go seek as the sun set into the horizon. I recall stolen kisses, and romance. So many adventures are had during the summer!! I sure hope cloud watching is still a favorite pastime. I'm learning how to go back to some of those things and be a kid again so that endless joy and whimsy can enter my artwork. The piece that has stolen my eye at the moment has those qualities I seek in my drawings. A message of hope, a bit of crazy fun, and the freedom to be an individual. I can't wait to show it, but it has a ways to go just yet. Seeing all the artwork on Deviant Art.com is definitely a draw to keep at the canvas and just keep going! I really love it here, and all the amazing creativity that lives so free upon these servers!

So my ice tea with lemon and I are going to explore the porch for fae, and watch the sun go down with my family, wishing all our friends could join us too

Illustration

My dream has always been to be an illustrator. To make the images found in the enchanting coloring books that captured my imagination in my childhood. Faced with the ability to finally focus my pen, ink, pencil, or other chosen weapon I embark on a new journey to find my true calling. I find it wonderfully serendipitous that I find Deviant Art just as I'm about to jump off the cliff into the unknown world of fantasy and creativity. I have so many things I want to create, so many things I want to pursue. With the small blocks of time that riddle my day I hope to really push the creative flow and see where I am lead and where I end up. I hope to meet many sprites, goblins, giants, and every day people on my way into the recesses of my imagination. So today I begin by working on a beautiful commission I have the pleasure of creating.

Getting stuff done!

I heard a wonderful quote today from an author I met today named Victoria Hanley. It's an excerpt from her book "Seize the Story" that just came out recently. The quote is "The more you use your imagination, the more it develops." After hearing that I drew the picture at the top of this page. I have found I'm getting more work done, and the reason for it is that I'm showing up to the page. I'm sitting down and dedicating time to work, and the results are surprising me. Every picture I get better, I find more techniques and ideas. My imagination seems to have taken hold and is leading the way to new horizons. I have no idea where this will lead, but I can feel my feet firmly on the path.

It feels awesome to let go of the fear and just create. I hope to have many more works under my belt soon. It's time to really kick it up a notch and follow my heart and my pencil.

I really love the image I'm working on right now. It's a commission piece of a dog a cat, and bird island in California. I really made it something to look at, and am seriously going to have to make a print to put in my own house!! I didn't know i could make a cat look so real - I've never tried. Nor did I know that planning out the composition like I did could make such a difference. New ideas, new concepts, and the creativity is soo awesome. If this is what it feels like to be wholly myself - I don't ever want to stop!

Finding the faith in myself has been a journey - one I plan to keep asking the question and finding the answers for the rest of my life. Each day brings a new morning with it a new chance to create something new and beautiful. It doesn't matter if they know my name down the block, in Paris, or wherever - what matters is that I keep creating.

Follow your dreams, find the faith - it's worth the trip!