This Week’s Lesson And Audra’s Art Show

Dear Blog Friends and Fellow Painters…

With the opening behind me I had time to visit Audra at her Art Show
last Saturday. It was a blustery fall day…perfect for shopping at the fair.

She had a table full of her new art and products.

WAY TO GO AUDRA!

I will be sure to let you know about her next show.

Audra Hitz won FIRST PRIZE at the Lynden Fairgrounds for her Eagle painting.

This Week’s Lesson…

DRAWING COMPOSITIONS WITH REPETITION AND VARIATION

I blog a lot about Repetition And Variation when it comes to the colors in my paintings. This week, I will be discussing the R & V of shapes.

Lori Wentz recently shared some beautiful photos of her favorite cat, who died suddenly, and requested that I put him in a painting.

This provides me with an opportunity to talk about creating from friend’s photos and creating the right message with the right symbols in the picture.

I studied the face…took note of the colors of the cat and began gathering ideas for the art.

You always begin by doing small “Thumbnail”  sketches.

Amazing blue eyes!

This thumbnail sketch is small. It's about 3"x 4".

I choose to place the cat with ferns. The jagged shapes of the foliage match the shapes in the cats long fur.  The actual leaves, of the plant at the lower right,  match the shape of the butterfly’s wings. Repetition And Variation at work.

I referred more critically to the photos that Lori sent and created a symmetrical drawing of the face.

I did some quick draws of just the cat to loosen up. It's not unusual to have many drafts as you work towards your final sketch.

Last year John Powers…”The Butterfly Man” sent me some beautiful butterfly samples.

I pulled them out to inspire the butterfly I would put in the art.

Thank you John!

John Powers is famous for his extensive research and rare collection of butterflies from around the world. CLICK HERE to learn more.

All of these elements come together to create one drawing…that will have composition, meaning, and heart.

Creativity in the little details that surround your one reference photo is like a cook that has all the right ingredients to turn food into cuisine!

Butterflies have always been my preferred symbol for life after life. "What the caterpillar sees as the end of the world...the butterfly knows is just the beginning"

Lori…

Here is your cat…those that live on in our hearts are never far away.

Love, Jody

Eternal Garden

Now…just for fun…

Yesterday, at dawn, I joined my friends Erin Baker (Baker’s Breakfast Cookies) and Tim Niemier(Founder of Ocean Kayak and the Nalu Paddle Board). The one we are riding on today are his newest version and will be available soon.

We had donuts to bolster our nerve. See the chocolate version in Tim’s hand .

I am ready for my first ever voyage on his new “Novice Friendly” paddle board.

THIS IS VERY EXCITING…I don’t want to fall off…its only 40 degrees out!

Jody Bergsma, Tim Niemier and Erin Baker.

Tim shows me how to carry the board down to the water…

We leave our non water proof cameras in the car…just in case…and get ready to paddle across the lake.

I get a one minute lesson on how to hold the paddle and stroke the water (upside down J stroke)…and we push off to adventure!

Tim Niemier and the protype.

SUCCESS…We spent an hour on the water with the wind and waves…I was so exhilarated I now have two of them in my garage!

If you would like to find out more about this exploding new sport…visit…

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ocean Kayak.

I had a more than great morning…thank you Tim!

BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT…

NEW “FROSTED WITH HAPPINESS” FLEECE BLANKETS now here!

We only bought 300 of this design.  So, if you want one for yourself or for a gift…please let us know.

CLICK HERE to get your Frosted Fleece.

Jody Bergsma and her daughter Lily Sky Bergsma Rockenbach at the Laughing Dog French Restaurant in Vancouver last Monday...Sky is a Senior art student at Emily Carr Art Institute in Vancouver B.C.

Fall is really here and before the gray curtain of winter descends… get together with family to share some fun and laughter.

…Play in the fall leaves, Breathe deep and give thanks for the beautiful world and those we love.

Blessings,
Jody

~ by jodybergsma on October 23, 2009.