These are drawings from life, done in 2005, in uninstructed workshops. The first is charcoal, on 18"x19" paper.
The last two are small ink drawings (about 6" square, though they're not square). Often, after drawing more detailed images, I like to take a few minutes and make a smaller, less detailed image. These are a couple of my favorites.
I've been doing a lot of family-related stuff for the past week--all good. Among other things, I was lucky enough to help celebrate the birthday of a very charming 106 year old man (suddenly, I feel quite young) and also, in a separate celebration, to laud a 60 year old marriage in which the couple still behave quite lovingly toward each other (like "newlyweds," though most newlyweds are not so loving and respectful).
I particularly like the ink drawings. The way the bodies rest, relaxed, how they're weighted. Really charming.
ReplyDeleteAlways fascinating to sort through older work. I’ve been doing a lot of that myself lately because of our pending move, and sometimes it’s almost like meeting a stranger.
ReplyDeleteLove the charcoal.
My father’s parents shared 74 years together.
Those ink drawings are very good! Good composition to.
ReplyDeleteBeautifull charcool.
I can see why you like these. The angles are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI think i like how the tattoo floats atop the woman's backside. Mysterious and beautiful. The small drawings feel very much like the 60's to me.
ReplyDelete106? really? was he born on June 30? Cancerians are the best!
PA, I'm amazed nobody else seemed surprised--I guess folks must be living much longer. Definitely Cancer, but a couple of days earlier. One thing I can say is that he eats what he wants (wine, chicken piccata, dessert, for example), but small portions. He always leaves the table a little hungry. And, being born in 1903, he has a lot of stories to tell. Again, a very happy 50th birthday to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, AH, Annie an Margaret.
And thanks, WM. It is fun to dig into the older stuff (artwork and people)and appreciate. Wow, 74 years together. Did your grandparents start as teens?
When they were married, my grandfather was 21 and my grandmother was not quite 17. A year later, Gramp nearly died in the flu epidemic and my uncle was born. Oh, the stories....
ReplyDeleteTheir anniversary was June 30.
These are the kind of the people the newspapers interview for longevity tips. My favorites are the old guys who say they meet every morning with a shotglass of bourbon.
ReplyDeleteWhat does KB know about newspapers?! Now re old drinking guys - ok.
ReplyDeleteXXce!!ent! work once again, JS. Since 2005?? Are these done yet?!
WM, I love the stories. --especially how things reduce to their essence as the details become fuzzy when recalled over time.
ReplyDeleteAH, I love that, too. My favorite line of the evening was when my daughter arrived a bit late at the restaurant the party was at, and told the waiter (when offered a menu), "I'll have what he's having," referring to the guest of honor.
CO, probably also young drinking guys.
Thanks, CO. Got to dig up that vintage stuff when I've been running around partying and touring colleges with my young great-nephew. Back to work shortly.
Jean, your work is amazing--I especially like these two ink ones. Sorry it took me so long to find your blog. Are you still painting in Ann's class? Hope you're doing well.
ReplyDelete-Jacqueline
Thanks, Jacqueline. I'm not in Ann's class, but I've seen her at Tuesday sketching at Art Center--and I took her husband's materials seminar last month. Are you painting? (I'll check your blog tonight, but for now, I'm late and to borrow CO's sign off, I gotta run.)
ReplyDeletehi Jean ! , the way you constructed the main work of this post is realy incredible .
ReplyDeleteHi, CF, and thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've been a crusader for Figure Drawing most of my life and taught Life Drawing and Anatomy for Artists half my life.
ReplyDeleteFunny that I'm painting and photographing Skies now!!
To quote Agnes Martin, minimalist painter:
"There is no such thing as a false step. There is only the next step."
Keep it up, Jean! Your drawings are looking really good!
Thanks, Shanna. Figure drawing can be an end in itself and is definitely obsession-worthy. An artist/neighbor of mine several years ago, aware of my obsession, loaned me The Undressed Art by Peter Steinhart. Have you read this?
ReplyDeleteHah! Daughter must take after the mother.
ReplyDeleteDon't know The Undressed Art, but will look it up.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is the same category as The Nude by Kenneth Clark.?
Thanks, AH. That's definitely the classic parental take whenever one's kid is delightful.
ReplyDeleteShanna, its more about the experience (and motivations) of the person who obsessively draws and about the tradition and mores of drawing groups, than a consideration of the importance of the ideal of the nude.
Drawing groups definitely have their mores. I've had to explain the ritualistic nature of them to people. Also the do's and dont't.
ReplyDeleteIt just occurred to me to ask if you have seen the documentary on artists' models that Parker (the model) made.
ReplyDeleteShe interviews many of L.A.'s finest models and really gets into the experience from their side. All types of models - fat, thin, young, old, male, female. It is truly a one of a kind piece. And it is...no holds barred.
I would show it at the first Life Drawing class. What an ice-breaker! And also it creates great respect for our models, without whom we could not do our work.
I have not seen this. It sounds fascinating--to hear about it from the model's perspective.
ReplyDeleteI just googled it. http://www.stelliumproductions.com/
ReplyDeleteMy last figure drawing class had a model who bore a striking resemblance to Harpo Marx. I later recognized him as a guest on the Jerry Springer show. True story
ReplyDeleteI haven't drawn the Harpo Marx look-a-like, though if he's posing in the LA area, I'll probably get to, sooner or later. After a while, you really do end up with multiple drawings (and in my case, often portraits) of the same models as they change with time.
ReplyDeleteAnd what was he doing on the Springer show?