Why I Never Write

Our little getaway in Santa Fe

I’m in a post-show phase here where I’m out of stuff to really talk about, although I manage to pop onto Facebook about once a day and quack, which is what I think one does when one isn’t tweeting. I hope I can get this out of my system but in the meantime I hope you’ll forgive the long pause. I’ve actually been writing non-stop but it’s not all that blog-worthy.

The view from a cliff dwelling, Bandelier National Monument

With your kind indulgence I’ll just post some nice pictures from a lovely few day get-away in New Mexico. I did some sketches around Santa Fe and Bandelier National Monument, including one watercolor from the mouth of a cave dwelling on the side of a cliff. That’s a beautiful place and worth a trip. And then there’s the most fabulous art store in town, Artisans, where I nearly fainted with joy just seeing the pastel selection. I came out of there with colors all over my face from trying to pinch myself.

Chili Roaster at Santa Fe Farmer's Market

Our sweet little Casita with its walled garden and hollyhocks, just like my grandparents in Taos used to grow.

We rented a little cottage on a side street near the Railyard and from there could walk everywhere. Canyon Road was a good morning in art for us, more or less. I looked at art while Ant Man drank tea and read a book. Dinner was simple and featured tequila.

Fall colors of New Mexico: chamisa in bloom

A hike on the Audubon trails featured flocks of evening grosbeaks and singing Townsend’s solitaires.

We also made the pilgrimage to High Country Gardens, a world-class nursery. Ant Man and I stocked up on salvias, lavenders, artemesia and asters; nice silver and purple additions to the Motmot garden color scheme back home. A Prius will hold a lot of plants and long drives are made better with all that scented oxygen coursing through one’s lungs. A vacation is a lovely thing no matter where you go.

Hope you’re all doing well, too.

Exhibit Reviewed!

Kids like it, too. Drawing the Motmot at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma

Now it all feels real. John Brandenburg of The Oklahoman reviews Drawing the Motmot.

I think he likes it.

 

Not Your Aunt Matilda’s Life-Drawing

Dr. Frank N Furter, drawn in lipstick at Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School. This is after he took off his lab coat. 2 minute pose.

I promise to post some opening-night pics from Drawing the Motmot, The Exhibit, but because I live so much in the moment I have to tell you about what I did last night- I went to a life-drawing event that’s been popping up around the country: Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. It’s a combination of life-drawing and cabaret, a refreshing and fun way to draw like a fiend and win prizes. I went to the OKC branch and had a blast. I did 15 drawings, including a little sketch on toilet paper (provided) and one with lipstick (provided), plus I won a t-shirt and tickets to the Girlie Show, another OKC art event.

Naughty bell-hop just before stripping down to her corset. 1 minute pose.

At Dr. Sketchy’s there’s a theme for each month’s session. Last night was Rocky Horror Picture Show and next time it’ll be James Bond. Can’t wait to see the costumes for that.

Dr. Frank N Furter tussles with his lovely assistant, now in a tutu. 5 minute pose.

The two models last night were professional actors and singers. Songs from Rocky Horror were performed. Costumes, changed between intermissions, were killer (and fun to draw) and featured a naughty bell-hop, naughty ballarina and naughty transvestite doctor. (One attendee got a little overly-enthused and very, very sadly stripped down to nothing but his gold lamé thong) Drawing commenced with 1 minute poses, progressing up to 20 minutes. Bursts of song and dance punctuated the sketching sessions.

A quiet moment on the leopard print couch. Models confide, or conspire? 20 minute pose.

We sure know how to have fun around here. And it’s wonderful practice, a good way to loosen up, sharpen your drawing skills, and get totally entertained in the bargain!

Exhausted models sprawl; 20 minute pose.