While I'm busy enjoying some summer fun, I thought you might like to watch this short video on James Gurney's awesome blog that talks about changes in brain chemistry when people view art.
I know that I feel good and am happy when I am creating art. It's great to know that viewing my art can also make other people feel good.
Feeling down, make time to view some art!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Winning Title From "Name That Painting" Contest
First a big thank you to all the peope who sent me their title suggestions for the contest! I loved reading them all and they have started a percolation of ideas through my mind that I will be able to play with and use as I create new paintings.
The title I chose as the winner is "Worth the Wait" sent in by Marie C. As Marie explained the title has a two fold meaning since "we wait patiently for the peonies to bloom and you finally finished the painting!" And I do hope those of you who enjoy my art feel like this painting was worth the wait while I finished it!
I will be sending Marie a pack of note cards created from this image. Thanks Marie!!
I also have to give a shout out to my friend Jackie for coming up with the most humorous titles! Jackie and I paint together on Tuesdays with about half a dozen other women.
This group of women made sure I kept coming back to this painting by asking me every week if I had completed it yet or not. Their gentle nudging reminder made sure I didn't pack it in on the days that it felt like the number of petals still needing to be painted were multiplying before my eyes! I firmly believe that every artist should have a painting group that gives them both a social outlet and measure of accountability.
Thanks again to all who participated in the naming fun! I am sure I will be holding more naming contests in the future when I am stumped for a good title. You are a creative and generous bunch!
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An administratvie note: Over the next month or so I am planning on focusing on having some summer fun with the family. While I am busy enjoying activities like eating ice cream and swimming, lounging with a good book and hiking, I may neglect some (or all) of my regular Thursday posts. But rest assured I will return to my normal blogging schedule relaxed and re-charged the first week of August. If you miss me while I am gone, feel free to browse the archives (organized by post date) in the right hand column of this blog.
Thank you for your loyal readership! I'll catch up with you again soon!
The title I chose as the winner is "Worth the Wait" sent in by Marie C. As Marie explained the title has a two fold meaning since "we wait patiently for the peonies to bloom and you finally finished the painting!" And I do hope those of you who enjoy my art feel like this painting was worth the wait while I finished it!
I will be sending Marie a pack of note cards created from this image. Thanks Marie!!
"Worth the Wait"
20" x 16" watercolor on Aquabord
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
Available
I also have to give a shout out to my friend Jackie for coming up with the most humorous titles! Jackie and I paint together on Tuesdays with about half a dozen other women.
This group of women made sure I kept coming back to this painting by asking me every week if I had completed it yet or not. Their gentle nudging reminder made sure I didn't pack it in on the days that it felt like the number of petals still needing to be painted were multiplying before my eyes! I firmly believe that every artist should have a painting group that gives them both a social outlet and measure of accountability.
Thanks again to all who participated in the naming fun! I am sure I will be holding more naming contests in the future when I am stumped for a good title. You are a creative and generous bunch!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
An administratvie note: Over the next month or so I am planning on focusing on having some summer fun with the family. While I am busy enjoying activities like eating ice cream and swimming, lounging with a good book and hiking, I may neglect some (or all) of my regular Thursday posts. But rest assured I will return to my normal blogging schedule relaxed and re-charged the first week of August. If you miss me while I am gone, feel free to browse the archives (organized by post date) in the right hand column of this blog.
Thank you for your loyal readership! I'll catch up with you again soon!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Name This Painting Contest!
So I have the good news. My watercolor painting of the white peonies is complete! After starting it, stopping it, setting it aside, starting it, stopping it, setting it aside, etc. it finally made its way to the top of the list.
The even better news is that you have a chance to help me.
I've thought of this painting for so long as "Peonies" that I seem unable to come up with a title that does it justice. That's where I hope you will come in. I'm looking for your best title suggestions and I'm giving a prize in exchange for it! The prize for the best title is a pack of note cards featuring this painting.
So if you are good with titles, please email me your suggestions - my email is in the right hand side bar. If I pick your title as the name for the painting, I will mail you a pack of note cards. It's that simple!
I will be taking entries through midnight (EST) on Wednesday June 15th.
untitled
20" x 16" watercolor on Aquabord
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
I've thought of this painting for so long as "Peonies" that I seem unable to come up with a title that does it justice. That's where I hope you will come in. I'm looking for your best title suggestions and I'm giving a prize in exchange for it! The prize for the best title is a pack of note cards featuring this painting.
So if you are good with titles, please email me your suggestions - my email is in the right hand side bar. If I pick your title as the name for the painting, I will mail you a pack of note cards. It's that simple!
I will be taking entries through midnight (EST) on Wednesday June 15th.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
When Someone Else's Words Speak to Your Heart
"Sunny Susans"
© Stacy L. Rowan
These words...
"where do they all go? all the seemingly forgettable everyday moments? the thought of losing them all terrified... me. ... I wanted them. I wanted them all. I still want them all."...are an excerpt of a post written by Andrea over on her blog Hula Seventy.
To me her words speak to why I paint and draw and sketch. What compels me to capture subjects which you might see on any given day of your life.
When I see my subjects shining in a moment of beauty, I want to capture that moment so it's not forgotten. I want to remind people that beauty is found in the details of the "seemingly forgettable everyday moments" because when I am presented with that unexpected beauty it makes me catch my breath, it lets me know there is still so much good in the world and it makes me happy.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
In the Studio - May 25, 2011
Since yesterday was National Tap Dance Day, I thought I would post another update of the tap drawing I am working on.
National Tap Dance Day is a celebration of tap dancing as an American art form. May 25th was chosen for this day of celebration because it is the anniversary of tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson's birthday.
The image above shows approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours of additional work since the image posted on May 19th. People often ask me how long a drawing takes, so I thought these two shots would give an indictation of my pace for graphite work.
I worked on this drawing some more today and spent about 3 hours darkening the pant leg on the right hand side of the drawing. (I'm not sure the values above are exactly right. I didn't adjust my scan until after I had already put in the additional work so I was relying on memory!) I'm hoping that the right hand pant leg is now finally dark enough.
drawing #8 WIP2 - Tap Dance Series
approx 8.25" x 11.5" graphite on paper
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
The image above shows approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours of additional work since the image posted on May 19th. People often ask me how long a drawing takes, so I thought these two shots would give an indictation of my pace for graphite work.
I worked on this drawing some more today and spent about 3 hours darkening the pant leg on the right hand side of the drawing. (I'm not sure the values above are exactly right. I didn't adjust my scan until after I had already put in the additional work so I was relying on memory!) I'm hoping that the right hand pant leg is now finally dark enough.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
In the Studio - May 18, 2011
This is what I worked on in the studio today.
Actually this was today's starting point. After taking this scan, I put in about 3 hours working mostly on darkening the pant leg on the left and toning down some of the highlights on the right pant leg.
It has been a while since I did a graphite drawing. Graphite work takes me to an interesting place. On one hand adding the layers of graphite to build up the values is an almost meditative practice. On the other hand I sometimes get frustrated because building the darker values is such a slow process. So I flip back and forth between feeling very peaceful and zen-like, and feeling impatient and anxious to make progress.
Knowing this I normally start with the darkest areas because once I have them in the rest of the drawing goes pretty quickly.
drawing #8 WIP - Tap Dance Series
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
Actually this was today's starting point. After taking this scan, I put in about 3 hours working mostly on darkening the pant leg on the left and toning down some of the highlights on the right pant leg.
It has been a while since I did a graphite drawing. Graphite work takes me to an interesting place. On one hand adding the layers of graphite to build up the values is an almost meditative practice. On the other hand I sometimes get frustrated because building the darker values is such a slow process. So I flip back and forth between feeling very peaceful and zen-like, and feeling impatient and anxious to make progress.
Knowing this I normally start with the darkest areas because once I have them in the rest of the drawing goes pretty quickly.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Farmers' Market Opens!
Last Sunday was a day that I have been waiting for since November. I have been waiting for it with the eagerness of a child waiting for Christmas. On Sunday our local farmers' market opened for the 2011 season. Hallelujah!
I love the farmers' market. (I felt I had to say that in case it wasn't obvious.)
Not only does it supply me with super fresh, super delicious local produce, meats, cheeses and breads, but it also provides a wealth of painting ideas and models that are known to sit very still. Well..., unless someone comes along and decides to steal the model for a snack before I am done my painting.
We also stocked up on some locally raised chicken and bison since our freezer was empty!
I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be back to eating locally grown produce. The stuff shipped into the grocery stores over the winter just can't compare. This is our third or fourth year shopping at the market and I wonder now what took me so long to give it a try.
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In other news, for those of you who live close to Bethlehem, PA, this Saturday is the Tap Ties National Tap Dance Day Celebration.
I will be selling my tap dance series of note cards, prints and posters (new this year!) both at the Banana Factory during the daytime workshops and in the evening at Foy Concert Hall before the performance. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello!
I will also be performing with other members of my advanced tap class. Tickets are available in the lobby prior to the show if anyone wants to see why I am a professional artist and not an professional dancer. Click the link above for more information and directions.
I love the farmers' market. (I felt I had to say that in case it wasn't obvious.)
Not only does it supply me with super fresh, super delicious local produce, meats, cheeses and breads, but it also provides a wealth of painting ideas and models that are known to sit very still. Well..., unless someone comes along and decides to steal the model for a snack before I am done my painting.
Farmers' Market Spring Bounty
photo ©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
We've had a very wet and cool spring so I wasn't sure what would be available at this first market of the season. I was pleasantly surprised!
We came home with several different types of greens (arugula, pea shoots and leaf lettuce) as well as asparagus and mushrooms! We also picked up a scrumptious focaccia and some locally made salsa. We bought the mild salsa and were happy to find that it was very tasty and had a slight kick which built the more you ate.
Sunday Lunch!
photo ©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be back to eating locally grown produce. The stuff shipped into the grocery stores over the winter just can't compare. This is our third or fourth year shopping at the market and I wonder now what took me so long to give it a try.
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In other news, for those of you who live close to Bethlehem, PA, this Saturday is the Tap Ties National Tap Dance Day Celebration.
I will be selling my tap dance series of note cards, prints and posters (new this year!) both at the Banana Factory during the daytime workshops and in the evening at Foy Concert Hall before the performance. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello!
I will also be performing with other members of my advanced tap class. Tickets are available in the lobby prior to the show if anyone wants to see why I am a professional artist and not an professional dancer. Click the link above for more information and directions.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Studio Work
Stopping in for a quick post today since I am focusing on maximizing studio time this week. Thought I would share a work-in-progress of one of the paintings I am working on.
I have been working on this painting on and off for over a year! It keeps getting pushed aside for works that have a deadline. But I am always anxious to get back to it.
At first I was a little daunted by the complexity of it, but once I figured out how to handle all those petals I really began enjoying the process. It is nearing completion now and I am excited to see how it looks all put together. (Unfortunately the colors seem a bit off on my screen. I took the photo on a cloudy day and I think that proved too much for my meager Photoshop skills.)
I am also hoping that once it is finished a title for it will appear. I have been calling it "Peonies" but that doesn't quite have the ring I am looking for. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe I should try a naming contest of some sort. I'll keep you posted.
Peonies WIP
20" x 16" watercolor on Aquabord
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
At first I was a little daunted by the complexity of it, but once I figured out how to handle all those petals I really began enjoying the process. It is nearing completion now and I am excited to see how it looks all put together. (Unfortunately the colors seem a bit off on my screen. I took the photo on a cloudy day and I think that proved too much for my meager Photoshop skills.)
I am also hoping that once it is finished a title for it will appear. I have been calling it "Peonies" but that doesn't quite have the ring I am looking for. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe I should try a naming contest of some sort. I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Jumping Off Point - Tap Dance Series Charcoal Drawing
"Jumping Off Point"
18" x 24" charcoal on paper
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
Available
I had so much fun working on this drawing. As with the rest of the series, my "jumping off point" for this drawing was the motion. I love how everything is moving in the drawing except that front foot, and I love the contrast between the sharp detail of that foot and the softer lines and edges in the legs.
This drawing is bigger than my other charcoal pieces in the series. I wanted to create a sense of space for all of this motion to take place in without feeling cramped. I also worked to create a feeling of distance between the front foot and the back foot. It is a big movement and I wanted to convey that to the viewer.
My model for this drawing is my friend and tap teacher Rochelle Haynes. I met her when I began taking the Tap Ties advanced tap class and I was blown away by her talent. She has a style of dance that is very intricate and that squeezes so many sounds into a single eight count. But somehow her dancing never looks hurried and she manages such clarity in each of the sounds. She makes it look and sound easy, but I can tell you from experience that it is not!
In addition to choreographing some wonderfully complex and intricate pieces she occasionally also pulls out some mad tricks to challenge the class. The reference for this drawing is a shot of her landing after one of those special moves. It might have been some kind of wing, but I was watching through the camera lens so I'm not really sure.
Rochelle was an awesome muse and I have many references from our photo shoot. I am sure you will be seeing the product of some of those references again in this series.
Thank you Rochelle! When I grow up I would be thrilled to be half as good at tap as you.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Decorah Eagles
I am sure if you spend any time on the internet or if you watch the news you have already heard about the Decorah eagles webcam that was set up by the Raptor Resource Project. If you don't know what I am talking about, you can read about the project here.
Earlier today I decided to check in on the eagles and see how their cute little eaglets are doing. When I clicked over to the live feed there was the mama bird sitting on the nest keeping her babies warm. Or maybe it was daddy? I have no idea how to tell them apart.
Anyway, I was watching the adult eagle sitting on the nest and quickly found myself getting impatient, waiting for a glimpse of those cute, fuzzy eaglets. Yes, I realize this is a sad commentary on our society and how we constantly need to be entertained. What can I say... I was supposed to be in my studio and I might have been procrastinating and I might have been feeling guilt. Guilt doesn't feel so good so I shifted it to impatience instead and felt better about myself.
But I digress.
As I watched the streaming video, I realized how incredible it was to be viewing nature up close from the safety of my desk chair. And I realized that I shouldn't be impatient because the whole thing is really pretty amazing.
So I started thinking about how I could pass the time while I waited for mama bird to move. And that's when I decided to sketch while I was watching. (Good-bye guilt. Please don't come back anytime soon.)
But all kidding aside, when else in life am I going to have the opportunity to be this "close" to an eagle? Why not take the opportunity to sketch it from "life".
I couldn't find a pencil anywhere in the desk, so I went with the materials I had at hand, which happened to be a fine line brown Crayola marker and printer paper. It was a challenging sketch because mama eagle is very serious about her job and is constantly moving her head to keep an eye on everything going on around her.
Just a few minutes into my sketch the adult eagle shifted and two little grey, fluffy heads peeked out from under her. One quickly turned it's face back out of the wind, but the other was more curious and checked out the surroundings a bit.
Earlier today I decided to check in on the eagles and see how their cute little eaglets are doing. When I clicked over to the live feed there was the mama bird sitting on the nest keeping her babies warm. Or maybe it was daddy? I have no idea how to tell them apart.
Anyway, I was watching the adult eagle sitting on the nest and quickly found myself getting impatient, waiting for a glimpse of those cute, fuzzy eaglets. Yes, I realize this is a sad commentary on our society and how we constantly need to be entertained. What can I say... I was supposed to be in my studio and I might have been procrastinating and I might have been feeling guilt. Guilt doesn't feel so good so I shifted it to impatience instead and felt better about myself.
But I digress.
As I watched the streaming video, I realized how incredible it was to be viewing nature up close from the safety of my desk chair. And I realized that I shouldn't be impatient because the whole thing is really pretty amazing.
So I started thinking about how I could pass the time while I waited for mama bird to move. And that's when I decided to sketch while I was watching. (Good-bye guilt. Please don't come back anytime soon.)
sketch of eagle on nest
marker on paper
©2011 Stacy Rowan
But all kidding aside, when else in life am I going to have the opportunity to be this "close" to an eagle? Why not take the opportunity to sketch it from "life".
I couldn't find a pencil anywhere in the desk, so I went with the materials I had at hand, which happened to be a fine line brown Crayola marker and printer paper. It was a challenging sketch because mama eagle is very serious about her job and is constantly moving her head to keep an eye on everything going on around her.
Just a few minutes into my sketch the adult eagle shifted and two little grey, fluffy heads peeked out from under her. One quickly turned it's face back out of the wind, but the other was more curious and checked out the surroundings a bit.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Concert Sketching
I have been busy working in the studio but am not ready to share my progress there just yet, so I thought I would post a couple of quick sketches I did this evening.
My husband and I attended our kids' band concert. I often listen to music in the studio so I decided to try a few sketches while we enjoyed their performance. I haven't been sketching much at all this year, and after my daily habit the first half of last year, I am finding I really miss it.
I chose the conductor for my first sketch which, of course, was a challenge since she was constantly moving. You think I would have realized that before I started, don't you?
For the second sketch I decided to take it easy on myself. I chose an audience member thinking a spectator would be more still than any of the band members. And I did feel more confident with the second sketch.
It was nice to be sketching again. I would love to find a system for fitting in more sketching without taking time away from my studio work. Anyone out there have any suggestions?
My husband and I attended our kids' band concert. I often listen to music in the studio so I decided to try a few sketches while we enjoyed their performance. I haven't been sketching much at all this year, and after my daily habit the first half of last year, I am finding I really miss it.
sketch of band conductor
graphite in Moleskine pocket cahier sketchbook
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
For the second sketch I decided to take it easy on myself. I chose an audience member thinking a spectator would be more still than any of the band members. And I did feel more confident with the second sketch.
sketch of audience member
graphite in Moleskine cahier pocket sketchbook
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
Sunday, March 27, 2011
This is Spring
Voting ends tonight at 11:59pm EST for the Morning Call Best of Blogs contest. Thanks to everyone who has voted! I have moved up from 7th to 3rd!
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I thought today I would share some pictures of Spring in my neighborhood just so you could see why I am still looking for pictures of Spring in other places.
Buds were getting ready to burst open.
The early blooming flowers were spreading.The day was warm and sunny and the temperature hit a high of 70F. It was warm enough that I was able to ride around in the convertible with the top down and the heated seats off! I was loving it!
Three days later I woke up to this. It took me totally by surprise.
Two mornings after that I looked outside to find even more! Yikes!
At least snow in March is a temporary thing. And it is mostly all gone (again). Our temperatures are still hanging out about five to ten degrees below normal and are predicted to stay there for the next few days. Hopefully once we get through that Spring will be here to stay.
By the way, my mom says we should have expected this since March came in like a lamb, which means it will go out like a lion. That has me thinking - Bring on April! ......On the other hand, I'm a sunshine girl so I'm not real fond of April showers...
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I thought today I would share some pictures of Spring in my neighborhood just so you could see why I am still looking for pictures of Spring in other places.
Ten days ago Spring looked like this...
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
The early blooming flowers were spreading.The day was warm and sunny and the temperature hit a high of 70F. It was warm enough that I was able to ride around in the convertible with the top down and the heated seats off! I was loving it!
Three days later I woke up to this. It took me totally by surprise.
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
Two mornings after that I looked outside to find even more! Yikes!
©2011 Stacy L. Rowan
At least snow in March is a temporary thing. And it is mostly all gone (again). Our temperatures are still hanging out about five to ten degrees below normal and are predicted to stay there for the next few days. Hopefully once we get through that Spring will be here to stay.
By the way, my mom says we should have expected this since March came in like a lamb, which means it will go out like a lion. That has me thinking - Bring on April! ......On the other hand, I'm a sunshine girl so I'm not real fond of April showers...
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