Sunday, January 2, 2011

Sketchbook Challenge--Class--ART 2011--or--Tag, I'm IT!

Hello 2011!!! 
And welcome Sketchbook Challenge~~one of two art related items that I start this month. The second is an on-line class with Michael DeMeng that begins on the 11th (1/11/11.....I like that!) and something hubby got for me as a present, and I must admit I am most anxious to start.

Yes, this is what I am using for a sketchbook. Quit laughing.
Now to sketchbooks.
I was the bane of my poor high school Art teacher with sketchbooks. I hated them. He told me I would always need them, I told him they were a waste of time. I actually got a *B* once due to a honking lousy sketchbook (because he knew what I could DO~~what a good artist I was).
Boy I was mad, but it wasn't enough to start a love affair with sketching. Nope. I have a cement head. 
Here was the issue; I felt if I did the good fancy-schmancy sketch, the inner mojo for a finished work was lost. Seriously, I still work like this. I will post a few photos of thumbnail sketches I have done and scribbled notes later on so you can see what a leap of faith this is for me.
But I digress. Yesterday the challenge started and the prompt for the month was *Highly Prized* which left me looking around the studio in a bit of a blur. What fits for me?
All my art supplies. All my friends. My birds. My copious quantities of photos.........
Wait.
Photos.
I had started a rather interesting sketchbook a couple years ago that basically was inspired by photos taken in New Orleans and it got buried when paying work came in. I dug that out. But this is a theme for one month only, and that sketchbook is an ongoing project of nice drawings/paintings and mixed media. I'll keep it going no matter what.
However, I had some brown manila office tags I had gessoed and there were enough of those to put into a mini-sketchbook. I mean, I'm making my own rules here---I want something I can add to or delete from and this seemed to be the ticket! (or tag, if you prefer!) Plus, I could try a few of the DeMeng techniques on the cover tags, and a few other things I had wanted to toy with....
So the first day of the new year was spent with my fingers covered in primer and paint and gel mediums, and it was really, really NICE.


These were the results of tinkering with gels, gesso and a heat gun (which BTW you don't want to use over waxed paper....) and then using washes of fluid acrylics. 


Oh yes, this looked much like some of the worn and crusted New Orleans buildings I had come in contact with......especially the silty dirt part. (an aside: silt is everywhere in the air, on the street, etc. all from the Mississippi)
Definitely a Front.
Or Back.


And this one.....oooooooo....rusted decaying metal of some unknown source. Yes, very much like the nooks and crannies of the Crescent City. 
Wouldn't this make a great Back? Or Front?  ;-)
So these are the exterior covers, or maybe the interior of the covers as I've not done the opposite sides yet and I might like them better. We'll see. For me it's the experimenting.
And now something totally unrelated:


Yes, they are little plastic cocktail swords, normally used to skewer olives, cherries or a pearl onion or two.
But aren't they much more fun turned into excavated Pirate Swords? From a shipwreck or covering some buried treasure on a damp beach? Rusted, crusty, with lots of character and maybe one is even a relic left by the ne'er-do-well Cap'n Jack Sparrow!
I have plans for these.......
Okay, until the next time, I am off to the land of Art, sketchbooks, and mess-making. And having a wonderful time too.

Pax.... 

44 comments:

yoborobo said...

Hi Anne! Happy Belated New Year (I am a little late making the rounds this year - oy!). SO COOL that you are taking Michael DeMeng's class (and on the day my book is officially published, although I guess it is already out there). Guess what I got for Christmas? One of his books! I was so excited to see that gift. :) Here's to many crazy new pieces of art from both of us. Thank you for being such a good pal in 2010! xox Pam

marianne said...

happy 2011 anne! sketchbooks scare the bejesus out of me b/c i can't draw more than anything. can't wait to see where you go with this, and the demeng class- we never did get signed up for n.o., so i will be taking vicariously :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam!

Congrats on the official publishing date! (I think we should have a blog party....)
Gary bought me his two books for Christmas---I was shocked at some of the same materials we use; I would read his blog but I never really followed the books, etc. I was familiar with his very early work more than the recent.....
So this should be FUN!!!
And yes, we should get some odd things going....

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marianne,

They scare the crap out of me too, which is why I did this---just to see what would happen.
I certainly don't want to *look* like someone else (e.g. all the flowery stuff out there--I mean it's fine, but it is not ME--mine will be odd!) and having not really done anything sketchwise since FOR EVER.......
Sorry to hear you're not making it to NOLA.....we could just do our own thing here instead! LOL! And be able to remember what we did too! ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Linda and Michelle said...

Add me three to the scare of sketchbooks....but I am attempting it this year as a definite challenge. I liked your take - just a playing around with goodies you already have, and they look wonderful! (psst....we could trade slide mounts for a couple of those......) I'm not sure how long I'll keep up with mine....I'm really in to the zentangles, and I think that's the focus I'll take, but I need to BREAK OUT of the stereotype (for me) of a sketchbook!

Unknown said...

Looks like everyone feels about the same about sketch books. I dug some of my early ones out and added to them. I cannot draw for sure, but my art teacher is taking the challenge too and we will come up with something. I was hoping to put some time into quilting this year, but I am interested in too many things. Can't get settled on anything. Loved those tags.
QMM

Karen S said...

Ooooh -- these are cool -- I was debating the sketchbook thing, but decided to do some journal quilts instead. One per month. I finished only 3 BJP projects (so far), so hopefully this will go better. I look forward to your projects!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Linda!

Okay, what are we trading for the slide mounts??? ;-D
You know, I decided I am just going to do this as it happens, and whatever happens, it's GOOD. It's art time and if it brings forth another idea for a larger piece fine, and if not, that's fine too.
Sometimes you just have to jump in head first.....and hopefully swim!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Peggy,

I think it is interesting how many really creative people (and those with talent) HATE/FEAR sketchbooks.
So I figure if I take it out of the conventional format, then *maybe* the whole thing can be FUN, like it's supposed to!
Thanks on the tags; I was pleasantly surprised too!
Go for it---see what happens!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Karen,

I have no idea how long this will be first and foremost on my creative platter; I know *me* far too well.
I tend to piddle with sketchbooks--I am not hard core serious. I think at the end of the day, I would rather do a finished piece of art and am hoping that I can do these to find the value of them, or at least get back to regular art time.
So even if the last is all I get, then it's okay. We all know our limitations, and have to accept that then gently push a bit.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Jan said...

Great start on the challenge, Anne! I think the whole idea of the challenge is to do it your own way, just do it! I started too but only got as far as reading the first prompt;-) I have two little things I have to finish first before I can begin this thing. We have all month, right? That means I can put it off for at least 29 days yet doesn't it? ha ha

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan!

LOL!!! Yep, there are that many days, and of course you really only have to do ONE thing.....
I was thinking that little things might lead to more sketches.
Of course, I am sure I could find ways around doing any work, as often happens when I *think* too much...hahahaha!!!
Glad you're doing it too, *Jan-Style*!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Georgina said...

Oohhh girl, I love it all!! That yellow tag reminds me of a summer sky in a Van Gough painting.

Like you, I too was resistant to sketch books...I even trained myself to carry one in my purse, as per instructed by my college prof, but like you, I disdained them!! After 4 semester of required drawing classes for an art major, I was told by my prof I was not a "draw-er" but an "illustra-tor!" Whatever!! As for my Life Drawing prof, she gave up on me...she never said anything to me that when drawing the human skull, it was to be used as a measuring gauge for the rest of the dimensions on human skeleton...needless to say, I made this "mongo"size skelly!! You should have seen the face of the youngster at this store who lamented it for me!! Talking about a Kodak moment !!

Love the skewers...amazing stuff you're doing. The skewers remind me of the time, many many years ago, in Dallas, my parents came to visit my now ex and I, and they took us to the Fairmont Hotel for brunch. My little brother, about 10 at the time, went to the buffet table and removed all the foods off the skewers, then came back home and sold them for a nickel a piece at school!! Reminded him of that the other night...we laughed and he asked where that little entrepreneurial kid went...got married to the "ball and chain!"

Well, I've rambled enough, but then don't I always!! I'm so jealous about your DeMeng class!! Keep up the great work, and keep traveling on your own path...you wouldn't be our Anne if you didn't!! LOL I'll have to take pics of my sketches from college someday and post...or not!!

Loves ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina,

Click the link; there may still be openings and it is all online plus very reasonable in price.
OMG---you can tell a good story! I would have LOVED to see that skull! (and for a fashion model drawing, then body is seven skulls high.....which is not the proportion of the real body, well, at least in most cases...)
Okay, I was going somewhere with this and am now totally lost! HA! Oh, the swords! I remember loving those as a kid; would talk Dad into a pack now and then. Mother would not buy them due to them being used in *drinks*......oy!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Tristan Robin said...

Your gesso and paint looks like the finished products of a class I took with deMeng last fall. He had us use caulking instead of gesso - dries faster and WAY cheaper LOL. I always know that if a supply can be obtained from the hardware store instead of the art supply store, it will be much cheaper LOL.

What is the online class? He is SUCH A GOOD TEACHER! I want to take ALL his classes. The one I took was only two days - I wanted it to last for a week.

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://tristanrobinblakeman.com/HappyNewYearFave.gif

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Tristan,

It is an Art Alchemy class, and I have a feeling it might be similar to what you took. If you click the link on his name in the post it will take you to the page.
I used what I had here (of course, just HAVING to start before the class...LOL!) as I have tons of gel medium and I think six large containers of gesso.....maybe seven and possibly EIGHT! Yes I'm a gesso-whore.....and it dries quick when you fry it with a heat gun!
I always go to the hardware for the weird things I nail in, twist, cut, etc etc. Plus, with the allergies, I have problems with some of the caulks/liquid nails/etc. Skin won't handle it, nor will the breathing.
Do check it out---if you've not taken it, would be fun for you to join along!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anonymous said...

I think using tags for your sketchbook is a great idea! I love the ones you've posted here - they're gorgeous!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Sue!

I just think they have a possibility of later additions (or deletions...LOL!) as I am struck by things that go together.
I would like to push the dimensional aspect along with the idea of a sketchbook. What can I *make* into a sketchbook? Is it valid? Am I happy and having fun? (that one goes first!)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Manon said...

Happy New Year, my friend!!
Wow!! I love those tags....they are soooo cool!
So ....did I miss how long your challenge will last? Is it a month long thing? I'm sending my good luck vibes to you!! Have a blast!! : )

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hello Manon!!!

Get this---it's all year. Just a different prompt each month. (I assumed you automatically read my mind...)
Now, with my abbreviated attention span (yeah, it's a combo of OCD and ADD, I swear!) I am hoping to get through three months!
But, my thought of little sketch books, tiny things, portable, pieces I can tinker with....you know, keep the little kid's attention... ;-D
Hope you're doing well my friend!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Manon said...

Anne....the thing I so Love about you is that you laugh even through difficult times. I think of myself in that way also. My mom told me the other day that I'm the only one she knows that cracks jokes while I'm crying...lol

Laume said...

Everyone always waxes on about journals and sketch books and I think I feel more the way you describe your take on them. What if I do something really awesome and then can't recreate it or lose the momentum to make it a singular piece? I don't tell my stories for that reason, once told, I don't feel the need to write them down. It's bad enough that the internet sucks all my need to write at all. Sigh. But, I'm intrigued by the idea of sketch book as priming the pump, meditation, any number of good reasons to use one. I've got a few in bags, in my purse. And I've been trying to use them more.

Question - how did you get those swords all olde like that - I'd love to make some for my sculpey people to hold! Inspiration!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh Manon, I hear you on that one! I have been through so much crap in life, if I had lost my funny bone I think I would have been committed a long time ago! (not that I want to give anyone ideas NOW.....ahem....)
Life is too short not to laugh! :D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Laume! HELLO!!!!

Okay, the swords are a long process; I will have to e-mail that to you either on FB or your addy. You really didn't think it would be quick and easy???
This was a big leap for me to take this on; I guess I am looking at trying things in these I've not done before, or maybe just piddled with. I have to see where it goes, to keep it fresh. Keep it odd and quirky.
Okay, I just described myself.... ;D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Pam @ Frippery said...

Wonderful idea. I love sketchbooks when they are nice and shiney and new, but then I can't bring myself to use them!!! Love the sword ...and Michael deMeng, you lucky lady.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Pam!

Obviously we have the same issues with sketchbooks. I seem to keep unearthing a few more, and most are completely EMPTY.
Maybe I just have a thing for blank paper...LOL!
Looking forward to the on-line class with Michael; I think it is a perfect way to work. Don't have to haul my stuff anywhere, don't have to worry about forgetting anything!
I'll probably post about it...

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Robbie said...

Good for you! I don't think you have enough to keep you busy and these are just an example of all that you can be..hmmmm sounds like a good phrase to me!! go for it, Anne! Love the tags!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Robbie!

LMAO!!! Yeah, I don't have enough to do...heeheehee! (this means the house is getting ignored, you know)
You know, you almost have me sound like I'm joining the Army..... ;D
And you watch it on that bike....

XXOO~~♥
Anne

studio lolo said...

I can't even count how many sketchbooks I've started with good intentions of filling them. I think they all have one or two drawings! And now I have this darn Sketchbook Project due on Jan 15th and I'm not even a quarter of the way through it! I wonder if I'll be fired? :P

I love these tags. And it cracks me up that you've posted these because I thought of a new raven tag today. hah! Like minds :)
I love what you've done. And I swear I see little fairies, etc., on the top one. Definately faces.

I'll check this guy out.

Have fun with it Anne! Looking forward to the progress/process.

~♥Lolo♥~

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Lolo, I'm already enjoying it, because I am getting to think outside the box. However they turn out, it's okay. I think it will help in getting me out of this funk and back to all the odd things I want to do artwise.
I'm anxious to see the Raven tag---love your ravens!
Okay, off to tend my squawking little Peep-Meisters. I think they're ready for nite-nite whether they know it or not. ;-)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Timaree said...

These are looking great. I love how you did up the little swords too. I'm doing that project too but am out visiting family so won't start till I get home. Can't wait to see what else you do.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I can't wait to see what else I do either! LOL!!! Seriously, I am just sort of flying blind with this, and letting it happen. Trying not to think too far ahead.....
The swords were fun but a lot of work. Maybe I will put a tutorial up on them as the process would work on any plastic material....maybe!
Good luck with your sketching, but you sketch all the time, don't you?

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

Happy New Year Blondie!!! Your tags are oh so pretty! My wee brain is bursting with a million ideas and I have mucho errands to runs today, but stopping in to visit all my Lovelies first. I'm back and I'm blonde!
**kisses** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hello Blondie!

BTW.....I got naturally blond again too..hahaha! (took two hours...)
Check back in tomorrow for further adventures with the tag sketchbook! I don't have time to do a post today. ACK!
Missed you Santa Deb!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

audrey said...

Anne, your tags look great and it all looks like FUN ~ something I am in dire need of. I know your sketchbook will look fabulous when you finish it.
This DeMeng on-line class sounds like something I should do. It will force me to find the time to be creative. I am yearning to get my hands messy and apply color to SOMETHING!!!! I think I will do just that. Thanks for the heads up on the class.
Mom is a tad better today. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Have fun in your studio!!!
♥ audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Audrey,

Glad to hear about your mom, and yes, you DO need something strictly FUN. I think if there is still time to get in on the class you should. Since it's online, I doubt there is a maximum but I could be way wrong! LOL!!!
The Sketchbook Challenge is making me THINK.....outside the box and it is getting the stagnant grey matter going. Whoo-hoo!!!
Now I have to photograph some rocking *horns* I made from crab claws...... ;-D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

audrey said...

I DID IT. I just signed up and paid. I think this is just what I needed!!!!
Now I'm excited!
♥♥♥

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

YES! YES! YES!!!!
There is a long list of supplies, but e-mail me if you have questions....I'll explain....

XXOO~~♥
Anne....corrupting even MORE artists...MUH-HAHAHAHAHA!

chickory said...

the swords turned out great! if you photographed them out of context i bet they would read as relics. I agree with you about the sketchbooks - i do sketch sometimes but rarely do those end up as finished art -for the reasons you said. there is a magic to a work of art resolving itself in progress.

happy new year!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hmmmm.....that would be fun to try a photo of the swords, with other tiny things about them and see how they look!
I still have work to do on some of them, but I was pleasantly surprised with the end result.
And yes, we'll see how far I get with keeping at the sketch end of thing. It's three days and I'm still going! LOL! Setting a record!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

marilyn said...

The tags are wonderful! And such a terrific idea.

Dear Fireflies said...

Aarrrrrrhh...who took me sword, eh?

Heheh.

Well, I couldn't agree with you more about sketchbooks! I've probably tried a thousand times to do a sketch first before doing the real thing, but somehow I always ended up carrying on with the sketch all the way till the end. So, what's the point, right?

And your tags? Me LURRVVEE...'em!! I should try getting all messy with gesso these days. Thanks for sharing this, Anne! oxx

*Ulrike* said...

The colors of the tags remind me of the century old buildings in Europe. Course just love the pirate swords, it would go well with my Captn Jack bday card I got from hubby!
Take Care,
Ulrike

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Ulrike,

I was hoping the tags would evoke that feel---that is always what I am aiming for; the beauty of aged buildings.
Mmmmmmm.... >:-)
Cap'n Jack!!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

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