The Racers

 In honor of the upcoming Kentucky Derby, I have my race horses emerging from a cloud of dust, heading straight at you.  None of my jockeys needs to use a whip.  

This is the same painting but as you can see the colors are very different.  The one on top is the original, the one on the bottom was "auto enhanced" by my computer program.  Usually, I like the enhanced version, but in this case the contrast is too much, the colors are not right.  Which version do you like?

My granddaughter watching the tub fill with bubbles.  

Self Portrait02182014

Self Portrait.  11X14 Acrylic.   I have more wrinkles, my teeth are not that white and my nose is not that long.  Oh, well, I look happy so what else can I say!

 These are art projects I brought home from NSAA in Grafton where I have been volunteering as a teacher's aide.  The kids range from 4-13 years old.  I have been learning more than the kids!  The spoon project was to make a "Totem Spoon".  Mine has Karen and my initials and a wine glass, not that I am that big a wine drinker.  The glazes were ones that someone Kari(the teacher) knows who was going to throw them away.  They worked perfectly and were beautiful!

This little coil pot was my second attempt at a coil pot and if I do say so, it is a big improvement over the first one!  The secret is in using the palms of your hands to roll the coils so they are consistently sized.  The actual color is more purplish, but it turned pink with the flash. 

 

 

My favorite little project is these wire people.  It was fun to do and made a happy little sculpture.  The kids had trouble with this project, the wires were hard for little hands to manipulate and the instructions were geared for an older class.  The little 4 year old kept looking at me in puzzlement when I was giving her directions.  Finally she said "what is divided in half mean?"  Luckily one of the other helpers was there to save me from failure!

This is the view of Green Bay from the Landmark in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.  I have been volunteering as a teacher's aide for 2 art classes for children at the North Shore Arts Academy in Grafton, WI.  The teacher is great and I am learning right along with the kids.  This is acrylic on canvas.  I did it for the 24 hour art show at the Grafton Arts Mill.  No one took it home so it I hanging on my wall instead.  I like the contrast between the still gray waters of the lake and the wilder sky. I don't like the trees and the tree trunks especially. 

This is Kari.  The main reason I like this one is because it is Kari.  A pretty good likeness.  I don't like the green stuff going round the bottom of her shirt.  I should have done that differently and I think I will go back and fix that a bit.  More detail for the hair is needed.  Will report if it comes out better.

Art Day- a day to practise and socialize.

My friend Kathy spent the afternoon with me
working on some art.  First time in a long time we had the chance.  I really enjoy having company when I work! 

The first piece is done with pastels. It pictures my son and his kids several years ago on the first day they were all together after they had been separated from each other for about 6 months. They were in a very crowded restaurant and yet they built a separate private space apart from their surroundings.  Some parts of it I really think came out well, others--well that's why we practice! 

This beautiful, colorful young lady is my step-daughter.  You never know what color her hair will be, red, blue, purple, lavender.  This was done using acrylics-the kind that come in an arts and crafts bottle!  If anyone has any idea why some of my uploads are sideways, please let me know!