Harlem U S A

12"x12" Mixed Medium on paper

Harlem U S A

I love walking everywhere. Especially walks from The Bronx to Manhattan. I spent many times traveling to different neighborhoods. I remember one time I was walking across the 155th street bridge from The Bronx to Harlem. On this day, I continued walking until I reached 126th street.

During my journey, southbound, I noted that the buildings were mainly tenant buildings. Some were abandoned, some were not. Under the dinginess of some of the buildings, you can really catch the beauty in the architecture. I read a little bit of architecture in art history classes and I have seen some of the most majestic buildings and cathedrals. But in Harlem, there are some true hidden gems in the structure of the buildings.

As I drew closer to 125th St., the sidewalks appeared smaller, there's more bold and lively colors, street vendors everywhere.

This technique I used it's called Ink wash out technique. Black ink and white paint are applied. Then you will rinse it out under running water. Then continue to paint in acrylics.

During one of my walks in Harlem, I bumped into one of my childhood friends. I hadn't seen him in many years. That's one thing I know about my friend, he was either getting into trouble or always surrounded by trouble. I was so happy and surprised to see him. I asked him what he has been up to lately. He said that he has been in and out of jail. He told me, with enthusiasm, about his new venture, he said that he's a street vendor. He sells white tube socks out of his shopping cart. 

Bless his heart........

Family Reunion

Acrylics on canvas panel 16" x 24"

Family Reunion

 Everyone is enjoying the summer. I have been to a few family gatherings. The majority of the time it takes place in the summer for obvious causes. Children off from school, parents are off from work during the following holidays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

My mom grew up in the south, so she and especially her siblings used any opportunity to visit Grandma. So it was always a good reason to visit down south. 

It is always good to see everyone at the family reunion. Talking and eating, eating and talking. You can't go wrong when you have a fish fry, good food, good music, good conversation, and fold up chairs!

Now I can't get that song out of my head, Family Reunion by the O'Jays. Mmmm,mmm!

The Virginia Family Gathering

The Virginia Family Gathering 

12"x16" Acrylics on board

Some of my aunts and uncles, would make frequent trips to The South where they grew up. Sometimes the road trips would happen three or four times a year. When my sister and I found out they were taking a sporadic trip to Virginia, just because, we seize the opportunity and asked to join them. My uncle had a van so their reaction was sure no problem, the more, the merrier. Out of all the cousins, my sis and I were the ones that had the least opportunity to visit relatives in the south.

We had less than two hours to pack for this weekend trip!

The weekend road trip to Virginia was spontaneous and fun! All my life I've been a planner. My plans had plans. I've always had a checklist for everything…… but not this time, NO!

It was amazing to watch my little cousins, who were toddlers at my last visit, suddenly preschool size, as well as cousins who were preschool age were suddenly preteens. Time goes by so quickly.

I was completely relaxed and comfortable during my visit. I caught up with relatives. I had a lot of fun and took pictures.

This sunset was gorgeous!

I applied a painterly technique to the sky. My relatives, in the painting, I kept it highly detailed to emphasize the various conversations between the different groups. Most of the time you could see the uncles a.k.a. "The men folk" gathered in a little cluster standing. My aunts a.k.a. "The women folk", would assemble in small clusters, as well, mainly seating. There's a beautiful moment where one of my cousins is holding his youngest child and his arms after a long day of playing. Another cousin is interacting with her toddler niece while sitting.

Social Scenes

Social Scenes

Social group:

A collection of humans or animals that share certain characteristics, interact with one another, accept expectations and obligations as members of the group, and share a common identity.

Social interaction:

A social exchange between two or more individuals.

Looking through my paintings the other day, and I notice I have several paintings of different social situations.

I am just an observer of life. This is easy for me as I am an introvert. I'm fascinated how people interact with one another.

Sometimes you see people clustered into large, small groups, or pairs. Different conversations can go on at the same time. 

I grew up painfully shy. Even as an adult, I interact best one on one in conversation. Large groups, makes me want to run for the hills! I know, I know, I'm working on it.

Anyway…………

I titled these pieces, social scenes!

Blind Contour Drawing Exercises

Assorted bottles & Lemons

I gathered up as many bottles as I could and I set them up in different positions. Blind contour drawing is a wicked way to draw.

It is crazy, to rely on your eyes only. This really sharpens my observation skills. It's a whole new level of drawing. I was entirely lost in the drawing process. I was in the zone and I've loved it!

Also I gathered lemons and placed them on a metal rack as a still life to sketch from.

I must promise myself to add blind contour drawing to my everyday routine!

Contour Drawings Exercises

Pens, Jewelry boxes, Eyeglasses & Bananas

I started off creating still lifes..... Of anything. I decided to use everyday objects. Pens.

At the beginning I felt like I was taking baby steps. Like my hand almost forgot what to do. Silly, isn't it? But that's how I felt.

After the first study I decided to place a bunch of pens in the glass jar. The drawing took me to a place that I haven't been in a long time. The zone, the drawing zone! 

I'm so concentrated on the objects in front of me, in my hand movement, then I forget all my problems for a few moments.

And of course I keep the best for last. What every art student has to go through. I guess our right of passage…….. To draw your hand holding a pen!

As the saying goes, it's exactly like riding a bike again. You get back on and you ride your bike as if you have never forgotten. Unfortunately, I never learned how to ride a bike..... Ha Ha!

Contour Drawings

Contour drawings

Definitions:

Contour drawings - is an artistic technique used in the field of art in which the artist sketches the contour of a subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline.

Blind contour drawings - is a drawing exercise, where an artist draws the contour of a subject without looking at the paper.

Sometimes I get into a creative “dry spell”. This dry spell will last between a couple weeks to several years. I've been dealing with chronic pain in my joints specifically in my knees. 

I got a phone call from my college friend. I explained to her my latest troubles. She suggested that I get back to drawing. Just started off with some contour drawings. My schedule is truly tight, in my head, I was coming up with every reason why I couldn't start drawing again. I decided to take her advice to heart. It's been the best thing I've done. I reintroduce myself to my sketch pad and began to do a series of contour and blind contour drawings.

I've been able to squeeze in between 15 minutes to 20 minutes daily. I became comfortable, in the zone, in my own space and it felt great! It was liberating and all the sudden the creative juices came back to me. I haven't done drawings like these in many, many years. I forgot how fun, energizing and challenging it could be.

I still deal with chronic pain, but is something very special about drawing and painting. I'm not so centered on my pain anymore. I'm focused on something bigger!

Thanks Melissa! Thank you for reminding me that once an artist will always be an artist.