normalcy and gestures
hello.
i've been thinking a lot about what "normal" is. what makes something normal. what makes a normal day. i've been trying to not qualify the idea - not a good or a bad day [or minute or hour] just normal. what makes me feel like things are going smoothly? how do you integrate unplanned for emotions or problems or stresses and allow yourself to simply move forward. and then how do you notice and get excited [again] about things that "normally" bring a smile to your face?
i can not express the complete and utter gratitude i feel to all of you. those that left comments, those that sent me emails, those that expressed concern, told me stories of their own grandmothers... your heartfelt words and understanding meant so much to me. thank you. thank you. thank you. your gestures were lovely.
i feel like it is time to try and come back to this space. to do whatever it is that i DO here.
so in the spirit of that....
i had a model come to my drawing 1 class to try and bring in the idea of gesture. she was an incredible model. really thoughtful and athletic poses - and an easy body to "see"... curvy. as i walked around the class i kept looking up and thinking oh - i'd like to draw that.
well eventually after an hour of short poses the class was ready for a long pose. they all needed a little time with out me hovering over them. so i sat in the back of class and sketched for 5 minutes on a paper towel.
figurative work is not really my cup of tea, but i have to admit it was really fun and liberating to draw her. even though i couldn't see all of her b/c a student's head was in the way. even though i had to stop because a student raised their hand for help.
drawing from life ain't so bad.
and in art news... i have work in 3 shows right now
up through Oct. 30 at Lawton Gallery in Green Bay Wisconsin.
Curated by Faythe Levine [handmade nation! ]
install shots
lawton gallery website
artists in the show: i'm sorry i don't have links for everyone !!
Kate Bingaman-Burt, Amy Carlton, Cinnamon Cooper, Sabrina Gschwandtner, Jennifer Marsh, Cat Mazza, Handmade Nation, Lisa Solomon, Stephanie Syjuco, and Melissa Vogley Woods.
in Spencertown, NY - at the Spencertown Academy Arts Center through November 16th
artists in the show:
Blanka Amezkua,Hildur Bjarnadottir,Mimi Graminski,Kate
Kretz, John Krynick,Cat Mazza,Valerie Molnar,Adrienne Sloane, and yours truly. Exhibition curated by Joyce Goldstein and Gwenn Mayers.
at anton gallery in Monterey CA.... through November 4th
noise website
artists in the show: again, sorry no links
Jesus Agular,Anthony Discenza, Clinton Fein, Richard James, Packard Jennings, Tony Sheeder, Lisa Solomon, Heather Wilcoxon
curated by Patrick Frank
ok then. have a great weekend. see you next week
i've been thinking a lot about what "normal" is. what makes something normal. what makes a normal day. i've been trying to not qualify the idea - not a good or a bad day [or minute or hour] just normal. what makes me feel like things are going smoothly? how do you integrate unplanned for emotions or problems or stresses and allow yourself to simply move forward. and then how do you notice and get excited [again] about things that "normally" bring a smile to your face?
i can not express the complete and utter gratitude i feel to all of you. those that left comments, those that sent me emails, those that expressed concern, told me stories of their own grandmothers... your heartfelt words and understanding meant so much to me. thank you. thank you. thank you. your gestures were lovely.
i feel like it is time to try and come back to this space. to do whatever it is that i DO here.
so in the spirit of that....
i had a model come to my drawing 1 class to try and bring in the idea of gesture. she was an incredible model. really thoughtful and athletic poses - and an easy body to "see"... curvy. as i walked around the class i kept looking up and thinking oh - i'd like to draw that.
well eventually after an hour of short poses the class was ready for a long pose. they all needed a little time with out me hovering over them. so i sat in the back of class and sketched for 5 minutes on a paper towel.
figurative work is not really my cup of tea, but i have to admit it was really fun and liberating to draw her. even though i couldn't see all of her b/c a student's head was in the way. even though i had to stop because a student raised their hand for help.
drawing from life ain't so bad.
and in art news... i have work in 3 shows right now
up through Oct. 30 at Lawton Gallery in Green Bay Wisconsin.
Curated by Faythe Levine [handmade nation! ]
install shots
lawton gallery website
artists in the show: i'm sorry i don't have links for everyone !!
Kate Bingaman-Burt, Amy Carlton, Cinnamon Cooper, Sabrina Gschwandtner, Jennifer Marsh, Cat Mazza, Handmade Nation, Lisa Solomon, Stephanie Syjuco, and Melissa Vogley Woods.
in Spencertown, NY - at the Spencertown Academy Arts Center through November 16th
artists in the show:
Blanka Amezkua,Hildur Bjarnadottir,Mimi Graminski,Kate
Kretz, John Krynick,Cat Mazza,Valerie Molnar,Adrienne Sloane, and yours truly. Exhibition curated by Joyce Goldstein and Gwenn Mayers.
at anton gallery in Monterey CA.... through November 4th
noise website
artists in the show: again, sorry no links
Jesus Agular,Anthony Discenza, Clinton Fein, Richard James, Packard Jennings, Tony Sheeder, Lisa Solomon, Heather Wilcoxon
curated by Patrick Frank
ok then. have a great weekend. see you next week
Comments
love the curve of the model's head - lovely.
glad you are coming back into this space.
xoxoxo
I suppose you can take what you said about drawing from life in a different way, too. But yes, it ain't so bad :)
I'm happy to 'see' you back, Lisa! I really do hope you're well.
in a way i like the routine/normal of everyday...until it makes me crazy. but then id rather do without the unexpected traumas that are thrown at us.
i love figurative drawing. when i was a student i would spend hours at the V&A museum drawing the sculptures. i miss going into that other world.
enjoy your new exhibitions
hugs, xxx
maybe drawing gets you back to 'normal'? it does for me. normal to me is a also day when i don't get too rattled and can roll with it all. and yes i think it's a wonderful feeling to be elated by the daily 'normal' activities and to feel that comfort.
i really missed you too.
i hope you're having a super normal weekend. :)
your thoughts on the word normal make me think fondly of our doc. project. it is nice to have you back in this space sharing your wonderful world of art with us. love.
on the other hand, thinking about the concept of normal is dangerous, it can get you places you don't want to. Or at least I don't... :)
Welcome.
big hugs, g xo
and normal... e + i were chewing on that question this weekend too. wondering when things stop feeling like some strange other half-life and start just being the new normal, maybe. i think so much of it is just time, and repetition. get up each day and start again, and one day you look back and realize that normal has shifted.
thinking of you... email your way soon. xox
listen to
a show...
i think
this american life,
where they talked
interviewing
people
who had something
tragic happen
in their life...
the interviewer said
they always
started
by saying,
"it was a normal day,
like any other day..."
i wondered
how they knew that.
what i a normal day?
i have
often wondered.
xoxo
i wonder if there is such a thing as "normal", i couldn't say what it is. i tend to think all is a constant change, sometimes quicker sometimes slower like a flow.
and oh so many art shows! so so good!! i hope this keeps being "the norm" for you ;) a lot of shows all the time...