Two weeks ago a friend asked me if I'd be willing to draw her friend. My answer is always YES. The more practise I get the better I'll get, and I have been derelict to my drawing from life duties lately. No matter how often I give up on art, it never seems to give up on me. So yesterday morning I packed a sketchbook and three pencils and went to Dee's place to draw what I could. Luckily Dee had all the other supplies I needed, since she used to work in an art store and has EVERYTHING you could possibly want!
This sketch is my warm-up before I dove into the final piece in conte crayon. I like its raw appearance. It captures the sense of peace she emitted. It captures the hand gesture that she wanted. The fall of light and the curve of the shadows.
The creation of the final piece became a kind of party. My close friend Dee is a great hostess and treated me like an honoured guest. When I settled into the final piece and couldn't move from my spot she brought me my beer and other treats. A few beers, eventually! We took small breaks when the model/subject and I would stretch nibble the cookies that Dee baked. She and her man made some incredible nachos and reminded me to stop working for a bit and eat. As an artist herself she knows how we can get lost in the work and not feel time pass. When you do finally pull your head out of the work you are FAMISHED....
People have been doing this for centuries. They've been nurturing and participating in the artistic experience, facilitating it. I can imagine how lively the Salons of the 18th century were, of Gertrude Stein hosting dinners for Matisse and Picasso. I think of all the movements and styles and revolutions born within the walls of private homes where the like-minded have gathered to celebrate and be together.
I feel like I'm a part of something important. I am doing more than making marks on a page. I am creating :)
The finished piece:
