Friday, February 25, 2011

sketching and journalling....

This week there hasnt been much stitching going on....I have have my fabrics out playing with some blocks to send off to a friend,  but mostly I have been sketching, a little bit of painting and a little journalling.
 
Most Friday mornings I go to a friends studio and we sit and paint....very relaxing.  I have learnt a lot about drawing and painting since I began these mornings at Meg's.  Each time we go Meg has a theme, or a still life, or maybe just a colour for us to draw/paint.  It challenges me each time, and I'm sure I wont be able to do it,  but with Meg's gentle prodding and some perseverance we get into it.   The last couple of weeks we have been working on these sketches of agapanthus from Megs garden in an old vintage jug.  I thought you might like to see some of what we work on so here are a couple of close ups of the piece (30 x 42 cm).


 
Agapanthus in vintage jug.

The finished piece....not perfect, but I'm getting there 

 
I think those gentle blue/mauves are beautiful and as you can see from my journal have been appearing in my art these past few weeks.  Even in my fabrics,  I love those demin type blues too and of course indigo.

But,  I think this blue/mauve phase is over.  This week at Megs we had to draw this amazing sunflower.  Such details in this beautiful flower as it shows signs of aging.  Click on the photo to see the intricacy of the centre....its like a swirl of tiny flowers.  At this stage I have only drawn this up and added a little yellow to the petals.  I am using gouache for this sketch instead of watercolour as I used in my previous sketch.  Will take a pic next week to show you my progress.

Van Gogh was renowned for his sunflower series, so after the day at Megs I did some reading up on Van Gogh ...he lead a rather tortured life, but produced the most amazing paintings.  Van Gogh is said to have liked sunflowers for their yellow colour and exuberant celebration of sun light and summer.  They are a very likeable flower....I think I will plant some in my garden next summer.


I hope to have some fabric work to show you again next week too.  Tomorrow I am heading off to my friend Nats home for a stitching/dyeing day.  We are both doing Jude's CWB workshop online, so looking forward to seeing what Nat has been doing.

BE SILLY
BE HONEST
BE KIND.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson -

Have a wonderful week!
Jacky xox


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such movement
in the agapanthus,
it's very lively.

Even more so with a monotone color, the lines just pop out.

It's good to be prodded!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work Jacky, That sunflower is amazing. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of that session.

Jen xo said...

it is good to pushed, and lovely that we can surprise ourselves when we step out of our comfort zones. I love your agapanthus and look forward to seeing your sunflower
I saw vincents sunflowers in the munich art gallery . i stood there for ages just staring , they blew me away, the postcard and pics dont o then any justice...

Nat Palaskas said...

Oh Jacky, I'm so envy you with the sketching. I can't paint or draw so can't comment on them. I think it's beautiful I love the colour of agapanthus. Looking forward to doing something that I can do, dyeing - Hugs Nat

Mary Stanley said...

Lovely post...love your painting, can't wait to see what comes next!

ArtPropelled said...

Jacky, your jug of agapanthus is beautiful! You've hit the perfect colour too. I know all about comfort zones and its just as well we have friends who edge us out of it every now and then.

Rachel said...

The agapanthus sketches are rather charming - well done!

Eva said...

A class on a high level! The blue picture -- yes, perfect!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Oh gos ... I'm sorry ... that I haven't visited for sooooooooooo long! I have missed you! Your paintings are wonderful and I love the way you talked about your mornings with Meg. I so wish I had that. Your journal pges are stunning Jacky and that sunflower so wonderful. I shall look forward to seeing your painting when you are happy to show it

Have a great weekend xx

Debbi Baker said...

Love the blue phase!! Always feel inspired after visiting your blog!

Karen said...

great artwork Jacky!! Really wonderful.x

Robin Olsen said...

Your sketches are lovely Jacky--that agapanthas really flows and is so delicate!

Hoola Tallulah said...

Beautiful work Jacky, I love the peaceful blue tones, your painting mornings sound oh so wonderful. The sunflower makes my mouth water for summer!

Dot said...

So, so beautiful Jacky - look forward to seeing this in person! And I am sure your sunflower painting will be beautiful (I love sunflowers too).
Dot xx

Cheryl Razmus said...

Hi Jacky! Cheryl here from Jude's Boro class and soon to be Boro Cloth Blogmate. Totally love the spirit, colors and elegance of your work! So many similarities in the types of art I am doing. I am a new journaler and painter, just now taking lessons. Sewn all my lfe but never with the freedom of Jude's spiritual approach. Just last summer I participated in the big painted cloth party you and your friends have done, and had a wonderful time. Hope you will check out my blog, and see you again soon.

By the Bluegrass said...

Wow...you are so talented lady! I'm loving this.
xo,
Sena

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I loved that!