Patos Island Lighthouse, San Juan Islands, US State of Washington – 15.6.16
A bon voyage gift to a special someone wishing her every success and happiness
sailing the new seas that lie ahead.
Bon Voyage
Month: June 2016
I am Orlando
Last year I was Charlie and then Paris, today I am Orlando, and once again find myself needing to express my solidarity and sympathy through the best way I know how with all those mourning today in Orlando, in the United States and around the world and particularly with all those in the LGBT community.
go figure
In Part Three of The Photinia Story I described how drawing with the photinia branches reminded me of my figure studies from over thirty years ago and led me to burrow through my bottom drawer in the studio and bring out old friends I hadn’t seen in years. It also provided an opportunity to photograph and document them, the results of which I hope you will enjoy.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Pure
Surely nothing can be more pure than our beautiful granddaughter whom, as those of you who follow thechangingpalette know, I love more than anything in the world, and who will be one year old this month.
what a sky!
Magical sunset over English Bay in Vancouver last night from Kitsilano Beach.
the point of yellow
the point of yellow I 9.6.16
the point of yellow II 9.6.16
the point of yellow III 9.6.16
From Yardwork to Artwork: The Photinia Story Part Three
branch lines I 6.6.16
After the success of From Yardwork to Artwork: The Photinia Story Part One and Part Two, today Part Three will feature the photinia branches themselves that I have discovered make such versatile drawing tools.
One branch in particular has become a favourite as it takes on so many roles as you will see in the video later in the post. The wonderful marks it can make depend on so many factors. They can be either broad or fine depending on the angle at which it is being held it, and opaque or transparent depending on the pressure exerted. Plus the extra bonus is the frottage that the underlying wood of the drawing board produces within the lines themselves.
I think I’ll let the bough take a bow.
Why not find your own branch, buy some drawing ink and paper, and make your own branch lines. Let me know how it goes.
branch lines II 6.6.16
branch lines III 7.6.16
over my shoulder IV – the making of branch lines III
If you would like to see more over my shoulder videos here are the links:
The texture of the lines reminded me of figure drawings of mine from over thirty years ago, which I have now taken out from a drawer in the studio and pinned to the studio wall. Here’s a sneak preview of what’s coming next.
Finally, I’m linking today’s post to this week’s Discover Challenge: Origin Story for two reasons.
First, The Photinia Story Parts One, Two, and Three are all about the origin of an image and the story behind how it is created.Second, and the main reason with Father’s Day so close at hand, is to dedicate this post to the memory of my late father who set me on the path of making art from a very early age. He was an amateur artist himself and this painting of his hangs proudly in my office at home. It is a constant reminder of the true gentle man that he was.
Thanks Dad
a day like no other
Today has been a day full of honour, gratitude and inspiration.
Where to start?
Perhaps I’ll use the words of Dylan Thomas from the opening of his great poem Under Milk Wood, “To begin at the beginning…”
The day began with a message from WordPress Discover on Twitter that my post “From Yardwork to Artwork” was being featured today as an editor’s pick.
I had received an email a week ago from Krista, one of WordPress’s great Editors, informing me that she had made the selection and I wrote back to thank her and to say how honoured I was. Her weekly photo challenges are always so enjoyable as you all know, so a big, big thank you once again Krista.
This week’s Photo Challenge is all about Numbers, which certainly applies to today with my reaching over 1000 followers on The Changing Palette…
…so I extend my gratitude to all of my wonderful followers for staying around for so long, and to those of you who have joined today in response to the post on WordPress Discover, a special welcome. I will be replying to all of your great comments over the next few days, so stay tuned.
Finally, the inspiration today was from all those taking part in this year’s Gutsy Walk for Crohn’s Disease and Colitis. I walk every year and wouldn’t miss it. This year it was held at Trout Lake in Vancouver on an unusually hot Sunday morning, but as always everyone was in the greatest of spirits. A special thank you to all of the volunteers, organizers and sponsors.
It really has been a day like no other as you can see.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Numbers
“Numbers are everywhere” says Ben for this week’s Photo Challenge.
They certainly are and within a few minutes in the studio today I realized I was surrounded by them. On pens and pencils, paints and brushes,
boxes and cases…they were just about everywhere I looked.
the golden bough
A view of English Bay last night during the golden hour and beneath the golden bough.
I think Virgil would have approved.
thechangingpalette 