Starting is the easy part…
By Meghan Jean | June 5, 2008
I spent a ridiculous amount of money on one of those fancy Moleskine watercolor sketchbooks. And the troubling part is that I really, really like it. I love the tooth of the paper, I love how absorbent it is. I love how sturdy it is. How it opens up completely flat. How white the paper is. The round corners. The unassuming, slightly squishy, black cover. The horizontal orientation. I’m beginning to resign myself to art supply snobbery. Oh well.
Stashed away under: Art | 3 Comments »
My dear Gouache, it’s been awhile…
By Meghan Jean | June 2, 2008
Friday was our first night out to paint after work and much fun was had by all. It was great to be out in the elements, creating something tactile. For these studies I’m trying to pick just a couple of things to focus on so that I don’t become overwhelmed by the changing environment, or obsessed with detail, or just plain hung up on trying to create a “pretty” picture. For this one in particular I was thinking about positive versus negative shapes, and temperature relationships between light and shadow areas. I’m pretty happy with the results here, although I have to say I have a bit of rust to shake when it comes to wielding real paint supplies again. Looking forward to the next round!
Stashed away under: Art, Outings | 1 Comment »
Scouting trip!
By Meghan Jean | May 30, 2008
Last night after work, Chris and I wandered around northwest Portland with Scootie to scout out some good painting and drawing locations. Getting out regularly to draw and paint on location with other artists is something I have wanted to start doing for a while now, so I am pretty excited! You can’t tell from these photos, but the weather is finally clearing up enough to do so. Anyhow, Scootie, stepping in as Class Historian, had his camera along yesterday. Wide angle lenses are fun!
The last one makes me laugh so much–Chris looks so angelic, like a five-year-old in Sunday school. And yes, unbelievably it is still jacket weather in Portland!
Stashed away under: Life, Outings, Portland | No Comments »
You Are Free
By Meghan Jean | May 29, 2008
When you haven’t gone far enough, you’ll look at what you’ve drawn and feel inarticulate, cowardly and lame. When you’ve gone too far you’ll frown at your work and feel tawdry, exhibitionistic and lame. If all is going well, you won’t choose your style– it will, eventually, choose you. This may take a while, but recognize that self-satisfaction is a bad thing when you’re trying to learn.
I think Steve Lieber has some pretty grounded things to say regarding style–something I’m very guilty of toeing my way around. You can read the rest of his post here.
Also, while I’m at it, I’d like to whole-heartedly endorse the new Mates of State album, Re-Arrange Us. I guess animal masks are hip right now?
Stashed away under: Art, Jams, Ponderings | No Comments »
Thank God for good music…
By Meghan Jean | May 15, 2008
Deep green hills whose shoulders fade, into the gray tall wet grass.
Whose flesh makes fools of grazing sheep, whose fleecing makes a fool of me.
And who shall I blame for this sweet and heavy trouble?
For every stupid struggle?
I don’t know.
I could buy you a drink.
I could tell you all about it.
I could tell you why I doubt it, and why I still believe.
But I can’t say it like I sing it.
And I can’t sing it like I think it.
And I can’t think it like I feel it.
And I don’t feel a thing.
Oh no - I don’t feel a thing.
And who shall I blame for this sweet and heavy trouble?
For every stupid struggle?
I don’t know.
I could buy you a drink.
I could tell you all about it.
I could tell you why I doubt it, and why I still believe it.
And why I need it.
And what the Pharisees don’t see.
And we’d have more drinks. We’d speak of so many things.
But I don’t know you, and you don’t know me.
And thank God for David Bazan.
Stashed away under: Jams, Life, Ponderings, The Gee-Oh-Dee | 1 Comment »