Ama II

My teaching schedule has been in full swing now for about a week.  This pastel drawing above is a person whom I photographed many years ago.  I was walking through the university library and I noticed her sitting in one of the cubicles studying.  Spontaneously (before I thought rationally), I asked her if she would pose for me.  I am currently working on another pastel drawing of her and am truly enjoying the process.  Her unique braids is a wonderful challenge to capture its texture. Ama II will be in a show towards the end of this month. (I apologize the photo of this drawing is blurry)

This past weekend, I went to a local historical park where I photographed another model.  Well actually she is one of my students whom I have been teaching now for 8 years.  Her gentle disposition truly lends to creating some style of drawings that I want to explore soon.  I also spent the weekend at this park sketching things as it was wonderful to be at this location after hours when the public has gone home and to really study the colours in the sunlight as it descends for the day.  The earth this time of year smells so fresh as some of the leaves have fallen to the ground and the compost effects have just started.

While doing art in my studio, I am listening to a program written by Richard Louv on the "Nature Principles" and how we are suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder due to the reason of not enough time spent outside in nature (something that I personally can relate to  with on my own situation by staying too long in the studio/teaching and not enough time outside).  There was one section in this 8 CD disk version where he talks about the good bacteria in dirt called M. vaccae.  This good bacteria activates certain neurons in the brain which releases serotonin( a lack of serotonin is believed to be a factor in depression and an imbalanced immune system) But by being immersed with nature and playing with dirt (gardening etc), participants breath in this good bacteria increases serotonin levels and the participants feel better, happier as a result.  I noticed as I was sketching this past week outdoors, I did not want the day to end and I could have stayed outside all day.  I also notice when I am outside at my parents farm, I do not want to come inside to work but rather be content mucking around in the dirt all day. Sad for me to say in this next part, but many many branches broke off during this past summer on my parents farm and I am looking forward to helping my father haul (his estimation 6 truck loads) of branches.  I will be definitely be getting my vitamin N this weekend.


Ama II
Pastel
currently unavailable