Embraced By Light

 Since there is a tapestry of cultures that participate at Edmonton’s annual Heritage Days, it was a perfect place to photograph people for future drawings. One little girl caught my eye. It was by accident that I saw this girl as she poked her head out of the tent.  I knew immediately when I saw her I had to photograph her.  Although, it was an overcast day, I did manage to sneak a few shots but when I got home the quality of the photographs were somewhat compromised.  The next day much to my delight was sunny and armed with my camera I set out first thing in the morning.   I liked how the sun embraced this little girl from behind and on top of her head causing her beads to glisten in the warm light.  The sun’s strong light created interesting shadow shapes on her face.  Perhaps the most challenging thing for me when I did this drawing was to capture her happiness and joy while being enveloped in the warm light.

Pastel

15.5 x 18.5"

framed

for sale

Hillary and Braid Study

I was hoping to have the larger drawing finished for my exhibition, but unfortunately only had enough time to do this study.  Using coloured pencils, I did this study using sepia toned pencils on a textured Canson paper. The technique employed in this study is much different than the traditional coloured pencil pieces done in the past.   I will also be doing a portrait study of Hillary as well as starting the larger version of this drawing next week.  

Everything is now hanging at the Dow Centre and I will be in attendance tomorrow afternoon from 1-4pm.  Hope to see many local people there.

Coloured Pencil on Canson paper

11x15"

framed

For Sale

Ama

  I was attracted to how Ama was looking off towards the light and the strong shadow on her face.  Moreover the contrast between the texture of her smooth skin in relation to her shirt and hair was a great challenge to capture using my pastels and tools.  Ama was a wonderful model and I did a few drawings of her for this exhibition. 

This drawing is sold

Framed size: 21 5/8x19 3/4

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