Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Fat Lady Sings


Since last Thursday I've been incredibly busy putting together and finishing my portfolio for the final in the life drawing class, which was yesterday. Tuesday night, this painting of Hilary (one of my project series) was still slightly wet---that's how down to the wire I was. For the 20 one hour sketches in our sketchbook, finishing was like trying to reach a carrot dangling from a fishing pole just beyond reach. (Hmmm, that must make me the....donkey.) It seemed like I always had one more to do, even as I finished new sketches. Honestly, I can't tell you how many times I counted and re-counted to make sure I had enough, all the while drawing more. The hours turned to days before I got a bite of that carrot.

What happens for the final is that everyone takes a turn putting up their finished sketches/drawings/gestures on a foam board wall and Patrick critiques. There are two walls for this purpose, so while one student's work is discussed, another student is putting up their work on the other wall. My "show" was next to last, right after Anna's, which meant that I was furiously trying to get my wall set up while Patrick was discussing Anna's work. Bummer. I really wanted to hear what he had to say about Anna's stuff, but I missed the whole thing.

Patrick asked me after looking at my wall,

"So, why did you take this class?"

Many people have asked this, so I've had all semester to think about it. The best answer I can come up with is that I wanted to stretch (see last post) my abilities and test my skill level to see if I could really do it. There's always been a mystery about drawing the naked human body, and now there's not. It's easier now to quickly see what information needs to be interpreted, it's easier to quickly sketch this information, and hopefully this will translate into some amazing paintings, though not necessarily paintings of nudes, in fact, probably Never Nudes.

Taking the class with my daughter is on my top ten list of most favorite experiences of all time--no question.

After class, Anna and I hosted a small party at our house. It was great to relax and visit with everyone in a different environment. We served yummy wine, good beer, Barefoot Bubbly, and grapefruit crostini, recipe courtesy of Michael McAfee. (I'll add a link to the recipe soon. It's good!)

Small disclaimer for mom and dad and others sensitive to the published nude drawings, you will want to stop reading and looking at this point. Really, stop now or forever hold you peace.

This will likely be the last nude drawing for quite some time.











THE END

10 comments:

mcoker said...

My goodness... the painting of Anna is absolutely gorgeous, Sarah. I don't even know where to start. The most awesome part seems to be how you captured the emotion so well. Good grief, you are one talented human being. And I *love* the colors - those are probably my favorite colors in all the world. Kudos to you girl, you just rocked my month! Thank you :-)

Sarah Hazel said...

Thanks, Michael! The colors in that painting form a triad on the color wheel.

sol said...

My favorite is this women's rear.

Sarah Hazel said...

Thanks, Sol. I consider that a high compliment.

ericpfund said...

Hi Sarah, I'm Eric Pfund. I am a Freshman at UMBC, having graduated from Carver Center in Towson, MD. I really, really love your work. I especially love your nude drawings and your painting of Michelle baking! Those are incredible. Did you go to school for art when you were younger?
my website is www.vaforums.org, if you're interested. It's more of a forum for artists, (and no, I'm not spamming for my forum!!)....but I have several of my paintings and drawings up there. you're welcome to comment or crit, seeing how computer savvy you are! ;-)

Sarah Hazel said...

Thank you, Eric! And no, I did not go to art school.

All the best to you.

ericpfund said...

you're welcome. I actually followed a link that you provided on your website, and it seems you have some great inspiration to draw from! Hans Stoffels was his name

Sarah Hazel said...

Hmmm, I have no recollection of that....(?)

Anonymous said...

Is that Michael McAfee the same one who went to Northern Arizona University in the early 1990's? If so he is a really good painter. I was trying to see his recent work online but there is none. If it is the same guy please ask him to post his work somewhere.

Sarah Hazel said...

Sorry Anonymous, it's not the same Michael McAfee. Funny (ironic) though....next weekend we're having a 19th birthday dinner party for the daughter in the laughing painting, and we're serving Michael's grapefruit crostini as an appetizer!