Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Pittsburgh: The Frick Museum
We just got back from Pittsburgh and we saw a show at the Frick. No photography was allowed, but they gave out a free flyer. There were some brilliant drawings by Millet and we got a peek at some of their permanent collection. Brett and I enjoyed the Master of Half-length's triptych (Don't remember the name of it). We also got to ride a segway, also awesome. Not in the museum, though...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Ground Pig
Lana and I have been entertained the past couple of weeks by a very unruly woodchuck. We first noticed it spring out of hibernation and jump up onto the deck on the south-side of the cottage.
It was fun to watch at first, then the gnawing, scraping and destruction of the cottage began. During this project, it got into a brawl with crunk-the-skunk and everything out there smelled like skunk spray for a couple of days. Enough was enough, Lana's mom got a havahart trap and we began the catching process. The first day we placed the trap near the cottage, was the first day it ran up to the house and switched residences. We soon learned it had a large tunnel network up there where his exit hole was right under the studio window. Keeping this in mind we moved the trap up there and for a few days watched it timidly go in and out and sneak a bite or two of the bait. Our frustration began when it suddenly seemed very reluctant to do anything with the cage at all. One afternoon we noticed it running back to the cottage to gather supplies for this new home, its supplies consisted of a mouth full of insulation and a little tuft of it stuck to its head like a tupee. That night I moved the trap to the midway point of his travel path back to his its cottage hole. The following morning Lana and I awoke and noticed mr. crunk the skunk was trapped in the cage because he couldn't resist chips covered in bbq sauce.
A very cautious release on my part, but by covering the trap with a sheet and being very graceful I was able to carefully let the poor thing go. Another week or so had passed with still no woodchuck in the cage, getting discouraged, I had tossed a few bits of apple in the cage and let it sit without much thought. Finally yesterday in need of some varnish we left for an hour and when we pulled in the driveway we noticed and very angry brown lump sulking in the cage.
Taking pity on him we took him 15 min away to a deserted road and large farm field, the second I opened the cage door he flew out at lightning speed and seemingly began making his way back to Aurora. I doubt we will see the little beast again, but perhaps another will take shelter in the already established ground hog paradise which resides under the houses here.
It was fun to watch at first, then the gnawing, scraping and destruction of the cottage began. During this project, it got into a brawl with crunk-the-skunk and everything out there smelled like skunk spray for a couple of days. Enough was enough, Lana's mom got a havahart trap and we began the catching process. The first day we placed the trap near the cottage, was the first day it ran up to the house and switched residences. We soon learned it had a large tunnel network up there where his exit hole was right under the studio window. Keeping this in mind we moved the trap up there and for a few days watched it timidly go in and out and sneak a bite or two of the bait. Our frustration began when it suddenly seemed very reluctant to do anything with the cage at all. One afternoon we noticed it running back to the cottage to gather supplies for this new home, its supplies consisted of a mouth full of insulation and a little tuft of it stuck to its head like a tupee. That night I moved the trap to the midway point of his travel path back to his its cottage hole. The following morning Lana and I awoke and noticed mr. crunk the skunk was trapped in the cage because he couldn't resist chips covered in bbq sauce.
A very cautious release on my part, but by covering the trap with a sheet and being very graceful I was able to carefully let the poor thing go. Another week or so had passed with still no woodchuck in the cage, getting discouraged, I had tossed a few bits of apple in the cage and let it sit without much thought. Finally yesterday in need of some varnish we left for an hour and when we pulled in the driveway we noticed and very angry brown lump sulking in the cage.
Taking pity on him we took him 15 min away to a deserted road and large farm field, the second I opened the cage door he flew out at lightning speed and seemingly began making his way back to Aurora. I doubt we will see the little beast again, but perhaps another will take shelter in the already established ground hog paradise which resides under the houses here.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Status Update
Bon-bon: Done
Morinaga: Done
Teacup: Saucer, highlights, background layer are left (~85% done?)
Lollipop: Shadow detail, finishing work (80%)
Dots: Modeling the dots about halfway done, more shadows, finishing glaze and detail left (~67%)
Kewpie: Not very far along-- (35%)
Soon the three will zip right out..... Then on to Kewpie and the next ones.... We want about 10-12 ideally....
Brett is copying some Bargue on the side, and Lana is doing some illustration (building a portfolio) and training to get a little faster at that. Wellp... that's it for now!
Morinaga: Done
Teacup: Saucer, highlights, background layer are left (~85% done?)
Lollipop: Shadow detail, finishing work (80%)
Dots: Modeling the dots about halfway done, more shadows, finishing glaze and detail left (~67%)
Kewpie: Not very far along-- (35%)
Soon the three will zip right out..... Then on to Kewpie and the next ones.... We want about 10-12 ideally....
Brett is copying some Bargue on the side, and Lana is doing some illustration (building a portfolio) and training to get a little faster at that. Wellp... that's it for now!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
whirly pop update
Last week I finished blocking in the whole under-painting for the giant whirly pop painting. Every one of the 40 or so color areas was applied thick and stroked with the brush hair, this interpretation really gives it a nice uniform direction for the light to follow as it hits the piece. After these were applied, I went in and painted the grey divisions that seperate each color. Right now everything is flat, but over this layers comes a couple of glazes to develop color intensity and form.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Kewpie 2
3. Acrylic wash in4. Grey oil background
Things are going slowly but surely; we're looking forward to warm weather.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Kewpie 1
1. Start of the pencil drawing2. Red acrylic paint
Details below of steps between 1 and 2:
1a. Pencil drawing (some colored pencil)1b. Colored pencil logo & lettering
1b. Acrylic painted logo & lettering
Ingredients: Vegetable oil, Egg Yolk,Vinegar, Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Spices.
Contains: Egg
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