F is for Fashion

My Art of Fashion class, for ages 10-14 starts again on Wednesday. As part of my prep (and because I love it) I watch Project Runway.

This week the theme was Winter - the designers were told to create something high-fashion and warm. I was inspired. The designers all did something fabulous - but today, I am a contender with this Russian influenced design.  I love this coat that I've drawn (in color pencil and ultra fine sharpie.)


Though I am happy to now live in a warmer place than the frigid New York City of my art student days, I still believe a great looking coat can cover a dull outfit, or brighten a bleak winter day.

Because I am also mad for red boots and shoes - I added those. Sometimes its simply fun to use myself as a client. Now if only I could sew.

D is for Design

Curvilinear

Long before I considered myself an artist, I knew I was a designer. Even as a small child I enjoyed putting colors and shapes together to create something to please my eye. This had a tendency to get me in trouble because I drew, doodled and colored  all over everything - including my notebooks and compositions.

My long list of career titles has included design words such as graphic, photographic, book, website, instructional, jewelry and fashion. I have designed everything from earrings to Rose Festival floats. And so much more.

So, though try as I might to be "painterly", my design training and work continue to influence my art. I can never get enough of line. Drawing them, adding them, overpainting them to create texture. One look at the images I have posted over the years make it clear that I love the way lines define an image, add interest and texture, or in this case, create the total image.

One of the many benefits of my design training is a nice collection of tools to play with. My french curves were the inspiration for this simple drawing which came about because I often set rules for myself before I begin to draw. In this case I decided on only curves, only lines, no fill, no other pattern, and soft colors.

 I love the energetic result, and it suggests different ideas whichever way I turn it. This is also a lesson idea for my classes which always include a discussion of the elements of design - line is, of course, one of these.

D is for Drawing and Design (aka Doodling)

I go through phases where I do not have the energy or inspiration to paint. These may also be the days when I am not at home, or simply don't feel like messing with paint. However, I almost always have the urge (or the need) to do something creative. These are the days that find me I standing in front of my shelves of art supplies waiting to see what calls my name.

Often when I am feeling like this, the simplest, least messy and most portable option is my box of color markers. I have a great collection (thanks in part to cool garage sale finds). I have Sharpies in thick and thin points, and a great set of Prismacolor two sided markers that remind me of the big boxes of crayons I loved so much as a child. I love to just pick of a marker and doodle a line across the page. This suggests another line, and soon a design begins to take shape. Instead of coloring the shapes and spaces though, I love to fill them with lines - thick or thin to create a pattern and add depth. Sometimes I treat the lines as threads in a woven cloth. Whatever I do, I find these designs fascinating, fun and relaxing.

The one above was all about straight lines. It is 9x12 inches on watercolor paper.