Dio

29 April 2009

Groovy Little Number

I needed a Week-To-View Diary and being the experimenter that I am, I created this groovy little book for the purpose of housing the diary pages. The cover is made from recycled materials and the very groovy accompanying pencil was given to me by my friend Ailie, and it has the most gorgeous faceted jewel attached to the top of it. I love it.

15 April 2009

EDM 45 Medicine Cabinet

Had fun with this exercise but got a sore derriere sitting on the low stool while I drew the innids of one of the bathroom cupboards. Must get faster at these.

14 April 2009

Panmure Basin Sketching & Painting

Hillary, Dale and I went to the Waipuna Road East boat ramp and sat in glorious sunshine on a supposedly Autumn day to sketch as much in an hour as we could. Some geese thought we’d come to feed them so they hurried out of the water and rushed up to mooch through our stuff to see if we had food. We didn’t, so they grunted and waddled all the way back to the water, alas disappointed.

13 April 2009

EDM 44 (b) Animal

Well, it seems I found time to do an animal after all. I executed this charming cat study in watercolour from a book about watercolour technique.

It's my second attempt at the same subject as a process of making mistakes and learning by them. I'm quite pleased with this one.

12 April 2009

EDM 44 (a) Animal

Just finished this cutest of cute teddies and went to check what the EDM list description said, only to discover I was supposed to be drawing an animal - a live one I presume. Haven't got time to start this all over again so, Ted will have to suffice.

5 April 2009

EDM 43 Something China or Ceramic

This vase is a favourite because I made it way back when I was doing ceramics. The roses and leaves were made from plasticised slip and were not easy, but fun. Sadly a couple of bits have broken off during various house moves, but I still love it. Still learning watercolour, still struggling, roses not great, but I did try.

20 March 2009

Mosaic Pot Triumph

I have finally finished mosaicing and grouting this terracotta pot I bought at least 5 years ago. It's a biggie, measuring 700mm high and 480mm wide at the top. I collected blue and white china all this time, and was donated Willow pattern plates and Villeroy & Bosch pieces along the way. It took a long time to sort and break the pieces, put it all together, then 3 days to grout it. I consider it to be one of my major achievements. Today it was finally installed in the front foyer of my home and I feel very satisfied to have completed it.

14 March 2009

Painting Class – Still Life Drawing Practise



	Art Class drawing practise for this week was still life – take three objects, try to show mood, use cross hatching, change arrangements.	Couldn’t quite get the perspective right in the first 2 drawings, but I liked exploring the negative space. I love the way the objects in the last four drawings compliment each other in shape.

10 March 2009

EDM 42 Something You Are Thankful For

There are many things that I am thankful for in my life; sunshine, music, the sea, the senses, laughter, friends, art amongst them. Our family is not very functional, and there have been times when I wondered if I actually belonged to one. I am therefore truly thankful to have been blessed with such a lovely brother as Darren.

20 February 2009

EDM 41 Landmark In Your City

At 328 metres, Sky Tower is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand & the 12th tallest member of the World Federation of Great Towers. It offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction, and has become an Auckland icon, being visible from just about everywhere.
I took a photo from Kohimarama Rd and set myself a big challenge to execute this using only 12 Tombow pens, therefore limited colour range. I wasn't sure if I could show distance as well as strong foreground as Tombows are felt pens after all. They react beautifully with water and I found the exercise quite pleasing, albeit lengthy!