Have I Mentioned....

... That I love this man? I couldn't agree more.

I love how he uses The Birth of Venus. I myself have struggled with the nude form and the possibility that I might tempt viewers to lust by drawing/painting it- puritanism is a sneaky thing unfortunately. Once it gets it tentacles in you it can be hard to remove. It's one of those things that is like a tree root- nearly impossible to completely pull out. I have fought and read and prayed and fought and read and prayed. But finally, one day in Florence Italy, God struck a deadly blow, and I feel like own little Puritan Tree is dying of some disease. Funny, there are so many ways that beauty wounds and kills, but that is another topic.
    Anyway, that blow was this:

Botticelli's Birth of Venus

I never really cared for this painting before. But that was quickly remedied. In my semester abroad, I saw many lovely things- but some particularly struck me, and literally hurt me and left me breathless. This was one of them.
    That blow, and this one:

Michelangelo's David. Also in Florence.

I didn't get to sit and draw from The Birth of Venus. There were too many people in front of it! (Grrr!!!) But I did get to sit and draw The David for about 20 minutes. I will never forget those 20 minutes. Ever.

Mary and art and nudity will never be the same. Thank God.

A Drawing A Day?

How about a drawing a week? At least. It's time for excuses. 1) I have, erm, health issues (dysautonomia and POTS mainly) that sometimes makes it difficult to not just produce art but get around to posting it online, and 2) I have been doing mainly anatomy lessons, etc, and that's just boring for y'all. But here is proof that I am still alive and drawing something:

Drawn from Matthew Archambault's Portrait DVD

It's not much. But it is good for me. Sometimes it is fun- but most of it is just discovering what I don't know, rediscovering what I do know, and relearning how to do things... like how I go about drawing faces or moving my arm, etc. Fun, but no fun. Mostly boring.

What wasn't boring was my visit to Franciscan University this past weekend (my old and much missed school). I was able to receive much needed hugs and affirmations, and have some wonderful conversations with my lovely friends. I think a refresher like that is good for a person- even for art. One does have to be able to breathe you know.

So yes, it was wonderful. Even if my credit card was stolen when I failed to keep it with me during Mass.... Yeah, I love my school dearly, but I spose no place is perfect. Oh well. After my travels in Europe, I am just glad there was a computer near by to look up my bank's number, and english speaking people to communicate with. Just goes to show that God looks out for me, even if He does allow me to learn things the hard way.

Angels and Dragons....

... Some of my favorites. They never stay away long.
    Well, I am still working on my friend's (Miss Emily) commission. So far, she has half an angel. If that. I rather like him.

So... are those anatomy lessons paying off? (What are you talking about Mary? There is hardly a body here at all.)

      Oh, and my scanner is fixed. That was kind of important. I'd like to say that the wretched contraption was the main reason I haven't been posting much, but that would be a lie, unfortunately. A false lie. (King and I anyone?)
    The. Point. Is. I have a scanner, and I was able to prepare that second dragon sketch I mentioned before.

Alas, there is still a shadow. But I would have to tear the page out to get rid of  it, and that did not sound ideal. Wretched spiral bound sketchbooks!

   The dragon is reading Knightboy: Dragon Slayer with Mouse as before mentioned. I copied this out of Me and My Dragon, as also mentioned.

   I recently joined Drawing Tutorials Online and I am rather excited! I have only been a member for less than a week, but I can tell you that I recommend it very much. You can find sample videos on youtube if you would like to check it out. Just search for "drawing tutorials online" or "Matthew Archambault" and you should find it. He is quite an amazing teacher, and is well learned in both traditional art and computers/graphic design/illustration, etc.

Steampunk Contest

Go here and vote for me! Vote for "Practically Perfect," or my steampunk Mary Poppins. It's the best, as it were.... Win me some art school money! God bless you!

P.S. I was just informed that you may have to register and give out your email address... I apologize. What treachery!

When the Going Gets Tough...

....The Tough copy pictures out of children's books about pet baby dragons. At least, that is what this combatant virtuoso of the female persuasion did. It is from the book, Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzychi. Just go look on amazon or something and look at the cover- you'll see why I found it irresistible when I ran across it at the library.

I apologize for the poor image quality. My scanner is dead, and I could not find ideal lighting for my silly camera. I went on a quest inside and out- outside was TOO BRIGHT, and inside this old house there is no good lighting ANYWHERE at the moment. This was the best I could do. I copied another picture of the dragon reading Knight Boy: Dragon Tamer in bed with a worried look, with Mouse looking over his shoulder. But that one I could NOT rescue- even with my iphoto editing, which I am rather good at.

Yes it has been tough lately. But, "beautiful people do not just happen."

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. beautiful people do not just happen."
-Blessed Pope John Paul II

‎"As long as we live, we fight, and as long as we are fighting, that is a sign that we are not defeated and that the good Spirit dwells within us. And if death does not meet you as the victor, he should find you a warrior." -St. Augustine