dESiGNalogue

Reciprocal Sitting

DEBRA

A few weeks ago I met the artist Alex Schaefer doing live painting downtown at the Hive http://www.hivegallery.com/ during Debra Haden's show "Fool's Gold" in which both Dominic and I had a piece showing.  I love seeing someone painting portraits, and after imparting my passion for such I pleaded with him to paint my portrait.  Check it out at http://alexanderschaefer.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html .

I offered Alex a deal in which he would come to my studio and sit for me so that we could trade the paintings.  Although Alex knocked mine out in 20 minutes, it took me a good hour and a half to get his down.  I'm really into this live painting thing after painting from photos for years, and hope that this summer will be fruitful in plenty of plein air painting excursions!

Kay

DEBRA

Here is the third portrait in my patterned series, my friend Kay.  I was so excited to paint her portrait because I found the perfect Amy Butler fabric that just felt like Kay - Ivory/lotus pond from Faded China Lotus Collection.  I went through the usual ups and downs of loving and hating the painting in various stages, and though I'm finished the piece, I'm not sure if I ended on a "love it" plateau.  Maybe its in the lips...

Here's the step-by-step

Pigments & Pastels

DEBRA

I'm teaching a unit on value, form, and shading with my fourth graders. I just opened a brand new box of Alphacolor Pastels, the 144 piece classroom pack.  I decided they would look much more alluring sorted by color in trays, rather than dealing with them being put back into the large box in pieces and out of any aesthetic order. The simple, natural way these blue pastels collected in the tray, and caught the light was just breathtaking to me.  If that's not inspiring, I can't tell you what is!

preFABRICated Atomspheres

DEBRA

My newest series entails portraits on patterned fabric. Here's the first one if its kind, just "born" moments ago.  I say born simply because I won't know if its complete until my critique on Wednesday, but it feels done to me.  This is on blue stretch satin with brown dots, and is a portrait of my friend Mike Gremo.  I've bought a few gorgeous pieces of new fabrics, just waiting in my studio for faces to grace them.  This portrait is about 20x24"

 

Loves Fusion

DEBRA

As an artist that practically lives to eat, I'm always wondering about the fusion of food and art, and wondering why I don't paint and illustrate more pieces about food.  Well, Echo Curio ( http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=63018571) has an open call to artists for a group show featuring 5x7" pieces to be sold for $30.  This was the perfect invitation to the table, so to speak... opening is Friday July 11th at 8:00.

Additionally, I've been dreaming of painting on fabrics with beautiful prints, instead of just looking at the prints and trying to re-create the pattern myself.  What a time saver! The results are 8, 5x7" fabric-wrapped canvas panels depicting deliciousness.

May Morning

DEBRA

Here's my latest piece from the Landscape Elements series.  It is acrylic & oil on canvas 22x36".  The photograph isn't great, the lighting isn't consistant (I'm somehow the WORST at photographing work...) May Morning, (left) is the other half to this piece entitled February Afternoon (right).  The pieces are created as pairs that relate to each other in composition or shapes, but can be bought individually or in pairs.  Sort of twins from this Gemini...

Paper-Pulp Painting

DEBRA

Egg cartons + Tempera Paint = recycled sculptural landscape.  I did this piece as a sample for my after-school Mixed Media Art & Sculpture class last semester.  I dont remember where I got the idea from, but its so basic and so much fun:

Soak torn-up paper egg cartons in hot water for about 20-30 min.

Drain water, add some papier-mache mix or glue

divide into several trays with one color each: mix well

create a topographical landscape- the sky should be low, and layers that get closer and closer to the foreground get higher and higher.  Or just have fun with the sculpting!

Everyone should try it when they eat all their eggs! :)

Bean Day!

DEBRA

This is a little papier-mache harp I made this a.m. as a prop for the puppet workshop I'm "co-directing" at Farragut.  A group of 20 students, grades k-5 along with myself, actor Aaron Samson, and 3 parent helpers are creating a puppet play from the ground up! We began on Monday, working 2 hours per day after school, and today is the performance of Jack & the Beanstalk. This little harp will be painted silver and will magically turn into Princess Melody! Directed by the fabulous physical therapist/mother/writer: Bridget Grey VanSlyke.  Photos of performance to come!

Self-Portrait 3D

Stonewear Deb 5"x 5"

Mrs. Teguis

DEBRA

Cut Paper Original Portrait of my middle school art teacher and inspiration: Mrs. Ann Teguis.  apprx. 3"x 9".  She's taped to my board, and watches me teach over my shoulder...