Photography Afternoon

Tree Bark - 10-20-16 - Janet Deal

Bank Building Douglasville - 10-20-16 - Janet Deal

Bank Building Douglasville - 10-20-16 - Janet Deal

Recently I took a photography class at the local cultural arts center.    Shannon Belletttili was the instructor.   She has a local photography business.   The course was 6 weeks and covered everything related to a digital camera.   It was just what I needed, a "soup to nuts" version.  We did practice assignments each week.    I have to admit in the past I've always been a little "miffed" when a photographer won at an art show over more traditional mediums.    I do have a new respect for photography and the artistic eye related to composition, line, etc but also the technical skill related to capturing the right light, adjusting the camera, etc.    One thing I have always been notorious at is taking 100 shots to get 1 shot.     When I was pointing and shooting, I'd typically take lots of photos and hope I'd get one or two really good ones.    I was lucky in that regard and frankly have had some success with just point and shoot and using "auto" settings.  

Shannon challenged us to plan our photo.   Consider the composition and settings needed for the space, time of day, etc.   Recently we did a photo shoot in my hometown.   Looking for unusual angles and planning the shot was a challenge.   Instead of taking hundreds of shots I was challenged to take two of each composition and look for my very best shot.     I loved the results as seen above.   Of course, I'll always do the multiple shots when there is not time to set up the shot but the "planned" approach certainly is more satisfying.

Life of a college student!

This semester I have been so busy with my Drawing I class, I've not taken time to make photos of the art and post.   I posted a few at the beginning of semester but then it was like a snowball......we have been doing lots of drawing and sketching.    When the semester is over, I'll take time to photograph my portfolio.    I've had so much fun and learned a lot!     Today was the annual Carve on the Quad at the University of West Georgia.    I participated last year also.   Frankly I thought my "Mummy" was a real winner!    This year my subject was "Angry Bird".    The viewing is tonight at UWGA.    Good luck everyone.

"Angry Bird" - 2016 entry in UWGA Carve on the Quad - Janet Deal

"Mummy" - 2015 entry in UWGA Carve on the Quad - Janet Deal

Black and White Charcoal on tinted paper

"Self Portrait" Black & White Charcoal on Tinted Paper 2016

"What the *&%^$??" Black & White Charcoal & Pastel on Tinted Paper. 2016

"Still Life "- Black & White Charcoal on Tinted Paper 2016

Fun week with charcoal drawings.    The Self Portrait was a fun one and I can see I need to go back and create some marks around the hair.    The "What the (*&%$? ? " was done from a self portrait that didn't work out!!    We were asked to push the unexpected and I decided on a skeleton.    The "Still Life" was a complex one.    I should push more of the marks but it's hard when something is coming together to push it.   Maybe after critique I'll return to it and add some marks.

Self Portrait - Cross Contour Drawing

Self Portrait - Charcoal, Graphite, tinted paper - 9-2016

Getting accustomed to drawing with continuous contour drawing and cross contour drawing.   I cheated a little to get the space placement of the eyes but the other contour lines were pretty easy.   Definitely something I need to practice more.

Paulding Fine Arts Juried Exhibit - August - September 2016

Excited to have received 2nd place in watercolor for "RR Crossing" and 3rd place in pastel for "Quiet Stream in the Paulding Fine Arts Juried Exhibit.    Nancy Nowak was the juror.   It was a treat to have her judge the show and to read her comments.    I've been focusing on drawing for a few months but have to get back to my watercolor and pastel.   

Sky Workshop - Karen Margulis

Afternoon Sky - Pastel - 5x7 - August 2016

Sky - Pastel - 5x7 - August 2016

This month I've been photographing skies in preparation for my "Sky" workshop with Karen Margulis.   It has been a good experience.   I was surprised that I had not taken more time to study skies.   The sky is truly a beautiful thing and it changes with the day, the light and the weather.    Karen challenged us to paint the sky every day to better understand the colors and shadows in the sky.   One exercise was to mix grey from three pastel colors - triad on the color wheel.   Later when I added some of these grays to my sky, I was pleased with the richness it gave the painting.    A great workshop - as usual from Karen.

Next steps !

While I never seem to have enough time for photography, drawing and painting, I'm always searching out opportunities to learn more and push myself to practice...practice...practice.     I just finished an advanced drawing class at University of West Georgia.   It was M-F for 5 hours a day for a month.  Intense but so much fun.   I've started fall semester with Drawing I and look forward to more sketching.     Next week I'll be taking a pastel class from Karen Margulis on painting skies.    I've enjoyed taking photographs of the sky at different times of the day.    Where I live is so hilly that it's rare to get a good expansive sky photo.   I was recently at Tybee Island, Ga however and there was plenty of wide open space.    These are a few that I've set aside for the workshop next week.     I never got the setting sun bright multi color sky but I'm still look through my photos for some orange and pink.    I've signed up for a photo workshop at Jekyll Island in November 2016.    A beautiful island with such diverse photo opportunities.   Can't wait to do photos, sketches and paintings.