Road Trip

I went on a road trip with friends and first went to a sand mine. Afterwards, we visited an abandoned slaughter house and took a lot of photography. I climbed the really tall tower and upon reaching the top, a white owl flew out.

Figure Drawing Session Attended

The model tonight at the SFAI figure drawing group was Lloyd. I had some rather nice experiences sketching him, however by the end I was tired and became too engrossed in details. The last drawing shows this with its isolated and contrasted sections of the body. My favorite drawing is the blue hand. There are some proportion problems, but I am still pleased.

Scott Tsuchitani Art

I just received an e-mail from my good friend Scott Tsuchitani. He is an extremely talented artist that I greatly admire and his courageous work astounds me with its dark humor and enlightened perspectives. Here is his latest printmaking efforts:

6 x 7 in., Soft ground drawing + Aquatint

Figure Drawing Attended

Tonight I enjoyed the company of my friend Eric while we both sketched at the SFAI's figure drawing session. The model was Bonnie who I really enjoyed drawing. My favorite experience was drawing her hand and forearm (the orangish-yellow sketch with shaky red lines), but it still needs some finishing touches before I am completely satisfied with it.

Thoughts About Drawing the Figure

Drawing the figure is a constant challenge and can be quite frustrating at times. To achieve a sense of accomplishment, I attempt to stay in a state of nowness, practiced in Zen Buddhism. In other words, drawing can be meditative. 

I close my eyes and pay attention to my breath. Quickly, I open my lids and react with complete abandon. I fluidly react with no preconceptions and try not to ruminate on past failures. I edge toward objectivity and become aware of what my eyes and mind are paying attention to, for example, dark shadows, undulating contours, and points of tension. I develop awareness of my observant awareness. I continuously look at the figure with fresh eyes, like a young child discovering something new for the first time. 

 Drawing the figure is the most frustrating and simultaneously the most enjoyable experience I have found.

Ilana Crispi Art Opening

I attended my friend Ilana Crispi's art opening tonight. This is one of the best artworks I've seen in awhile. The concept is extremely strong as well as the craftsmanship and aesthetics. I sat on her beautifully designed bench, which was cold, minimal, and made from dirt of The Tenderloin. While sitting and reading her artist statement, I enjoyed a couple of Hot Toddies in the gorgeous handcrafted teacups that contrasted matte-white, smooth porcelain with glistening rough dirt. The drinks were made from honey and tea harvested from the rooftops of Glide Church also located in The Tenderloin. Amazing!

Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 12noon – 4:00 pm;First Thursday, November 7, 6:00 – 9:00 pmPrivate viewings are welcome. Email us for an appointment.At Ramon’s Tailor 

Ilana Crispi invites you to experience the Tenderloin by sitting on it, drinking from it and eating out of it. Crispi has harvested dirt from a neighborhood park to make furniture and ceramic vessels for her installation Tenderloin Dirt Harvest: Please be seated on the ground.

With permission of the City, Crispi harvested dirt from Boeddeker Park, a one-acre city-owned park in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district that is undergoing a major renovation. Crispi spent months testing the quality of the dirt and creating hundreds of test pieces, discovering that at just the right temperature the Tenderloin dirt melts and becomes a self glazing clay. Some of her pieces layer porcelain with the dirt, creating a stark contrast between the valuable — porcelain was once as valuable as gold — with the grotesque and soiled.

Exploratorium Visit

My friend Eric and I visited The Exploratorium today for free day. On of my favorite things was a video piece by Sam Taylor-Wood entitled "Still Life" 2001. The time-lapse growing of a mushroom culture serious made my skin crawl.

mushroom culture

heat sensor

Freya Jobbins
Medusa

An Evening of Figure Drawing

Tonight the model was again Barbara. I don't think these drawings are very strong and sketching them felt somewhat forced. I am resorting to conventions and this is interfering with my ability to keep nowness. On the other hand, I did have a few intense moments, which hopefully is conveyed.