Vanitas 23 analysis

Someone asked me about the design of my latest drawing Vanitas 23. So I worked on this analysis to explain how I designed this piece. My idea was to explore circular pattern repetition and 2:3 ratio sub-divisions a la Alphonse Mucha. This type of design sometimes comes as a combination of a happy accident and more intentional adjustment/manipulation. The model's pose was pretty much how it was at the photo shoot. I picked the best image out of many. Then I added most of the bubbles by strategically placing them so that they would collectively form circular patterns along with the lines of her dress. I extended the bottom of the dress in the back and changed the angle of her leg at the bottom right, so that her whole body would form a more dynamic triangle shape. Overall I am very pleased with the result.

 

Vanitas 23 completed

I finally finished this piece after working on and off for nearly 3 months. I'm pretty happy about the way it came out. The youtube link is here.

Vanitas 23 work in progress

I have been working on this graphite drawing for over a month now. It is roughly 24" x 18" and slow going. Technically this is another challenge: rendering of the lace of the blouse and the soap bubbles floating in the air, although I am kind of enjoying drawing the bubbles. I accidentally grabbed a wrong paper for this piece and that's also making the whole process more challenging than working on my usual go to material: Bristol board Vellum surface. I just finished laying down the basic tones of the background by rubbing the graphite powder with the areas of bubbles masked out with the masking fluid. I hope I can finish this before the end of July.

Bryn Du Art Show

Last night I attended the opening reception of an annual juried show at Bryn Du Art Center, Granville, OH. It was held in this beautiful Mansion from the Arts and Crafts period architecture style. I had 3 Vanitas pieces accepted into this show. One of them "Vanitas 16" won The Best in Show, and "Vanitas 22" was sold too. Not a bad way to start spring!

Me standing next ro the piece that won Best in Show.

This piece found a good permanent home.

Ohio Arts Council Riffe Gallery Show People's Choice Award

I just received a facebook feed that said my piece" Vanitas 16" at the Ohio Art Council's biennial show won a People's Choice Award! I have never won People's Choice Award, so this is exciting!