Contemporary Realism

Contemporary Realism
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5/21/12

Drawing Glass and Water

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt
My students asked me to do a lesson on drawing water and glass. These are really interesting subjects to render.  You have to draw what you see through the glass and water. The objects appear distorted and actually become abstract shapes.

5/19/12

Trying To Go Vegan ♡

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt
My husband and I have been (mostly) vegetarian for many years. Recently, we saw Dr. Sanjay Gupta interview President Bill Clinton on CNN about his battle with heart disease. Clinton is currently following a diet recommended by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, which is designed to prevent and actually reverse heart disease.  

This diet is totally plant based, or vegan. Dr. Esselstyn also discourages eating nuts, avocados and oils such as olive oil.  We bought the book and our family is now vegan when we eat at home. We are slowly losing weight and feeling very healthy.  This diet change was easier for my husband who is a very disciplined and focused person. I occasionally succumb to gastronomic temptation, especially when a Thanksgiving turkey is presented to me!   After many years of being lacto-ovo vegetarians, we became aware that we needed to cut eggs and cheese out of our diet for health reasons. 

I hope that more people will do their best to cut down on the unhealthy foods that are so prevalent in America. It is very hard to make these fundamental changes to one's diet. Food is wrapped up with many strong emotions: love, memories, pleasure, not to mention taste!  Taking small steps towards more healthy eating and getting more exercise is a good plan. A more plant based diet not only helps us individually, but it helps the health of our planet. Raising beef, poultry and commercial fishing practices are depleting resources around the globe as well as causing more pollution that contributes to climate change.    

5/4/12

Creative Colored Pencil Projects

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt
ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt
Here is a project from my class, Creative Drawing with Colored Pencils.  I ask my students to select an image that is significant to them personally, and have them render it in colored pencil using different hues and values.  The coffee cups were inspired by Andy Warhol and the trees are a variation of a previous colored pencil exercise in blending colors.