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.

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.    

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.

Creative Drawing with Colored Pencil ♥

Student Sha, with her work.  

Art students creating.   

Starting April 24th, I will be offering a 6 week course called Creative Drawing with Colored Pencil with Ann Arbor Community Education.  You can create stunning colored pencil "paintings" from the point of a pencil with this versatile medium. We will explore basic techniques and the creative possibilities of colored pencils when blended with mixed media.  Colored pencil can be combined with watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and colored inks on various surfaces. Have fun with this versatile medium. 

6 weeks. Tuesdays, 1:30- 3:30 in the Cultural Arts Building at 1220 South Forest Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.    You can register for classes here by clicking on this link.  Then select Activity Category > Adult Art; or call the office M-F 8am-5pm @ 734-994-2300 for assistance.

"I encourage each artist to find their own style. I want to provide a safe atmosphere for each person to explore their own talents and abilities"

Creating a still life in colored pencil

Final 

Still life, colored pencil on 11" x 14" Stonehenge
(click on pictures to enlarge)

Here is a sample of the first steps in a still life demonstration presented to my Saturday morning class. 

Colored pencil is a slow process, but very enjoyable.  The artist mixes colors by layering them over each other. By keeping the point of the pencil very sharp and using a light touch, you can preserve the tooth of the paper. The more colors and layers used will help the artist produce a picture that has a rich blend of color.

Floral

Ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

11" x 14" Colored pencil on Stonehenge drawing paper.

The Flower 

 by Barbara Goodsitt

Sunshine pours down:

Acceptance, loving openness, joy and pleasure.

The flower opens.

Darkness comes:

Bringing judgment, insecurity, fear and pain.

The flower closes.

We are flowers cycling through life.

Moods change and unseen powers wash over us,

We do our best.

We have our time to blossom and grow, 

Host a bee, and have our petals plucked.

We have our time to close up and protect.

But being perennial,

We can bloom again in another season.

Mandala's Bring Happiness!

I have really enjoyed making Mandalas over the past couple of years.  Mandalas originate from the Buddhist and Hindu religions.  Here is a video produced by Melissa Shiff,  an artist who uses Jewish symbols to make animated Mandalas. If you are interested, follow the link to  Melissa Shiff's Jewish Mandalas.

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

The Sunglass Series

ⓒ 2012  Barbara Goodsitt

Here are the first two in my series of reflections from sunglasses.  The bottom piece was taken from a photo of my son on the 4th of July. The top one is a photo of my daughter. It is more creative and I added the image of clouds and a landscape from my imagination.  I hope to use all family members who will cooperate with me :)