Squiggly Line Figure Drawing

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Ann Arbor Women Artists recently rented a space where we have several artists studios, hold workshops, meetings, lectures and life drawing sessions.

I joined the life drawing group. Here is my most recent figure drawing done with colored pencils. I  experimented with a squiggly line technique that was inspired by John Smolko's beautiful colored pencil paintings. This was done in a two hour sitting.

New Colored Pencil Drawing Lesson

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Here is one of the new lessons I will be including in my next colored pencil drawing class on Saturdays with Washtenaw Community College - Life Long Learning. This will be presented after students work on some basic exercises. This piece provides the opportunity to learn:

• tonal layering
• how to distinguish between foreground and background
• developing dark backgrounds
• working with odorless mineral spirits 
• using colorless blenders. 

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt
(click on image to enlarge)

New Years

Life Drawing

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Happy New Year! 

Best of luck to those out there who are trying to improve themselves.  Let us hope we always find new goals to work towards.

I will be joining a figure drawing group held with Ann Arbor Women Artists. This New Year also  finds me teaching more colored pencil drawing classes (see previous post) as well as developing a new course to help artists beak through "creative blocks" with creative exercises.

New Saturday Afternoon Colored Pencil Drawing Classes Starting in January

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Colored Pencil Drawing is a very meditative activity. I teach a tonal layering technique that is very relaxing. Students are usually enthusiastic about colored pencil drawing after they try it out.  My approach to teaching is geared towards helping each individual improve their drawing abilities in a supportive and joyful atmosphere. I will do demonstrations at each class.  Come join us for an 8 week Saturday afternoon class starting January 19th, located in a beautiful art studio at Washtenaw Community College.

This corrected link will take you to the art classes :

Register for colored pencil drawing at WCC online by clicking this link http://www.wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning/browse/view/category/art-photography/

Last Art Show of 2012

Joe and Rosies Coffee & Tea

I just hung my last art exhibit of the year at Joe and Rosies coffee shop in Dexter with my friend Nicki Griffith. Check out her webiste at Nickigriffith.com. We have exhibited together at least three times.
We recently attended a concert by Dianne Reeves and Raul Midón at Hill Auditorium with some good friends. Dianne Reeves has been greatly influenced by Sarah Vaughan and is a wonderful jazz singer. Raul Midon is amazing too. He played guitar and bongos at the same time! Enjoy the links to all of these artists!

Giclee Prints

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt
Michigan Cherries, Joyful & Delicious, Berry Bowl

I will be making a print of these three paintings available for sale. The originals are each 14" x 14"  on Stonehenge Paper and have all been exhibited in juried shows.  A Giclee can include all three images in one frame, or each one separately.  Prices are available upon request.

Happy Thanksgiving

Goodbye Autumn
Ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.  I hope you count your blessings during this season. Try to make note of what you do have, and don't concentrate on what you don't have. That is one key to happiness.

Also, here is a link to a wonderful article about Sarah Hale  who is largely responsible for making Thanksgiving a national holiday.

2013 Annual Arts and Cultural Guide from the Arts Alliance

Ann Arbor's Arts Alliance  2013 'ANN'ual Arts and Cultural Guide came out this weekend. The guide was published in the local edition of the New York Times, and I was very honored to see my artwork on page 9.

 

The Arts Alliance promotes leadership and creates opportunities for artists and cultural organizations that stimulate economic development and build strong, vibrant communities in our region.

The Arts Alliance is a county-wide organization working to create an environment where culture and creativity can flourish and the arts are accessible to all. We’re an assembly of organizations and people just like you who believe in the power of arts and culture to make our world a better place. The Arts Alliance does the behind-the-scenes work that helps our nonprofit cultural organizations, creative businesses, and artists do what they do best: create great art, celebrate our cultural richness, and help the rest of us understand our world a little bit better.

- from the a3arts.org website