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Well, it took over a week, but finally this saxophone is drawn. And I can’t wait to never see this dang thing again! Waaaaaay too many buttons.
If it weren’t for this blog, I would have ditched it last Wednesday.
-Jones
About a year ago, when contemplating leaving my former employment at Enterprise, one of the motivators was that I recognized a need to get back to my artistic roots.
Before I found a new job, or even looked for one, I did some research for local art programs that wouldn’t break the bank, and pledged to myself that I’d make time for more school (art classes).
I even posted it on my former blog (wstandsforwe) as a goal:
“Obtain a Graphic Design Certificate from MA College of Art and Design (still need to apply)”
Yeah. So. Hasn’t happened yet.
The program lasts 3 years (part-time), and requires a portfolio, letters of recommendation, etc. Before I apply I need to accomplish some things. Buying a Mac and getting the Adobe programs I need is step 1 (along with other art supplies). Building a portfolio I can be proud of is step 2. I’ll worry about letters of recommendation (step 3), and how long we are actually going to be in Boston (not a step, but pretty critical), later. I’m finally on the path though!
I know I’m not the only person who has blown off art to make time for a more streamlined, practical life/job (or motherhood, though I’m not there yet). But, let’s be honest – it hasn’t made us happy. If you’re thinking “I know” then I think you should make your own 12 for 2012 list! Let’s do this together!
Below is my ambitious plan to build a diverse art portfolio before 2012 ends:
1. Draw the musical instruments in my house (multiple sketches/styles)
2. Learn the “encaustic” technique and DO IT (read: invest in new art supplies)
3. Do a series of crooked Boston 3-story house prints (hand carved)
4. Finish my mixed media city-scape
5. Learn how to emboss paper & make my own greeting cards
6. Design my own Christmas cards this year (and send them).
7. Learn how to book-bind and make journals/books
8. Visit 3 major art museums in the city
9. Learn HTML code
10. Do a mixed media using sheets of music
11. Illustrator/Photoshop prints: make 10 inspiring quotes come to life.
12. Design a print – send it to spoonflower.com and get it printed on fabric and use it on a project (home decor).
Hold me accountable!
-Jones
I’ll be completely honest, it’s been about 6 years since the last time I pulled out a sketchbook and a drawing pencil, so I wasn’t sure how this attempt would work out to bust out the ol’ art skills.
Apparently, I was successful in impressing my husband, who gave me that deer-in-headlights “WOW, you can draw?!!!” totally stunned response. Yep, although we went to college together and he knew I was an art major, he was genuinely floored that I had unearthed a forsaken talent.
Brigham was at school practicing all day on Saturday, so I took it upon myself to pull out one of the 7 musical instruments currently living in my apartment, and just take a stab at drawing it. Yeah, you read that right, we have 7 instruments: guitar, piano keyboard, flute, viola, trumpet, sax, and lets not forget the recorder (that thing you played in 4th grade). Why, you may ask? Brigham actually had more instruments up until a month ago (we used to have a trombone and clarinet too) until he returned them, but for one of his majors (Music Ed) he has to prove that he can proficiently play each one, get tested, and then return all of them when he proves he can.
Since he is graduating this summer, I have a deadline if I want to draw any of these.
Anyway, I digress. In my head, I imagine myself doing a pen & ink line drawing, and then manipulating it with cool colors and patterns on photoshop/illustrator. Eventually, that will probably happen. I’d really love to draw every single instrument a couple of times from different vantage points and then carve them out on linoleum and do prints and mixed medias from original artwork. Maybe later this year. For now, this is what I had time to do.
Forgive the smudges, and not totally accurate perspective. I’m a little rusty.
-Jones
