34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl

Mary Sterner Lawson's photo collage of Sketchcrawl Tallahassee participants (and Museum Exhibits Specialist Sarah Wagoner [standing bottom left photo] who is the creative planner for our upcoming exhibit)

34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl: New member showcase: Tim White did amazing and rapid drawings of the pioneer architecture with his micron pen--wish you all could see his wonderful sketchbooks!
Tim White

Tim White

Our local Sketchcrawl group got together for the 34th International drawing marathon today. The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, one of our favorite and most inspirational sketchspots, hosted the group--offering free admission and a gallery exhibit of our sketches. Free admission to the park on Jan 29th after 2 pm and Feb 11th all day to anyone who comes to view the exhibit. Thanks Tallahassee Museum!

Participants today included, Jennifer Clinard, Mark Fletcher, Bill Otersen, Barbara Psimas, Mary Sterner Lawson, and Tim White.

Today Jennifer Clinard finished her sketch of our long-time animal friend Carmella the cow (who just recently passed away) by completing the background

Mark Fletcher's portraits/sketches of our new calf Maizey, with goats behind her

Bill Otersen captured the essence of the ever-moving emus

Bill Otersen can even draw while waiting in line for lunch!

Some members sketched despite difficult life circumstances today. Thanks for your efforts!

Other members who have drawn at the Museum and will be in the show Jan 29

include John Bevis, Sara Chang, Dede Harter and Jeff Zenick.

Mark Fletcher's sketch of Ann spinning stories and yarn

Jennifer Clinard's beautiful otter

Bill Otersen's vulture

Mark Fletcher's Blacksmiths

Barb Psimas' landscape

Mary Sterner Lawson's "The Sketchcrawlers"

Mary Sterner Lawson's "The Little Candlemakers"

Mary Sterner Lawson's "Heating the Parafin for Candlemaking "

Mary Sterner Lawson's "The Contemplative Chandler"

Although she did not join us at the Tallahassee Museum crawl, Joyce Raichelson's drawing is in the spirit of Sketchcrawl and we hope she will come with us next time. Joyce drew this scene at Dorothy Oven Park.

If anyone sketched on their own in the Tallahssee area outside the museum on this worldwide art day, please email your jpgs to me at my email turtlehillclaystudio@yahoo.com for posting at www.sketchcrawl.com

2 Exhibits!

Check out both exhibits!

Sketchcrawling @ the Museum

January 27--February 26, 2012

Reception: January 29, 2:00--4:00 pm

Tallahassee Museum

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs094/1102010840006/archive/1109091687874.html

"Call to Crawl" for the 34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl on January 21st 2012

Helllllllo Tallahasseeeeee! This your "Call to Crawl" for the 34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl on January 21st 2012 (that's 1/21/12 for all you numerologists). Location will probably be the Museum grounds--in light of our upcoming exhibit: maybe the rehab zoo there? still a lot of uncharted swamp and critters (and people)

World Wide Sketchcrawl 33

Hi World Wide Sketchercrawlers! The Tallahassee group went to the "Junior Museum" (now known as the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science) for World Wide SketchCrawl number 33. My first sketch is of a dinosaur made from metal car parts by artist Jim Gary (I drew this at the Jr. Museum after returning to Tallahassee --not really for the crawl, but related by location--after returning from my sister Jane's wedding to Bill in Ohio). My other 3 sketches are from THE official worldwide sketchcrawl day when I was still in Ohio: Nephew Casey on posing as "The Thinker" on a ball, a covered bridge (we ate excellent pizza in a restaurant in another covered bridge), and the gazebo under beautiful trees that lost their yellow leaves in the 50 mph winds on crawl day --(looks like the gazebo will blow over in my sketch)--the wedding had to be moved indoors). My last sketch is the support of an old log building. Our first contributions for World Wide SketchCrawl number 33 came from Mary Sterner Lawson who chose these 4: Bill Otersen's "Museum Critters" sketch just came in! Other sketches will be posted as they come in.

A Brushstroke Path 2011

Do your holiday shopping at our show/sale!

Watercolor Sketches; Curtains & Contrasts

Last class we talked about contrasts.
Your homework was to use curtains (or similar motif) to augment contrast effects using as many of the following as possible:
tone vs hue, line vs wash, neutrals vs intense colors, detailed vs generalized, use of contrasting media within a single artwork, sharp vs fuzzy, cinnamon vs sugar?!;
Here are a couple quickies: 1. looking out my back window at the first cool day in a long time, and another example 2. looking into the hot oven at a the first pie in a long time. [click on the images to enlarge]

The fresh pears were from Betty Magnuson's tree--thanks for the inspiration and dessert, Betty! yum!

South Carolina State Parks Artist's Residency sketches

South Carolina State Parks honored me as Artist in Residence at

Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area this summer. You really need to visit this gem--

fantastic views on mountain hikes from easy to strenuous at your doorstep; right in the middle of gorges and lake country with good fishing and more wonderful waterfalls than you can see in a lifetime--many 50-100 feet high.
I always recommend staying in state parks rather than hotels and K-TSNA confirms that; really a value (like all of SC state Parks) and with a great location. The cabin was very comfortable and big enough for extended family/friends (sleeps 10). Truly something for everyone (we had toddler to seniors with us): history and natural resources exhibits, art museums and galleries, Clemson University and the beautiful City of Greeneville are all easy day trips.

We really recommend camping here (either with hook-ups and clean, modern showers/facilities or primitive campsites on the lake's edge). Best to rent the cabin for at least a week--a real bargain for this area, especially if you share with family/friends.

Park Managers Kevin Blanton and Assistant Park Manager Michael Trotter are very helpful and know the area well. Accurate maps and printed info (including driving tours) are available at the Visitors' Center.

I'll just post a few of my 31 on-location sketches.
There's a lot more to do in the area than we managed this summer; all the things we did enjoy is too long a list to blog. We'd love to see the fall colors and the spring blossoming in this area--works by other artists show how unique this area is in each season. If we can't get back this fall, we are certainly going to SC next year!

Get more info/make reservations for South Carolina State Parks at

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/
or

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/