A Look Inside an Artist's Sketchbook

My high school art teacher, Rick Flanery, (see his school website here,) was one of the first people who encouraged me to keep a sketchbook. Not only is it a place to record images, sketches, and visual representations, but an artist's sketchbook becomes a place for her to record history, thoughts, discoveries and inspirations.











First of all, you see pencil drawings that were completed shortly after my high school years in Mr. Flanery's art classes and during my first year of college.






















Next, you have a sneak peak into the beginnings of my current pen and ink drawing styles.























Finally, take a look at one of my first 'formal,' (although a sketchbook is usually informal,) attempts at adding color to my pen and ink designs.























As I mentioned, a sketchbook can be like a journal as the artist records history through visual representations. Not all these drawings are dated, but I remember basically and sometimes specifically where I was and what I was doing when I drew the sketches... such as relaxing at home on a weekend or summer break from college, visiting relatives for holidays, sitting with my great aunt during a chemotherapy treatment, or sitting around at the pool with friends...

Walking Art

So, what does an artist and art teacher dress up as for Fall Festival?



Walking Art.....

























Here you see me dressed as Renoir's painting, "Le Moulin de la Galette,"
during my fall festival role as a face painter.

(My portrait was courtesy of a fellow facepainter, pictured below.)

Stokes County Fair

This past September, I entered some art, crafts, and cookies in the Stokes County Fair. This fair is very traditional and somewhat small. It has unique categories, and I was curious to see which other professional artists would enter work in the fair and what kind of work they would enter. (I was also inspired by my pastor's wife and children who always enter the Stokes County Fair.)

I was excited to be named Best of Show in the Fine Arts Department for my pen and ink drawing.

(Photo courtesy of my husband)


I also ventured into the crafts and cooking category.
I won 9 ribbons out of 11 entries.

My Favorite Art Media

1. Pen & Ink

2. Clay

3. Acrylic Paint

4. Pencil/Graphite

5. Watercolor Paint

6. Paper

7. Yarn

8. Fabric

9. Charcoal

10. Ink

11. Colored Pencil

12. Pastel

A Close Up

Contemplations of a Photographer


















Details...





















Using your surroundings...

Colors of Nature

This weekend, we visited Western North Carolina to visit some friends. We drove near Grandfather Mountain and detoured slightly onto the Blueridge Parkway. The fall trees and colors were painted their annual reds, oranges, and yellows, but the weather was unusually warm, which made traveling and photography very comfortable and enjoyable.


Some of our Friends, and Fellow Photographers




























Experiments with
Light, Shadow & Reflections


























Framing the Fall Colors

Another Close Up

A Close Up

Photos and Portraiture

Just a few months ago, I also completed a photo shoot with Natalie, of The Shrubbery. (Natalie would say it was definitely a few months ago because it was very hot!) We were on location at Old Salem and other surrounding areas. The shoot was a mix of traditional and contemporary poses as well as new style contrasted to traditional spaces.

A Blast from the Past

Spring 2008, I completed a senior portrait shoot for a cousin, Wayne. We did on location portraits at his high school as well as throughout the surrounding town of Pilot Mountain.












The portraits reflect some modern and contemporary styles in traditional places. They also contrast the clothing and the environment as well as the pose, facial expression, and layout.

Art versus Craft

The Paths of Arts & Crafts



Webster's Dictionary defines art as "skill acquired by experience, study, or observation" and "decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter." Craft is defined as "skill in planning, making, or executing" and connects craft to a trade or group of tradesmen.

From my experience and research, art is more 'open-ended' and requires the artist to make decisions and incorporate his or her own ideas. Craft often uses a 'recipe,' formula, or set of instructions. Crafts are often able to be reproduced in exact copies while art lends itself to being unique originals.

This discussion has come up in art and craft circles for ages. I have discussed this subject as an art student in college as well as with fellow teachers not in the art department. Just today, a friend and I considered this issue when discussing fair contest results and judging criteria...

Fair Art

The Annual Dixie Classic Fair is underway. I always hang an exhibit of student work and have been entering a few of my own pieces for the last couple years. The following are the entries that placed in the professional fine arts competitions:

1st Place: Graphic Design

1st Place: Pen & Ink Drawing

1st Place: Handmade Book








2nd Place: Weaving

4th Place: Black & White Photo


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An overall view of my student exhibit...
Ribbons include 1-1st place, 2-2nd place, 1-3rd place, 2-Honorable Mention!

A Birth of a Design

Today is my birthday and what a perfect day to begin my online collection of creations, designs, and otherwise exhibit of art work, particularly since I have spent some of this day creating...

I am an art teacher in my 5th year of teaching. (I also teach math and reading to gifted students.)

On this blog, you will find examples of my own work, which I complete to enhance my abilities for teaching as well as to decorate and sometimes give as gifts.

Also, I am appreciative of my God-given talent. Matthew 25:15 says "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey." (This parable is discussing money but can apply literally in my case.)

Enjoy the art... Leave comments; offer critiques... Perhaps you will even be inspired to DESIGN! ADD COLOR! CREATE!