tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20162831009876400462024-03-04T23:31:30.461-05:00Illustration / Art DispatchInside the work process, in concept, sketches, drawing, painting, resources and reference, with the daily illustration/art dispatch from Artist and Creative Consultant Mairin-Taj Caya.MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-5408305954149429952016-07-30T18:05:00.000-04:002016-08-04T18:10:29.773-04:00"Scrap Sneaks" - Painting Imagined Landscapes and Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In between other work, while seated at the drawing desk and transitioning through entirely unrelated work to what I'm about to show here - graphite rendering of representational trees from observation and mythological subject allusions -<i> I felt a need to shake something out.</i><br />
<br />
I honestly had no conscious notion as to what, why, or how.<br />
<br />
<i><b>It helps, sometimes in life, to let go of the steering wheel and just see what the corporeal vehicle our psyches flutter within will do on its own.</b></i><br />
<br />
I had some old <i>cold-press watercolor paper</i> <i>primed </i>and taped down in individual, identical squares that were waiting patiently on a board against the wall.<br />
<br />
I took out <b><i>acrylics</i></b>, which, if you have seen my work, you know I rarely ever use, and never just on its own as the medium of choice.<br />
<br />
Here's what I scribbled out, rather fast, <i>no under drawing</i>, <i>no reference</i>, just...allowing the sponged up <b><i>imagination</i></b> to exude some of it's <i>visualization</i> in a way not dissimilar to <i><b>free writing.</b></i><br />
<br />
I discovered they were <i>landscapes</i>, at different times of the day, with different geographical features as focus.<br />
<br />
All are acrylic on primed cold-press, <b>3x3"</b>, a total of six, and I deliberately restricted myself to two brushes.<br />
<br />
It was a refreshing exercise for me, and I am glad to have this group to gain further insight into how my learning is going.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if these will have any future application or if they are just what they are, and I'll occasionally add to the batch... We'll see!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0k4z3hKQoN01T13s5gvU1UNW15AvMwuWUdMiTqO3ALbBWtfIEuwVgJ9x02WSgCGqtvPza6ChshfiMVM06l078Bm3kaQG7P4SKYcpV7DI7F2MtfekGrbTd_i_Eh_H90lefxIqq5xldSHq/s1600/1.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0k4z3hKQoN01T13s5gvU1UNW15AvMwuWUdMiTqO3ALbBWtfIEuwVgJ9x02WSgCGqtvPza6ChshfiMVM06l078Bm3kaQG7P4SKYcpV7DI7F2MtfekGrbTd_i_Eh_H90lefxIqq5xldSHq/s320/1.WEB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sundown over Tree Hill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SuPRWMzhaZbo5q5pWgxgr1jGwISFhgQtwg0P5ro4B6al6PsxUvVgIczRD81DfwAV63rwHDwyqZScw1nAPyFWoKi3nCBXBsYGjZmv0z_XQkRNDVRwwUUFTiBCOUxOD1pXilqWaDOaz9Nx/s1600/2.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SuPRWMzhaZbo5q5pWgxgr1jGwISFhgQtwg0P5ro4B6al6PsxUvVgIczRD81DfwAV63rwHDwyqZScw1nAPyFWoKi3nCBXBsYGjZmv0z_XQkRNDVRwwUUFTiBCOUxOD1pXilqWaDOaz9Nx/s320/2.WEB.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight over Lowlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGA0RM6MK3f60KRQEdFwtLKukdSHmbnmf3GDIg363mZ0JdPM2J8F_4ABLAYrQBJRKFUeXA24KOmu9NKLqT-5VCuSnBZnz6yLq4pVSlMWAzwQZLO_2CmUAu_io1_PuTXx9B1g6InrtVusv/s1600/3.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGA0RM6MK3f60KRQEdFwtLKukdSHmbnmf3GDIg363mZ0JdPM2J8F_4ABLAYrQBJRKFUeXA24KOmu9NKLqT-5VCuSnBZnz6yLq4pVSlMWAzwQZLO_2CmUAu_io1_PuTXx9B1g6InrtVusv/s320/3.WEB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonrise across Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeog8R5E6vx_a5iys5VCHja3MfUQe8c8fTX8ruGsg4zS2rW59mHpw0HkxqCOmtGZ2GOLCuH1EzOOZW7XAe_vZ82s9FXWF5r5Astoa_c1hjchxTZ9z1Xsn_lFNwy_pN2n_brDBqLJeNfGcg/s1600/4.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeog8R5E6vx_a5iys5VCHja3MfUQe8c8fTX8ruGsg4zS2rW59mHpw0HkxqCOmtGZ2GOLCuH1EzOOZW7XAe_vZ82s9FXWF5r5Astoa_c1hjchxTZ9z1Xsn_lFNwy_pN2n_brDBqLJeNfGcg/s320/4.WEB.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise across Fields</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwfDStI3nrrGvO_pEEeMvAJCUYhPWFYS4fia13OLMFYVk37MpdnGA0gDUl6-uykkmLJkqfjCkJd_-pJqD5msj53s6pd5CgoITVz1rsU0TqaVvKwnr2QiZMxkBaQcvXK2GeVAG7XKk-BlE/s1600/5.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwfDStI3nrrGvO_pEEeMvAJCUYhPWFYS4fia13OLMFYVk37MpdnGA0gDUl6-uykkmLJkqfjCkJd_-pJqD5msj53s6pd5CgoITVz1rsU0TqaVvKwnr2QiZMxkBaQcvXK2GeVAG7XKk-BlE/s320/5.WEB.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylight through Woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiBfo2_czqfe3ulZ1IB72ux53jPzbfPxntx8Tl092ADt1aAinf28sdVrwQFBnWhMoozLhXyMUmMb9bGOvHwQ601i0UDTMEZf14vmHMdv1l1pUXTyGa4atIQmZQaIkL9N_dsWBeeNTAiP7/s1600/6.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiBfo2_czqfe3ulZ1IB72ux53jPzbfPxntx8Tl092ADt1aAinf28sdVrwQFBnWhMoozLhXyMUmMb9bGOvHwQ601i0UDTMEZf14vmHMdv1l1pUXTyGa4atIQmZQaIkL9N_dsWBeeNTAiP7/s320/6.WEB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sundown beyond Waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm not sure why I jumped to water for that last one, but it was a playful flurry of <i><b>color</b></i>, and it was fun to try out.<br />
<br />
<i>Which one is</i> <i style="font-weight: bold;">your </i><i>favorite</i><i style="font-weight: bold;">?</i><br />
<br />
So those are some recent <i><b>scrap sneaks</b></i> from the <i>studio</i> - It's been a while, I know. More to come!<br />
<br />
Happy creating,<br />
-Mairin-Taj<br />
<br /></div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.30551439999999339.940622499999996 -76.466875899999991 40.1351285 -76.1441529tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-79620090369534591922016-07-18T17:26:00.000-04:002016-08-08T15:07:39.057-04:00Plein Air Watercolors and Adventure in the Wilds of Maine - Summer 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've taken part of July to escape into <i><b>Nature</b></i>.<br />
<br />
The big <i>'N'</i> has long been absent from my life - <i>Isn't it amazing how tragic the lack of it is, but so commonplace?</i><br />
<br />
Anyways, I dabbled in the unfamiliar world of <i><b>plein air painting</b></i>, or rough <i>paint sketching</i>, in my case, and produced a handful of studies to make note-like memories of truly stunning land and weather.<br />
<br />
We visited <b><i>Maine</i></b>, in the far north, just a hop and a skip over from the French Canadian border, and were immersed in the lush green and wet scent of historical logging country.<br />
<br />
Focusing on quiet expeditions out into the forested mountains and massive <i><b>Moosehead Lake</b></i> territory, we fumbled at balancing adventure time with art time.<br />
It's hard to whip out the handmade book and paints to set up a study session when you're in the throws of breathless admiration for a <b><i>3196 ft</i></b> rocky climb shrouded in mystery. Equally difficult to get to those art tools when you're paddling around island after island covered in unique flora and putting those muscles to good use, gazing up into the watercolor skies, out across blue layers of land, and down into the clear depths of cold northern water.<br />
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But I have some samples, and photographic evidence to share, nonetheless:<br />
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I'm sharing the scans from the book I was working in, handmade paper and leather bound, rather rustic, with hand-written notes on location and time - Fairly intimate.<br />
<br />
Also, all the <i>plein air watercolor sketches</i> are done on either one page or a double page spread, making them either 5x7" or 10x7", at most.<br />
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Fairly small works, taken down between <i>fifteen minutes</i> and <i>half an hour</i>.<br />
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In a few instances, the atmosphere was so wet with mist and rain, and the washes of cool color on the paper so <i>wet</i>, that I had to spend most of the time on them just getting them to dry enough to add more defining strokes.<br />
At <i>Kelly's Landing</i>, I was sheltered under a little bench roof, surrounded in water and rain, huddled in a raincoat, and painting on my lap, briefly. Fun!<br />
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The last one is clearly more rendered out than the earlier wilderness sketches, and was aided by a photo of the <i>lighthouse</i>, as I completed it on the drive back down through seven states to home.<br />
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For those not familiar, it is the famous <i>Cape Elizabeth Portland Headlight</i>, right on the coast of Maine. The tourists, the wedding party, the school kids, oh all of them were flocking to the place! We stayed maybe half an hour, at most.<br />
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I started it with quick washes of color notes taking down the orientation of the water, the horizon, the distant land and rock shapes, clouds, and subtle shifts between everything.<br />
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For whatever adventure's you're on, go outside, live under the sun a while, and take some art supplies with you - They make for creating more lived-in memories than photographs, in many cases.<br />
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Happy Summer!<br />
-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Greenville, ME, USA45.459486299999988 -69.59058149999998545.281310299999987 -69.91330499999998 45.637662299999988 -69.26785799999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-32251279627357258832016-06-06T18:18:00.000-04:002016-06-20T18:24:28.036-04:00Connecting Water and Heaven - Tree Post V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i>The Infinity Tree</i></b>, the t<i>ree bridge</i>, merges <i>water </i>and<i> sky </i>through the realms of Ether.<br />
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Or so many origin myths allude.<br />
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This tree is the vision. We have the final drawing stage for this iteration, precursor to the painting, and a part of the <i>Tree Bridge</i> series.<br />
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I'm showing the final drawing, but also, I have some more <i>conceptual roughs</i> to shed some light on. These additional process sketches came out of the process for the painting, now beginning its fresh life on the studio board.<br />
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From the last tree post, <b><i><a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/04/on-drawing-trees-nature-tree-post-iv.html">IV</a></i></b>, here's the rest of the development in rendering the drawing out:<br />
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<i><b>"The Infinity Tree"</b></i><br />
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Final drawing with <i><b>graphite</b></i> and <i>graphite wash</i> on <i>hot press</i>, 10x15".<br />
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I do not have this framed yet, as the final drawing frame is a special project in itself. I'm building it out of not-so-standard materials for a unique finish. More for that along with the painting development!<br />
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I still need to make full size scans, as well.<br />
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<b><i>Pre-Orders</i></b> for <i>art prints</i> of the drawing are available now.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/contact-your-artist.html"><b>Contact me</b> directly for interest <b>here</b></a></i><br />
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But then there are those conceptual roughs that I peppered throughout the process of this drawing development.<br />
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To shake the creative process up a bit, and keep the blood oxygenated nicely along the way, these were done in <i><b>mixed media</b></i> on drawing paper, with the tempting <i>gold leaf</i> touch.<br />
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Here are some <i>process</i> and detail samples:<br />
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Notice, these <i><b>concept roughs</b></i> are all not only <i>mixed media</i>, but an <i><b>abstraction</b></i> of representational tree form, designed and gestural, each at approximately 5x7".<br />
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There will be more on the development in <i>future application</i> of these rough trees.<br />
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On to the <b><i>Infinity Tree</i></b> <i>painting</i>, for this project!<br />
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-Mairin-Taj</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.30551439999999339.940622499999996 -76.466875899999991 40.1351285 -76.1441529tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-25379977405012644462016-05-12T14:10:00.000-04:002016-05-31T14:17:03.687-04:00The Making of "Patience" and "Intuition" - Twin Allegorical Illustrative Drawings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><b>"Patience"</b></i> and <i><b>"Intuition"...</b></i><br />
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Concepts of value in the <i>human psyche</i>. Skills of <i>perception</i> and <i>volition</i> that are strengthened with time and self-discipline, or honed and refined with care, and experience.<br />
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<i>*Scroll down for the content artist's statement</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvVGmLaB85SoQC3eEWcpjgNZnthzRe9bnjwbLuNYnRSnURc-OqCsOij_-_BMMwTpvKj29TH1ctKqwXWdYnDk8_7GZTzjAjxMxu5V_eJiVof1iZteLmO9V5A_ZCJrdzbBsWtGbfbNDkaD_/s1600/_MG_9216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvVGmLaB85SoQC3eEWcpjgNZnthzRe9bnjwbLuNYnRSnURc-OqCsOij_-_BMMwTpvKj29TH1ctKqwXWdYnDk8_7GZTzjAjxMxu5V_eJiVof1iZteLmO9V5A_ZCJrdzbBsWtGbfbNDkaD_/s400/_MG_9216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Patience" and "Intuition", respectively, *custom framed, pre-show photo - May 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My notable colleague <i><b>Evan Kitson</b></i> curated this show called <a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/05/currently-in-show-beyond-surface-survey.html"><i><b>"Beyond the Surface: A Survey of Contemporary Drawing"</b></i></a>, bringing together the drawn work of artists from the East Coast metropolitan area.<br />
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I knew these two concepts that I had been long wanting to put to paper would be the ones I would contribute to the exhibition.<br />
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The concepts are near and dear to me, for <i>philosophical</i> and <i>personal</i> reasons. Once I had articulated the intention for each of the drawings for myself, I set to work visualizing the composition and working with a photographer friend to create the figure reference I needed, using myself and the choice model and friend for the other image.<br />
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Here's an idea:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc5A2P1EF5ucTd859vmYU0GzJLNKDVcZsIxd2uMzoOMQVWd8dhigqmOzpPH0SndeEzidc0lFxV2UqMZaUDgA44g6YImqwjACbUQf8fve-YrThw5eSvCQXyp0uCsijGo2zjvfPw85jn4e7/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc5A2P1EF5ucTd859vmYU0GzJLNKDVcZsIxd2uMzoOMQVWd8dhigqmOzpPH0SndeEzidc0lFxV2UqMZaUDgA44g6YImqwjACbUQf8fve-YrThw5eSvCQXyp0uCsijGo2zjvfPw85jn4e7/s400/IMG_5983.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample photo ref for "Patience" drapery...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I tend to <i>doodle</i> out my initial composition thumbnails at true<i> 'thumbnail' </i>scale, about an inch or so large, in the <i><b>"ideas"</b></i> sketchbook I have... I get the thoughts down fast, scramble them about a bit in various iterations, then go to the best ones with full scale gusto.<br />
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And so begins the <i>drawing</i> - I'm not bashful about going all in, especially for a show:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCYsDD8pHfGmymn22ZVcbN-rcAPWOV78ZPVt6uwBSZezwvifQ3EXue4vV1EOnn5vJ9OCTqHUiHpDYgJmDWDCMcgUNor1ygSruIvd-h8F2ysfdWe7wUBjOjiSpAdctl-_KDahFOkBieGAr/s1600/_MG_8847+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCYsDD8pHfGmymn22ZVcbN-rcAPWOV78ZPVt6uwBSZezwvifQ3EXue4vV1EOnn5vJ9OCTqHUiHpDYgJmDWDCMcgUNor1ygSruIvd-h8F2ysfdWe7wUBjOjiSpAdctl-_KDahFOkBieGAr/s640/_MG_8847+copy.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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I work with reference that I take myself, if I need it, and I work all by eye, I do not trace, I create my content drawing loosely, building up <i>internal structure</i> abstractly into cleaner, attentive, representational form.<br />
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It's easiest and most natural for me to find outer contour by the dictation of gestural and circular mass structure; <i>in other words, the final outline of a figure, for example, becomes more accurate through first understanding the internal</i>, underlying <i>anatomy</i>, as well as impression of <i>character</i>. Structure defines likeness.<br />
<i><b>Start from within, work your way out,</b></i> and you won't have to erase so much, or get so lost along the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNYXdDAEm5jskNcY_30v_HE3pnp1lIwuu2EV7cmmLB3ajVYyGL8NG070lPBKJBkv_W1jbMK_mpLiToPDpOHPmRf1IimirCyvxKQOnpvFKB56fO43XOXg8KUJHzYY2cy0fyXCjrrmEEoCN/s1600/_MG_8923+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNYXdDAEm5jskNcY_30v_HE3pnp1lIwuu2EV7cmmLB3ajVYyGL8NG070lPBKJBkv_W1jbMK_mpLiToPDpOHPmRf1IimirCyvxKQOnpvFKB56fO43XOXg8KUJHzYY2cy0fyXCjrrmEEoCN/s640/_MG_8923+WEB.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXvzTZfxs1U4HzDGN6DaE3NKt8lrrBLRbFdeY6HwvoKZjqK5F4QbBUIRRmwO2_0yldqVttXgn1XJlOFanikW8PwN2pQ-MQ7qA0KnH5xgKOUTmqVTIjf8QajOZ_lXfYOFsQiM7kbFXFzsj/s1600/_MG_8927+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXvzTZfxs1U4HzDGN6DaE3NKt8lrrBLRbFdeY6HwvoKZjqK5F4QbBUIRRmwO2_0yldqVttXgn1XJlOFanikW8PwN2pQ-MQ7qA0KnH5xgKOUTmqVTIjf8QajOZ_lXfYOFsQiM7kbFXFzsj/s640/_MG_8927+WEB.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopIsxM5v4GbqVyP9xncXCAPfflG2XwsVmHOQT89EC6b7ImFxsgXmvXRD2m4KWUzk4Qax1zBKo7eNt0-ZNqJT6Jo1uZaP2IaMhymF5K9hJmfNgg5-_yDDL-82W57KUu_hOA3zYeAjuIofQ/s1600/_MG_8939+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopIsxM5v4GbqVyP9xncXCAPfflG2XwsVmHOQT89EC6b7ImFxsgXmvXRD2m4KWUzk4Qax1zBKo7eNt0-ZNqJT6Jo1uZaP2IaMhymF5K9hJmfNgg5-_yDDL-82W57KUu_hOA3zYeAjuIofQ/s640/_MG_8939+WEB.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Working with <i>your own likeness</i> can sometimes be a bit weird, but you have to look at the process as another objective study, stepping away from personal preconceptions as much as possible and exploring what you know of yourself with your inherent insight, but leaving behind insecurities and grand projections of self-image.<br />
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I think artists naturally have more of a capacity for doing this, though, because our sort of permanent job description is to <i><b>observe</b></i> everything, and that means we have an inclination to try and look at ourselves more curiously than others might face themselves.<br />
It's just a theory, but this is my experience.<br />
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I think if you're more willing to <b><i>draw what you see,</i></b> not what you think you see, the <i>result will be more honest</i>, and it will inspire more response in others.<br />
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Here, below, I am content to leave what I've sculpted out of my portrait for now, and continue developing the posture, the torso, the mass of the body, and it's lighting.<br />
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You can see down towards the pelvis and the abdominal section how I'm refining the circular structural shapes into a cohesive whole, and etching in rough sections of tone to then smooth out into a likeness of skin and shadow on skin.<br />
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That tricky hand holding the dirk, or dagger, will come later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzQWHj7K6doyMMRGGkoZDHiLDzG_NZrxbynREqULKwtBVKIKRBW6DiOvUk1R2V2ZeD6VBEurvvYF8Bqpnake2JNFPPxbLQYvOj44DNqVTBoMgPiwN323P-f-oB1xMEyiQ2WQSAIE4rV8B/s1600/_MG_8946+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzQWHj7K6doyMMRGGkoZDHiLDzG_NZrxbynREqULKwtBVKIKRBW6DiOvUk1R2V2ZeD6VBEurvvYF8Bqpnake2JNFPPxbLQYvOj44DNqVTBoMgPiwN323P-f-oB1xMEyiQ2WQSAIE4rV8B/s640/_MG_8946+WEB.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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Below are the sweepingly loose circular structure shapes I've jotted down to get a sense of where the <i><b>osprey bird</b></i> will go, in relation to the figure. It's a rough impression of the inner <i>'wiring'</i> of the bird's body, but that's all I need. I can refine from that, looking at my reference. And I can let little <i>impressionistic moments</i> from this stage linger in the final definition, to give it <i>spontaneity</i> and <i>breathability</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sCK23J2yaSejpESDBfdYffYUCSjtw-TVBB2zpp-HSP7fEKlKo2kGFlsBatIEciSCeGIRkrsXgeheQoBtkqzj948yUy4fErIAtbNLnTW4OYotw0O0OxBr7zvM0-jmhSmK-V1VVAt-p2mm/s1600/_MG_8937+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sCK23J2yaSejpESDBfdYffYUCSjtw-TVBB2zpp-HSP7fEKlKo2kGFlsBatIEciSCeGIRkrsXgeheQoBtkqzj948yUy4fErIAtbNLnTW4OYotw0O0OxBr7zvM0-jmhSmK-V1VVAt-p2mm/s400/_MG_8937+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Using an example of the process from <i><b>"Patience"</b></i> now, you can see the open and gestural swipes from my brush, which I used to add depth of tone and texture to the final drawing. This was a series of layers of fairly dry washes of watercolor.<br />
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I tend to geek out over simple moments, like taking the tape off the parameter of the final drawing, and seeing the stripes of natural white against tone and messy medium: #artnerd<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcRGvSQFtRBe16lr64V9opuwRuPdK1AheWMn43WOdftVXFHWGPNd3kV1oEx4CPwKuVIRXUJY57Oh7Gj-WJqJqtqBysVzJI8vQqmR_zvGeCqezDynrgDnR2PTlPBk7iofStNEYX_80TGrD/s1600/Untitled-1+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcRGvSQFtRBe16lr64V9opuwRuPdK1AheWMn43WOdftVXFHWGPNd3kV1oEx4CPwKuVIRXUJY57Oh7Gj-WJqJqtqBysVzJI8vQqmR_zvGeCqezDynrgDnR2PTlPBk7iofStNEYX_80TGrD/s400/Untitled-1+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The <i>final art</i> for <b><i>"Patience"</i></b>, 7x9 1/2":<br />
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Artist's Statement:<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Patience”</b>
is a personified illustration of the virtue and burden behind personal resolve.
Calmly tenacious, centered within evergreen wisdom, there is a kindled strength
to the seeming vulnerability of slow growth.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQMRj2Pmo2zlojRa8m66uHcuAUUT6PYOYCj7uLkzgiCEkrOHfr_oIgiN9Ml_2jPto3gVn2bnQsH8FV8l2PFyFKDCnW4OqrhWs2o2HA7OGzOGnvSI1_YpRFuldW8D5rGbXBKjqr_EKYDNt/s1600/Patience.D1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQMRj2Pmo2zlojRa8m66uHcuAUUT6PYOYCj7uLkzgiCEkrOHfr_oIgiN9Ml_2jPto3gVn2bnQsH8FV8l2PFyFKDCnW4OqrhWs2o2HA7OGzOGnvSI1_YpRFuldW8D5rGbXBKjqr_EKYDNt/s400/Patience.D1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jtggTVDex9q9MpFEviyP60_ae4wZ_hfSjYigtzxBHwraqRJr5dDOnOuQjuK279k4aDWxJzkLfLc4LRCYxfwnenWyyEVOLODAWI6ytYP1DXGtzU418shI6ZpCm8Tg-CdBCx7Tntye0y4W/s1600/Patience.D2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jtggTVDex9q9MpFEviyP60_ae4wZ_hfSjYigtzxBHwraqRJr5dDOnOuQjuK279k4aDWxJzkLfLc4LRCYxfwnenWyyEVOLODAWI6ytYP1DXGtzU418shI6ZpCm8Tg-CdBCx7Tntye0y4W/s400/Patience.D2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The <i>final art</i> for <i><b>"Intuition"</b></i>, also 7x9 1/2":<br />
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Artist's Statement:<br />
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<i><b>“Intuition”</b> represents, in a parallel manner, the inner sage, that swift perception, a vital philosophy for free spirit and accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> Together, the quiet volition integral to these indomitable realms partner the human icon with universal totems in their own symbolic environment.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVhqh6b5pZtkjfEwfsBQblP0U69hm7MyaDaGfDBJkIUARUEd8yXkpIViwGj1MT2UhfPWNjFTVpQeq1oX_k3KUpTVLyY31zVI9a_jEl1-ey__-L_5Ui4TaR9aPIsYvYKV2pHDFfruYg54S/s1600/Intuition.Final.Scan.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVhqh6b5pZtkjfEwfsBQblP0U69hm7MyaDaGfDBJkIUARUEd8yXkpIViwGj1MT2UhfPWNjFTVpQeq1oX_k3KUpTVLyY31zVI9a_jEl1-ey__-L_5Ui4TaR9aPIsYvYKV2pHDFfruYg54S/s640/Intuition.Final.Scan.WEB.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMrfz1LVjTJFCmLVYqJ0hYm91TvL-IJQSgDyatb7a07vuKret06Ol0mp4U42HOSr9PJcYxchGSXcsvkUumn5JpWl127Gq0zZVTphyphenhyphenjcM2vAJJ1mjIH-HNaoaRAB987nA8pXqYT2YdOlt1/s1600/Intuition.D2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMrfz1LVjTJFCmLVYqJ0hYm91TvL-IJQSgDyatb7a07vuKret06Ol0mp4U42HOSr9PJcYxchGSXcsvkUumn5JpWl127Gq0zZVTphyphenhyphenjcM2vAJJ1mjIH-HNaoaRAB987nA8pXqYT2YdOlt1/s400/Intuition.D2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>"Intuition"</i></b> has already been <span style="color: #cc0000;">SOLD, </span>through <i>Red Raven Art Company</i>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_QuGk5EgA9cO1UiwDAEaBTN-VMG_UcQeJN5rCFf-PjsOwGZnhCvdwEEMJWFsIrTIDnlZetjkpBmYjPnKwJzi6xh8QCsv2DgzlTbjgAvPVYEd1ojYUzzDFz1_H8XtkjrsqDQjLYVOVtQO/s1600/_MG_9219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_QuGk5EgA9cO1UiwDAEaBTN-VMG_UcQeJN5rCFf-PjsOwGZnhCvdwEEMJWFsIrTIDnlZetjkpBmYjPnKwJzi6xh8QCsv2DgzlTbjgAvPVYEd1ojYUzzDFz1_H8XtkjrsqDQjLYVOVtQO/s640/_MG_9219.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<i><b>"Patience"</b></i> is still <i><b><a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/available-originals.html">available for purchase</a></b></i>, <i>custom framed</i>, <i><b>original art:</b></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/store/c3/Prints.html">*<i><b>Fine Art Prints</b></i> of <i><b>"Patience"</b></i> and <i><b>"Intuition"</b></i> are <i>available through my website</i></a><br />
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-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.30551439999999339.940622499999996 -76.466875899999991 40.1351285 -76.1441529tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-15157214457774726442016-05-09T16:11:00.000-04:002016-05-31T16:15:49.604-04:00"Currently In Show" - "Little Saint" at the Sunshine Gallery Community Exhibition!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been so absorbed in producing latest works and process development, as well as attending these shows and other friends shows, that I've been forgetting to post about them!<br />
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Well, I participate in an annual community exhibition for the city of Lancaster held at the <i>Sunshine Gallery</i>, where <i><b>10x10" cradled wood board</b></i>s are provided for each participating artist to do...<i>something</i>...with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XXA-GvXJPujxhU5_UbDrSZ4vGsjC3DKModdkA1N3FoT7qKuFlE8v-Ov26njg_9QcAnlhXwDxiOUtIIJR-wgF0LpcSNKoik2mSLTWixyxp9r4IwnJJ2VKbtCPA1wmPcxLXbwwehzTWMyl/s1600/13164372_1055231191238107_2330602653824655408_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XXA-GvXJPujxhU5_UbDrSZ4vGsjC3DKModdkA1N3FoT7qKuFlE8v-Ov26njg_9QcAnlhXwDxiOUtIIJR-wgF0LpcSNKoik2mSLTWixyxp9r4IwnJJ2VKbtCPA1wmPcxLXbwwehzTWMyl/s640/13164372_1055231191238107_2330602653824655408_n.png" width="459" /></a></div>
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It was a fun challenge for me, as I've never worked on cradled wood before.<br />
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I've been developing thoughts, sketches, studies, and concepts for this recent immersion into the mythology and cultural history of <i><b>trees</b></i>, and I wanted to continue working with the subject for the show.<br />
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So I put this little chappie out there - A <b><i>little "saint"</i></b>:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxnRcFO4y9t-oRoA-ZqHDh_zEJUPhgHjHleC8R05TPWNnA-P6Az-SwIPsUgnhc7oYTSD-ZX0_edEkwi_9tNWH9Bvp5dxtpeqOB0fL6qwsac-uKAguPhyfVu8lGLa9DyWt07UWhxhm1lj0/s1600/_MG_9251+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxnRcFO4y9t-oRoA-ZqHDh_zEJUPhgHjHleC8R05TPWNnA-P6Az-SwIPsUgnhc7oYTSD-ZX0_edEkwi_9tNWH9Bvp5dxtpeqOB0fL6qwsac-uKAguPhyfVu8lGLa9DyWt07UWhxhm1lj0/s400/_MG_9251+WEB.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Little Saint" - Mixed Media on Cradled Wood, 2016</td></tr>
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Some look at the process of exploration playing this concept into a cohesive finished work:<br />
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Gold-leafing is the next step, followed by more layers of matte medium:</div>
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<i><a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/available-originals.html"><b>"Little Saint"</b> is now available for purchase</a></i><br />
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-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.30551439999999339.940622499999996 -76.466875899999991 40.1351285 -76.1441529tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-90344579169888322982016-05-04T17:18:00.000-04:002016-05-17T17:23:25.274-04:00"Currently In Show" - Beyond the Surface: A Survey of Contemporary Drawing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For <i><b>May!</b></i></div>
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New work of mine is a part of an excellent and insightful invitational <i><b>drawing</b></i> exhibition curated by my friend and colleague <i><b><a href="http://www.evankitson.com/">Evan Kitson</a></b></i>, for the <i><a href="http://www.redravenartcompany.com/">Red Raven Art Company</a></i>.<br />
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Finally see the work of <i>twin allegorical drawings</i> <b><i>"Patience"</i></b> and <i><b>"Intuition" </b>(*sold)</i> that I've been working on and have had done and custom framed in eager anticipation for the event.<br />
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As with all of my work, I get over it rather fast, so its older for me than for audiences, but nevertheless...<br />
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Follow the process of creation in the following blog post for the new works, for more contextual technique and storyline!<br />
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The <i>opening reception</i> for <i><b>"Beyond the Surface: </b>A Survey of Contemporary Drawing<b>"</b></i><br />
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<br />The<i> window display</i> for <i><b>Beyond the Surface</b></i>, a curated survey of contemporary drawing, at <i>Red Raven Art Company</i> in Lancaster, PA. Art in the window by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danielle.s.brown.5">Danielle Synopsis Brown</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/randall.digiuseppe">Randall DiGiuseppe</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MairinTajCaya">Mairin-Taj Caya</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/david.m.stallings">David M Stallings</a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stop by and see these framed beauties out in the real world for the first time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOYAEU00n_7WuBvm6bT81cfLJFojk6l5TYz6_MtP6TbnpvdDDBqKlqGJtz9mR1TueCD1x6JWnifoz6o4eIiD1ZsNxdoQe9CcZgJZHHrZYTz9lvz0BJbKCCSTqX0awjuPg4QG3r8eJXYsm/s1600/_MG_9206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOYAEU00n_7WuBvm6bT81cfLJFojk6l5TYz6_MtP6TbnpvdDDBqKlqGJtz9mR1TueCD1x6JWnifoz6o4eIiD1ZsNxdoQe9CcZgJZHHrZYTz9lvz0BJbKCCSTqX0awjuPg4QG3r8eJXYsm/s400/_MG_9206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Intuition" and "Patience", from left to right, respectively, framed and ready!</td></tr>
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See you at the <i><b><a href="http://www.redravenartcompany.com/">Red Raven Art Company</a></b></i> Gallery this month, through the end of May!<br />
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-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.30551439999999339.940622499999996 -76.466875899999991 40.1351285 -76.1441529tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-9940449569038747802016-04-30T17:34:00.000-04:002016-05-19T17:38:56.404-04:00Life Long Study: Explaining the Imperatives of Movement and Anatomy for Artists<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I’ve talked about what it’s like to be a <i>model</i>, and an <i>artist,</i> working with the <i>nude figure</i> before. I am often asked about the situation, and there has been plenty of confusion as well as intrigue into the <i>stigma</i> of the practice, so I wrote something to give a little insight into what actually happens in a figure drawing class, from both the perspective of the model, and the practicing artist, of which I am both.<br /><br /> <i>*Read the post <a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-naked-situation-demystifying-nude.html">"The Naked Situation: Demystifying the Nude Model"</a> here</i><br /><br />But the enigmatic nature of being a <i>visual artist</i> - the study of nature through life-drawing, and the challenging, personal discipline demanded of an artist, for some examples - will always be a stumbling block for many. <br /><br />As a professional creative, I find this confusion fascinating, baffling, and also worthy of empathy.<br /><br />People love art, each in their own way, and cannot escape the <i>visual deluge</i> of not only our times, but of our <i>history</i>. Art is everywhere. For all business and entertainment. Everyone faces it, and grows their own tastes for it, subconsciously most of the time. <br /><br />Besides the brief creative curriculums in contemporary western education programs, increasingly cut, that the average person is introduced to, art is taught to be a frivolity, and a poor endeavor, promising only a “starving” life. People want “security”, and expectations on luxuries to be met before they grow old, so they find a steady form of employment and distraction. If you don’t want to become an artist, if it doesn’t <i>call</i> to you, if you aren’t <i>despite</i> yourself drawing away throughout your youth, then…don’t become an artist, it’s a silly pursuit. <br /><br />But, if you <i><b>do</b></i> want to be an artist, if you are always thinking visually and expressing yourself with this enigmatic language, well, interestingly, romance the hell out of it, and do become an artist, you wild rogue, you!<br /><br />I don’t think either perspective is entirely healthy, frankly.<br /><br />But here’s the point: Society now a days loves art, but hates artists, generally speaking. Or at least, they down trod on them by way of asking them to work for free, devaluing their skills and their contribution verbally or through unwillingness to pay for the thing ultimately admired and envied, and otherwise demean artists’ career conviction to be beneath other lifestyles.<br /><br />Artist discipline, the various needs to be met in order to <i>continue</i> work as artists, is also misunderstood and consequently harassed. <i>“The time artists devote to their work, oh!”</i> It’s too long, it’s too intolerable, for others. <i>“The things they do with that time! Oh, spending hours just looking at a model or a bowl of fruit and copying it?!”</i> Or there’s the paradoxical, <i>“I love your art, it’s pretty to look at, but spend more time with me, with people, with this, with that, and the other thing that is totally unrelated”</i>, as if time away from working will continue to produce the prettiness people like to look at.<br /><br />Such requests and complaints point to a lack of education in non-creative workers about just what is involved with being an artist, and respecting its necessarily unconventional job description as a JOB <i>description</i>. This is a problem, because it directly affects artists’ lives, their work efficiency, their production, and the industry, through which all others in society “enjoy art”, at the final product stage. <br /><br />This problem is a symptom of educational shortcomings in culture, and of the perpetuation of pushing honest, hard workers to give up everything about their own lives save the bit about working at nothing special to them in order to have the hope of a life. It’s backwards, and the first place artists can help the massively daunting, deep-rooted cultural problem, besides sticking to their guns and continuing to create a better world, is educating those in their lives who do not understand their creative role.<br /><br />Artists’ work, without an easy <i>nine to five</i> timetable, to become masters at what they do, to produce imagery of awe-inspiring integrity for the industry as well as the for public. For <i>humanity</i>. It is an honor, and a daily challenge, and a series of ever-changing <i>choices</i>. <b><i>It is a role to manage diligently on a daily, nearly minute to minute level.</i></b><br /><br />But here’s where the artist, <i>any visual artist</i>, begins, to maintain their position as an artist, on a humble, daily-grind scale. <br /><br />Everything begins small, step by step. The demanding lifestyle of an artist is no different. <b><i>Their fundamentals are practicing the basics of good drawing, which build effective visual-rendering skills, which produce good – effective – art</i></b>. Work. Employment. Money. Work. <div>
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If an artist has no sufficient time to practice, they have no product with which to earn good work, which earns good pay, which covers sustainability, health, and growth. Time IS money, to an artist. And time takes practice to manage well.<br /><br /><i>How do artists best earn through their time, then?<b> </b>By<b> practicing technique and personal vision through studying nature, its motion and anatomy, its truth</b></i>.<br /><br />Famous, international, award-winning illustrator and concept artist <i><b><a href="http://www.john-howe.com/">John Howe</a></b></i> articulates some of these routine imperatives in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Howe-Fantasy-Art-Workshop/dp/1600610102">“Fantasy Art Workshop”</a>:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Howe-Fantasy-Art-Workshop/dp/1600610102"><i>Purchase </i>on <b>amazon here</b></a></td></tr>
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<br /><i>“<b>Movement</b> is part of our make-up, it is inherent in every living thing and in everything we do. Nothing is ever really still in nature, any more than time can stand still, and we have to reflect that in the drawings and paintings we make”</i> <i>–John Howe</i><br /><br />Artists have to reflect that because again, it produces effective art for the industry (their livelihood), and for the public (cultural and social improvement).<br /><br /><b><i>Howe</i></b> continues to confirm that, <i>“movement can be arrested through an understanding of <b>motion and anatomy</b></i>”, which is how effective art is conveyed.<br /><br />This is an understanding which is practiced <i>diligently</i> and strengthened <i>consistently</i>, long term; we can call it a <i><b>life long study</b></i>, never ceasing or dwindling in demands on one’s investment in time, energy, focus, and resources. <br /><br /><i>All of art-making requires two keystone skills; <b>observation </b>and <b>decision. </b></i>The practice of understanding what we see and how to mark-make in unison with our interpretation of nature – the world around us – is always a complex series of <i>choices</i>, one after another and in reaction to others, creating <i>a visual picture of human experience, knowledge, and emotion</i>. Effective art.<br /><br />In order to commit to that life long study, with those ever-present demands that inevitably define improvement, both observation and decision require active practice. <br /><br />And so we as artists go to figure-drawing sessions. We sit down to life-study sessions. We compose repeat still-life scenes to tediously reexamine, and we seek out more models, more costumes, more lighting stages, more scenarios of motion that will demonstrate movement and anatomy. All in order to continue the perpetual examination of nature and truth, in order to increase skill in our profession, our occupation, our passion and obsession, our life’s contribution to humanity, in order to be our very best, and isn’t that what anyone practices anything for?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master painter and illustrator <i><b><a href="http://www.kenlaager.com/">Ken Laager</a></b></i> continues to studiously practice<br />his work at a collective artists' live figure drawing session in Lancaster, PA.<br />I've taken this behind-the-scenes picture on my break - I am the model, here.</td></tr>
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Life-long painter, graphic designer and illustrator <i><b><a href="http://www.petarmeseldzijaart.com/">Petar Meseldzija</a></b></i> explains this in his own example on improving his ability to depict horses, important to his work because the fantasy genre frequently features the animal:<br /><br /><i>“In order to understand its <b>anatomy and movements,</b> and to capture the right character of the animal, so powerful and gracious at the same time, I made numerous sketches and studies…Every time I come across a horse…I look at it and think: ‘how beautiful, how complex, how challenging. I have to go back to the drawing table and keep on practicing.”</i> <i>–Petar Meseldzija</i><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://fleskpublications.com/flesksite/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=79">Purchase</a></i> <i><b>Petar Meseldzija's</b></i> book <i><b><a href="http://fleskpublications.com/flesksite/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=79">"The Legend of Steel Bashaw"</a></b></i> here</td></tr>
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While his sentiment is specifically about horses here, it is precisely the same with any subject, for any artist, in any genre or medium. <br /><br />Artists’ life’s discipline sort of highlighting the mode of <i>‘professional observer’</i>, it is after a fashion their wheelhouse and knee-jerk, constitutional state to notice and admire the myriad moments in reality that go without a second thought to most others. It’s what makes us <i>“those weird artists”</i> to other people.<br /><br />Be it a horse, a city skyline, a sunset, a tree, a machine, a dancer, a single grape covered in dew drops, the artist looks with attentive awe and reflects: <i>“how beautiful, how complex, how challenging; I have to go back to the drawing table and keep on practicing.”</i> <br /><br />We keep going back because <i>practice makes perfect</i>, and an artist is nothing if not spurred on by the prospect of the perfect work of art. This elusive falsehood is the ideal that promises better pay for our work, better network and social acceptance, better offers for more and better work, and truer satisfaction with our investment on the career we’ve devoted to like eccentric monks. Of course we’re going to keep going back, until the last breath, if necessary.<br /><br />This is why wives and husbands, sweethearts, relatives, friends, enemies, all on the periphery of the artist’s discipline, perpetually see studies of who knows what baffling subject matter leafing around, on note pads, at events, in the studio, or books about odd, seemingly uninteresting subjects, or why they always have to put up with the artist committing to seemingly repetitive, gratuitous, or exclusive study sessions with other artists and…that shifty model. This is where others’ jealousy of time and attention come in to play. <br /><br />But being professional observers, being driven through life and all it’s crazy dramas slightly beyond the fray, compared to other sorts of people, more in awe of those beautiful, complex, challenging horses than local gossip, artists do not enter into, work through, nor finish up any pious session of figure study, for example, with a thought any nearer the realm of ‘sex’ than a strict diet is to a gluttonous and lavish banquet. <br /><br />We are professionals, for life, and to the bone, and so <i><b>all</b> movement, <b>all</b> anatomy</i>, is valid, nay imperative, from an analytical and educational perspective. We may have our preferences, one artist more drawn to the human form where another is more drawn to the architectural and mechanic form, or the natural, forested world, but whatever, it is <i>all movement and anatomy,</i> physics and the effects of the elements on the world. This knowledge, these truths, revealed more clearly with each observation, each study session, give an artist closer achievement to excellence in their creation. <br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fRCI8gntBpzKbiwuEmPWsPWe-PTrwwlZdfVB5qIGpIreN6KOzN0enCw8e5VoBV9VqgTrK-An6UQxqrQjJIHf4pdUwhslXJy3klOf7_DX0p_KDIPcgvJgjo63BYvCYj3W-4apdeMKO4jV/s1600/13236097_1738956552983428_601904992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fRCI8gntBpzKbiwuEmPWsPWe-PTrwwlZdfVB5qIGpIreN6KOzN0enCw8e5VoBV9VqgTrK-An6UQxqrQjJIHf4pdUwhslXJy3klOf7_DX0p_KDIPcgvJgjo63BYvCYj3W-4apdeMKO4jV/s640/13236097_1738956552983428_601904992_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of <i><b><a href="http://www.kenlaager.com/">Ken Laager</a></b></i>, master painter and illustrator present at the studio<br />session for the artists' collective live figure drawing - My themed, costumed pose for the day,<br />for the artists subject matter.</td></tr>
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It isn’t just for the lofty pursuit of perfection or the increased compensation that is a consequence of professional excellence – though both are good and admiral goals – but also the human connection that is improved and inspired through excellent art.<br /><br />As humans, if you look at our evolution, our culture, and even the science behind strong individual cognitive development, or personal mental health, art actively matures psychological and emotional intelligence, which inherently contributes large scale to strong society, and culture.<br /><br />Consider the findings of <i><b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2014/may/29/drawing-needs-to-be-curriculum-essential-education">"Why Drawing Needs To Be A Curriculum Essential"</a></b></i> written by <i>Anita Taylor</i>, for <i><b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us">the Guardian</a></b></i>:<br /><br /><i>“[Drawing] fundamentally enables the visualization and development of perceptions and ideas. With a history as long and intensive as our culture, the act of drawing remains a fundamental means to translate, document, record, and analyze the worlds we inhabit. The role of drawing in education remains critical, and not just to the creative disciplines in art and design for which it is fundamental. As a primary visual language, essential for communication and expression, drawing is as important as the development of written and verbal skills.”</i><br /><br />Artists know this by consequence of being devotees of these principles, but it is also true gratification to their work that they may attain connection to others and inspiration for others through their work, through these principles. <br /><br />Visual art is, as explained above, a use of language, and language is at the core of our humanity, because it allows us to develop and to express, through which <i>experience, knowledge, and emotion</i> are conducted. These things make effective art, and they make humanity evolve, grow forward, create more. <br /><br />Life IS movement. And artists, <i>visual linguists</i>, if you will, must study life. For life.<br /><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgmS6MEPVfOK-XoSvBn1i0A6uI_morzRRaPAf0yVl_lfCL9MGhAuwN4BdZ4E0lrqCi2zuRJ8egTnnnuU0Tu66iPADOPOMhLcIaRUFo1oI4D4Z7bLTwjrD75dbgglnR-MlSI38ARA5Iijp/s1600/13103356_1733783416834075_6228520825142171189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgmS6MEPVfOK-XoSvBn1i0A6uI_morzRRaPAf0yVl_lfCL9MGhAuwN4BdZ4E0lrqCi2zuRJ8egTnnnuU0Tu66iPADOPOMhLcIaRUFo1oI4D4Z7bLTwjrD75dbgglnR-MlSI38ARA5Iijp/s640/13103356_1733783416834075_6228520825142171189_n.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by <b><i><a href="http://www.kenlaager.com/">Ken Laager,</a></i></b> traditional master painter and illustrator - <br /><a href="http://www.kenlaager.com/">Copyright Ken Laager, 2016</a></td></tr>
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Explore the art of <i><b>Ken Laager</b></i>, painter, illustrator, friend and mentor, at his official website -</div>
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<a href="http://www.kenlaager.com/">www.KenLaager.com</a></div>
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<br />-Mairin-Taj<br /><br /> </div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.30551439999999339.940622499999996 -76.466875899999991 40.1351285 -76.1441529tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-55831674394219762912016-04-18T15:46:00.000-04:002016-05-17T15:55:16.726-04:00On Drawing Trees & Nature - Tree Post IV<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The <i><b>Infinity Tree</b></i> continues!<br />
{<i>Review the dialogue for </i><a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/02/and-then-there-are-secrets-of-trees.html">Tree Post I</a><i>, </i><a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/02/its-like-drawing-people-tree-post-ii.html">II</a><i>, and </i><a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/03/green-is-tree-of-life-tree-post-iii.html">III</a><i> here...</i>}<br />
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"<b><i>Harding</i></b>...fervently believed that nature's beauties are unendingly abundant and infinitely various", writes a contemporary critic - <a href="http://www.victorianweb.org/cv/gplbio.html">George Landow</a> - of the master and drawing companion to <i>John Ruskin</i>, <i><b>J. D. Harding</b></i>.<br />
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He passionately advocated for the <i>truth</i> in representational, 'high' art of the natural world, through as unburdened an observation as possible.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Trees-Nature-Victorian-Instruction-ebook/dp/B00JVZCVZM?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&redirect=true&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect"><i>Purchase</i> on amazon.com</a></td></tr>
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Harding instructs us to "produce as near a likeness to Nature, in every respect, as the instrument, or material employed, will admit of; <i><b>not so much by </b>bona fide<b> imitation, as by reviving in the mind those ideas which are awakened by a contemplation of Nature</b></i>.... The renewal of those feelings constitutes the true purpose of Art".<div>
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And so I begin the toned ground and under-drawing search for inner form structure of "The Infinity Tree", keeping the goal of believable representation balanced with evocative breathability of being within my mind's eye...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh436Sq4c5_mwklLGXCFHiKdc7nRJDOEdCkheCKimsbkqSGm3IHi_ye7Cyo3j56cedEUeT5iLEVQGA_A0koet9J98KrGg4RzyiA53bUW5XAqIzsBKCrdWMp5iYG5n9yrXlObvsUL_7tkTGW/s1600/_MG_9335+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh436Sq4c5_mwklLGXCFHiKdc7nRJDOEdCkheCKimsbkqSGm3IHi_ye7Cyo3j56cedEUeT5iLEVQGA_A0koet9J98KrGg4RzyiA53bUW5XAqIzsBKCrdWMp5iYG5n9yrXlObvsUL_7tkTGW/s640/_MG_9335+WEB.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Palatino, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Palatino, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35px;">His </span>protégé <i>John Ruskin </i>established clearer guidance on the same philosophy, observing <i>"nature contrives never to repeat herself"</i>, perceiving that <i>"there is indeed in nature variety in all things", </i>declaring that:<br />
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<i>"The truths of nature are one eternal change — one infinite variety...there is not one of her [Nature's] shadows, tints, or lines that is not in a state of perpetual variation: I do not mean in time, but in <b>space</b>. There is not a leaf in the world which has the same color visible over its whole surface". </i><br />
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<i>"Nothing can be <b>natural</b> which is monotonous; nothing <b>true</b> which tells only one story...", </i>says <i>Ruskin</i>.</div>
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Which of course leads us to <i><b>mark-making variation</b></i> and the variety imbued to the subjects of the image.</div>
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<br />Keep building and finding growth patterns in varied iterations:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUI0Cp5kBm4dVxxzDJ7eTE_RVFaY_cdHcUSAqgW6eivVMa1iA7vpZ1bpuN2-3_O5bI5Aj6lilCaPDSdLOHT3aCnao0XEW1qd12gyfVhPQB7gEbsdRuxiQjsnvyTKiUTweZHDcws9wk8dD/s1600/_MG_9351+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUI0Cp5kBm4dVxxzDJ7eTE_RVFaY_cdHcUSAqgW6eivVMa1iA7vpZ1bpuN2-3_O5bI5Aj6lilCaPDSdLOHT3aCnao0XEW1qd12gyfVhPQB7gEbsdRuxiQjsnvyTKiUTweZHDcws9wk8dD/s640/_MG_9351+WEB.jpg" width="435" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cE8vzWtUKnJS7Frrlm_6eeEyVZn63Y-1LhuSBdbyBLD6DgQyUuk3mNLzZMetk6X91o3EVcnHB4L8voQRB8r9VPeITw1Yf9R6ZJ9CQXlCIq8BY2ShhmlLT5yOS6vLNkE0INUYleP68Ggw/s1600/_MG_9352+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cE8vzWtUKnJS7Frrlm_6eeEyVZn63Y-1LhuSBdbyBLD6DgQyUuk3mNLzZMetk6X91o3EVcnHB4L8voQRB8r9VPeITw1Yf9R6ZJ9CQXlCIq8BY2ShhmlLT5yOS6vLNkE0INUYleP68Ggw/s640/_MG_9352+WEB.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />And do not forget the <i><b>rules</b></i> of trees, integral to creating a believable tree-being instead of an oddly wonky figure that defies natural tree growth and all the <i>laws of physics</i>.<br /><br />Trees are <i>fractal</i> in nature, so that patterns of form growth in the larger parts of the tree will be repeated and extended into the smaller scale parts of the tree.<br /><br /><i>Leonardo Da Vinci</i>, the great Renaissance man the Arts reference so frequently, explained this aspect of tree rule as <i>"all the branches of a tree at every stage of its height when put together are equal in thickness to the trunk"</i>.<br /></div>
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The rule for tree growth is explained by both <i>hydrological</i> and <i>structural</i> theories, meaning that the forces for efficient sap flow and design for stress resistance and integrity define the tree's growth. <br /><br /><b><i>Form follows function.</i></b></div>
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Here's a comparison between <i>before</i> and <i>after</i> preliminary rendering on a few root structures:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6IrXc87KrlzASFBG-Vo8jWFJo7_rdU-xxajnSlzVORRVmlGURanO06EEBGNCMvAIlW3MV5RCnnhYUMSqLlvOXbBdaxYXD4zOJNEFRKLq3qHwbJFeXAuTtUqn8vae21TQMmbFJ37gxL70/s1600/_MG_9370+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6IrXc87KrlzASFBG-Vo8jWFJo7_rdU-xxajnSlzVORRVmlGURanO06EEBGNCMvAIlW3MV5RCnnhYUMSqLlvOXbBdaxYXD4zOJNEFRKLq3qHwbJFeXAuTtUqn8vae21TQMmbFJ37gxL70/s400/_MG_9370+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the larger forms put down provisionally...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ07c0WDDEy1y-XSgcaUDWhVaQtw53OB1GjwEvPxivrzotFgm3nOeRUWnbaqOT8AFGxG0susZ1pxEhPvvOro8UK9VPOa6PqoJ4gQdtATxxwnAOgB5B8MtCBtoj5fgZLvWF1_cwCo8QbOha/s1600/_MG_9378+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ07c0WDDEy1y-XSgcaUDWhVaQtw53OB1GjwEvPxivrzotFgm3nOeRUWnbaqOT8AFGxG0susZ1pxEhPvvOro8UK9VPOa6PqoJ4gQdtATxxwnAOgB5B8MtCBtoj5fgZLvWF1_cwCo8QbOha/s400/_MG_9378+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding the finer forms within the larger forms to further define the roots...</td></tr>
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<br />End of <b>part IV</b>.</div>
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<b>Part V</b> will continue this drawing stage breakdown with further examination of the art world's wisdom for trees, visual truth, fantastical philosophy, and technical execution, with the final <i><b>"Infinity Tree"</b></i> drawing reveal.</div>
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<br />-Mairin-Taj<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><br /></span></div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-48313482816043291482016-04-02T11:49:00.000-04:002016-04-11T18:38:25.434-04:00"Currently In Show" - 'We're In This Together: the Work Behind the Work'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQZoPkZgQXR3u3z7erBtKjUY4wdepqAeRrdwg9JV_xBDdpmeTaxufeqCFATVpMh44N8tP0t4i9owtUdKOxaU7fp1tvx1oUnqEDxy1JfonfPZNlwSO_O8rvavvwAHoapUQ9eTEaxzDCIFS/s1600/12809711_10154097595343278_6818622615396487236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQZoPkZgQXR3u3z7erBtKjUY4wdepqAeRrdwg9JV_xBDdpmeTaxufeqCFATVpMh44N8tP0t4i9owtUdKOxaU7fp1tvx1oUnqEDxy1JfonfPZNlwSO_O8rvavvwAHoapUQ9eTEaxzDCIFS/s400/12809711_10154097595343278_6818622615396487236_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibition Promotional, Sunshine Art+Design Gallery, Lancaster, PA</td></tr>
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Just opened <i>April 1st</i>, for the duration of the month, is an invitational show guest curated by my friend and colleague <i>Matt Allyn Chapman</i> entitled <i><b>"We're In This Together: The Work Behind the Work"</b></i>, featuring thirteen artists from Lancaster and Philadelphia, PA, demonstrating side by side their original final art (for sale) and their behind-the-scenes material (NFS), whatever they choose.<br />
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The exhibit is held at the beautiful <i><b><a href="http://www.sun-artdesign.com/">Sunshine Art+Design Gallery</a></b></i> on King Street, downtown Lancaster.<br />
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View <i><b><a href="http://www.sun-artdesign.com/about-sunshine/">gallery hours</a></b></i> and <a href="http://www.sun-artdesign.com/about-sunshine/"><i><b>location</b></i> <i>info</i></a> <a href="http://www.sun-artdesign.com/">HERE</a><br />
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My little contribution is the custom framed <i><b>"In Her Hands"</b></i>, and my worn <i>drawing/painting board</i> with the <i>process tape, notes, and scrubby bits of paint </i>still on it from creation process:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy71J8OrlyVD5I5G5FyTrTs85K80eWfvpkjkQFyac360DH-7ZodsNwgP1mCy2mDg9507_E26R_z6LzcHjKYIaPjVrnJhcKo8KqHWVGuwOwc5yTqGnPXP4wBS8uLl2UK_itDmVFkzMuD7P/s1600/_MG_9065+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAy71J8OrlyVD5I5G5FyTrTs85K80eWfvpkjkQFyac360DH-7ZodsNwgP1mCy2mDg9507_E26R_z6LzcHjKYIaPjVrnJhcKo8KqHWVGuwOwc5yTqGnPXP4wBS8uLl2UK_itDmVFkzMuD7P/s640/_MG_9065+WEB.jpg" width="459" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In Her Hands", custom framed, for sale, April 2016</td></tr>
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Opening night fun, on my birthday!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Reception, Sunshine Art+Design Gallery, April 1st, 2016</td></tr>
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<a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/03/in-her-hands-creating-second-for-pair.html">See how <i><b>"In Her Hands"</b></i> was made, with more information, HERE</a><br />
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Stop by and see the show until <i>April 30th!</i><br />
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-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-65541171583451684492016-03-31T17:24:00.000-04:002016-04-07T17:30:10.947-04:00"In Her Hands" - Creating a Second for a Pair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First came "In His Hands", for an Orchid themed juried exhibition.<br />
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<a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2015/09/orchid-themed-art-show-susquehanna-orchid-society.html">View and review the <i>award-winning <b>"In His Hands" </b>process post</i> HERE</a><br />
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<a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2015/10/currently-in-show-in-his-hands-winner.html">See the <i>exhibition show and award for <b>"In His Hands"</b></i> HERE</a><br />
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--<br />
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Now I've done the partner to complete the pair!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyVzUrO6Z9CS67U6oarz4oXA1vfA2pXhW0UFm3iNZOMruHamOsyqMMRS5YwOBVWBdAopJrKPyZcgCp8gSAiICJrvt9iU1whCXFIdikJupOi0PxQ-_M5n57IE14nhi6xuesGjP_TlD1fN-/s1600/_MG_9065+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyVzUrO6Z9CS67U6oarz4oXA1vfA2pXhW0UFm3iNZOMruHamOsyqMMRS5YwOBVWBdAopJrKPyZcgCp8gSAiICJrvt9iU1whCXFIdikJupOi0PxQ-_M5n57IE14nhi6xuesGjP_TlD1fN-/s400/_MG_9065+WEB.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">With the twin find of a frame, 2016</td></tr>
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<b><i>"In Her Hands" </i></b>is themed similarly within general Greek mythology, same size, with a asymmetrical twin frame (that I got months ago, just for this), and composed of the same conceptual features, the hands and a botanical element.<br />
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This piece references the <i><b>pomegranate</b></i> as a common icon in European and Middle Eastern mythologies, particularly as the fruit <i>Demeter</i> is represented by, whose daughter <i>Persephone</i> is taken to the Underworld and made to be the wife of <i>Hades</i>, thus giving the world the seasons... I won't go all into explaining that myth, it's very well known. Look it up if you are unfamiliar!<br />
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I wanted a <i>flower</i> or <i>fruit</i> that would well suit the <i>female</i> version of this little duo project, as the upright orchid and the myth of Orchis was rather phallic in theme. I wanted to match the mild and delicate sexual reference in the first one, as a potential addition viewers are welcome to explore through the lines, or not.<br />
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The <i>pomegranate</i> is a wonderful fruit with clear physical cross-over to the artful aesthetic of the <i>female sexual organs</i>, and held, cradled, or gently caressed within the woman's hands in the painting, the overall shape formed looks almost like the <i>uterus</i>.<br />
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Either way, here is some of my process in creating this second concept to reference and pair well with the first:<br />
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<i><b>The goal</b></i> was to <i>balance</i> <i><b>"In Her Hands"</b></i> standing as it's own creation and as a comparable piece to <i>"In His Hands"</i> in composition and approach to execution.<br />
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I started as always.<br />
<i><a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2015/09/orchid-themed-art-show-susquehanna-orchid-society.html">(View the similar scroll-down style process for "In His Hands" HERE)</a></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUzomCVFvM-PpZe2DqqvBDRHSYvKJ7eT5VXQeI35g2b29a1Gt5BBMwZZUjXYT02XFFUD4WusBmbQ1v0kXPB9x0vseN7_O74f0aECUxaZygyR30boSYowSfd1mQWWuBK16Dh86SPpUVPWA/s1600/_MG_9001+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUzomCVFvM-PpZe2DqqvBDRHSYvKJ7eT5VXQeI35g2b29a1Gt5BBMwZZUjXYT02XFFUD4WusBmbQ1v0kXPB9x0vseN7_O74f0aECUxaZygyR30boSYowSfd1mQWWuBK16Dh86SPpUVPWA/s400/_MG_9001+WEB.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Roughing in the drawing of the hands over the wash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqSeIHipOOuSfU0kKokOSWydGG2kl72bCy3MrmM97pjdzSMtQMfTbBjeNmezagtcexHmt0Vp92QVqvaTbMcagHV869x19t1xinNPv_d0fn8bNR2eYqaMpYUIeRP63t9_lgIgnX_DEaM73/s1600/_MG_9004+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqSeIHipOOuSfU0kKokOSWydGG2kl72bCy3MrmM97pjdzSMtQMfTbBjeNmezagtcexHmt0Vp92QVqvaTbMcagHV869x19t1xinNPv_d0fn8bNR2eYqaMpYUIeRP63t9_lgIgnX_DEaM73/s400/_MG_9004+WEB.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Finding the line variation and value notes for the hands </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JwM5ybgJsEWfEv17uR3ERzzcYuNEQJ9l8e4Kyq8BXjhevcX4J5VLFFmbXggfzCU7lRmRZ7y0HoSYiQFIPe9D49A3JaBRqUkUtvJkIkKU681tNeMV9F59ZrA9FDQ941jd_aN0YM1pG9YJ/s1600/_MG_9009+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JwM5ybgJsEWfEv17uR3ERzzcYuNEQJ9l8e4Kyq8BXjhevcX4J5VLFFmbXggfzCU7lRmRZ7y0HoSYiQFIPe9D49A3JaBRqUkUtvJkIkKU681tNeMV9F59ZrA9FDQ941jd_aN0YM1pG9YJ/s400/_MG_9009+WEB.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the same...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKrMMECUFZLMro7If9cQWpG7lZQr38gbg6flKsmVAlabBLZ7WcG5w1oGgrgzH-TFNypfgLKN8xq0oYbvMgWcyrAPkwRjVB6q4FC86QqcizseW_o_Gpl3rDZ-5yVwau0kgH7wvntBVZlKL/s1600/_MG_9024+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKrMMECUFZLMro7If9cQWpG7lZQr38gbg6flKsmVAlabBLZ7WcG5w1oGgrgzH-TFNypfgLKN8xq0oYbvMgWcyrAPkwRjVB6q4FC86QqcizseW_o_Gpl3rDZ-5yVwau0kgH7wvntBVZlKL/s400/_MG_9024+WEB.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underpainting stage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNe_b0Ha6T6uTwcXvIBMY8fOwcLZ0X7yTFbccy_x1lqRwmvpgdtz02vVgoXbHadSzHcDl8n6Y78oj4Wp3MwHTO535Z1F7ecEOtnTf7VLxxn3kQJIYXcuaxxO_YUuQcj_SGQEptiUY-hiY6/s1600/_MG_9025+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNe_b0Ha6T6uTwcXvIBMY8fOwcLZ0X7yTFbccy_x1lqRwmvpgdtz02vVgoXbHadSzHcDl8n6Y78oj4Wp3MwHTO535Z1F7ecEOtnTf7VLxxn3kQJIYXcuaxxO_YUuQcj_SGQEptiUY-hiY6/s400/_MG_9025+WEB.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....to painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiKmbHIq7Ae1Ddvht-hiw54bACtjArL11YkutHOzIdpE6T97v0RtW3kUPmBHkUmgWHoEdcmVe0c-4UgLyMxgX7c3XEFPoaiJ3ArAtW9ULRIvvhwon5H40FgxhYVj9_FkFoh3gQ0_pMV-p/s1600/_MG_9030+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiKmbHIq7Ae1Ddvht-hiw54bACtjArL11YkutHOzIdpE6T97v0RtW3kUPmBHkUmgWHoEdcmVe0c-4UgLyMxgX7c3XEFPoaiJ3ArAtW9ULRIvvhwon5H40FgxhYVj9_FkFoh3gQ0_pMV-p/s400/_MG_9030+WEB.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More painting and final touches....</td></tr>
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I'm fond of this photographed detail:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wZEVarF1lliWaA0AQUaAeQ7e44miZVkaCmcYRN7XcSLcCNTptVJHHzr4UwPz941qkEioLVE1CgYcBCKxVEw6J1Mu8qAF4o3cbTA4GQI-o9BQgzkegSjRgwCQxe06kd_sBtgi852f0GbT/s1600/_MG_9041+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wZEVarF1lliWaA0AQUaAeQ7e44miZVkaCmcYRN7XcSLcCNTptVJHHzr4UwPz941qkEioLVE1CgYcBCKxVEw6J1Mu8qAF4o3cbTA4GQI-o9BQgzkegSjRgwCQxe06kd_sBtgi852f0GbT/s320/_MG_9041+WEB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail crop of the process towards the end here</td></tr>
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And then jump at last to a photograph of the finish, after the final touches, signature, and varnish:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JqiuRNdroYDr6iFG2iKT7rgQBEunSXLo8JN6fuQYGWbacV6mepXMKbVH3BaLHM7Sc5acXht6HuZMZfkrL_IhTAduV4qOom8kRUrl8KZ-L4T1YKOQcTeL4zGC8Cv29auO39I5_POM7nfL/s1600/_MG_9047.2+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JqiuRNdroYDr6iFG2iKT7rgQBEunSXLo8JN6fuQYGWbacV6mepXMKbVH3BaLHM7Sc5acXht6HuZMZfkrL_IhTAduV4qOom8kRUrl8KZ-L4T1YKOQcTeL4zGC8Cv29auO39I5_POM7nfL/s400/_MG_9047.2+WEB.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In Her Hands", 5x7", Mixed Media, March 2016</td></tr>
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<br />
I have to say I just greatly enjoy and find pleasure in drawing and painting <i>hands</i>. Working with my own strong hands to create new hands is a playful, simultaneously <i>reverent </i>experience. But that's just me.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Nature</b></i> is an integral facet of my work, and more so as I evolve into the my process. I consider this work a success, the journey as much if not more so than the current, <i>'final'</i> result.<br />
<br />
<i><u>Coming Exhibition:</u></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>"In Her Hands"</b></i> is officially my contribution to an <i>invitational</i> show featuring work and their behind-the-scenes work of <i>thirteen Pennsylvania artists</i> based in Lancaster and Philadelphia, curated by my friend and colleague <i><a href="http://www.mattallynchapman.com/">Matt Allyn Chapman</a></i>. The show opens April 1st (my birthday!) and is held at the beautiful <i><b><a href="http://www.sun-artdesign.com/">Sunshine Art+Design Gallery</a></b></i> in downtown Lancaster, for the duration of the month.<br />
<br />
<i>"The Exhibition gives us a chance to see the surfaces, objects, and tools in which the artist uses to create their work, paired with the work it’s self. To an artist, their palette, drawing board, pair of paint stained shoes or their studio apron is just as important and personal as the work created from it. Showing these objects next to the artists completed work provides a deeper understanding of their studio practice and opens a dialogue about where the process ends and the art begins.<br /><br />Guest Curator Matt Allyn Chapman studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia (MFA) as well as Lancaster’s Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (BFA). He has exhibited at: The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Gallery, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building at PAFA, Philadelphia PA. Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia PA, Rothus Halle, Solothurn, Switzerland. The Ware Center for Visual and Performing Arts at Millersville University, Lancaster PA. Sunshine Art + Design, Lancaster PA."</i><div>
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<i>Showing artists:</i><br /><i>Emily Adleblute<br />Alicia Byler<br />Mairin-Taj Caya<br />Nicole Duquette<br />Travis Grant<br />Annie Keregyarto<br />Evan Kitson<br />Seth Madden<br />Kate McCammon<br />Jordan Morgan<br />Chris Otto<br />Justin Phillips<br />Hattie Sloane</i><div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Join us for </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lancasterartwalk?source=feed_text&story_id=10152963040960806" style="background-color: white; color: #926f4a; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px; text-decoration: none;">#LancasterArtWalk</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">! And congratulations to all exhibitors!</span></div>
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-Mairin-Taj Caya</div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-35064736735162311982016-03-19T18:31:00.000-04:002016-04-12T15:40:12.457-04:00"Green Is the Tree of Life" - Tree Post III<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Gray are all the theories,</i></div>
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<i>But green is the tree of life.</i></div>
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<i>– Wolfgang von Goethe, poet, philosopher</i></div>
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I've been returning to the concept of my <i><b>"Infinity Tree"</b></i> with an interest in <i>working in tandem with inspired poetry</i> and prose on the subject of the tree by noteworthy humans in our history.</div>
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Similar to how we enjoy theming music to our mood, focus, and work content, this time I used musings on the <b><i>tree</i></b> as my background meditation, as it were.</div>
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Meanwhile, I began another <i><b>study sketch</b></i> for the project, spring-boarding off of the first one.</div>
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Here's the process:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYLkX_yh-B6CToqlsNKj7HL6z01qPl0fOzuEkQPQlYvgaFKr14HK4JRqrK2gmtmu7ib8g_NzkXSSzi5xDfP3ySpznumS-sWGQ284Xg9LnlpzWhieoO_8o-Gzb9vmYii7Y_CuVhzXqLrQm/s1600/_MG_9097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYLkX_yh-B6CToqlsNKj7HL6z01qPl0fOzuEkQPQlYvgaFKr14HK4JRqrK2gmtmu7ib8g_NzkXSSzi5xDfP3ySpznumS-sWGQ284Xg9LnlpzWhieoO_8o-Gzb9vmYii7Y_CuVhzXqLrQm/s640/_MG_9097.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find the form to work with, roughly...</td></tr>
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<i>Trees purify the air;<br />They also purify the mind …<br />If you want to save your world,<br />You must save the trees.<br />– The Trees of Endor.</i><br />
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<i>He who knows the tree is the knower of the Vedas.<br />– The Bhagavad-Gita.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXo_lw9Dc2raA5egHZOvW49Q6Tkg_wNpukqE0kE9V22Gf8rIJnc5Bx0mDxssxbDkOpJ0ROAzyujM2BVdy4vPLA6sPekUWFPffVBrNbqSkOHmvN-8ALFn6d6TDWddea9M3eXtpTEE0WfWp/s1600/_MG_9101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXo_lw9Dc2raA5egHZOvW49Q6Tkg_wNpukqE0kE9V22Gf8rIJnc5Bx0mDxssxbDkOpJ0ROAzyujM2BVdy4vPLA6sPekUWFPffVBrNbqSkOHmvN-8ALFn6d6TDWddea9M3eXtpTEE0WfWp/s640/_MG_9101.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchbook open and structures defining themselves...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjOUjLe4JucKAcdH7qALP5WBgMlZdi4PsFtpYR6_2okiEqo_Xm8l9-OIVbxLqAUJ117NNPZLbM_8k1t7IZPCunplMBZev28cjZjovV7qcciIrdpwmP626nsdbkkMikB3w6MBnnM7bSD4i/s1600/_MG_9104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjOUjLe4JucKAcdH7qALP5WBgMlZdi4PsFtpYR6_2okiEqo_Xm8l9-OIVbxLqAUJ117NNPZLbM_8k1t7IZPCunplMBZev28cjZjovV7qcciIrdpwmP626nsdbkkMikB3w6MBnnM7bSD4i/s400/_MG_9104.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Detail</td></tr>
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<div>
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<br />
<i>The kingdom of nature holds the whole of the secrets of God.<br />– Mona Rolfe, Irish mystic, Symbols For Eternity</i><br />
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<i>A tree is like a saint. It calls no one to itself, nor does it send anyone away. It offers to protect everyone who wants to come to it, whether this be a man, a woman, a child, or an animal.<br />– Ma Anandamayi Ma, Indian saint</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNSXk_IcVjAVDmzlodynALBwlbdst5KYPBhVet5uQdwdMMLvYucpoCpZY1gTzeBiD5j7Cu03VOLerUOtfDgl3bawCJG4QF-44upUp8EeD4jphr2NEiaBVNHCb5I2XY-Vfu46vIqQtF8vZ/s1600/_MG_9110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNSXk_IcVjAVDmzlodynALBwlbdst5KYPBhVet5uQdwdMMLvYucpoCpZY1gTzeBiD5j7Cu03VOLerUOtfDgl3bawCJG4QF-44upUp8EeD4jphr2NEiaBVNHCb5I2XY-Vfu46vIqQtF8vZ/s400/_MG_9110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-process, layering over color and medium in different techniques...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSAno66yrveAebMngcyJpq9Ezw_sGt5pOGwT1BOuPxMYgT6KFkb03w0XScaIfOzIV8CU83qHTFIWO4TEiKi6oXtWKGdXzUysmEwrMggkXn0RicRIBm6LnXY8efw5oaU78wiqsP-d-ijmK/s1600/_MG_9114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSAno66yrveAebMngcyJpq9Ezw_sGt5pOGwT1BOuPxMYgT6KFkb03w0XScaIfOzIV8CU83qHTFIWO4TEiKi6oXtWKGdXzUysmEwrMggkXn0RicRIBm6LnXY8efw5oaU78wiqsP-d-ijmK/s640/_MG_9114.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold leaf, enough said...</td></tr>
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<i></i><br />
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<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<i>
The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on the earth.<br />– Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned architect</i><br />
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<i>Forests precede civilisations and deserts follow them.<br />– Chateaubriand, French diplomat, 1768-1848</i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX00aAW_tp4CF_H2KA3FtmiYFxouzBjedH8CxzZpzhDvN159uoD49OpaNkMuoakPoiITGr3dZ6ioWufr9qQgGjlQdrjJRyJB-fGAblSm2W7tYd-6p9-kJKFqT8M439uFUmFO3tXZarEc0l/s1600/_MG_9136+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX00aAW_tp4CF_H2KA3FtmiYFxouzBjedH8CxzZpzhDvN159uoD49OpaNkMuoakPoiITGr3dZ6ioWufr9qQgGjlQdrjJRyJB-fGAblSm2W7tYd-6p9-kJKFqT8M439uFUmFO3tXZarEc0l/s640/_MG_9136+WEB.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Study II, "Infinity Tree" - Final - 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqnt6Vq-4FDdWHEIFiBWL6zm-dY0_zTPDZypBW8EqCBU3WANslGR-R-D4gq-qeAeKXHYuYq5F8uNJswcp1Bf8achL1s1cxXt-YepWFs3xM4Q7cknULC4-dBGuX00luBwk9zQnlHq7VgmK/s1600/_MG_9138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqnt6Vq-4FDdWHEIFiBWL6zm-dY0_zTPDZypBW8EqCBU3WANslGR-R-D4gq-qeAeKXHYuYq5F8uNJswcp1Bf8achL1s1cxXt-YepWFs3xM4Q7cknULC4-dBGuX00luBwk9zQnlHq7VgmK/s400/_MG_9138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Detail in goldleaf on paper...</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Again, this serves the purpose of a <b><i>second study, a mixed media sketch, a preliminary</i></b>, based on the notions and concept parameters evolving in my notes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is <i>not</i> the final drawing, or final painting for <i><b>"Infinity Tree"</b></i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Such is another sampling of the processes and the inclinations of my mind through the creative stages, and I hope you've found some inspiration or decent musing material in the diverse quotes, as I found. </div>
<div>
Ultimately, the <i><b>tree</b></i> is a clear <i>international, multicultural, and perpetual</i> figure for the spiritual, environmental, emotional, and physical health of humanity as well as our world. Let us admire and <i>actively respect</i> them, however and wherever we can, in our lives.</div>
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<div>
Until next segment,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-Mairin-Taj</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-47979509374870134952016-03-05T16:29:00.000-05:002016-04-09T16:41:20.835-04:00"Visitations Between Color and Light On Form" - Euan Uglow's Work <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Color is complex</b></i>.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Discerning the </span><b style="text-align: left;"><i>shifts</i></b><span style="text-align: left;"> between </span><i style="text-align: left;">color temperature</i><span style="text-align: left;">, </span><i style="text-align: left;">saturation</i><span style="text-align: left;">, and </span><i style="text-align: left;">value </i><span style="text-align: left;">quality</span><span style="text-align: left;"> across a single given form, let alone within the visual range of a scene's complex subject matter, is a difficult thing to learn to </span><i style="text-align: left;">see</i><span style="text-align: left;">. But knowing how to see and articulate these distinctions in artwork suspends disbelief for the viewer. It makes it <i>breathe</i>, and be believable. </span></div>
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It takes years of <i>active looking</i> in tandem with practical execution through medium, in order to posture 'mastery' of this.<br />
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An endless fascination for many artists, let alone the admirers of such hard work put to canvas and paper, is the truly <i>diverse range </i>of shift these things can manifest in - from seemingly subjective and hallucinatory degrees of shift through basic changes all the way to dramatic, garish shift on the other end of the pendulum.<br />
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You can find it everywhere, but look at the shifts of color <i>temperature</i>, the <i>saturation</i> of color, and the <i>value</i> quality in color through planes, their collective shapes, and ultimate form in space, in these art examples from <i><b><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/euan-uglow-2084">Euan Uglow</a></b></i> - He's an excellent source for more cleanly defining and determining these <i>shifts</i>:<br />
<br />
<i>Temperature</i> - the degree of coolness or warmth within a color<br />
<i>Saturation</i> - "chroma" - the degree of brilliance or intensity of a color<br />
<i>Value</i> - the degree of lightness or darkness within a color, or the degree of light reflected...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPwDOM4-MdKfYDHpeEKG0GoVR8gjAbWLEZmhT0JF3aBm1ZsKeo-0bpmrc04dx8fXlbZylyrs3TqP586GYepNwMKf0pnIZ4YGjlCUMTX7DoZLjYwjhLsKgbyHuudZiqaNNZ4uhg3uYtYvq/s1600/nude-with-green-background-Euan-Uglow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPwDOM4-MdKfYDHpeEKG0GoVR8gjAbWLEZmhT0JF3aBm1ZsKeo-0bpmrc04dx8fXlbZylyrs3TqP586GYepNwMKf0pnIZ4YGjlCUMTX7DoZLjYwjhLsKgbyHuudZiqaNNZ4uhg3uYtYvq/s640/nude-with-green-background-Euan-Uglow.jpg" width="507" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nude with Green Background" - Euan Uglow - 1964-5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3_9tLhq2P6glRVZvlU8T2IY7XtPT5P8kPBfhKjsALIBIO5wAadq24AHXDbKP6cpqshYJdgDKzJJbeRa6tcBdp0KrrQr-fligrUpwZdjldP7_LHIHDwZESj9DkgVGUMYov8ZhQg8g_9wn/s1600/9thewave_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3_9tLhq2P6glRVZvlU8T2IY7XtPT5P8kPBfhKjsALIBIO5wAadq24AHXDbKP6cpqshYJdgDKzJJbeRa6tcBdp0KrrQr-fligrUpwZdjldP7_LHIHDwZESj9DkgVGUMYov8ZhQg8g_9wn/s400/9thewave_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Wave" - Euan Uglow - 1989-97</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA876Bnl_0waaE0rQuSD6auHGCKrj3v8xe44RsGmd_lBDaAVrU2yIl6mPtMs7eKDKLGKLUkdECLINpvY84QqlpVccnh-hXydT_JXbKSXxQMdH1gMePZaxLiJQ90mA0NC6VPAGARa15gu35/s1600/3-euan-uglow_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA876Bnl_0waaE0rQuSD6auHGCKrj3v8xe44RsGmd_lBDaAVrU2yIl6mPtMs7eKDKLGKLUkdECLINpvY84QqlpVccnh-hXydT_JXbKSXxQMdH1gMePZaxLiJQ90mA0NC6VPAGARa15gu35/s640/3-euan-uglow_sm.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Girl Tree" - Euan Uglow - 1989-91</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQnHqLyu5_5kNti-Scb8Qm3ogvV_8tKGTkQU5gEbsAuh3ZAwxt5PoeQ3guzeVS65_37t6llIsHbAkbtdi8eEuij_TwTcz4pGI54xPAGqvFXYMBGsdRXBGF4wIuu8K2pfRKAmokZOGJgvQ/s1600/euan-uglow-duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQnHqLyu5_5kNti-Scb8Qm3ogvV_8tKGTkQU5gEbsAuh3ZAwxt5PoeQ3guzeVS65_37t6llIsHbAkbtdi8eEuij_TwTcz4pGI54xPAGqvFXYMBGsdRXBGF4wIuu8K2pfRKAmokZOGJgvQ/s640/euan-uglow-duck.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Duck" - Euan Uglow - ?</td></tr>
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Notice how he's created planes and form through simplistic partnerships of color saturation, value, temperature, of course the hue of color, and edge quality, or the softness and hardness between shifts in application.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5jXKZhJILuVOh_-qZ-rsD0tTtG8FyE9XhHnS5kLtErWfWXX4pnEqIW_wBZifwGnl17r5qj1gez-N4bCtsrBm3KCORoW61x6Rk8xR45Q5jAtTBOWRXKHmuQzV9MU4Jn7OPUkUHSrNy5by/s1600/d2df63d0ddf0a2b90a0275f90280dd04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5jXKZhJILuVOh_-qZ-rsD0tTtG8FyE9XhHnS5kLtErWfWXX4pnEqIW_wBZifwGnl17r5qj1gez-N4bCtsrBm3KCORoW61x6Rk8xR45Q5jAtTBOWRXKHmuQzV9MU4Jn7OPUkUHSrNy5by/s640/d2df63d0ddf0a2b90a0275f90280dd04.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Daisy" - part of Daisy triptych - Euan Uglow - 1991</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyy6sjVeyHdhVUGYe-HI8kcbsV3fWDfjq2Zjex5W_bOoEj_YbN0uVBDCONqdYtTkSLFs4s3AnNtppcJCf0TSUYHxVzgZ1e62pq_cL075jT6JQxXIRBgV1M6zQp6MDjgDAEp_w8rOIws-n/s1600/2_PeachI_Young-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyy6sjVeyHdhVUGYe-HI8kcbsV3fWDfjq2Zjex5W_bOoEj_YbN0uVBDCONqdYtTkSLFs4s3AnNtppcJCf0TSUYHxVzgZ1e62pq_cL075jT6JQxXIRBgV1M6zQp6MDjgDAEp_w8rOIws-n/s400/2_PeachI_Young-sm.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peach I Young" - Euan Uglow - 1999</td></tr>
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It can be a healthy <i>reminder </i>to pay attention to <i>observing the relationship</i> of these qualities as we create, interpreting our world and our intentions through sensational and psychological practices, in order to represent a vision for audiences and posterity.<br />
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It will only ever be <i><b>an interpretation</b></i>, after all. We're not copy machines.<br />
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-Mairin-Taj</div>
</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-70197919021719613122016-02-29T16:05:00.000-05:002016-04-07T16:10:05.317-04:00"What's Inspiring Now" - Contemporary Figurative Artists<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Figurative art is indeed on the rise within popular appeal, yet again, and with a bit of a reboot in creative drive.<br />
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Here's not too short (nor too long) a list of contemporary artists that I have been looking at lately, inspiring fresh verve on new art projects and coming future creative investments.<br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.saatchiart.com/Zinlim">Zin Lim</a></i></b>'s drawings are an expressive, gestural draw for me, pun intended:<br />
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<a href="http://saatchiart.com/Zinlim">saatchiart.com/Zinlim</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zinlimart/">Instagram</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXJzIA4rmfvEb78GHaa_zQ6p8nLZ0JdbNFs1LzF7URm_SlRFX9XMQ_xI3JMy8vnlO_i-KaMVy_zOXVJotIH-ueePXqfatHKI8M3jz92ZwAYyaPlteO2SkoQHpi52QYzn9-c0yBzClH-Fd/s1600/D62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXJzIA4rmfvEb78GHaa_zQ6p8nLZ0JdbNFs1LzF7URm_SlRFX9XMQ_xI3JMy8vnlO_i-KaMVy_zOXVJotIH-ueePXqfatHKI8M3jz92ZwAYyaPlteO2SkoQHpi52QYzn9-c0yBzClH-Fd/s400/D62.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure#D04 - by Zin Lim</td></tr>
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<br />
--<br />
<b><i><a href="http://vanessalemenart.blogspot.com/">Vanessa Lemen</a></i></b>, enough said:<br />
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<a href="http://vanessalemenart.blogspot.com/">vanessalemenart.blogspot.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanessalemen/">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cfdhXpI2J4-dPNtnKIrXS00_wsg6ryWsLAoqoczz9k1TXxSBXpm-71F7-S-Iawc7OGNTU292Zd3frrSuxhupjSZxGRNe9iVa93eTsKZ_Vwkku07j94wdsp98S6MxG-MAfQ5k-wnxnzIe/s1600/LadyOfMermaidInn_VanessaLemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cfdhXpI2J4-dPNtnKIrXS00_wsg6ryWsLAoqoczz9k1TXxSBXpm-71F7-S-Iawc7OGNTU292Zd3frrSuxhupjSZxGRNe9iVa93eTsKZ_Vwkku07j94wdsp98S6MxG-MAfQ5k-wnxnzIe/s640/LadyOfMermaidInn_VanessaLemen.jpg" width="457" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Lady of Mermaid Inn' - by Vanessa Lemen - 2016</td></tr>
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<br />
--<br />
<a href="http://www.tylervouros.com/works/athena-owl.html"><i><b>Tyler Vouros</b></i>:</a><br />
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<a href="http://tylervouros.com/">tylervouros.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tylervouros/">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxotWu5zWPRTxRymZpYmI3E6Y4j7YgKRh8mlL7F-IPQgMauzMGQIxMpNc6cNl0iTBB_D5dNUIqI4_2Ix1-wT66fh9AMo2oBRbz6sKRm0un0nTwPOZ4q6s5VuXijhQBXFrmLG0rGL0qDTl/s1600/Vouros_Athena_Owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxotWu5zWPRTxRymZpYmI3E6Y4j7YgKRh8mlL7F-IPQgMauzMGQIxMpNc6cNl0iTBB_D5dNUIqI4_2Ix1-wT66fh9AMo2oBRbz6sKRm0un0nTwPOZ4q6s5VuXijhQBXFrmLG0rGL0qDTl/s640/Vouros_Athena_Owl.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Athena Owl' - by Tyler Vouros, 2015</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
--<br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.stankakordic.com/paintbetweenworlds/">Stanka Kordic</a></i></b>'s artwork visits from between worlds:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://stankakordic.com/">stankakordic.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stankakordicart/">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd0THm0r0a0b1E5TmitaQuzoYlIqGnnoT3hp4fTsFw3XLu0lyTCXNvd8GS4y1cyu1ucL8MstCj2xBF4fqGDVjh9q6J9tDk88qBMUcE70-EABNN7CcbkJAsPAbSiNoXL9BFSfYQyownwtf/s1600/static1.squarespace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd0THm0r0a0b1E5TmitaQuzoYlIqGnnoT3hp4fTsFw3XLu0lyTCXNvd8GS4y1cyu1ucL8MstCj2xBF4fqGDVjh9q6J9tDk88qBMUcE70-EABNN7CcbkJAsPAbSiNoXL9BFSfYQyownwtf/s640/static1.squarespace.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Leila and the Wren' - by Stanka Kordic - 2016</td></tr>
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<br />
--<br />
I've always loved graphite - I would say it is still as yet my favorite choice medium to work with - and I have discovered Mandy Tsung feels the same - On <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mairintaj_inmediasres/">Instagram</a>, of course.<br />
<br />
Here's some <i><b><a href="http://mandytsung.tumblr.com/post/136970683912/feral-love-oil-graphite-on-wood-24x18-2015">Mandy Tsung</a></b></i> for you:<br />
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<a href="http://mandytsung.tumblr.com/">mandytsung.tumblr.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandytsung/?hl=en">Instagram</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEq_UM9NNBJYXKovpBZnJNb8R0UoegVyneylBWkHoQ91-eP7kmW7w0bQfJ6EokHpiIKxYAycybcpO1GLNfNvZp8slVpYf7mxS2xEffBRFEJAHUrZTDOovhwHSKf7fpOlmpEUJYIbglKCR/s1600/tumblr_o43axmdzF61qz9v0to6_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEq_UM9NNBJYXKovpBZnJNb8R0UoegVyneylBWkHoQ91-eP7kmW7w0bQfJ6EokHpiIKxYAycybcpO1GLNfNvZp8slVpYf7mxS2xEffBRFEJAHUrZTDOovhwHSKf7fpOlmpEUJYIbglKCR/s640/tumblr_o43axmdzF61qz9v0to6_1280.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Feral Love" - Mandy Tsung - 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>--</b></div>
<i><a href="http://www.joaoruas.com/#/godiva/">João Ruas</a></i></b>:<div>
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<div>
<a href="http://joaoruas.com/">joaoruas.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/feral_kid/">Instagram</a> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJtrbaNxjAbY9PKlwxNlu-2R3RzcHkx2R_gkjYptjg_f97y626CEJRrMiQWnu5iDEzsX56faitesJDVTdFarKIq7tQNl2yWdXwp4Di41oDsHrkQeeCk1Z6a2y9L_BR7m9JDwVzQhGn3vg/s1600/Joao-Ruas-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJtrbaNxjAbY9PKlwxNlu-2R3RzcHkx2R_gkjYptjg_f97y626CEJRrMiQWnu5iDEzsX56faitesJDVTdFarKIq7tQNl2yWdXwp4Di41oDsHrkQeeCk1Z6a2y9L_BR7m9JDwVzQhGn3vg/s400/Joao-Ruas-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Godiva' - by Joao Ruas, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>--</b><br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.johanbarrios.com/work/">Johan Barrios</a></i></b>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://johanbarrios.com/">johanbarrios.com</a><br />
<br />
Instagram<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fwJWU4haQq2jn6_nOOxrdD2YM2QvGZpcAXVUo3vkLq82j2DTT5wMo6LlExHBm_JGGXbFE4nDJuI0GyoNp-ljIPoHoXZA0hhzapy_HjqhAvLuqtRsikWBdt_hSUorcKy6a06Pi4OwjMac/s1600/Escanear%252B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fwJWU4haQq2jn6_nOOxrdD2YM2QvGZpcAXVUo3vkLq82j2DTT5wMo6LlExHBm_JGGXbFE4nDJuI0GyoNp-ljIPoHoXZA0hhzapy_HjqhAvLuqtRsikWBdt_hSUorcKy6a06Pi4OwjMac/s640/Escanear%252B18.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Lo Efimero' - by Johan Barrios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>--</b><br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.franktopart.com/fvbc9w4zzg6p9teejsdfsuuhxjc38m">Frank Top</a></i></b>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://franktopart.com/">franktopart.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/frank.top/">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OYEugqsLodmDKF-XVGsU-TfLSAn_2wAmAZtBFmfxG9KzrOZQQd-oAXm0BxjJhr7YLOSpSUjVbaEsH9nQiHZb5cLzE_ljiecx6jal1Z_PESs7AKmptrlqgU-c87buAdDHuwqRS5D6wVmt/s1600/IMG_3356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OYEugqsLodmDKF-XVGsU-TfLSAn_2wAmAZtBFmfxG9KzrOZQQd-oAXm0BxjJhr7YLOSpSUjVbaEsH9nQiHZb5cLzE_ljiecx6jal1Z_PESs7AKmptrlqgU-c87buAdDHuwqRS5D6wVmt/s640/IMG_3356.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bird Watcher' - by Frank Top, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'll close this inspiration-themed post with a quote I've found through more art means, about the practice of art in lifestyle:<br />
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<i>"To capture through art a fragment of our collective experience. To discover deep meaning and deep thought, the joy of creative expression. We move through life with grace, ethics and spirituality, and relearn daily through our art to cherish humanity and our natural world."<br />—Valerie Kent</i></div>
</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
Happy creating!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-Mairin-Taj<br /><div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-78054913094143761432016-02-17T13:54:00.000-05:002016-04-07T13:58:00.201-04:00"It's Like Drawing People" - Tree Post II <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ever since my mother (also an artist) pointed it out to me via the book <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Castles-Alan-Lee/dp/0553050664">'Castles'</a></b></i>, <i><b>Alan Lee</b></i>'s artwork has been an integral inspiration to my own. His drawing temperament spoke resonantly to my natural inclinations, and even before my teenage years, I began to <i>"look closer"</i>, because of <i>Alan Lee</i>. I know many artists who've been driven in their own work by <i>Alan Lee</i>'s, just as strongly. He's A Great!<br />
<br />
Continuing on with these<i> tree posts</i> for this project with my<i> "Infinity Tree"</i>, I've revisited some of my favorite quotes from the <i>master of trees</i> in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Lord-Rings-Sketchbook-Alan/dp/0618640142"><i><b>'The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook</b></i>'</a> - Some things to keep in mind and to be inspired by anew - In <i><b>Lee</b></i>'s words:<br />
<br />
<i>"I love drawing trees and forests. <b>It is like drawing people with an endless capacity to stretch and twist</b>, their history recorded in every scar and irregularity - and they hold their pose for years! invented woodlands, informed by spending long hours sketching in real ones, gave me an opportunity to draw and design with freedom as well as delicacy, as long as I remembered that<b> trees have an anatomy</b> too."</i><br />
<br /><i>"The competing forces that affect the growth of a tree - gravity, wind, and the need for light - can be read on the contortions of branches and the form of the trunk. <b>Like skin, bark only partially conceals the structure underneath</b>, and in old trees bark is frequently rotted or broken away. <b>Drawing trees is more an act of empathy than analysis</b>, though, and I seem to find it a little easier now than I did when I was a sapling."</i><br /><br />I love the notion that to interpret a tree - or any <i>living</i> thing - via drawing, is more an act of empathy than analysis. I'm always seeking the moments throughout the creative process, the drawing, the painting and capturing of light and gesture, structure, etc., moments within that can balance empathy and analysis, so to keep the two dimensional artwork living, breathing, engaging, emotive, and certainly from my personal experience. <br /><br />So with my <i>Infinity</i> tree, I'm eager to convey, one; <br /><br />- the merged <i>imagined</i> and <i>referenced</i> technical analysis of the tree's anatomy, <br /><br />as well as, two;<br /><br />- the sense of it's enigmatic character explored with empathetic and gestural pencil work... <br /><br />If that makes sense.<div>
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<div>
I've been admiring and <i>considering</i> some formerly accomplished main character trees of the drawn or painted page, by other artists:<br /><br />This example of ancient <i>Norse</i> myth, featuring <i>Odin thrusting a sword into Branstock in the hall of Volsung</i>, as <i><b>illustrated by</b></i> the legendary English artist <i><b>Alan Lee </b>(and from his book 'Castles')</i>:<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6wrernaqErFofJ6eSH0RDH8MMvQntv_eiJdaYVZa2VBwNXDaQGdsJHHG2r1QYekj6upZrl5jmE5tXwviXWiPZJXeejE9Mwjz9Ngn_K6S-roJriqE9r47L-AqUwLBHhjEzBzSSxcpmQWa/s1600/branstock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6wrernaqErFofJ6eSH0RDH8MMvQntv_eiJdaYVZa2VBwNXDaQGdsJHHG2r1QYekj6upZrl5jmE5tXwviXWiPZJXeejE9Mwjz9Ngn_K6S-roJriqE9r47L-AqUwLBHhjEzBzSSxcpmQWa/s640/branstock.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustrated by Alan Lee, 'Castles', 1984, all rights Alan Lee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
Or this stunning work illustrating <i>"Jason and the Talking Oak"</i>, by the legendary <b style="font-style: italic;">Maxfield Parrish</b>:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoymvMzN-yvrs9w_ShOUxRCl6Fp3B7hz1D39L7yUAiMwODgfw3tRX7sYgkjdz3BsoMY2Lht54Cm2UFticzx-IxTuiNaQ_AEwOn0n9dbS7_qtmr-PE8CihnbgQfiLgsKygnGhR-tafBIAx/s1600/799e96ea7451029204fdf76321701be1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoymvMzN-yvrs9w_ShOUxRCl6Fp3B7hz1D39L7yUAiMwODgfw3tRX7sYgkjdz3BsoMY2Lht54Cm2UFticzx-IxTuiNaQ_AEwOn0n9dbS7_qtmr-PE8CihnbgQfiLgsKygnGhR-tafBIAx/s640/799e96ea7451029204fdf76321701be1.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maxfield Parrish, 1910</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />Here, a 'natural world' version of the subject entitled <i>"Oak Tree on a Northern Beach"</i>, painted <b><i>by Leopold Rothaug</i></b>:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HQpEB4dl0ljDyb0ULCIeLEhkbGzwU2oRJXJOxL8SzZHYTIWdbrZZ9Fokh28WAIAzg-CRx-yrtUmB5MEn7oEzClCPHmVpw9rwLXXPeyO5_UOcy_AtBfctOkERS6qn-8ltp4NSreJOYO1q/s1600/70cf6ffd8370e4753fd8162d740b7c33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HQpEB4dl0ljDyb0ULCIeLEhkbGzwU2oRJXJOxL8SzZHYTIWdbrZZ9Fokh28WAIAzg-CRx-yrtUmB5MEn7oEzClCPHmVpw9rwLXXPeyO5_UOcy_AtBfctOkERS6qn-8ltp4NSreJOYO1q/s640/70cf6ffd8370e4753fd8162d740b7c33.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopold Rothaug, 1924</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
And again referencing legend in this <i>illustration</i> of <i>"Giant Velles Protecting the Ancient Oak Tree"</i> painted <i><b>by</b> Serbian-born</i> master painter<i><b> Petar Meseldzija</b></i>: </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNOsIilPA6uY7JMiWQuXSQrFhedErruGMUCYRtCohaUazLPzSLIOHHU0Uw9dRMHtduD_Ins8PjXpZSYcPzlYfsvQ9QErJOFqaGT4gN8xCZPdAwDruYobV_KLSuc215oSwDpeFnmYvvUpZ/s1600/ab0f3e3b465658dbeee0e03d5a8fbdcb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNOsIilPA6uY7JMiWQuXSQrFhedErruGMUCYRtCohaUazLPzSLIOHHU0Uw9dRMHtduD_Ins8PjXpZSYcPzlYfsvQ9QErJOFqaGT4gN8xCZPdAwDruYobV_KLSuc215oSwDpeFnmYvvUpZ/s400/ab0f3e3b465658dbeee0e03d5a8fbdcb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright and Illustrated by Petar Meseldzija, 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are myths of dangerous trees in cultures across the world, as in this plate illustrated from J W Buel's <i>'Sea and Land'</i>, a Madagascan <i>man-eating tree</i> called "Ya-Te-Veo" <i>('I see you')</i>:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhW9PfLHxkaDtWwTBlbyULT0Hd0U6D7N4cp9it9O7nJeEYXEgKp6lVY9ELssefb9PO0ud0BEDC99dzSW-Z6FYFrlur1vYxzRhNdKZaVeXtpNqCkwm6NuugQkJ79c89DQ5RAOdZWHzR2yx/s1600/The_ya-te-veo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhW9PfLHxkaDtWwTBlbyULT0Hd0U6D7N4cp9it9O7nJeEYXEgKp6lVY9ELssefb9PO0ud0BEDC99dzSW-Z6FYFrlur1vYxzRhNdKZaVeXtpNqCkwm6NuugQkJ79c89DQ5RAOdZWHzR2yx/s640/The_ya-te-veo-1.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustrated by A.W., 1887</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />Or this <i>religious </i>woodland, <i>"Harpies in the Forest of the Suicides"</i>, as from the notorious <i>Dante's Inferno</i>, here engraved <i><b>by Gustave Dore</b></i>:<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVIM4zfixQet1PX8xLC8S_whjETQjvpZOSLkTdAQ90TX3RRwGv5g0Tin9ywy6KCmoqbZPwR-tZe8b72qkOBnWi2RaLfXhc1durojdrNCFuDqfdqqpMh6wvCfaPJ-5Y5xQVILODebI-EiA/s1600/DVinfernoForestOfSuicides_m-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVIM4zfixQet1PX8xLC8S_whjETQjvpZOSLkTdAQ90TX3RRwGv5g0Tin9ywy6KCmoqbZPwR-tZe8b72qkOBnWi2RaLfXhc1durojdrNCFuDqfdqqpMh6wvCfaPJ-5Y5xQVILODebI-EiA/s640/DVinfernoForestOfSuicides_m-1.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engraved by Gustave Dore, 1861</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Notice how all of these trees in some way <i>merge two worlds</i>, be they literal or metaphorical, most definitely ethereal, and physical. I'm after that in my own piece, for certain. The <i><b>tree as "bridge"</b></i>. <br /><br />I am excited for the next batch of work on this project! <br /><br />Back to others, first, though. <br /><br />-Mairin-Taj</div>
</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-25120718391101539792016-02-10T17:00:00.000-05:002016-03-30T17:04:27.205-04:00"And Then There Are the Secrets of the Trees" - Tree Post I <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>“And then there are the secrets of the trees.” –David Friend</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It has been my resolution to reconsider, actively, the icon
and the reality of the tree, and utilize both more in my work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a relatively easy realization or observation to put
forth, but it struck me as peculiar how my love for the giants of our natural
world still has yet to translate into my visual vocabulary with any fluency. You
would think whatever holds our affection, and fascination, would be an
automatic integral part of our creations, but in my case, with trees, not so
much. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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While I continue to explore for myself why that is, the
point here is that more reading, visual art exploration, and continued
in-person observation on trees has been working steadily, increasingly, back
into my daily process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In particular, I’ve waited not too patiently these past few
months to develop a concept to completion through a multi-product process that
indulges the tree as the sole subject. I’ve been given an opportunity to work
with it finally, and so, in tandem with the other gallery show work, I’m going
to see what I can manage with this long standing idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It started with two words: <b><i>‘tree bridge’</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://mairintajcaya.blogspot.com/2016/01/no-mans-land-allegorical-portrait-from.html">{<i>Read</i> about <b>using words and language as the beginning of conceptual techniques</b> <i>here</i>}</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This was put down on paper as an intentionally loose, playful,
and ‘note-taking’ large scale thumbnail sketch, that I came home from one of my
jobs to scribble down in the sketchbook, and looked like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGw9UboSoAE4wHY-Eef221FnuFqMPhzB0myfUIXLSLP7AcJM3F5v5BHVK0A5UKYIrXYH-IbJ8H0nCLKyr6-zuznaleIOpJYXrOF5-b_5yL3hAWaujbzH2kzwMI6c7E3ugJETgBcgQUBe1/s1600/_MG_8182+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGw9UboSoAE4wHY-Eef221FnuFqMPhzB0myfUIXLSLP7AcJM3F5v5BHVK0A5UKYIrXYH-IbJ8H0nCLKyr6-zuznaleIOpJYXrOF5-b_5yL3hAWaujbzH2kzwMI6c7E3ugJETgBcgQUBe1/s640/_MG_8182+copy.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I received repeat positive response to this initial
exploration through <i><a href="http://instagram.com/mairintaj_inmediasres/">social media</a> </i>and from person to person critique amongst art
friends. When I talked about my interest to develop it further into a large-scale
<i><b>drawing</b></i> and then painting, I was encouraged as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, I’ve been psyching myself up for the next approach to
this concept, a large, decent drawing, with further studies and references to
the tree, in both art and fact.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my favorite books on trees is by <i><b><a href="http://jamesbalog.com/">James Balog</a></b></i>, an
adventurous photographer, whose work marries science and poetic artistry into a
project of inspiring power. I’ve owned this book for a while, and gifted it to
a few photographers I know:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tree-New-Vision-American-Forest/dp/0760762163">Tree: A New Vision of the American Forest</a></b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLq6HqfE9dcvFQ7-Qaspyg7YuTDXgCDBF2_BsutrweIOTiKo7_DPPOmx3cgAsPOdl3wkFsvkntJunD5ZdCRXDH5qIfufXaT5OwXy_sFlisSkRE3eWi9F4VWIhsgFA8g3LXhPPwoGs8El4/s1600/116fb014581957.562863ed698bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLq6HqfE9dcvFQ7-Qaspyg7YuTDXgCDBF2_BsutrweIOTiKo7_DPPOmx3cgAsPOdl3wkFsvkntJunD5ZdCRXDH5qIfufXaT5OwXy_sFlisSkRE3eWi9F4VWIhsgFA8g3LXhPPwoGs8El4/s400/116fb014581957.562863ed698bc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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I’ve reread much of it and poured over his stunning
photography within it’s pages for the millionth time, this last pass focusing
more deliberately on connections to my own project vision.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>John Muir</i>, a naturalist involved with the <i>Sequoia</i> and
<i>Yosemite National Parks</i>, said, <i>“To the outer ears these trees are silent, [yet]
their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life,
every fiber thrilling like harp strings”</i>. </div>
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I am certain I am not the only one to
feel that we are encountering something ‘knowing’ and dynamic when we take in
the presence of a tree, such is the impact of so many years active within one
seemingly statuesque figure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>James Balog</i> himself writes in his book <i><b>“Tree”</b></i>, paired with
one of his compiled photographs of a gorgeous, ancient angel oak, <i>“I can’t help
wonder who truly is the observer and who is the observed. While we watch them,
do they gaze back at us? It is easy to understand the reciprocity of the visual
exchange when a creature has eyes. Does a plant have some other sense that we
mammals lack the capacity to understand?”</i>…. It’s a sense we get sometimes,
anyways; “this forest has eyes”, we say, when venturing forth into the unknown
woodland, perhaps feeling as if we are somehow observed by the strange beings
standing all around us like a freeze-frame militia party.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to impart something of those non-existent “eyes” into
the piece I am developing here, a personified presence as if wisdom and eons of
observing us tiny, flimsy, fleeting Homo sapiens is retained within the
colossus standing patiently therein.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Normal trees can get truly massive in scale compared to us
humans, let alone <i>mythical</i> and <i>metaphorical</i> ones such as the famous <i><a href="http://www.viking-mythology.com/yggdrasil.php">Yggdrasil</a></i>
from <i>Norse mythology</i>. I’m referencing the latter kind of tree, something of
epic and ethereal proportions, so I want to tackle the challenge of stepping
back and sizing up such a thing within the confines of a composition. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Balog</i> observes, <i>“If, as Wallace Stegner said, ‘Space is a
place with no memory’, then a great tree infuses empty space with memory and
turns it into a place, creating a bridge between civilization and wildest
wilderness”.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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My <b><i>‘tree bridge’</i></b>, now dubbed <i><b>‘The Infinity Tree’ </b></i>as the
working title, needs to grow into a space that holds a sense of place at once unbreachable
and venerable. A being imperative to bridge two dimensions through it’s own existence. A vertical union, <i>communion</i>, a pillar of light, water, life force,
and integrity, that is what this epic tree drawing should be about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By extension, I want to impart that long held connection to
the <i>god-world</i> that we’ve assumed of trees into the drawing. In our awe of the
elegant, expansive, symbolic strength of the <i>oak tree</i>, for example, it’s
character would be a good element to work with. As <i>Balog</i> writes, <i>“Lightning
strikes oak more often than it does other species. To ancient cultures, this
made oak appear to be conduits for bringing the power of the sky gods down to earth.
Accordingly, the trees were held in great reverence”</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Celts, for example, not only recognized
natural patterns associated with trees and the elements, but honored the trees
as a system of symbols for virtues and values in life. They had a tree ‘alphabet’,
called <i>ogham</i>, which was their only known form of written documentation in the
culture. Oak, one of the most prominent of the native trees in their
iconography, represented strength and integrity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With reference from the oak, I’ll pull in inspiration from
other appealing trees that lend a more universal final figure to the drawing’s
subject. It shouldn’t be a certain kind of tree, but a tree of all trees,
beyond any human identification system.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That's all for now. More to come on this <i>tree</i> installment shortly.</div>
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Happy creating!</div>
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-Mairin-Taj</div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-5648348712049010012016-01-31T13:38:00.000-05:002016-02-09T23:24:27.270-05:00Building Up "The Safe Place" - Painting Process from Roots to Rendering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sometimes the term <b><i>'build'</i></b> is incredibly apt in describing the process through which a concept and all its integral, multifaceted parts, come together into a <i>cohesive</i> image.<br />
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As artists, we might more often tend to use words like <i>"develop"</i> or <i>"compose"</i> a concept, a composition, and these terms are accurate, certainly. But this painting, as well as a lot of other recent works I've been working on, have been <i><b>"built"</b></i> more than anything, and a large part of that has to do with the finer points in the way they were constructed, from start to finish.<br />
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This piece, <i><b>"The Safe Place"</b></i>, was quite directly built out of the 11x14" space which it is placed in on the 400 lb. hot press Arches watercolor paper.<br />
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I designed my domain to work in, I roughly knocked out a thumbnail for guidance, I arranged my reference material, and I <i>built</i> this tree from the ground up, in one week, start to finish.<br />
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Here's the process, with some breakdown description, from that start to finish week:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUi8swC5cbtm_p10C7MJGLWpTZxZooe6Vt2axwSZMUt9S9A8dubyn_o8RreR0m2gW2DTjFrkLEn3TAU5ScRLd3gISpWgqnkdgK3k4dFHVnu4lfuGA0X5hoD9GWV5CZzUA2m9QTKXVHh4Z/s1600/IMG_20160209_163629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUi8swC5cbtm_p10C7MJGLWpTZxZooe6Vt2axwSZMUt9S9A8dubyn_o8RreR0m2gW2DTjFrkLEn3TAU5ScRLd3gISpWgqnkdgK3k4dFHVnu4lfuGA0X5hoD9GWV5CZzUA2m9QTKXVHh4Z/s400/IMG_20160209_163629.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is what the start of any idea looks like on paper, for me. Loose and fast; shapes in value within a frame.<br />
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If you follow any of <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mairintaj_inmediasres/">my social media</a></i> posts for process, or have seen my blog before, you'll recognize this as my typical rough sketch and/or <i>thumbnail approach</i>.<br />
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And the following is the immediate result of <i>choking back</i> on the <b>soft graphite </b>pencil, letting the relaxed, dancerly strokes find my vision through <i>rhythm, internal contour, and layered structure</i>. <b><i>Building</i></b> it up into a state where I can go back in and start <i>better defining the constructed forms with committed, articulate line weight variation </i>and swatches of<i> value definition</i>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTehPR-PEk9xVWGXjd_ovd0SX84woJXgLPWuVMEwvqVKxNaBXFKjqLey9_EP6flxugPny9AbiJXh6QKmHnmD2CH0J0HTf5fpSzBgg0zfgdLn0vHmQUI7nsy9VFmakFsG2tnfPue9OzutF8/s1600/P1050172+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTehPR-PEk9xVWGXjd_ovd0SX84woJXgLPWuVMEwvqVKxNaBXFKjqLey9_EP6flxugPny9AbiJXh6QKmHnmD2CH0J0HTf5fpSzBgg0zfgdLn0vHmQUI7nsy9VFmakFsG2tnfPue9OzutF8/s640/P1050172+copy.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjddBbb0PZJ7SuC61CuRxea8MfVpLrmglHo-PAIuplt-pq1fvRCTT9lCQVFVgRXMoFFeLdeRU6cPjNB1KifH0JmCMUFQh9VjiJ03Y9tsxM3qDrqqHVPmfwq6eq-xDANR2g7pBglPTPFsE9/s1600/P1050173+WEBcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjddBbb0PZJ7SuC61CuRxea8MfVpLrmglHo-PAIuplt-pq1fvRCTT9lCQVFVgRXMoFFeLdeRU6cPjNB1KifH0JmCMUFQh9VjiJ03Y9tsxM3qDrqqHVPmfwq6eq-xDANR2g7pBglPTPFsE9/s400/P1050173+WEBcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click the image for larger view</td></tr>
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<br />
A close up of the woman's form to see a little more of the tonal detail I <i>smudged</i> in and carved out with an eraser.<br />
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I built up the tree as you see it above, more into the rest of the branches and roots, detailing shapes and lighting with rather abstract, calligraphic line work through tone and erasing of tone.<br />
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And then, once the drawing was certain, I stopped pushing it at that stage, in that medium, and switched over to <b>watercolor washes</b> to give me a sense of the <i>color palette</i> and how I wanted to paint it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Oiuq99Dw7-hJ2_Zoq8JF0kPBaX_h4AaqTxT34T79yZacXDJdWKWOlBxX6imU6V4p3N49FLyTb-5Ez5xBVcbgvdEjCgR71AtSUkpXpXwe13DKbQuaZkqHxGNrrYGNQH_PHuPjzBXMlaA/s1600/P1050194+WEBcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-Oiuq99Dw7-hJ2_Zoq8JF0kPBaX_h4AaqTxT34T79yZacXDJdWKWOlBxX6imU6V4p3N49FLyTb-5Ez5xBVcbgvdEjCgR71AtSUkpXpXwe13DKbQuaZkqHxGNrrYGNQH_PHuPjzBXMlaA/s640/P1050194+WEBcopy.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
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Simple reds and greens.<br />
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Building up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1SNiq_qzxvdB_HFvkZa3LUtUS69Lv_SiFWRKLc5rTYb5CQEKBrYfGXA14kI5WYN_R_2aOYGDOKhehvQfdlz3dBkff_WTXajg0DwI_JFn8Oj9qFJKoyii2CcRLJ3Pm15hA4stnarIYHVn/s1600/P1050199+WEBcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1SNiq_qzxvdB_HFvkZa3LUtUS69Lv_SiFWRKLc5rTYb5CQEKBrYfGXA14kI5WYN_R_2aOYGDOKhehvQfdlz3dBkff_WTXajg0DwI_JFn8Oj9qFJKoyii2CcRLJ3Pm15hA4stnarIYHVn/s640/P1050199+WEBcopy.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz0AkGh3djaDP3NS0FTbRq_QwCj28XrFM_mMTEmhJ_vWK1aXUPxCwpAhT-U0APRCjRAPg9WgEbVp0cyT5zG_ux5tgg5KhcXRu52qWgDYetCkcqlVSe6g7Z62mxC431HWIzxNfNcw9TSlJ/s1600/P1050207+WEBcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz0AkGh3djaDP3NS0FTbRq_QwCj28XrFM_mMTEmhJ_vWK1aXUPxCwpAhT-U0APRCjRAPg9WgEbVp0cyT5zG_ux5tgg5KhcXRu52qWgDYetCkcqlVSe6g7Z62mxC431HWIzxNfNcw9TSlJ/s640/P1050207+WEBcopy.jpg" width="507" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Acrylics, matte medium, colored pencils...</i></b><br />
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And then lastly, the little details, before a final coal of matte medium, and spray UV varnish coats...Some<i> serious</i> drying and handling time...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4KFEXSsporkVs3RH_Ha9qfeMeHQLf_ate47xCzsR96uwrUpkFd61Ho3uh0z-IVOoxsW3in-PqhOCa2iP1rXbpqAIcKxVxLfFNP879fddpeO4jGGmLATXoAq7LORVEtnGGRMoMNaYGmOO/s1600/TheSafePlace.D3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4KFEXSsporkVs3RH_Ha9qfeMeHQLf_ate47xCzsR96uwrUpkFd61Ho3uh0z-IVOoxsW3in-PqhOCa2iP1rXbpqAIcKxVxLfFNP879fddpeO4jGGmLATXoAq7LORVEtnGGRMoMNaYGmOO/s400/TheSafePlace.D3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click the image for larger view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZiMllo-mtMcpTiqLzeF7j3gRWGVo1cKyD88CZ3XGLoBrqaB6zwY0ekwa46P-PcwHpoN4qS7ShMw8UTNx2pP14YM1RQ14WenSci2fq4kpCgrBPmZcz8ObHwwwU0_iBoo1FfDIYX7P3nPY/s1600/TheSafePlace.D2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZiMllo-mtMcpTiqLzeF7j3gRWGVo1cKyD88CZ3XGLoBrqaB6zwY0ekwa46P-PcwHpoN4qS7ShMw8UTNx2pP14YM1RQ14WenSci2fq4kpCgrBPmZcz8ObHwwwU0_iBoo1FfDIYX7P3nPY/s400/TheSafePlace.D2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV_cpGa9lD0E6ZEYjGwB8fb_ZIAqv5RQJYtpdJ5iB6ynuTn0KLxhcL7K-MDApeDOgQqvRvN3qso7Pg97Lrh3P51PgBcwEuH_yw_Mjybu95FLzmFJ1WO90cPt4_s31T_ay1HYeHhNv4bny/s1600/TheSafePlace.WEB.72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV_cpGa9lD0E6ZEYjGwB8fb_ZIAqv5RQJYtpdJ5iB6ynuTn0KLxhcL7K-MDApeDOgQqvRvN3qso7Pg97Lrh3P51PgBcwEuH_yw_Mjybu95FLzmFJ1WO90cPt4_s31T_ay1HYeHhNv4bny/s640/TheSafePlace.WEB.72dpi.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnORvNmpEjNo67kG7EwCoUHlSx2IFcy34vfwW3e0ia5cwYDavzwVS5VmQsi9Lss7YbV_e9e_5xqenVYa3YMieXo6i3W5fv90ZD67vgShsc67w5rGEhhZCQ7KdnnbKWr58xEHl4iqpjNOPi/s1600/P1050246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnORvNmpEjNo67kG7EwCoUHlSx2IFcy34vfwW3e0ia5cwYDavzwVS5VmQsi9Lss7YbV_e9e_5xqenVYa3YMieXo6i3W5fv90ZD67vgShsc67w5rGEhhZCQ7KdnnbKWr58xEHl4iqpjNOPi/s400/P1050246.JPG" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />
With a <b><i>custom framing</i></b> job from my local <a href="http://www.theartstoreinc.com/"><b><i>art store</i></b></a> that I am quite pleased to patron. It's great when you can support small, local businesses and receive not only solid work, but a good professional rapport.<br />
<br />
-<br />
<b style="font-style: italic;">“The Safe Place”</b><i> alludes to a Native American iteration of </i>Woman<i> as man-kind’s bridge to </i>Nature<i>, how she is humanity’s opportunity to cultivate a close relationship with the </i>Wild<i>, and how through her, the raw self runs free. Men, with their own unique value, take heed of woman’s distinctive bond to Nature in its ever-changing force. </i><div>
<i>This piece is an interpretation of the </i>place<i>, the </i>sacred space<i>, where she might need to go to be </i>alone, to be unburdened, uncovered, unseen<i> by her male counterpart, and </i>uncaught<i>, as well. She rests, in the safe place, in the circle, at the foot at a strong, universal icon for the natural world. There is nothing else but the tree, and her.</i><div>
-</div>
<div>
<br />* <b><i>"The Safe Place"</i></b> is currently showing - <b><i>February 5th - 28th 2016</i></b> - with <i>two other original works of mine</i> as part of a group exhibition showcasing local women artists in the theme of the feminine story - girls and women's empowerment, perspectives, and beauty - <i>#ExtremeLove</i> for <i>#grlsgrlsgrls</i> at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DECAlancaster/?fref=ts"><b>The Discerning Eye Center for the Arts - the DECA Building</b></a>, Lancaster, PA.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html">Also<i>, art prints of the original painting are available to order HERE</i></a></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/contact-your-artist.html">For any <i>questions</i> or <i>comments,<b> contact me directly HERE</b></i></a><br />
<br />
<br />
In the meantime,<br />
Be well in this winter,<br />
<br />
-Mairin-Taj<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-59658761699891134062016-01-08T00:06:00.000-05:002016-02-04T00:11:12.031-05:00"Made New" To Be Included In Infected By Art's Volume 4 Publication!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I'm <i><b>floored </b></i>- and honored - to share the news that my painting<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/painting?source=feed_text&story_id=10153159765745806" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span class="_58cm"></span></a> "Made New" will be included in the international annual Infected By Art's Volume 4 art book!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAcV-zN82wqLKvdffGOyRbgWFZasuzqqHBV-oMmh593g7gSfOZVlQzMX1x8WbK4HhJVVUMIdk8k_BWbLpmuuRTPIbPcoANx3K9aMhBFUClgQy1rao38W2SBJluxpHNjm5-NIdRkZX6OW5/s1600/MadeNew.Final.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAcV-zN82wqLKvdffGOyRbgWFZasuzqqHBV-oMmh593g7gSfOZVlQzMX1x8WbK4HhJVVUMIdk8k_BWbLpmuuRTPIbPcoANx3K9aMhBFUClgQy1rao38W2SBJluxpHNjm5-NIdRkZX6OW5/s640/MadeNew.Final.WEB.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Made New" - 8 1/4 x 11 1/4" - Mixed Media, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i>Congratulations</i> to my fellow selectees and award winners! The work I am seeing for this volume so far is stunning.<br />
<br />
And thank you for your hard work, jury panel, <a href="http://www.havenartgallery.com/about/">Erica Berkowitz</a>, <a href="http://www.pjartworks.com/">Patrick Jones</a>, <a href="http://www.orbitbooks.net/author/lauren-panepinto/">Lauren Panepinto</a>, and <a href="http://www.allenwilliamsstudio.com/">Allen Williams</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.infectedbyart.com/iba4awards.asp">You can <i><b>browse the selected artwork for this years publication</b></i> HERE</a></div>
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<i>*And thank you to those two lovely mystery people who voted for this piece during the week of the separate public voting - You rock!</i> </div>
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Now I just have to worry about how well the hi res digital file of this will turn out when it is printed amongst such admirable artists. Eek.</div>
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Floored, </div>
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-Mairin-Taj</div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-81423636259784303582016-01-03T23:42:00.000-05:002016-02-03T23:45:41.325-05:00"What I'm Reading" - Plus the 2016 Resolution to *Read More*<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy 2016, everyone!<br />
<br />
Honestly, everyone I talk with on the subject exudes possitivity about this year, and it's fantastic. Everyone's excited, and in a good way, including yours truly!<br />
<br />
Let's kick off with resolutions and literature, both excellently tempting brain-gear turners.<br />
<br />
On my bedside window ledge I have now five books that have since piled up neatly as the initial 'to do' list of reading material. They are:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-New-Verse-Translation-Bilingual/dp/0393320979/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454559566&sr=1-1&keywords=beowulf+-+seamus+heaney"><b><i>Beowulf</i></b>, as translated by Seamus Heaney:</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSyAQ2zAEGp7WigYT2423GlClsgNVUhb3qAq4ZPCQuFGQ_9_54GAHtNASyYzlvjhh7Hz__Q9wB9xQ5VGeELsTmnQ6TPofd1i2CsYEr4hv9G38TcwoHJ0SOfonud91iNJo5UJVeX4PpTU8/s1600/er1cdvsbjhls1tdkpccu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSyAQ2zAEGp7WigYT2423GlClsgNVUhb3qAq4ZPCQuFGQ_9_54GAHtNASyYzlvjhh7Hz__Q9wB9xQ5VGeELsTmnQ6TPofd1i2CsYEr4hv9G38TcwoHJ0SOfonud91iNJo5UJVeX4PpTU8/s400/er1cdvsbjhls1tdkpccu.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-New-Verse-Translation-Bilingual/dp/0393320979/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454559566&sr=1-1&keywords=beowulf+-+seamus+heaney">Browse and order on Amazon HERE</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuchulain-Muirthemne-Story-Branch-Ulster/dp/0486417174/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454559734&sr=1-1&keywords=cuchulain+of+muirthemne+by+lady+gregory"><b><i>Cuchulain of Muirthemne</i></b>, by Lady Gregory:</a><br />
*Note the lovely cover illustration by JC Leyendecker<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTgmsHjwUGICViskIEcpHQUeFwPkbsifyi2CeizadBQyY1XU3k-k-AjkjlTUQzwEUqSu3jdLyhkbwutkJfhk6-wK424La2sbTNETZXBV76znajgyT3iqgC95gZ_BNccjCEfpM-cLqkZm1/s1600/51SgKrz4-LL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTgmsHjwUGICViskIEcpHQUeFwPkbsifyi2CeizadBQyY1XU3k-k-AjkjlTUQzwEUqSu3jdLyhkbwutkJfhk6-wK424La2sbTNETZXBV76znajgyT3iqgC95gZ_BNccjCEfpM-cLqkZm1/s400/51SgKrz4-LL.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuchulain-Muirthemne-Story-Branch-Ulster/dp/0486417174/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454559734&sr=1-1&keywords=cuchulain+of+muirthemne+by+lady+gregory">Browse and order on Amazon HERE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9878023-the-corpus-hermetica"><i><b>The Corpus Hermetica</b></i>, attributed to Hermes Trismestigustus:</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopfChvOFVNyKkzHpRIK_3VhXyk_-65ZIm91BReeEvoVpkKcJT1wn07CpQS1R_0XWgSg2osjeSqGTPqHQesSCH2HfgvrAaONVzAYfwq8w_IN0xOSp34_aCjdsl2IliAAhqbaOkAt-Av9vs/s1600/41QbXzKCJ4L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopfChvOFVNyKkzHpRIK_3VhXyk_-65ZIm91BReeEvoVpkKcJT1wn07CpQS1R_0XWgSg2osjeSqGTPqHQesSCH2HfgvrAaONVzAYfwq8w_IN0xOSp34_aCjdsl2IliAAhqbaOkAt-Av9vs/s1600/41QbXzKCJ4L.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9878023-the-corpus-hermetica">Browse Goodreads HERE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Memories-Dreams-Reflections-C-G-Jung/dp/0679723951/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454560259&sr=1-1&keywords=memories+dreams+reflections+by+carl+jung"><b><i>Memories, Dreams, Reflections</i></b>, by Carl Jung:</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUTVyKWfFZ0i7_W_mCrgOX7w3FqfwEKlqwcbj7kdUJvi03hkddGi8eSt5nUFq74yY9Tj2UXEl0-seu2WjCCqPjDZDlWYPYvaigz8CN9d6e-GQGAnX1Z_I7LER2qEDRkYngeCuBSCXSq2a/s1600/51GfUSfHFEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUTVyKWfFZ0i7_W_mCrgOX7w3FqfwEKlqwcbj7kdUJvi03hkddGi8eSt5nUFq74yY9Tj2UXEl0-seu2WjCCqPjDZDlWYPYvaigz8CN9d6e-GQGAnX1Z_I7LER2qEDRkYngeCuBSCXSq2a/s400/51GfUSfHFEL.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Memories-Dreams-Reflections-C-G-Jung/dp/0679723951/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454560259&sr=1-1&keywords=memories+dreams+reflections+by+carl+jung">Browse and order on Amazon HERE</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And lastly, so far:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Taboo-Against-Knowing-Who/dp/0679723005/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454560487&sr=1-1&keywords=the+book+on+the+taboo+against+knowing+who+you+are+by+alan+watts"><i><b>The Book On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are</b></i>, by Alan Watts:</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUEYPPZ22aFbqyU-q8B2jEYZn6ijVhf4yOY4XLOb2iHfvB1WWymlFwVnsf59SoIf2bZX91aPZ0EbiadB9WjSp2TtZyQg1e8cQsbBBcCGhF4IklijcLD8qXJiTEv34gYcXdl6XL4e79r0a/s1600/41KA60WmO6L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUEYPPZ22aFbqyU-q8B2jEYZn6ijVhf4yOY4XLOb2iHfvB1WWymlFwVnsf59SoIf2bZX91aPZ0EbiadB9WjSp2TtZyQg1e8cQsbBBcCGhF4IklijcLD8qXJiTEv34gYcXdl6XL4e79r0a/s400/41KA60WmO6L.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>The Corpus Hermetica</b></i> is very thin, but heavy to ponder and consider, in some ways, and it reads like an ancient play dialogue.<br />
<br />
<i><b>The Book</b></i>, by Watts, is a speedy, light little read, all on good philosophical stuff. Just lovely.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Beowulf</b></i> is a <i>classic</i>, so if you haven't read that, try it out soon. <br />
And <i><b>Lady Gregory</b></i> was one of the great authors and collectors of <i>Celtic</i> myth and legend, some might say history.<br />
And we all know <b><i>Jung</i></b>. Right? Please say yes. Or go read some of his stuff, if only for your thinker.<br />
<br />
That's the lot, as it stands!<br />
<br />
This year is already loaded, and it feels thoroughly great. So attending diligently to my <b>'resolution'</b> of sorts to read more regularly is going to be a trick of it's own!<br />
<br />
What's your <i>resolution</i> for 2016?<br />
<br />
Be well!<br />
-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-81769347190071705172015-12-28T22:59:00.000-05:002016-02-03T23:03:53.943-05:00When A Return Client Asks for a Rush-Job Commission Over the Holidays...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
...You say, <i>"Yes, I am happy to take care of that for you"</i>, provided they meet the <i>minimum fee</i> of <b>[quality work standards + resources and references + sacrificed holiday party time = fair charge total].</b> <br />
*Bullet points to follow for this situation, at the end<br />
<br />
I have a client, one of my <i>return</i> clients <i>(pause for personal hurrahs)</i> who reached out to me on an unseasonably warm winter day between gigs for a quick favor; it's the simultaneously dreaded and appreciated <i>"Could you get this done quickly???"</i> offer of work, at an otherwise inopportune time.<br />
<br />
<i>Yes</i>. That's the answer. But there are terms to be met for the 'yes' to be justified.<br />
<br />
Yes, I want to work more, to try more challenges, to prove to my return client just why they <i>are</i> a return client, and be an all around rewarding freelance artist.<br />
But no, not for a lack of fair payment, considering factors of materials, time constraints, holiday distractions, or the question of applicable, compatible content of the commission request, itself. These things must be <i>considered</i> and <i>clearly communicated</i>, as <i>professionally as possible</i>, mind.<br />
<br />
Happily, my client herein is a wonderful creative professional herself and was indeed fair in her coming to terms with me on the project. <b><i>Such clients should forever be treasured with respect, eager professionalism and helpful, cooperative methods</i></b>.<br />
<br />
The project was completely outside of my typical content interests or experience, however. It was to be a gift for a professional colleague in NYC, in the <i>film industry</i>, and it was to capture a shared idea that involved merging various famous, <b>fictional serial killers</b> with a <b>teenage punk rock band</b> line up gig. Old school and a bit creepy. But figurative work is certainly in my wheelhouse, and the creative freedom my client was interested in trusting me with was a welcome condition for my accepting the <i>rush job</i>.<br />
<br />
In keeping with good taste for the sake of the client's concept privacy, as well as their colleague's, given certain factors that may develop things more, I'm keeping this fairly tight to the chest. But I will share a few sneak peeks at the process and the final result.<br />
Or else this wouldn't be as fun, right?<br />
<br />
One of the famous killers to be included in the concept composition was the well known <b><i>Jason</i></b>.<br />
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I worked quickly, efficiently at all times - or <i>more so than usual</i>, that is, as I am considered to be quite fast for a traditional artist.<br />
<br />
Here's the figurative and characteristic contour layout of a ripped teen <b>Jason</b>, on the page with four other characters:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOFiMrGkcWPgenTSbH6n-1JutiAJlXxxq6ruNPARvYs1toyDIoSPtVBBx-ukn261tGitA1Z9iY5HM3SI4PzP5u5lVSWS7hie9Rp3E_PU91V2ll3iaGbG88KW_9kw96jmMyASBtczNoSYK/s1600/12467887_10153158257990806_1150598226_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOFiMrGkcWPgenTSbH6n-1JutiAJlXxxq6ruNPARvYs1toyDIoSPtVBBx-ukn261tGitA1Z9iY5HM3SI4PzP5u5lVSWS7hie9Rp3E_PU91V2ll3iaGbG88KW_9kw96jmMyASBtczNoSYK/s400/12467887_10153158257990806_1150598226_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Really simple, I've just blocked the figure in and started pulling out the classic mask details before adding the washes of color.<br />
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And here's some of <b>Jason</b> for the final:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuO6H51I6bDFddGSlHkmypJomJk5tU2qlodYaFFSL_NThb7s0qQJsaIekWgjrpkNYOl_v7pvQEfoVYc_NA6iRgccjhX6QDvdBSgnyxlWSqY-EY3buGy7xtVRhRyoKVCxstZsrf-M0YPfn/s1600/KIllerPunkRockTeenLineUp.Final.D1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuO6H51I6bDFddGSlHkmypJomJk5tU2qlodYaFFSL_NThb7s0qQJsaIekWgjrpkNYOl_v7pvQEfoVYc_NA6iRgccjhX6QDvdBSgnyxlWSqY-EY3buGy7xtVRhRyoKVCxstZsrf-M0YPfn/s400/KIllerPunkRockTeenLineUp.Final.D1.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram - Mairintaj_InMediasRes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
And to be sure, having no extensive experience with any of the four fictional serial killer concepts my client chose for the piece, other than IT (Tim Curry clown), I went in up to the elbows in research on familiarizing myself with the four characters. It was a somewhat amusing and disturbing process.<br />
<br />
Here's a shot at a teen version of Carrie's mother's legs in torn tights and shiny red leather boots:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouwnDfg4SmXuuI4-jdTbohn3Fr7CWMQz7hDmAD1nZVzfB6V41r0zMnsp4sohLzOUkBq341voMzWUJa4UzFPgxuhhxMUpmFzSFxFmZuTnYlmcMB49jXweGqbRinpFS2yjc1pqnXD-dDtVv/s1600/KIllerPunkRockTeenLineUp.Final.D2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouwnDfg4SmXuuI4-jdTbohn3Fr7CWMQz7hDmAD1nZVzfB6V41r0zMnsp4sohLzOUkBq341voMzWUJa4UzFPgxuhhxMUpmFzSFxFmZuTnYlmcMB49jXweGqbRinpFS2yjc1pqnXD-dDtVv/s400/KIllerPunkRockTeenLineUp.Final.D2.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram - Mairintaj_InMediasRes</td></tr>
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<br />
(Chuckle)<br />
It was an odd, fun, quick little job!<br />
<br />
*In summation:<br />
<br />
1. Welcome back a return client with verbal smiles (<i>it's cause for both of you to celebrate!</i>)<br />
<br />
2. Take on rush jobs if you can manage it to <i>quality work standards</i> <b>within</b> <i>fair terms of your services. *(If not, help your return client to find a way to get their needs met by negotiations, or if necessary, a recommendation for a more suitable freelancer who will be able to fit the situation, and explain all of this patiently but firmly)</i><br />
<br />
3. Show your return client just why they chose to be <i><b>your </b></i>return client by being a professional, empathetic, and problem-solving freelance dream (<i>within reason of those fair terms</i>)<br />
<br />
4. Speak well of them and their professional dynamic in blog posts!<br />
<br />
As always, I'm looking forward to more work with this client, keeping in touch throughout our mutually busy, expansive creative career journeys. It's always an unexpected experience.<br />
<br />
Oh, yes, and wow - <i><b>Have a Happy New Year</b></i> - <b><i>2016</i></b> is <i>just</i> around the corner!<br />
My, what a year...I'm glad I can see that one off with a good note.<br />
<br />
-Mairin-Taj<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-75305230126613650862015-12-03T21:43:00.000-05:002016-02-03T21:48:02.479-05:00Infected by Art? Submit to IBA 4!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This year I took the stab and submitted a handful of relatively recent works for the call to enter <a href="http://www.infectedbyart.com/">Infected By Art</a>'s annual international illustrative art book. It's a prestigious contest-based annual publication, to be sure. But it isn't about being defeatist and assuming you or your work is not at the level to be accepted. It's about testing yourself out in amongst an international playing field of varied skill level with imaginative representational art.<br />
<br />
So enter!<br />
<br />
I'm excited and nervous, but ultimately satisfied I took the shot, and am forgetting about the results until they show up, for better or worse. Either way, it's a learning experience.<br />
<br />
Here're the works that I've entered for the jury's consideration:<br />
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Entries:<br />
<br />
<i>"Made New"</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5uRkAdLIRz3lz9FOiS2ThZ4KeUcCnH4qf0oV3-CVKoefNeb2V6_r_vT6QUcyk1z-D1RcGn7qWIWb0nOe6HUosJq9R0348D3D1lbaGbagL32Y43KSIZOTtja-dGPpLY1W32vjAZZEQzUm/s1600/MadeNew.Final.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5uRkAdLIRz3lz9FOiS2ThZ4KeUcCnH4qf0oV3-CVKoefNeb2V6_r_vT6QUcyk1z-D1RcGn7qWIWb0nOe6HUosJq9R0348D3D1lbaGbagL32Y43KSIZOTtja-dGPpLY1W32vjAZZEQzUm/s640/MadeNew.Final.WEB.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>"Ghost Love"</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8fLgJcuN9iKvYJ2h4SOCl2_QRwmKtcofeRi44gEh5PKJTbTmiWZhwgbp1dxQDVfQ7EWANITTxLlI3CrTM3ONfVBXW1LpDABlx8uAO_Y9X1ZbqCJH9Al3LwuR5HCWVAwprtQwtveDUwJd/s1600/GhostLove.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8fLgJcuN9iKvYJ2h4SOCl2_QRwmKtcofeRi44gEh5PKJTbTmiWZhwgbp1dxQDVfQ7EWANITTxLlI3CrTM3ONfVBXW1LpDABlx8uAO_Y9X1ZbqCJH9Al3LwuR5HCWVAwprtQwtveDUwJd/s640/GhostLove.WEB.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>"No Man's Land"</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIYn409U3mU9njwyJxQfzARXKwboRhlYmCG7-oihzEHIw3-AA7BmcSfcIurbdC4itVEjuLVwIZud1uSFK31iV4k-8bkOi7oVCJSyjTjZUy3SF8O6dKZD6Yloo_rhZCVOKHQNSztJndlVC/s1600/_MG_8773+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIYn409U3mU9njwyJxQfzARXKwboRhlYmCG7-oihzEHIw3-AA7BmcSfcIurbdC4itVEjuLVwIZud1uSFK31iV4k-8bkOi7oVCJSyjTjZUy3SF8O6dKZD6Yloo_rhZCVOKHQNSztJndlVC/s400/_MG_8773+WEB.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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<i>"Orchis In His Hands"</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz3FbGayNrRtgpPE-Q04SgoTD5jYgEI7KcRUkNW66CfsEo7Xf8IqbWmQU-nXusiP08GQbUDfbEOataII1inn4GyeQZN9_ZZVReDsGgIWJUnZeREnwhw7i92T0X6tmGxDbCKAy-x-asADy/s1600/Orchis.Final.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOz3FbGayNrRtgpPE-Q04SgoTD5jYgEI7KcRUkNW66CfsEo7Xf8IqbWmQU-nXusiP08GQbUDfbEOataII1inn4GyeQZN9_ZZVReDsGgIWJUnZeREnwhw7i92T0X6tmGxDbCKAy-x-asADy/s640/Orchis.Final.WEB.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>"Welsh Immortals"</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9VbPRG-CUwKmJy5Igiedx3oi0J1ImIKJ1uSWJsDC8sIngBJU-a0uLHQ0khFnQxt01uLBE3Vdv361OK7YQGmtyrPeQGrhOJ1QiAqcWK0mTW16h8XZGmBNujibxJhtVnOM9M06ezgaAIdr/s1600/ImmortalsofWales.MabinogionTrilogy.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9VbPRG-CUwKmJy5Igiedx3oi0J1ImIKJ1uSWJsDC8sIngBJU-a0uLHQ0khFnQxt01uLBE3Vdv361OK7YQGmtyrPeQGrhOJ1QiAqcWK0mTW16h8XZGmBNujibxJhtVnOM9M06ezgaAIdr/s400/ImmortalsofWales.MabinogionTrilogy.WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{CLICK for larger view}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fifth entry was free, but they were all fairly cheap, considering the world of gallery and publication submission fees.<br />
<br />
Looking forward to hearing more, and browsing the latest submissions on the <i><b><a href="http://www.infectedbyart.com/">IBA website</a></b></i>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.infectedbyart.com/contestsearch.asp?cid=26">You can <b style="font-style: italic;">view all the IBA 4 contest entries </b>HERE</a><br />
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<br /></div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-46416203939770531672015-11-30T20:04:00.000-05:002016-01-11T20:10:29.065-05:00"No Man's Land" - Allegorical Portrait from Concept to Completion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like any concept, the initial visions of imagery and mood, message and methodology are springboard material at best; they are made of stuff that <i>evolves</i>, and is meant to mature as the idea is seized and formed by the artist.<br />
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I usually conceive of a few <b><i>key words</i></b> or <b><i>phrases</i></b> that represent the initial spark of the concept, and help guide the process of bringing it to roaring life.<br />
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In this case, I was working with the key word <b><i>Soldier</i></b> in my mind, as a I gathered additional information to then execute the concept into a final result.<br />
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<b><i>Soldier</i></b> evolved as it became evident that the title begged for something a bit more <i>atmospheric</i> in its description, as in a place, or a <b><i>state of mind</i></b>, more specifically. I didn't want the title "soldier" to leave the viewer stuck on the loaded iconography of what we currently think is a "soldier". I wanted the title to allude to there being more than the soldier of today, or the soldier of last century, or even the social, political archetype of the soldier figure, alone. I wanted it to be psychological. I wanted it to trigger the elusive, vaguely defined <i style="font-weight: bold;">"no man's land"</i>notion of a complex inner state, emotionally.<br />
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Perhaps this piece is an inside-out and backwards portrait of what the perspective of seeing through the psychological state of <b>No Man's Land</b> is like.<br />
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This final piece grew out of an exploratory study of the idea of "Soldier" I had - Again, that initial concept was a spark, but I knew it would not come to fruition through the creative process in the same form it began.<br />
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Here're some sample images of building up the first study to get more clear for myself exactly what I needed to articulate:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ONvWTjkdmWyH2JXlavBWtmFgAOmbL70-izjwdATiAWiuWiOiX_97QrI5_0MKvc1_qLfjiscWA6l3D2rNJWg2_l_a4DU_sHOg77S3VsRw4ncwtIgSh6kQlNk9H3qhB-WPV3g9qipPr5Zp/s1600/_MG_8594+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ONvWTjkdmWyH2JXlavBWtmFgAOmbL70-izjwdATiAWiuWiOiX_97QrI5_0MKvc1_qLfjiscWA6l3D2rNJWg2_l_a4DU_sHOg77S3VsRw4ncwtIgSh6kQlNk9H3qhB-WPV3g9qipPr5Zp/s400/_MG_8594+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After the first small rough, you'll notice the final first study is quite textured, for my usual approach - I was playing and exploring, chasing something I wasn't sure of, and seeing how much I needed to push and pull the mediums to possible catch it. Here is the final:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUBd7c5I24n82pu7ZUC4D7kyZ4Zsr0riGGCgPDDvjxtiFMsOxbjstaxmIko96vs8c0JvTDZf3IAgGAWh4i3Lz2SQ0ZEO9Uvi8YmIsjFfIAtZ4wt3FhH7EMyBxUgEgBffmndVEmbAJ8ubZ/s1600/_MG_8593+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUBd7c5I24n82pu7ZUC4D7kyZ4Zsr0riGGCgPDDvjxtiFMsOxbjstaxmIko96vs8c0JvTDZf3IAgGAWh4i3Lz2SQ0ZEO9Uvi8YmIsjFfIAtZ4wt3FhH7EMyBxUgEgBffmndVEmbAJ8ubZ/s400/_MG_8593+WEB.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0JiZbGQ11Qstw15iFzGxzzNSFm3NcvsGnVYASDm88sBh37pD6zy2o_umRezUWyXxnjfj09TYsEUN7O7Oxl8mek-4iq4eQgmFyy_5TC4PpwKy3UckPEEdC5UuEG-jJ9tRUuG_5i2cxrri/s1600/_MG_8587+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0JiZbGQ11Qstw15iFzGxzzNSFm3NcvsGnVYASDm88sBh37pD6zy2o_umRezUWyXxnjfj09TYsEUN7O7Oxl8mek-4iq4eQgmFyy_5TC4PpwKy3UckPEEdC5UuEG-jJ9tRUuG_5i2cxrri/s400/_MG_8587+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooKWCvhlZ8WZBCO-pKfNMPDmcHoTj7y7Qiui5D_86FscfNy1F52457rfzh0ejyTXF_8zwwOkBHcOxXVSl51STDVSHly4bQ6jLvIuxE1BSrUoLHioH8bKkGkfagICUBaNOUzWQqQAnypnr/s1600/_MG_8586+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooKWCvhlZ8WZBCO-pKfNMPDmcHoTj7y7Qiui5D_86FscfNy1F52457rfzh0ejyTXF_8zwwOkBHcOxXVSl51STDVSHly4bQ6jLvIuxE1BSrUoLHioH8bKkGkfagICUBaNOUzWQqQAnypnr/s400/_MG_8586+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE44e4aF833Y3DhgZFFDP-Sfvpj0kHCE6QLhTcX2mIo85cIliudN4QnkPDSH2dyaguMeLz8eTOjzV0Icx2j8bSSxoCakGj7C1AvjpM73gHhevDY4DpA6OIjjBx-gwuKgMdBLL3_Awu6V-u/s1600/_MG_8590+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE44e4aF833Y3DhgZFFDP-Sfvpj0kHCE6QLhTcX2mIo85cIliudN4QnkPDSH2dyaguMeLz8eTOjzV0Icx2j8bSSxoCakGj7C1AvjpM73gHhevDY4DpA6OIjjBx-gwuKgMdBLL3_Awu6V-u/s400/_MG_8590+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This study was on a 6x6" loose hotpress watercolor paper sheet, trimmed with a deckled edge.<br />
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So I took a step back from getting to a point where I didn't have any other points to get to, for this particular study, and I looked at it with devil's advocate eyes, fresh intentions come readily to light for the concept's trajectory... What if I smoothed it down to push it back, going at it delicately, tenderly, instead...<br />
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I had a number of questions to answer, and once I did, I started again, this time with the final piece in mind.<br />
Here's the way this more mature approach took form:<br />
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First, the watercolor on the natural white hot press paper! THEN, the graphite structures...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe4g8c8O-gZ-PaUAbNEx7esuMyqAFg115DBLcLNuZX-oAN_jjNYBb6vt9KVx8Wa55LooyUhyphenhyphenZjD8Lqjcs1d3Owz6poqotVkJ7xgttY1o3hd-IOoAkiHvlSZ4Xew7g37h0bJ-cX-dFVnN3/s1600/_MG_8603+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe4g8c8O-gZ-PaUAbNEx7esuMyqAFg115DBLcLNuZX-oAN_jjNYBb6vt9KVx8Wa55LooyUhyphenhyphenZjD8Lqjcs1d3Owz6poqotVkJ7xgttY1o3hd-IOoAkiHvlSZ4Xew7g37h0bJ-cX-dFVnN3/s400/_MG_8603+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQC-cCv1aDfuKRu17tlEMjPr5SucFwWEBg8_1R9vTNgl4oRE1OvixPqDqu9Z9ikMRBCkhN_1kSuYrG6DVwhcIN06wS0OeSlmXZunpoIzDl1lb8oP3bG1SofwGD1-hdhaisZ-ROS5CvaJj/s1600/_MG_8613+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQC-cCv1aDfuKRu17tlEMjPr5SucFwWEBg8_1R9vTNgl4oRE1OvixPqDqu9Z9ikMRBCkhN_1kSuYrG6DVwhcIN06wS0OeSlmXZunpoIzDl1lb8oP3bG1SofwGD1-hdhaisZ-ROS5CvaJj/s400/_MG_8613+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And now building likeness of my portrait first and foremost through layered form and structures, in graphite...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuMKfh8Q1XDTkjvJvfb0P2EZhT93TAi4nOBByfPdPgaIp9gQa2HCUre3suOIUDagiTw3F2AdcPZgbukH1yYLv9JKGQN_-X_nLuuW99zkZxFV8JG1-bspB1C0xPjW_CrY87IUW3GesRJ7v/s1600/_MG_8617+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuMKfh8Q1XDTkjvJvfb0P2EZhT93TAi4nOBByfPdPgaIp9gQa2HCUre3suOIUDagiTw3F2AdcPZgbukH1yYLv9JKGQN_-X_nLuuW99zkZxFV8JG1-bspB1C0xPjW_CrY87IUW3GesRJ7v/s640/_MG_8617+WEB.jpg" width="513" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loosely, generally addressing the broad shapes within the skull and flesh to create presence...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c6Nu5NvdES2bmYJ9GZCmfnuEdnyjRw0uzz5uT48RmQd2iHYUhp2CCK0aT85IGrg_56T7TOErswaZqkEi2u0LYeaVLFWhXXSm9NLyii4hDmkirQI_Kq9khC0sBfE4PKnRQF0hTMdsqG3l/s1600/_MG_8618+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c6Nu5NvdES2bmYJ9GZCmfnuEdnyjRw0uzz5uT48RmQd2iHYUhp2CCK0aT85IGrg_56T7TOErswaZqkEi2u0LYeaVLFWhXXSm9NLyii4hDmkirQI_Kq9khC0sBfE4PKnRQF0hTMdsqG3l/s400/_MG_8618+WEB.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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Be gentle and patient with your build up of layers and structures - Get the structures solidly, don't get lost in distraction at the final result.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tRZHgeo9KutIyfBZWVpMfBqx7GgPiDfVxX-VmeD1v7gGM9WIHj35PyM-CyC7Jo8KiDbs_o-7gRtQOPpEA2UAegGjf1eGYeHALsIICs690efruLRlYB4MDMIL2rPdlX7jBm8FA744XhsL/s1600/_MG_8619+copy+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tRZHgeo9KutIyfBZWVpMfBqx7GgPiDfVxX-VmeD1v7gGM9WIHj35PyM-CyC7Jo8KiDbs_o-7gRtQOPpEA2UAegGjf1eGYeHALsIICs690efruLRlYB4MDMIL2rPdlX7jBm8FA744XhsL/s400/_MG_8619+copy+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eyes are taking form, and therefore emotive impact, slowly building up.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09vEj2YS0kSvMf98dQTzZH9RJl3qWqreMxIFbGugcaGCXbuIXxTCRBQ7lOOM-X24LDudVoysGBWoEi_zlsR13EgB-0qWrka00UBpRRbqxtUGqYKZjXY-9BKcmRkHGcSaRaGQoanH-vKHD/s1600/_MG_8636+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09vEj2YS0kSvMf98dQTzZH9RJl3qWqreMxIFbGugcaGCXbuIXxTCRBQ7lOOM-X24LDudVoysGBWoEi_zlsR13EgB-0qWrka00UBpRRbqxtUGqYKZjXY-9BKcmRkHGcSaRaGQoanH-vKHD/s400/_MG_8636+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little gentle scumbling of layers along the negative space...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbzqVkvbcKohymsAyVp2nTljO0YMnmTVXss4ilWtySyL2mf3a7pwl73L0vW6anfEp6gecuh75REgII9eWt539bwg0aEdo0894_4y-rVGOlTArSbs2gsyKz1ku_hiWP1J5I0S0V_ZKFcqV/s1600/_MG_8640+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbzqVkvbcKohymsAyVp2nTljO0YMnmTVXss4ilWtySyL2mf3a7pwl73L0vW6anfEp6gecuh75REgII9eWt539bwg0aEdo0894_4y-rVGOlTArSbs2gsyKz1ku_hiWP1J5I0S0V_ZKFcqV/s400/_MG_8640+WEB.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there, but not quite. A good several more layers and details to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtaC651CbsIiApZ414zXbWVIB9G9VEoY7fDw777ABclcTSp4BqKruwViAY1LoEDNrvyymA0dHiq7A2vk6BfDfNyZ1hPw35oXKm1frGD0dVLmNN9ten9t55Ex2quMFDCgWesqtMoVaq5RQ/s1600/_MG_8777+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtaC651CbsIiApZ414zXbWVIB9G9VEoY7fDw777ABclcTSp4BqKruwViAY1LoEDNrvyymA0dHiq7A2vk6BfDfNyZ1hPw35oXKm1frGD0dVLmNN9ten9t55Ex2quMFDCgWesqtMoVaq5RQ/s400/_MG_8777+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matte medium and acrylic working it's way in through the layers...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTXnJYaCDsbOIDuhKeYoFDPgwr3bKu_rh-LcCK3OphHdkgil1Ihae30i0V_nGcd2Gov9rI8q3yh-NO1lSGqMmLc2hqcQyO4xj66Sj-xSlY1YCo2Wat0g2ItCLACjYdaTcBEx8dEfxwC8V/s1600/_MG_8775+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTXnJYaCDsbOIDuhKeYoFDPgwr3bKu_rh-LcCK3OphHdkgil1Ihae30i0V_nGcd2Gov9rI8q3yh-NO1lSGqMmLc2hqcQyO4xj66Sj-xSlY1YCo2Wat0g2ItCLACjYdaTcBEx8dEfxwC8V/s400/_MG_8775+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to put some brush splatters in for the ash and other particulate...</td></tr>
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And the final, signed piece:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGk8dwZardC93O4WI-BVPpvHXM2AHiIBHyPiyZWBU8iJezEyyEOUub8K6-WFIqD3yGgR37kM9gQb1Xm-ELYoaMIykboaSX1WUcO0PsmVDVjGBmI51L819fLsvVB7EEF5yJAustoPKjiCa/s1600/NoMan%2527sLand.Final.Edit.2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGk8dwZardC93O4WI-BVPpvHXM2AHiIBHyPiyZWBU8iJezEyyEOUub8K6-WFIqD3yGgR37kM9gQb1Xm-ELYoaMIykboaSX1WUcO0PsmVDVjGBmI51L819fLsvVB7EEF5yJAustoPKjiCa/s400/NoMan%2527sLand.Final.Edit.2015.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"No Man's Land" - 6x6" - Mixed Media, 2015</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTXnJYaCDsbOIDuhKeYoFDPgwr3bKu_rh-LcCK3OphHdkgil1Ihae30i0V_nGcd2Gov9rI8q3yh-NO1lSGqMmLc2hqcQyO4xj66Sj-xSlY1YCo2Wat0g2ItCLACjYdaTcBEx8dEfxwC8V/s1600/_MG_8775+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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There is <i><b>elemental</b></i> symbolism and <i>primal allegory</i> intended in the simplicity of this and similar works. I think there is much more depth, more human experience, behind the concept of <i><b>"No Man's Land"</b></i> than we give credit in this modern era's understanding of soldiers and war. </div>
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This piece goes beyond the <i>geographical</i> battle field, and beyond physical isolation, or doubt, or displacement, though, those are in there as well.</div>
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The white feather, sent aloft, is an English symbol for cowardice. The flame is a universal aspect of life and spirit, verve, hope. It is important here that the eyes, the vision, is darkened, but still <i>looking </i>out. And it is important that the palette is pushed back, in an unidentifiable ash of atmosphere.</div>
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Keep the Fire. </div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/contact-your-artist.html"><b>Contact me directly here </b>for any inquiries on the availability of "No Man's Land", or for archival art prints of the work for purchase</a></i><br />
<br />
-Mairin-Taj</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-30145446378551613392015-11-27T17:32:00.000-05:002016-01-12T17:59:56.380-05:00Happy Thanks Giving Season! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Just a brief and positive post for this important and pivotal time of the season, this year - </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgIIsx5oMHivfkRHyq8pX1vD3Dxp3hJbCoJ7VzAb9sMgADZ1fsK-b3mqn6cE8IuMetLIa6k-v5-GkToK7_X3dhB3bzLBkiehZrvDe06QHal_DMeCNODe317IkTbah2wmuXia0acHMEzgs/s1600/10644513_10153130435635806_4516829619455636140_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgIIsx5oMHivfkRHyq8pX1vD3Dxp3hJbCoJ7VzAb9sMgADZ1fsK-b3mqn6cE8IuMetLIa6k-v5-GkToK7_X3dhB3bzLBkiehZrvDe06QHal_DMeCNODe317IkTbah2wmuXia0acHMEzgs/s400/10644513_10153130435635806_4516829619455636140_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">This Thanks Giving, I am particularly reflective and grateful </span>f<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">or the prominent shades of endurance, patience, strength, emotional stamina, and flexible</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">, learning growth th</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">at have all guided inherent and necessary changes in my life, this year, so far.</span></div>
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I am thankful for the trajectory my work is on, for the aid and opportunity I have been given with the work made this year, and for the shows, new clients, creative colleagues, and support from loved ones that have all been involved. Here we go, into 2016...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLypYR5_UOqvNLYVJz99zYqAfFqEwgtE-W30wiEqQceBxy6Du3auXOTnV7f4Ploz7yYnsiA-_Qp4JNOT9evJwc7VJ3Yg0KWminAqouvMvLtRx8o7qWKZXj3m2MXzpTjdAzbcn8ATKZNeU/s1600/12308044_10153088146825806_739129527022236599_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLypYR5_UOqvNLYVJz99zYqAfFqEwgtE-W30wiEqQceBxy6Du3auXOTnV7f4Ploz7yYnsiA-_Qp4JNOT9evJwc7VJ3Yg0KWminAqouvMvLtRx8o7qWKZXj3m2MXzpTjdAzbcn8ATKZNeU/s640/12308044_10153088146825806_739129527022236599_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freerange 18lb. turkey home brined with all the seasonal trimmings from scratch!</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">May your holiday and your winter season be warm, loving, supportive, and proactive.</span></div>
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With kindness,</div>
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-Mairin-Taj</div>
</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-32126758530012082712015-10-31T18:11:00.000-04:002015-10-31T18:14:28.248-04:00"Bean Sídhe" - A Banshee for Halloween 2015! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i>"Bean Sídhe"</i></b> - the Irish Gaelic <i>woman of the barrows</i>, the <i>wailing</i> woman, the fairy spirit heralding death, or as common culture calls her now, the <i><b>Banshee</b></i>... She is an ancient apparition, often one being tied to an old Irish family, or house, making there supposedly be many banshees for the many strong old tribes throughout the country.<br />
According to myth, this particular spirit is either that of a woman who has died in childbirth, fated to play the grim role until the time she would have died of natural causes, or, a woman who has been murdered, or brutally killed.<br />
Often robed in green or grey, she is fairly silent in solitude, dwelling like a foreboding presence, until, should someone in the family approach death, she breaks the night with chilling screams and wails.<br />
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Her association with the screech owl is a possible origin for the myth.<br />
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I liked the idea of her sudden screaming voice coming to life to be the cause of her suddenly lurching forward from her shadowy garb consumed by terror. As if trapped, she'll soon return to her hooded robes, silent once more, after death.<br />
--<br />
Final art is <i>available!</i><br />
<br />
If you've been following along on my <a href="https://instagram.com/mairintaj_inmediasres/">Instagram - Mairintaj_InMediasRes</a> - the behind-the-scenes process will look familiar, but the rest of the imagery following is debuting here, freshly finished, never before seen online.<br />
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Here's how I started this little seasonal vision:<br />
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1. Jump straight in on hot press with graphite:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jht8Texw82e-DA73-VCy7C8aOsmrw1ts17PJZfsfyjymoCQ36Z_UFWX05ldGkVyyVyOeaxToHrdouFGEloPxHRnBOXwmzJj71G0wzYx6pIAK4YmMgE8u3WooB66HJYlYTqKAWDWwmGkv/s1600/11219106_10153044256875806_162968003112231084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jht8Texw82e-DA73-VCy7C8aOsmrw1ts17PJZfsfyjymoCQ36Z_UFWX05ldGkVyyVyOeaxToHrdouFGEloPxHRnBOXwmzJj71G0wzYx6pIAK4YmMgE8u3WooB66HJYlYTqKAWDWwmGkv/s400/11219106_10153044256875806_162968003112231084_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phase One, Graphite, 2015</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTacPwKmsAnRC_r_SFBqA6s-SkgNrF07z-jUP-NnrABd83BIb1GmxDIAjk-OCh21rpxoupsD0Cum04NHkNJeiDcrMlu40QefPNlm-dGL7K1Bt8jouCYnc8coCjZpdvzNF6w8nN68mI2ACp/s1600/10675734_10153046876855806_2120450335473661471_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTacPwKmsAnRC_r_SFBqA6s-SkgNrF07z-jUP-NnrABd83BIb1GmxDIAjk-OCh21rpxoupsD0Cum04NHkNJeiDcrMlu40QefPNlm-dGL7K1Bt8jouCYnc8coCjZpdvzNF6w8nN68mI2ACp/s400/10675734_10153046876855806_2120450335473661471_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phase Two, Graphite, 2015</td></tr>
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2. Throw on some veils of watercolor washes, building up the values to the right degree, then block in the flesh tones and richer values, colors with acrylic and colored pencil:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kT5iSIGthswydQ5So0LHgUF0MNJPoZKv3rmyQ4lsHBCqEqt9-s03D6aGK-sSftv_WzHb-MJloAwNkniaR7PvGY7x13aDy7K2jsEM_2lnqHIVjqw5BUOmJpyrNqGmMNItMN5vK2CtZMXs/s1600/7052_10153046877210806_4111362963735543318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kT5iSIGthswydQ5So0LHgUF0MNJPoZKv3rmyQ4lsHBCqEqt9-s03D6aGK-sSftv_WzHb-MJloAwNkniaR7PvGY7x13aDy7K2jsEM_2lnqHIVjqw5BUOmJpyrNqGmMNItMN5vK2CtZMXs/s400/7052_10153046877210806_4111362963735543318_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phase Three, Graphite, Watercolor, Acrylic, Colored Pencil, 2015</td></tr>
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{And I realize I'm jumping ahead here, conveniently}<br />
3. Whittle away, through the ugly phases, into the tightening up and the final details, until it's done...To gloss over the sweaty, hard work nicely:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF7eW9-d1DMfYI8AYL_4xklVdq49uI6T7m3ws97uWfbk26TRrjAEb6SVQEZAMNp4B8w-DFCHmKN7P_b705-8gj4Fx9Q4a3o1meJXcm2hxaXJE2W2ZEYBji8LcReNpDPDBfQwTdvxkvvMn/s1600/_MG_8403+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF7eW9-d1DMfYI8AYL_4xklVdq49uI6T7m3ws97uWfbk26TRrjAEb6SVQEZAMNp4B8w-DFCHmKN7P_b705-8gj4Fx9Q4a3o1meJXcm2hxaXJE2W2ZEYBji8LcReNpDPDBfQwTdvxkvvMn/s640/_MG_8403+WEB.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b style="font-style: italic;">"Bean Sídhe" - </b>Banshee - Final Art, Mixed Media, 5x7", 2015</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzoo0ARzIa8wZxAEYpF6s0lZncns2SU1DUbjw5n-nBlsapzI1Nw1Ld8kZwCAKx0knHrOeXJPVTtXXBvF4thvjWE33-bgy-JmQXbGO2ZQK5oy4FCbo7PHMb3QQ5YnoMJyXjJMzwkbny8sk/s1600/_MG_8405+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzoo0ARzIa8wZxAEYpF6s0lZncns2SU1DUbjw5n-nBlsapzI1Nw1Ld8kZwCAKx0knHrOeXJPVTtXXBvF4thvjWE33-bgy-JmQXbGO2ZQK5oy4FCbo7PHMb3QQ5YnoMJyXjJMzwkbny8sk/s640/_MG_8405+WEB.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The bean sídhe's detail shot, wailing, 2015</td></tr>
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5. Find the right frame! {An understated challenge at times, but not this time, happily}<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1gnN_6syUWL2Bo3jP-ztgK91zBMOR4xKstmJMu5pQU15ZZwkYOUJeNltekWppLNTtA0hApY1AY6c718GHyPJ8VA3g4AYP8exCVBT_XdP2e89C9i4kyDCTw3mZQNluDJMHO2R8Yy-mGWO/s1600/_MG_8391+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1gnN_6syUWL2Bo3jP-ztgK91zBMOR4xKstmJMu5pQU15ZZwkYOUJeNltekWppLNTtA0hApY1AY6c718GHyPJ8VA3g4AYP8exCVBT_XdP2e89C9i4kyDCTw3mZQNluDJMHO2R8Yy-mGWO/s640/_MG_8391+WEB.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framed, In the Studio, Now Available for Purchase, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrnqUMyk1tUNHViKLL5JM5U5_YJKYddKIm81L6OUM5QU6-c7yZZJtziNvbqBZwyrNkSCw-td6bZsC4A-HwDOY41npKJosndA-V4TARl8nX7916ZDur26FtUWf8gvlQrBLqG7i0UuF4Ha-/s1600/_MG_8393+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrnqUMyk1tUNHViKLL5JM5U5_YJKYddKIm81L6OUM5QU6-c7yZZJtziNvbqBZwyrNkSCw-td6bZsC4A-HwDOY41npKJosndA-V4TARl8nX7916ZDur26FtUWf8gvlQrBLqG7i0UuF4Ha-/s400/_MG_8393+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framed, In the Studio, 2015</td></tr>
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<b>"Bean Sídhe" </b><i>- Banshee -</i><i> </i>will be <i>available for purchase</i> in the premier <i><u>Artists' Open Studio Auction by Strange Dreams Surreal Art Collective</u></i> this <i><b>Sunday, November 1st through 7th</b></i> - so the first week of the month.<br />
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*<i>Follow my social media</i> for release of availability and open auction information!</div>
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<b><i>**Find me and regular information on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MairinTajCayaIllustration/">my Facebook Page HERE</a></i></b></div>
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And as always, <a href="http://www.mairintajcaya.com/contact-your-artist.html">contact me directly HERE</a> - or please comment below! - for any questions, comments, or work interest.</div>
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-49926562169062855462015-10-30T17:16:00.000-04:002015-10-31T17:18:56.427-04:00"Scrap Sneaks" - Artists' Evening Figure Drawing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've started in with another tight little group of artists in my area for an evening live model figure drawing session, and this past Thursday, as a short break from my all day work on a Halloween-themed piece, I did this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tR4Dp9myKFiLdae45eD6MmJbWacmFpM_irW6Bzd5HsE6lDr6WiVV8M13wQh6nDTZKAOyb-SphJsI6mMuC_9qxTk-Qd6I_a5fGUV4TCDURncikyrmGD3S3XUNHJaXifFBeVjSrF8s7PEA/s1600/_MG_8367+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tR4Dp9myKFiLdae45eD6MmJbWacmFpM_irW6Bzd5HsE6lDr6WiVV8M13wQh6nDTZKAOyb-SphJsI6mMuC_9qxTk-Qd6I_a5fGUV4TCDURncikyrmGD3S3XUNHJaXifFBeVjSrF8s7PEA/s400/_MG_8367+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model Stephanie, Reclining pose, Graphite and wash in 5x5" sketchbook, 2015</td></tr>
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Our excellent model composed the pose herself, and our small group of four dove in to a twenty minute segments accompanied by stellar music and some pleasant banter.<br />
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Anyone familiar with Spheres by Daniel Hope? It's good stuff to draw to, I highly recommend blasting it while you work.<br />
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I intended to do a quick gesture study of the pose across the centerfold here, in the sketchbook shown above, then move on to a tighter drawing on a loose horizontal sheet of hot press watercolor paper, but I found I enjoyed the start I got with the first attempt, so I just kept along with that one. A few twenty minute segments later, time flying by, and this is what I had for the evening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ5ceJ813nhnSxCow3xfMD-7WF6Vyh5ISfEoZ3pLP8VjYO0GD4QRYGV1zGkStb1zg9o82Oce1EJLAiuIf2boSgIZBDABboeTwIqlklIJn-suFOPuq1BmM1kQZZ9wEQCE_7ycQk2M61kex/s1600/_MG_8368+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ5ceJ813nhnSxCow3xfMD-7WF6Vyh5ISfEoZ3pLP8VjYO0GD4QRYGV1zGkStb1zg9o82Oce1EJLAiuIf2boSgIZBDABboeTwIqlklIJn-suFOPuq1BmM1kQZZ9wEQCE_7ycQk2M61kex/s400/_MG_8368+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail, Stephanie, left, Graphite, Wash, 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiQr3HM0JJljPfSU2HsYyhXs5wM6qOVTuxSMxrCcwU1kDBnZRlRCn5HUi-vsD9rG2c9uLHFAoi1gr1rOq5p-rQpYIYC8jkagUgO4suu3z5h42BCIM27z8B7LfRWoSlK1VQna3nIqUblVg/s1600/_MG_8369+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiQr3HM0JJljPfSU2HsYyhXs5wM6qOVTuxSMxrCcwU1kDBnZRlRCn5HUi-vsD9rG2c9uLHFAoi1gr1rOq5p-rQpYIYC8jkagUgO4suu3z5h42BCIM27z8B7LfRWoSlK1VQna3nIqUblVg/s400/_MG_8369+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail, Stephanie, right, Graphite, Wash (Fishburn...not), 2015</td></tr>
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I actually took it home and added the wash color later.<br />
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An altogether delightful way to relax and change up the inner gears. I'm looking forward to next time!<br />
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In the meantime, back to that newly finished painting, and posting it, and continuing on that other freshly started painting...<br />
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-Mairin-Taj<br />
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MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2016283100987640046.post-61100804949931820532015-10-17T17:59:00.000-04:002015-10-26T18:06:09.099-04:00At the Artists' Cooperative - Themed Life Study Session "Huntress of Cameroon" <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When schedules allow, I enjoy the creative camaraderie of our local artists' group co-op and the themed sessions held there, not to mention the inspiring model reference available to work from.<br />
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This month we've managed to schedule in the well-suited <i><b>Hawa Lassanah</b></i> for a <b><i>"Huntress of Cameroon"</i></b> staged and costumed pose.<br />
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Unfortunately for time, I was at my own gig, modeling for the school's figure drawing class down the street, so once work was taken care of, I had only the tail end of the day to drop by and join in with everyone else!<br />
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<i>It was worth it.</i><br />
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Much needed conversation and critique aside for other work, I got to explore the subject matter in a <i>sketch that evolved</i> in my little book over the course of <i>a few twenty-minute segments</i>. I also came away with full on reference shots for future work with the pose, as it can happen.<br />
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Here's an example of the day:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uSS0GA7f0YBPo7LtjHQu84eg6pglU1ARHh-w312KIGUc7axqmygB5F9mMsFkpkPBWRMYJEAc4C-5vII8LnO703CkPgy_LRkfLmERg4LYh6HfJCgcclFUJFbpP0WH4tw3fJJJQUsvGkmh/s1600/_MG_8189+WEBcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uSS0GA7f0YBPo7LtjHQu84eg6pglU1ARHh-w312KIGUc7axqmygB5F9mMsFkpkPBWRMYJEAc4C-5vII8LnO703CkPgy_LRkfLmERg4LYh6HfJCgcclFUJFbpP0WH4tw3fJJJQUsvGkmh/s400/_MG_8189+WEBcopy.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphite sketch, evolving drawing, Model Hawa Lassanah, Lancaster PA, 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjB1BdsbyTSf21kTkzSEdHU0r0T1OhL8IERok2iVg1vjm6b7h_q1UeOzlDU9-JDCmM90Sd-XOyruF4B3Mw3oii11HBeaLKjncdXP3w7CR9oXx_WuIEjRJs3qhwvzK2dHcDZl2MUgnxNxJ/s1600/12038531_1672561239622960_7496317264312896368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjB1BdsbyTSf21kTkzSEdHU0r0T1OhL8IERok2iVg1vjm6b7h_q1UeOzlDU9-JDCmM90Sd-XOyruF4B3Mw3oii11HBeaLKjncdXP3w7CR9oXx_WuIEjRJs3qhwvzK2dHcDZl2MUgnxNxJ/s400/12038531_1672561239622960_7496317264312896368_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model Hawa Lassanah, Sample Reference Photo, 2015</td></tr>
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Thank you to the <b><i>Fulton Street Art's Cooperative</i></b> in downtown Lancaster, PA, for another great gathering and group experience.<br />
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For however short or long a time can be managed, it is always wonderful seeing old and new friends, talking shop, and sharing in those supportive exchanges.<br />
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More material to be safely stored and picked at, as things allow!<br />
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<b>*Next on the Art Dispatch</b> - <i>Process</i> <i>scrap sneaks</i> of the <i>seasonally themed</i> latest painting!<br />
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-Mairin-Taj</div>
MAIRIN-TAJ CAYAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365630534939584160noreply@blogger.com0