Triptych

It's been a while, but maybe we can revive this blog. Nate, I heard you're making an application to graduate school. I wish you the best of luck with that.

I pitched project to you guys about a year ago, and I finally got around to it a few months ago. I went through a few different revisions. The gold leaf ended up being a little impractical. I cut some stamps from a block to create the pattern on the frame. The piece represents a departure from the work I usually do, and I'm a little nervous about it.  I'm afraid that it comes across as corny. Here's another shot that shows the work I did on the frame.

Recent Figure Drawing

Sorry that it has been a while since I last posted something here. Things have been hectic at USU. Anyway, here's a recent drawing from a Wednesday evening figure drawing group. Lots of fun. I wish I could go more often.

By the way, I'm managing USU's galleries now. If anyone might have a portfolio of work, preferably a CD with jpegs, I could see about including something in a show for the 2010/2011 academic year. Send it to Scott Foster, Art Department, 4000 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322. We recently struck an exhibition of artists from all over the country. We've also shown the work of a Polish video artist. So you'd be showing in good company. Send me some work.

Update on the Jack Daniels Project

As I sit in the Starbucks across from my work on my break, I decided that I would put together another blog entry from the JD Project. I've been quite pleased with my work ethic as of recent. I was able to sit down and paint three times in the past week which is about 300 times the normal amount. Last Wednesday, on my day off, I headed over to Green Lake to paint a quick landscape and on Saturday I took the time to work some more on the Jack Daniels Project. This morning I didn't have to work until noon so I got up early and with coffee in hand, I began my morning properly with some painting.

Between Saturday and today, I was able to make some decent progress on the shadow of the figures shirt and the arms. Today I finished up the left leg of the figure and put down the highlights. I'm hoping my work ethic will persist throughout the week and I'll be able to make some additional progress on the figures shirt. Although, if it's nice out, I may just head back to Green Lake. We shall see...

Previously posted on NateKnodel.com

CWAC CWAC... Camp is Over!

Previously posted at NateKnodel.com

I've been a bit of a bum today since getting back from Camp Spalding. Last night I drove straight home from the camp in order to indulge myself in some much anticipated vegging today. It's taken me 12 hours to finally get off my ace and do something productive.

Camp was great. I had an excellent time directing my young pupils into becoming beautiful artists and appreciators of God's creation. I can't begin to explain the wonderful joy that came from teaching and shepherding these incredible kids. I'm still in awe of how well the kids worked and how receptive they were to the instruction. Below are a few of the paintings produced by some up and rising artists. I hope you enjoy and feel free to leave some comments.

My Green Sunshine -Litcelle E. Parahan

Insane Pathway - Caymen Hoadley

The Spicket - Jacob Hanson

A Literal Piece of Garbage - Lauren Shern

Flickr Photoset

Not Toooo Shabby.... could be better

I just finished up at Green Lake painting my first of all time landscape watercolor. It's my first so don't be too harsh on your judgement of my professionalism here. I took a quick pic with my iPhone after I had finished but am still hesitant to post a scan of the full painting due to my lack of confidence with my new found ability.

I'm headed over to the Clearwater Arts camp up at Camp Spalding tomorrow after work and will be teaching some younglings the methods of being an artist. I have the privilege of teaching basic drawing, watercolor and of course my bread and butter, oil painting. The purpose of the landscape tonight was to get my feet wet (no pun intended) so I'm not at a total loss when trying to instruct the fresh minds of young children. Thanks to Scott Foster for giving me an in depth explanation on the proper methods of watercolor painting. Scott, I have a long way before I'm as brilliant as you my friend.

Stay tuned to my blog next week as I plan to update it from the art camp.

This post was previously post at NateKnodel.com

the joy of sketching

When i am tired and in a bad mood
when i am in doubt about being an artist
when i need an infusion of new art blood
i take my pen and sketchbook
and go out to sketch
suddenly i am happy
every part in my mind falls in place
and i become a whole person again
I drove to the market today, by luck found a parking place by an old couple selling used
mercandise-and sketched them.

I've been working on some smaller watercolors this summer. The watercolors are part of a project that Katria and I are working on. She's using a salt printing process for her photographs. We'll show them this fall. I'm using a couple different blacks. I found that Lamp Black is flatter and cooler. It seems to recede. A sky painted with Lamp Black seems to look so much further away. Mars Black is warmer and has a granular texture, especially when painted into a wet area. I use it to give a roughness to the foliages.

The small scale has been amenable to my schedule this summer. I've been having trouble staying focused on larger pieces. I seem to lose sight of the initial vision after many interuptions before I reach the end. Any advice?