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The third times a charm or so they say...

I just finished the third in the series of the Giant Pacific Octopus. Why am I doing so many octopus? For details as to how this all started you can read my past blog post on A-Muse-ing Encounter. This idea has been in my head for many years and now that I have lots of time to create, it is time to put paint to canvas, wood and charcoal/pastel to paper. 

The title of this piece is: "Do Octopus Dream In Color?" it is 22x30" on Rives BFK paper, medium, charcoal and pastel. The background of charcoal powder was applied to the paper, sprayed with water, brushed, sprayed with denatured alcohol and sprayed again with water, finally left to dry. 

Once the paper was dry, I used a white charcoal pencil to sketch in the octopus. It takes some time to follow the patterns of the arms and the suckers. I used two photo reference pictures, one in color, I took the same image, making it B&W, it helps to see the contrast and details using both. Kneaded erasers become a drawing tool for me, using them to pull out some of the charcoal background, creating light, mid-tone areas. For me, this is like magic. Watching the lights, forms come into being from a dark background. This is my favorite technique. It is also one of the techniques I will be teaching in my workshop in July: Pastels as Mixed Medium, through www.commongroundonthehill.org, I know shameless plug. But, if you would like to learn more about this style and more you still have a little time to sign up for this class. 

Moving on, I find working on the octopus, very meditative. I have to work in a pattern, going from top left moving to the right. There is some leeway, going left to center, moving down to lower left, back to top center...you get the picture. On these bigger pieces I work with my paper mounted to a drawing board placed on a easel. When a drawing is upright you are less likely to place your hand on the surface. I have a habit of using my pink-y  finger to hold my hand just above the surface. Good or bad it works for me, you can use a maul stick, or place a tissue under your hand if it must come down to the surface. Okay, enough tricks and techno talk. 

Here are a few pictures of this piece in process. I finished using charcoal pencils and pastel sticks. I hope you enjoy seeing a little bit of my inner soul come to life in this piece. In these times of solitude being in my studio, making art, is what keeps me happy. I hope it makes you happy too. 

If you would like to receive this newsletter, blog post directly to your email box, let me know or sign up for it on my website. www.lindaharrisonparsons.com 

 I love to talk about art, love answering the question, how did you do that, and usually followed by, do you teach? Why, yes I do teach, mostly private or small groups out of my studio. I do workshops around the country and have even done international workshops. I must stay teaching paper-making in Zambia is high on the list of favorites. 

 Over the last several years I have been teaching a workshop or two for Common Ground on the Hill. It is a 3 week event held at McDaniel College, Westminster, MD at the end of June beginning of July. This event is filled with the traditions of the arts: music, instrument making, writing, lectures, poetry, visual arts 2-D and 3-D. So, many options to pick from, so much sharing of art. 

 To me, the Art of Sharing is just that sharing my art but also techniques. Giving you tools to work from to make art of your own. This year like so many things we will be sharing our art, our ideas, our passion via Zoom online. It is a different world and this is a place of  compassion, to take a moment to share, thoughts, to exchange ideas, learn something new or refresh your skills. If you have always wanted to take a class from me but travel wouldn't allow you to come well, now you can take my class or others from the safety of your home. The website will be listed at the end. 

  Teachers, did you know you can get academic credit by taking classes from Common Ground on the Hill? Check the website for contact information to apply, it's easy, fun and affordable. 

   To wet your appetite, I am teaching July 13th - 17th Pastels as Mixed Medium, from 1:00 - 3:45 p.m. East Coast Time, 12:00 - 2:45        Central Time and West Coast & Arizona Time 11:00 - 1:45. We will be working with lots of fun materials, incorporating pastels into most works, there are always lots of options in my classes. As always reviewing drawing techniques, demonstrations on materials we will use and hands on work, because everyone should get their hands dirty now and again. We will work mostly from images in nature, trees, flowers, animals, birds, raptors but if you like to do buildings, life life there will be options. I have sample photos posted with reference photos in a album on my FaceBook Art Page. You can check it out see what fun things you could be doing this summer. www.Facebook.com/LindaWildlife/Artist

Here is the link to CGOTH: http://www.commongroundonthehill.org

You can always email me with questions but registration must be done through the website. [email protected]

If you like my blog or newsletter sent directly to your email box please go to my website to sign up, or let me know, I will be happy take care of it for you. www.lindaharrisonparsons.com