LACMA

Yesterday was Friday the 13th.  Ever since my little sister was born on Friday the 13th, it has always been my favorite day and yesterday was just as great as any other.  In addition to another rain storm, I spent the day at the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) with my very good friend.  There are not many people who I enjoy attending museums with because people seem to think that because I have a degree in art and teach art that I am going to the museum to be their personal tour guide.  I'm sorry, but I like to go to museums to look at the work; to learn about new and old artists; to gain curiosity about techniques; and most importantly, to be inspired!  But my friend is not one of those people who expect a personal tour.  She is the perfect museum partner who adds to my creative banter on how I think an artwork could have been improved, or what the next version should look like.  She dreams with me in a fun verbal banter in such a way that I'm sure people around us think we believe it could all come true.  I think every creative person in the world needs a friend like this.  They love the freedoms of the imagination and never try to stifle it with judgment and harsh criticism.  Everything is about problem solving, creativity, and how to make what seems impossible completely possible. 

Currently LACMA has a special exhibit on display: In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.
http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/in-wonderland

I love surrealism.  I love the detail and realism some of the paintings maintain with their odd scenes.  My favorite surrealists are Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, and the pop surrealist Mark Ryden.  But as with any art movement, it is told from the views of the male artists.  This exhibit demonstrated how women artists tackled the same movement, but a very different intention of the meaning in their work.  It was exciting to walk through the exhibit and see some of my favorite paintings in person.  I have had the privilege to see works of Frida Kahlo, but to see the works of Dorothea Tanning and Remedios Varo was pure delight!  To my surprise, this exhibit was allowed to be photographed as long as the flash was not used.  Usually special exhibits do not allow photography.  I wish I had known this ahead of time because I purposefully left my camera at home thinking this special exhibit was like the others. But thankfully, cell phone cameras are more advanced now.  On this blog are the paintings that captured me the most.  The exhibit ends May 6th, 2012.  If you get a chance, you should go! I highly recommend seeing this!

Rain and Writing

I thought I could handle participating in the 12x12x12 and the pb dummy book challenges, but it has been challenging.  I have been able to keep up with writing one story a month, but I have fallen completely behind on the pb dummy challenge. I have realized that the story I want to create a dummy for doesn't feel quite right, yet.  Plus, I have just begun to figure out my writing routine.  So, I decided today I would sit in Starbucks and finish rewriting it.  This seemed to be a great idea until I sat down and realized how easily distracted I was by all of the people.  I sometimes forget my passion for people watching. It is just interesting to watch the movements, facial expressions, and reactions of strangers.  To notice the way they wear their clothes and hair and wonder who they are in this world... what is their story? I decided I should probably plug myself into my iPod and watch the rain for a few minutes before starting.  I listened to the inspirational rhythms of Bonobo as I watched the rain fall. Then I began writing.  It would flow easily for a few minutes and then I would stop, stare at the rain and watch the story play in my head.  Then I would write a little more.  I'm much happier with this version, although I feel like it needs polishing.  Before I left, I decided to take advantage of my creative mood and create my drawing for the day.  It is a scene from my story.

Jumping in puddles

It has rained pretty much all morning.   I am a bit sad the sun has decided to make its appearance just now.  But I've enjoyed this morning by taking my walk in the rain and lightly splashing in the puddles.  I purposely wore my boots with a heel, so I could walk through the large puddles that form in the hallways of our campus. I even left my classroom door open during class, so we could draw to the sound of the rain.  It was short lived because my students were beginning to complain about feeling cold, so I had to close the door.  But it was nice while it lasted.  I think it's insane that we are going to have 80 degree weather the rest of the week.  I really wish the weather would make up it's mind.  But, never mind that, back to the rain!

There are many reasons why I love the rain.
1. I love bundling up in soft scarves and jackets.
2. Jumping in puddles is lots of fun!
3. The colors of nature seem so much more vibrant when the sky is overcast.
4. Everything seems new and refreshed the day after it rains.
5. I always seem to be more creative or more productive.
6. My tea obsession makes more sense to my non- tea drinking friends.
7. When it drizzles and the drops gently touch my face, I imagine they are tiny little fairy kisses and it makes me smile. (A possible children's story? maybe?)
8. It calms my students and they ACTUALLY work!  ALL OF THEM!  (It is quite an amazing sight and I usually end up becoming the class distraction because there is nothing for me to do until they need my help.)
9. I love watching the patterns of ripples form in puddles as the rain hits the water.
10. Worms attack the campus.  O.K., not really, but I find it fascinating and gross that they squirm around on the concrete to get out of the soaked lawns.  At my apartment complex, it's a snail attack.
11. Running or exercising feels incredible during this weather.  It makes me feel faster or stronger.
12. Magic becomes more of a realistic possibility in the world, especially, when you see rainbows.  (I know there is a scientific reason for rainbows, but I always begin wondering about magical distant worlds that exist on, in, or under rainbows.)
 and 13. My Mizzles were born on a rainy day. 

I think overall the rain just makes me more playful and kid-like.  It opens up my mind to retain that youthful innocence and curiosity we sometimes misplace while being adults.  I'm sure many artists feel the same.

Dancing in the Rain

Today's drawing is dedicated to my friend, Lydia. Yesterday, I wasn't exactly sure of what to draw for my daily drawing.  She recommended I create a drawing of the Mizzles dancing in the rain.  Thanks, Lydia, for the great idea. I had a lot of fun drawing this illustration. These drawings have become easier and easier to create; taking me less and less time. Even my sister was bit surprised how quickly I was able to complete today's drawing.

Genetic Sock Obsession

Today I woke up to rain.  I love it when it rains.  It gives me even more reason to go through my art supplies and go through a creative frenzy.  Instead of going through my creative zen-like routine, I decided to clean and organize my art corner before my friend came over.  When I was done, I sat down at my grandmother's desk and began to work on my drawing for the day.  I was having a hard time figuring out what I should draw, but then I saw the clown doll sitting with my cast of Mizzles.  My grandmother made that doll.  

I've had it since I was about 3 years old.  She used to love telling me the story about how I got that doll.  She had originally made the doll for my cousin, Kim.  But my mom had brought me over and I immediately became attached to it.  She didn't have the heart to take it away from me.  She let me keep it and made another for my cousin.  At some point, the clown became part of the collection of stuffed animals that I took to my classroom to use as still life.  When she passed away, I immediately went searching for it and brought it home.  It was during the writing of my thesis I had realized how much I was like my grandmother.  She had made dolls from socks and at some point I began that same obsession.  So, it seems very clear that my obsession with making things from socks is definitely genetic. 

                                                                                                     Today's drawing has my grandma's first clown doll, which is missing one of its pompoms from its right hand, sitting with my first Mizzle and squirrel friend.  About a month before my grandma passed away, she gave me the pattern for the clown doll.  I'm going to have to pull it out and make one sometime soon.