I've had an interesting time of it being retired and finding things to do. It's been a while since I've done a Blog so a lot has happened like getting into shape with a trainer and doing some art classes.
You seem to find yourself sitting and coming up with things to do to fill your days with something other than Oprah and Soaps. Not gonna happen I do hate waisting time and loosing sight of actually doing something interesting at least.
Joining the YMCA was the first thing that hit the top 10. and paying the $450 for a trainer for a twelve week stint has been a life saver. There seems to be quite a lot of things to know about training and the machines at this Y that Lindy has taught me. I now know what to work on and how to set up the machines and actually work out with the 3 sets of routines 12 to 15 reps each set. She keeps upping the weights and at first man talk about muscles you never know you had OOph. But the last training session Lindy said the improvement in strength has her impressed. My arms are hard again and not a muscle group in my body has been missed thanks to her expertise. My last session will be next Tuesday but I think I have all I need from a trainer and the money is a bit much at this time so I'm go it on my own with a little self discipline thrown in to get there and just do it...
The Art class thing is doing well and I have five canvases 3 of which are on the wall in front of me as I write. The other two works in progress on easels in the garage. I set up a work area with a heater and all so there is no excuses. I have a drawing table for any work on that level and have set up a ladder to hold large works. I had to be a bit inventive for holding the canvas making the bottom plate with wood and attaching it with a strap bolted to the up writes. the top is a piece of aluminum I had and I put two screws to tighten the canvas in place so it's secure. I was kind of making something out of nothing looking around the garage for something to use. A little trial and error and the easel works just fine and is adjustable which is a good thing.
I've just changed instructors too gong from Monday classes to Tuesdays. the new lady is the director of the studio and quite accomplished. Frankie is her name and she is little and blond and a real teacher in that she gives you goals and they're is no BS about her. I worked with her on a piece that my brother Ted sent me. He is a semi Pro Photog and this prise winning shot of what they call Motif #1 from Rock Port MA, it's quite a shot and I only hope I can do it justice.
Well Tuesday Frankie had me block it in and " get some paint on that canvas" to use her words. She also said use a big brush and just block in the diffident tones and lay the foundation for the next phase of the painting the detail work.
Well that is on the second easel which is a small metal thing I got at ta yard sale a few years back. It now sit atop of the drawing board and when I go out there to work it's a thing of which to choose. The big canvas is a light house that I'm working on my own. I having trouble getting what I want on the thing as far as mood and trying to develop my techniques. This light house has a history of one of the Keepers wives dieing there at her own hand back in the 40's. So I'm trying to go dark and a bit spooky in an attempt to display some of the turmoil of a hard environment and a lonely life and ultimately death.
I'm playing with the idea of painting a woman standing on one of the three platforms with the winds portrayed blowing her robes. A solitary moment looking out into the darkness her hair streaming in the wind. She will be a solitary figure just there as part of the painting of the lighthouse as the most imposing object in the work. I think I'll just put her as a figure in darkness and not call attention to her she'll just be there alone in the darkness looking into the sea. Now I've done quite a lot of work on this one particular subject researching and I actually took photos of the house back in Rhode Island a few weeks ago. I went out on the sand bar with my digital and shot the sean with close ups to get the technical data.
I did a pen and ink of the house drafting it in a layout of squares to get the proportions and to study it's structure. This drawing came out not too bad and my wife wants it framed which I'll do one day after the painting is finished. I may get Frankie involved but I hesitate to mess with my moods and feel that this one piece will be totally my work. When other opinions mess with your imagination it kind of becomes contaminated and not yours. I do want to avoid mixing the work I do as a student and that of the artist that lives in my head and heart alone.
The problem with art is the how to do what you feel you want to do. The techniques are difficult at best and working with oil painting blending colors and getting what is in your mind onto the canvas. I find the work rather difficult and I'm trying to learn all I can about getting paint on the canvas. It's not something I come naturally by, I am a natural and somewhat gifted sketch artiest and know how to draw with the old No 2 yellow pencil but color and drawing with a brush is one SOB. Getting paint on the brush and mixing just the right shades and textures well it's an interesting challenge to say the least.
anyway I think I'll spell check this thing before I post it.... it's another challenge of mine. I can't spell for beans
haley
