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| Frank / Conte crayon / tan laid paper / 14 x 11 |
After long weeks, days, hours of struggling at my easel, I finally found inspiration this morning in the interesting and unique face of our wonderful model Frank. Frank is an investigative journalist, a professor of journalism, a historian and an author. He is funny and kind and he relaxed easily into his role of model and muse. For the first time in a long long time, I felt a connection to what was happening on the paper - the graphite and Conte marks emerging on the rough paper were Frank but they were me, too. This gives me hope that I will be able to break out of my current states of despair and exasperation at the easel. Is there such a thing as trying too hard? That is what is happening to me - but today, with Frank, I felt free of that - free of the need to succeed. After carefully considering the subject, choosing my spot wisely and freeing my mind, I let the pencil do the work.
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| Frank / Ebony graphite / 20 x 18 |
And a word of wonder and thanks to those of you who noticed my long absence and privately expressed concern. The very singular relations that have developed with fellow artists here in cyberspace are, without a doubt, strongly influential and deeply meaningful to me. Thank you.
Bonjour ma chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteVos dessins sont tellement remplis de vitalité et d'énergie que je suis persuadée que vous y avez mis toutes vos "tripes"... Quelle belle réussite.
A chaque fois que j'admire vos dessins ou vos peintures je ressens une force animée, du mouvement... Des oeuvres qui ont un coeur qui bat.
Continuez à m'enchanter à nous enchanter...
Gros bisous ma chère Susan.
Martine, many, many thanks for your comment - it touches my heart. Even in my painting slump, I have been pleased with some of my drawings. What made these two successful, I believe, was that I loved the subject His face and personality excited me even before I put pencil to paper. I had a feeling I could capture more than just his likeness.
Deleteimpressive!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Artisoo - and thank you for stopping by my blog.
DeleteGlad to see you back with such beautiful work, Susan.
ReplyDeleteEven through the painting slump, my drawing has stayed fairly solid - thank goodness.
DeleteHi Susan. I am SO glad you have found some inspiration again and really - the work is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteEvery Artist goes through this from time to time. If you click on the link below (or copy and paste it to your address bar) it will take you to a page of Art Bytes. The third in on the top row is by Carol Marine and it's called Collective Insight on Blocks. You might have to register first but they never email you or anything. This art byte is all about blocks and loss of inspiration. Carol Marine had a terrible time of it herself and it explains how she got through it - but not just Carol... a whole list of other amazing Artists share their own experiences of their creative blocks too. It's well worth a read if you fancy it and at the very least will make you see that this is a normal part of an Artists life and you will get through it :0)
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/ArtTutorials/ArtByteStore#/category=informational&mode=search
He was so inspiring, Sandra - it was nice to feel that and to realize it. Thank you SO Much for the link - I read every work of the Art Byte and related to almost everything that each of the artists said. It gave me much to think about and made my resolve to get through this even stronger. I am trying out many of their suggestions to see if there is one that will work for me. You are wonderful, Sandra.
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read of your horrible, demoralizing block. It seems your session with Frank was a gleam of light cutting through that miasma.
From your work, it looks like Frank has a fascinating face, and you created a phenomenal pair of drawings!!! They are truly superb! BRAVO!!
PS - He looks like a French Impressionist work to me, too. :)
Kathryn XX
Demoralizing is the right word. I have been so frustrated that I forgot what it felt like to be inspired and to love the process. I am hoping that the inspiration found with Frank in life drawing will carry over to painting. So glad you like the drawings and I am always thrilled whenever the phrase French Impressionist appears in reference to my work! Many thanks!
DeleteYou and Sandra seem to have found the same route out the BadBlockLand. Each drawing a male model's 'portrait'. Great drawings I studied them for ages. Upwards and onwards dear girl...upwards and onwards!
ReplyDeleteBy the way ..........I'm back :0)
That is what I am hoping - get through this miserable time and move on! Welcome back, John - I am glad to hear all is well with you and want you to know you have been sorely missed.
DeleteGlad to see you back Susan. Lovely drawings, well done. it looks like you have broken the Mould at last. All the best.
ReplyDeleteVic.
I do indeed hope so Vic!
DeleteSuperb drawings Susan and sorry you have been having a tough time of it. I guess everyone has to work their own way through the issues, I have sometimes reverted to doing master studies but also a complete break from art for a while can get you 'hungry' and raring to go again - as I said though, we are all different. Your work is always an inspiriation to me and I am really pleased you have found some for yourself in Frank.
ReplyDeleteHow nce of you to say so , Tina - I greatly appreciate your words and am eager to visit your blog and update myself on your recent work. I will be there soon!
DeleteI'm so glad you're back to your drawings, Susan. These are absolutely amazing drawings...Frank is that perfect model we all want!!! Just so you know, we all go through the same "block" and struggle with the easel but most of the time we jump right back especially if we have a "Frank" to inspire us.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I don't like is not knowing what's going on with our blogger friends when we don't hear from them....I feel like you are all family...many years together sharing the same interests..!!!
Frank is the perfect model. He was so exciting to draw - the nuances of his personality were there for the taking. It was a joy to draw him. Its funny but I was so absorbed that it was an intimate experience. I don't know how else to describe it.
DeleteWow- the drawings are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why we expect not to have blocks. I always relate our struggles with a block to
golf. Look at Tiger Woods and his blocks. He shows up and nothing goes right - for all the world to see. At least I struggle in private.
Sending a true and warm hug and will look forward to seeing another masterpiece anytime right for you.
Hi, Julie - I agree - I am grateful our struggles are in private and we don't need to show them to the whole world! Thank you for your warm wishes. Today I had my first successful oil painting in a long time - and I truly believe the support and suggestions from all my friends in cyberspace have helped remarkably.
DeleteDear Susan. So good to see you are getting back to your own self again, the portraits of Frank are outstanding and have your very personal touch, keep it up !
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Jane - Frank was such an inspiring model - today I tried him in oils.
DeleteHet is goed je terug te zien Susan,proficiat met je karaktervolle tekeningen !
ReplyDeletegroetjes,
Simonne
This slump has been such a long struggle - I think that may be what frightened me this time. Thank you for your support, Simmone.
Delete