Sketching, Illustration, Design and Everyday Life.
Copyright by © Nina Khashchina except where noted.
In the middle of a busy and rather hot June afternoon, I took a short break to visit a local garden where the place with the best shade was... under a large tree under which were the largest calla lilies I've ever seen! I ended up painting them from the ground to feel even more dwarfed by them. Gouache and ink.
I've been thinking a lot about different kinds of art and how they are shared/consumed by different people in different socio-economic situations and throughout history and life stages. Sounds serious but has a lot to do with a very practical task of sorting through piles and piles of work while downsizing and moving studio space. This long preamble is connected to some little pieces that I created recently and have no idea how to share them with people :) see videos below - the only attempt that made sense so far. I was making sounds for these too but not ready to share that yet. Thinking about sharing wish a small circle :)
Matilija poppies are a signature plant native to California and are a joy to find and draw. Also a bit of a challenge. Sometimes they are so tall that there is no way to see the actual center of the flower. The best bushes are usually on a highway or in the middle of the road or right under the construction crane! This is why when someone finds a good bush to draw and shares it with you it is a gift worth an immediate drive! (though I had other selfish reasons too). These sketches are from the outing to see @suhitasketch and her patch of poppies. It was such a gift to spend some time drawing these dancing flowers!
Here is a look at Matilija Poppies which I drew through the years.
First sketch below is done without any lines or underdrawing - a direct gouache/watercolor sketch. Second one is done with printmaking tools and third one is ink and watercolor/gouache wash. Which one speaks to you more? Scroll to see process shots!
I am drawing through a rather hectic time - lots of things are moving in different directions, and between deciding how to answer the big life questions and tiny life questions I am adding lines to my pocket sketchbook. I draw a neighbor in the line while waiting. Our nonagenarian while visiting. My friend's kitchen while sipping delicious chai. Drying flowers. Workers. Everyday stuff.
One thing I am sure of: when everything is in flex and feels like you are not sure where is up or down or when everything feels like you almost know what you are doing - and during all the times in between - having people who support you is precious. Thank you!
Click on the images to see them larger and read the notes if you wish.
I am moving my studio and a lot of stuff gets one more look before joining the recycling bin - change is hard but also interesting and sometimes fun.
For some time I used to do my morning drawing warm-up by drawing news. It was a quick way to get some hand-eye coordination with a spice of fresh happenings from around the world. I stopped this practice at the end of 2016. But here are a few sketches from the several books titled "Summer 2016". There are many portraits of presidential candidates, but lots of things I have forgotten about by now. I wonder where and how are some of these people. Then I remember that I should be packing and move on.
This month the Street View World Tour was drawing Light and Shadow and we traveled all over the world. I was late and managed only a tiny sketch during the presentation of the guest artist @jennymouse2003. But I got to do two 20 minute views and after that and had a blast using my printing technique with custom-haircut pentel pocket brush.
If you are not familiar - A Street View World Tour is a fun, no-pressure gathering hosted by Jenny Adam and Eleanor Doughty via Gage Academy. You can learn more about these monthly free events and about these locations at the links above.
My previous participations include a trip to Kharkiv, Ukraine where I was the guest artist, Drawing Sky Holes, Kenya, Boats, Night Life, and Hawaiian Foliage. (I am quite sure that I participated in a few more but I am not sure I ever posted about them - will try to find and add to this collection!)
I took the photo on May 31st as on the 1st I started to slowly pack - I am moving my studio and next month the photo might be with a different table/light/everything! Or it might look the same to everyone but me - we will see :)
This image will tell you about my May: a trip to the zoo with stencil kit and some wild brushes, making gifts, cards, and notes - for good people in my life and for myself too :) Making stickers and experimenting with all sorts of things all while my palette is asking to be refilled and summer blooms are calling my names! May was all about Flanders poppies, and now it is time for Matilija poppies.
See you on the other side of the move :)
