Every two weeks i head into the RINO area of Denver (RIver NOrth) to Michael's studio at the ArtHaus gallery. i love going there not only for the lessons but also for feeling inspired every time i am there. One of the things that always tends to happen is photographs, inspiring photos. I cannot help but to take out my camera or even my phone to document my day, his art work, & both of us creating. Both of us being camera junkies & documentarians, Michael will often grab my phone to take shots of me in action. Here are five of some of my favorite shots from my days there.
i love that he writes out his thoughts any where and every where. i walked into the studio earlier this week and found this on his drop cloth in front of his new painting. i just had to step up and take a photo as a reminder. "Marks that Matter." It makes me think i need to put up some of my words around my studio.
i don't always just paint in my lessons. Sometimes i draw or practice strokes with compressed charcoal or sketching pencils. i always bring my sketch journal into class to take notes & do these kinds of practices. This day was about loosing up the left hand as well as the right hand. My background in drawing tends to make me very heavy handed as a painter so these techniques are imperative to loosen me up. i absolutely LOVE this shot Michael got of me in action especially with his colorful piece in the background.
A couple weeks ago or so, i was practicing strokes. Simple movements that can have a huge impact and getting comfortable with odd movements. All of this was on my pad of watercolor paper but then he told me stepped up to one of his pieces. "WHAT?" "Step up there and make those mark on that painting!" I gulp, step up, & start making marks on a painting that is almost finished. He laughs and says "Just don't screw it up." So very cheeky.
First lesson in his studio and i have a toliet brush in my hand painting. i have many photos from that day that i just love thanks to Michael. This top down view really says it all. i love the color on my palette even though i never touched color that day. The dark water showing how much i painted and that toilet brush in hand. This photo reminds me of that day and the leaps i took.
Being in his studio, i always keep my eyes open for photos. i cannot help it since i find inspiration in every corner. He's so used to me pulling out my phone to take photos. He was standing up against his newest piece as we were chatting. i couldn't help but notice this great photo opportunity. i began directing him, no turn this way, head down, etc., like i do in a photo shoot and he willingly obliged. This is my favorite photo from the set. It's like the art is exploding out of him.
Do you take photos while you are creating?