Collage Techniques

 In the last few months, the National Gallery of Art virtual studio has focused on collages. Click here for information on future courses. 

The artworks that drew inspiration for the collages included: 1.) "A Sunburst Restrained" by Maria Berrio and 2.) Study for "Le Tournesol (The Sunflower)" by Edward Steichen.

On a separate piece of paper we drew or painted colorful stripes, along with circular and geometrical shapes.  Afterwards we cut the different shapes out and glued on a different piece of paper to create our own version of the above-mentioned artworks.  Below are the collages I created.  Also, below are the artwork by Berrio and Steichen.- JM

Collage 1

Collage 2

 

"A Sunburst Restrained" by Maria Berrio was used as inspiration for Collage 1 

 

Study for "Le Tournesol (The Sunflower)" by Edward Steichen was used for inspiration for Collage 2

 

Photography Class

 I'm participating in a 6-week photography class.   I'm learning the nitty-gritty of how to use the camera.  For the longest, I didn't know what all the buttons and knobs did.   So far I have learned about shutter speed, aperture, metering, types of lenses, ISO, focal length, exposure, the histogram, white balance, and rules of composition.   Below is an example of a night shot I took as part of an assignment.  ~ JM

Night shot of a neon sign.

Museum Visit: Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South

 So many Black artist go unknown.  The National Gallery of Art recently acquired 40 sculptures, assemblages, paintings, reliefs, quilts, and drawings, including the Gee's Bend quilts.  Below is a a picture of one of the quilts on display.   When I got home, I made my own mini-quilt using scraps of fabric and glued on canvas.  This is a great no-sew, simple way to make a quilt on display (also see below).

Learn more of the quilts of Gee's Bend here.   The quilts of Gee's Bend are quilts created by a group of women and their ancestors who live or have lived in the isolated African-American hamlet of Gee's Bend, Alabama along the Alabama River.  ~ JM

A quilt of Gee's Bend

My own version of a quilt using scrap fabric, glue and canvas.

Watercolor Flowers

 Summer is my favorite season and I get a little teary knowing that the change of season is upon us.  I needed something to remind me of the beauty of summer - flowers!  With guidance from a magazine titled, "DIY Watercolor Flowers", I painted a simple bouquet of flowers.  ~JM

Artist Talk

 Early in the summer I attended an event at the Hirshhorn Museum to hear the artist, Nicolas Party, speak on his process of creating his artwork.  It was interesting  to hear how his idea involved and changed many times before the final product was put up on the Hirshhorn.  Below is a picture I took during the presentation.  The presentation itself is on YouTube (click on the link).  Also to learn more of the exhibit, click on link for the museum's website ~ JM

Murals: A Self-Guided Tour

 The National Museum of Women in the Arts is temporarily closed due to renovations.   However,  I've enjoyed their virtual programs and discussions.   On their website, they list a self-guided mural tour in conjunction with their public art installation series on the museum's exterior during its renovation.

Check it out here for more information.   The murals tour featured the D.C. artist, MISS CHELOVE.  It was fun walking around town and admiring and taking pictures of her beautiful work.  

The National Gallery of Art also has a self-guided tour of public art around D.C. and I hope to explore and take pictures in the near future.  ~JM

MISS CHELOVE, Reseeded: A Forest Floor Flow

MISS CHELOVE, Guardians of the Four Directions

MISS CHELOVE, All My Hopes & Dreams

Collage

 In another virtual art class, the form was a collage and the theme was memories.  The memory I chose was "warmth".   Being that we are in the height of a bitter cold winter, happy memories for me are sunny, hot summery days where my mood is more relaxed and carefree.  ~ JM

Reflective Writing

 Happy New Year!   Again, I participated in a virtual studio through the National Gallery of Art which focused on one of its collection called, "Hope is: Wanting to Pull Clouds", by Sigmore Polke.  

The assignment was to reflect on this artwork through a series of prompts.  

With any art, you may think about:

• What do I see?
• What emotion or feeling did I feel from and through the art and why?
• How does what I see and feel lead me toward a connection between the work of art and myself and/or my life?

"Hope is: Wanting to Pull Clouds", by Sigmore Polke

The final prompt in the assignment stated:  Give voice to something specific in the painting.  What is its wish or hope for you in the new year?  

The object I selected was the boat that is sailing in the middle of the horizon.

I hope this year is smooth sailing, with as little of rough seas as possible.  What ever comes my way I can handle with grace, wisdom, strength and faith.  The Almighty will continuously look over me and provide guidance and comfort.  ~ JM