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

Weaving

 While walking through a neighborhood knitting store, I stumbled upon a weaving kit which included a wooden loom, yarn and other simple tools.

I used the over and under method and with practice hope to make some fancy designs in the future.

~JM

In the beginning...

No perfect, but I was getting the hang of it and found weaving to be very relaxing

Dust Off That Musical Instrument!

 I think it has been over 4 years since I last practice the guitar.  Poor thing just sits in the corner and collects dust.   A friend convinced me to dust it off and play a duet while she plays the violin.   In searching for songs, I came across "Greensleeves" (same or similar tune as "What Child Is This?").   Below is a video of me playing along a recording.  ~ JM

 

Color Pencils

 Earlier this month I participated in a virtual studio with the National Gallery of Art.  The focus was on color pencils and we discussed the color wheel, blending, and textures.  We studied Sumac by the artist Ray Euffa and concentrated on one portion of the picture. Click here for more information about the artwork. Below is my interpretation of  one of the leaves from the artwork. ~JM

Sumac by Ray Euffa