Back To School - Self Portrait

It's been 34 years since I received my MBA and if that was not torture enough I've started back to school at Towson.  My sons couldn't believe I was going back to school to study art because as they so accurately pointed out I can not draw.  Since I consider myself an excellent craftsman this did not bother me in the slightest.  I am currently working on a self-portrait that is not a self portrait.  I am using my grandmother instead with inspiration from DiVinci and Andy Warhol.  I like the illustration image with color blocking by Warhol.  It reminds me of DiVinci's work.  My goal is to render the image of my grandmother (top) in an illustration style reminiscent of DiVinci with subdued color blocking similar to that in the Warhol print above.  A true melting pot of art!

Monet's Garden

Monet's Garden, Giverny France...Stunning

 

If you enjoy historical fiction "Here Be Dragons" is a must read.  Sharon Kay Penman is a master of historical fiction and you will find that her work is as close to historical accuracy that you will find in any work of fiction.  I also enjoyed her treatment of John Lackland as more than a sinister character.  Below is the summary you will find on Amazon .

Thirteenth-century Wales is a divided country, ever at the mercy of England’s ruthless, power-hungry King John. Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, secures an uneasy truce by marrying the English king’s beloved illegitimate daughter, Joanna, who slowly grows to love her charismatic and courageous husband. But as John’s attentions turn again and again to subduing Wales---and Llewelyn---Joanna must decide where her love and loyalties truly lie.

The turbulent clashes of two disparate worlds and the destinies of the individuals caught between them spring to life in this magnificent novel of power and passion, loyalty and lies. The book that began the trilogy that includes Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning, Here Be Dragons brings thirteenth-century England, France, and Wales to tangled, tempestuous life.

The Fabulous Serpent Ring

Shana Kroiz (my absolute favorite artist) has done a series of rings that are one size fit all.  This is the first series of rings I have ever seen her make and she has really made a statement with this avant garde collection.  She is offering the Serpent Ring shown in the image above for sale online at http://artjewelryonline.com/rings1.html but she also has images on her website of a more extensive ring line. You may view them at http://shanakroiz.com/gallery_sk.html.

My Favorite Necklace

The Open Pebbles necklace by Lori Gottlieb is my all time favorite piece of jewelry.  Not only are green tourmalines my favorite colored gemstone but I like the feminine  yet bold nature of this piece. http://artjewelryonline.com/lorigottlieb3.html

Architectural Work by Josh DeMonte

This piece is from an instructor of mine at Towson University, Josh DeMonte. Made from Glass-filled polyamide.  http://joshuademonte.com/home.html

Deb Karash is one of my favorite jewelry artists. She uses colored pencils on metal in a style that is uniquely hers.

http://bit.ly/PfOU2W

Artist Statement

"The creation and collection of jewelry, for me, is about intimacy. Something personal is expressed in the wearing of handmade jewelry."

Fusing the intuitive nature of drawing and the technical skills of metalsmithing, Deb Karash combines copper, silver, brass and colored pencil into wearable, portable works of art. First applying layers of colored pencil to a textured copper surface, Karash then suspends the copper over cool sterling to bring each piece to life.

Karash views her work as a subtle statement about personality and the mystery of the spirit. Mechanical, metaphorical, and emotional layers and connections play a crucial role in Deb Karash's work and in her life as a maker.