once again...

the dioskouroi
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

.. it has been too long - my apologies. Good news is that I have been keeping busy - although, I am guilty of sitting around quite a bit. Last time around, I mentioned that I would be posing for a five week portrait in Tony Ryder's class. I have done some modeling in the past, but never for a substantial amount of time. Due to those experiences - some, relatively easy... some, a tad bit painful - I wasn't really sure what to expect (other than a forecast of brainstorms). I was lucky. It was REALLY easy (and plenty of decent ideas came along with the rain). The five weeks absolutely flew by - it was an interesting and gratifying experience to be able to contribute to the artistic process from the opposite angle. I was/am really impressed with everyone's work (check out Krista's).

Due to a number of generous people in Tony's class, I was able to attend many afternoon drawing sessions over the duration of my portrait pose. I got a few drawings in that I am very proud of. Hopefully, there will be more to come!

I have also been gearing up for the autumnal show in New York (and at last... a date! September 13). We (there are several of us involved) are, each, to present thirteen pieces (ten at a small scale, and three at a large - well, larger than the small - scale) of a personal theme - mine involving stars/constellations*. My intention is to treat the smaller works more like studies/sketches, and paint my soul onto the larger pieces - one, of which, is underway. I am lucky enough to have Mercia (who will be presenting her paintings in NY, as well) as my muse and model (I am so excited about the project) - she is so beautiful, and is doing wonderfully (despite the pose, which is certainly NOT easy to hold). It will definitely be worth the effort.

* We are to incorporate an element of each others' theme within one of our own pieces - to unify.

late.

Well..

done
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

I'm still in the desert. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent the majority of the past two weeks drawing in Tony Ryder's class as an alternate. In the coming weeks, I will be spending quite a bit of time there as the next portrait model. Although, I won't be drawing or painting at that time, I'll still be around to soak in some of Tony's teaching and critiques - plus, it will enable me to stick around a bit longer (it really is a wonderful environment for me to be in.. I am so happy to be here).

I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet, but Krista, Chris (Rigney), and I are going to have an exhibition this August in New York. With thirteen pieces to show, I have my work cut out for me. There are quite a few seeds planted in my head - with the help of the desert sun, I'll be doing my best to bring them to life. Once I make some headway, I'll be posting (on here, and more frequently in Flickr).

So, life is good (not to mention that baseball season is about to begin)! Late.

back

close up
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

in Santa Fe for a while - currently in Michelle Tully (Studio Escalier)'s class, and having a great time with Mercia and Krista. Check back next weekend sometime - hopefully, this portrait will be complete! Late.

It feels like

two hands
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

a years difference since the last time I posted, but it couldn’t have been that long ago!? Anyway, if you have been following along with my Flickr page, then you’ve noticed that I have been frequently trying to post pictures and updates of my artistic exploration. So, please don’t be fooled by the lack of bloggular input – I am working very hard to maintain that nice rhythm I had going on in France.

I’ve been doing a lot of short term drawing studies; following those up with more of a long term painting project (probably not too much longer though – I need to finish it and move on to bigger and (potentially) better canvases). You will certainly see it posted on here upon its completion.

“Toby, have you ever finished anything?! ...or posted something, for that matter – when you promised us that you would?”

“No, but this time, I really really really really really will!”

The pressure is on… it will be done (have you ever tried typing with your fingers crossed? It’s tough!). Late.

goodbye france

last of rachel
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

.. for now, anyways. The last four (plus) months have been absolutely amazing. I didn't post on here as much as I would have liked, but it was very difficult to find the opportunity. There was no idle time, from start to finish - which was excellent. All of the incessant activity made the clock fly (a handful of us, including me, literally left France with broken watches, so I am convinced that we were, basically, just cramming as much as we could into the time we had). Every moment not spent on our artistic evolution was spent exploring. My experience in the French countryside and on the streets of Paris - each so different, and so wonderful, in their own regard - will stay with me forever. I wish that you could all have been there for it.

I have tons of pictures to go through, and will surely upload a few of them as I go along. I will also be continuing on in my artistic pursuit - so keep checking back to see what I'm working on (and to find out what's next - there are a few things in the works). Happy new year everyone! Late.

you have to cut me some slack..

look closely
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

I am in Paris, after all. This place is amazing - it has been nonstop since I arrived from Argenton. I think you'll appreciate that I am trying to jam as much in as I can while I'm here, and not spending precious time hanging around on the computer. This is actually just a quick post before I head over to the Musée D'Orsay to do some drawing. Remind me to pick up a few postcards on the way (I'm so bad) - thanks! Late.

Oh.. Class has been great too - I wish there was more time!

It's time..

temporary sarah
Originally uploaded by nepalblue

for Paris. More soon. Late.