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Woody's September 2009 Blog began March 2007 ......................................................................... |
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| Click Here To See Where Woody's Watercolors Are On Exhibit in 2009 click on any photo with a blue border for a larger image |
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| Two Projects Completed (9/20): It's a pretty successful day when I get two things done in one day. I finished my power point presentation for Monday's watercolor meeting. As NMWS delegate to the WFWS - I'm presenting a program at Monday's meeting to explain all about the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies to our members. The second thing I got done was completing the October newsletter for the watercolor society. After I proof read it - I'll e-mail it to the printer. I'm editor for the NMWS newsletter called "Brushstrokes". I have to do the work on Frani's computer (PC) since the pagemaker software is only for the PC. Of course, that means she can't shop on ebay while I tie up her computer - that saves me money.  |
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 "Helping Hand" Finished |
Watercolor Progress (9/19): I painted with my Saturday morning group today at the La Mesa church. I added a few finishing touches to by "Helping Hand" Hot Air Balloon painting. I added a few far away balloons to set the context. I also grayed the sides of the foreground to help focus on my focal area - the high contrast shadows cast by the the figures guiding the basket to a safe landing. I will re-do this composition on Arches - a paper that likes me much better. Next, I worked on my Bryce Canyon painting with umbrellas. I got to the point that I could remove the liquid frisket. I've got a long way to go to make this one work.   Umbrellas In Progress Minus the Frisket |
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| Source for Future Watercolor: While painting this morning at the church, a family of small children came in. I grabbed my camera and shot several photos of the group. But the best shots of were of one young man running around the church. He looks about three years old, but does he have the moves. This is going to be a great resource for a watercolor.  Inspiration's All Around Us |
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| Back to Santa Fe (9/18): Rather than paint this morning, I'm driving back to Santa Fe for the "Artist's Material Expo 2009". I want to see what the array of vendors have on display. I'm generally happy with the composition of my watercolor yesterday - see below. But I know I will re-do it on a stretched sheet of Arches. I was not happy at all with the Gemini paper that Tom Lynch recommended. Arches takes pigment the way I'm use to painting. Tom likes the Gemini - but he usually paints on Fredix's Watercolor Canvas as he is doing in the demo below. I will happily go back to my old friend Arches. I did like the Hobine paints he recommended, but switching to all new colors gets very expensive. |
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 Watercolor I did in Tom Lynch's Workshop |
Tom Lynch Workshop (9/17): Today, I'm headed up to Santa Fe for a, one day, Tom Lynch watercolor workshop. It's part of the "Artist's Material Expo 2009". the 3 day event is being put on by Artisan of Santa Fe. The art materials event at the Santa Fe convention, running Friday through Sunday is free. But, the workshops, like Lynch's, has a fee. I also bought the paints and paper he requires, so I've got an investment here. Not painting on a streached sheet of Arches makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable. But I'll give it a go.  I also signed up for a dinner later, on Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. Artisan of Santa Fe is hosting the ARTe-Gras Party in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton of Santa Fe. Fat Tuesday, a very popular New Orleans style band, will be performing dinner music, then providing dance music as the evening progresses. This will provide an opportunity to talk to other artists from around the state. |
 Tom Lynch Demo |
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Coronado Entrada (9/16): Monday's lecture to the docents, by author Richard Flint, started me on my own small bit of research into Coronado. Being from Kansas, where every school kid learns about the Spanish Conquistadors exploring the Kansas grasslands in search of "Cibola". But as Flint pointed out. "it is far too easy for our vision of the past to become a fixed thing." His research of 30 years shows my childhood vision of a couple hundred armored knights, sent by the king of Spain in search of gold - to be badly mistaken. Instead, there were thousands in a very mixed group containing more slaves (Africans) and Mexican Indian warriors than Spaniards. The group left Mexico before gaining permission from the King of Spain, and the expedition was self financed - where most participants paid to join this endevor to explore "Tierra Nueva." No where is there any documentation that they were seeking the "Seven Cities of Gold" as I was taught. That term was made up centuries later. Documents show they believed they were in Asia and if they traveled to the North they would reach highly developed cultures like India or China. They hoped to obtain riches to take back like silk and spices. Coronado's expedition's route took over two years starting in Mexico, traveling through Arizona (stopping at the Grand Canyon), spending a long time in New Mexico before venturing into Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas in search of "Cibola or Quivira." Someone should adjust Wikipedia's definition of Cibola to reflect more current research. The expedition took a vote, after 2 1/2 years, to return to Mexico after finding no riches on the journey. I'm currently reading "No Settlement No Conquest", Richard Flint's most recent book on the history of Coronado's Entrada into the North (Tierra Nueva). |
 "The Conquistadores" by John Steuart Curry second floor - east wing Kansas State Capitol |
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 Rich Pigs United |
Billionaires for Wealthcare (9/15): Billionaires for Wealthcare is a grassroots network of health insurance CEOs, industry lobbyists, talk-show hosts, and others profiting off of our broken health care system. We are not a political, religious or even particularly well-organized group. We're simple folk, thrilled profiteers and elite tycoons coming out from behind our gated communities and corner offices to dance on the grave of "Change". We'll do whatever it takes to ensure another decade where your pain is our gain. After all, when it comes to health care, if we ain't broke, why fix it? Thanks for your support! Huzzah!! Privatize Medicare Now!
Wealthcare, NOT Healthcare! Survival of the Richest! Healthcare Rationing is OUR Job! Contact Info Email: billionaires4wealthcare@gmail.com Website: http://www.BillionairesForWealthcare.com Location: Phoenix, AZ |
  click on signs for great video |
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cool breezes as well as the afternoon sun comes through our front door which is always guarded by our faithful watchdog |
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a screen shot of me taking a pic of myself at my computer |
In Albuquerque we've had a total 3.72 inches of rain this year this month alone we've had .17 inches I can hear the thunder in the north right now |
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 Artist Jay Drummond with her newest creation James |
<<< photo source for an upcoming watercolor
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 Tim's Self-Portrait |
Triplets Explore Cubism (9/12): Yesterday I received photos of my triplet grandkids doing Home School Art. The concept was developing a self-portrait like Picasso in his Cubist Period. They used watercolors to finish their portraits.   Creating Like Picasso |
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| Weight Loss I'm Down 2 1/2 lbs to 227 1/2 Not Much But It's A Start |
Umbrellas In Bryce Canyon: It only seems fitting that it would be raining today as I worked on the drawing for my new painting. The idea for this composition has been in my head since we took the triplets to Bryce Canyon. When Timothy and I got to the bottom of the trail it began to rain. So we just got wet and wetter as we carefully walked up the slippery trail getting out of the canyon. Just ahead of us were a group of Japanese tourists. As it began to rail the umbrellas opened up. I shot several photos of that line of colorful umbrellas as they bobbed along the trail. I knew then that this had to develop into a painting sooner or later.  On My Drawing Table Starting With A Stormy Sky:
I decided to put mask (liquid frisket) over the figures with the umbrellas. I want to be able to paint loose and free over them as I paint the landscape. I choose to do the sky "dark and stormy" both to pop out the rock formations as well as set the mood of a rainy day. Of course I painted the sky upside down so I could tilt and let it flow.   Starting on "Umbrellas at Bryce Canyon" Art History:
After I began the painting "Umbrellas at Bryce Canyon" it began to bring back some early art historical images to mind. C W Mc Waid (my Jr High art teacher) showed us the image by Van Gogh and told us that he used a japanese print as a reference. Strange how these things connect over all these years. Van Gogh was copying a woodcut by Utagawa Hiroshige - at first I assumed it was Hokusai but now I know. It's an important point to realize that what art teachers expose their students stick with them for a lifetime. |
 Art Historical Reference Vincent Van Gogh in 1887 painted this scene after a woodcut by Utagawa Hiroshige |
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 Impression Moonrise |
Back to Painting (9/11): I started painting again this morning. It's been a month since I touched a brush. I'm beginning with a rose to get started. I got the background started - but, it took so long to dry - I didn't get any farther. Tomorrow I hope to begin on a more complicated painting of Bryce Canyon in the rain. Perhaps, later I'll use my backyard sky photos for some small watercolors.  It's a Beginning To the right and the left are photos I took from our back yard in Albuquerque click on the photos to see a larger image |
 Impression Sunrise |
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| I listen to good music on my i-pod while I exercise  Here's my music list |
Obama's Speech (9/10): The president did an excellent job in his speech on Health Care last night. Of course I'm strongly in favor of a single payer approach like Medicare and the VA. But the president is much more pragmatic and is offering what I call his "Hybrid" plan. I do hope he is successful in getting a strong public option within the choices available to americans. Time will tell - but if we don't get major changes now - it will be a long time before we get another chance because the voters will blame the Democratic party for failing to deliver on change. Let's not fool ourselves - what is being addressed in congress is not changes in the way health care is delivered. It is insurance reform not health care reform. They are trying to change the way our medical services are paid for. Nothing in the plan will train more doctors and nurses - nothing in the plan will build more hospitals and clinics. What we are doing is deciding who gets to funnel the money to doctors and hospitals. Restrictions on insurance companies is all fine and good, but even with a public option - most americans will send their money to insurance companies who will pay lots of people big bucks to move the money around. What seems guaranteed is that these big insurance companies will have a lot more customers money to play with. They can pay millions to top officers and invest more in the markets. Then if they don't make enough in the market, they can raise premiums to cover the losses.  Like these kids putting their coins into this money funnel - we will have the fun of sending our dollars to insurance companies - with the hope that some comes out the small end of the funnel when we need it. But of course if the insurance company is big enough and gets in trouble we will always be there to bail them out so they can screw us again - and they say it is good for you. |
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 Judy Chicago NMAEA Poster |
Judy Chicago (9/9): New Mexico art teachers (NMAEA) are holding their annual fall conference in Ruidoso this year. The dates are November 6th and 7th. Judy Chicago will be our keynote speaker. There is a list of presentations and workshops on the NMartED website. I am doing a 3 hour Collograph Printmaking workshop on Saturday morning from 9 to 12. This time I'm asking teachers to use figures in action as a subject. We will be using a three color process without a press. My friend Michael Cellan, from Colorado, will do a workshop from 2 to 4 on Saturday called "Cool Perspective with Rabbits". Michael's workshops always draw an overflow crowd. Our keynote speaker, Judy Chicago is just before dinner on Saturday from 4 until 5:30. Judy Chicago will talk about her "Dinner Party Curriculum Project" called Through the Flower for K - 12. Dinner will follow from 5:30 until 7:00. This is a very important event which you should not miss. Registration Forms are available on the NMartED website. <<< click on small image of the poster for a larger one you can print |
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| Exercise & Movies: This morning we went to exercise and later to a dollar movie. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and then I swam 10 laps. I'm going to enjoy the pool while Frani keeps on sweating on those machines. I'm starting out easy for now. We saw "UP" in 2-D today. This was the second time for me, I took the girls to see it in 3-D this summer. Next week we plan to see "My Sisters Keeper". Hopefully they will have at least one movie each week that we will want to see. We hope "Julie and Julia" comes to the dollar show soon. Meryl Streep plays Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powell. Streep is getting better with each new movie. We watched "Doubt" and loved her in the role as a nun. We were very disappointed in the way the movie ended. In the old cowboy movies - the good guys always won - what's wrong with that ? |
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 Pavina 8th Grade |
Burning CD's (9/8): I've
run out of my Quality Lesson Plans in powerpoint format - I've run
out and need to fill some new orders - also I'll also need several
copies to sell to art teachers at the NMAEA conference in Ruidoso
in November.
I have not added anything new to the 30 plus lessons on the
CD since the NAEA National Conference in Denver - that was 2004. But
good ideas are never dated - so I'll keep mailing them out as long as I
get requests. I put a photo of Pavina creating a clay sculpture (in the eight grade back then) on the CD. She is now 22 years old and a beautiful young lady she is. She works at a coffee shop in Kansas City and loves to play her violin when it's raining - which it does often in Kansas City. She is a excellent cook and plans to put her artistic side to good use going to culinary school. Working on Weight Loss Goal: I'm down 1 1/2 lbs today to 228.5 lbs. It's a start toward my goal of 215 lbs by October 1st. Yesterday morning started with one hour and 30 minutes in the gym. We had only salad for dinner then we walked 3 miles in the early evening. I've got a busy day of commitments and meetings today so the gym is out. But I'll get back at it again on Wednesday and perhaps include swimming some laps to my routine. Busy Day Today: I went to the museum this morning - it was our team's tour day. There was no tour scheduled and I had a conflict anyway so I took off quite early. I was to meet some folks at "Christie Mae's" a local restaurant to learn about judging calligraphy at the New Mexico State Fair. Yes - I volunteered again - Frani keeps telling me to learn how to say "NO" to no avail. After a free lunch and judging the calligraphy - I drove to Discount Tire to replace a tire that picked up a nail. Next I sorted through 2 weeks of mail the post office held for us. Tonight we meet at Dave's house for another meeting to plan for the Western Fed Watercolor show in 2011. I'm taking a break tomorrow and going to the dollar show with my bride. |
 Pavina Now |
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 Tess and Tiff find a neighbor's dog at "Grandma-Grandma's" |
Helpful Young Ladies: While we were visiting in Kansas we drove into Kansas City to see Frani's Mom. The triplets call her "Grandma-Grandma". The girls went into the city with us to visit "Grandma-Grandma". We took her to a large shopping center and out to eat at Mimi's. The two girls were so very patient and helpful with "Grandma-Grandma". They pushed the borrowed wheelchair and helped "Grandma-Grandma" to the car. Thank you to these two beautiful young ladies for being so kind.  Helping "Grandma-Grandma" |
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 Photographer Tim |
Artistic Timothy: While I was in Kansas I gave the triplets a lesson on painting a colorwheel. Of course I only gave them the primary colors to work with. Here is a photo of Tim's colorwheel. I also took a photo of a Kachina Tim painted before I got there. He has been collecting Kachina's for a few years now. He would tell you that he painted an Antelope Kachina. I'm also posting a pic of him shooting photos of animals at the Topeka Zoo.  Tim's Colorwheel |
 Antelope Kachina |
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 230 lbs this morning goal 215 lbs by October 1 |
Home Sweet Home (9/7): It's always good to be home - it feels comfortable especially after a 14 1/2 hour drive back from Kansas. It is wonderful visiting with folks back in Kansas, but being home is good. Our puppy Blossom went with us - she travels well - but misses her ball. We forgot it back in Kansas. She has been looking all over the house for it. I threw another one - she chased it, smelled it and then walked away. It was not the her favorite ball. I drove over to Octopus Car Wash. I needed to get the the Kansas bugs and dirt off my car. I have trouble driving a dirty car. I found a nail in one of the new tires but am reluctant to pull it out. I'll go by Discount Tire and have them pull it out. No sense putting a spare on if I don't need to. I started exercising with Frani, at Divine Fitness, this morning. We both need to loose a few pounds before our trip to Mississippi. For our diet, we bought lots of stuff to make salads and some veggies to steam. Got to do this weight loss thing up right. No bread and no potatoes - those are the foods that put the pounds on me. I'll make my Dunkin Donuts Coffee at home - which means no more giant apple fritters till I loose 15 lbs. While shopping for veggies - we could not pass up the sale at Smiths for giant T-Bone steaks ($3.99 lb). Nice thick steaks with meat on both sides of the bone. We plan to split one (but only once a week). I have 23 days to loose 15 lbs. Then I'm shooting at 203 lbs before Christmas. |
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| Beauty of Rain (9/06): There is sure plenty of rain here in Eastern Kansas. It is relaxing, but I miss New Mexico rain. Back in Albuquerque, we seem to get two kinds of rain: "Virga" or dry rain - where the weather report says that it rained - but it never reached the ground. Sort of like the tree falling in the forest but not being heard. Then there is the two or three minute shower followed by a pair of brilliant rainbows from horizon to horizon. |
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 Happy Birthday Jayana |
Happy Birthday Jayana (9/05): I know your birthday is not till tomorrow, Sunday, September 6th - but I'll be on the road tomorrow driving back to New Mexico. It was a while back that I was your art teacher at Rosedale. It's great to know that you have grown into such a beautiful young lady and such a fantastic Mom and now a proud Grandmother as well. Jayana was an eight grader in 1980. I remember she created a fantastic soft sculpture of a Japanese warrior. We were using pantyhose and pollyfill to create faces. I decided to push her class to create an entire body as well. I also assigned my students to watch the mini series “Shogun” that was on TV that fall. Jay’s soft sculpture went on to win acceptance in the Scholastic Art competition.   Jayana - Then and Now
Damn - wasn't I skinny back then in 1980.
That was five years before I started driving to New Mexico and eating
all those Chili Rellenos.
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Complaints About Obama Speaking to Schools (9/4): President Obama plans to speak directly to students Tuesday about the need to work hard and stay in school. His address will be shown live on the White House Web site and on C-SPAN at noon EDT, a time when classrooms across the country will be able to tune in. Schools don't have to show it. Districts in states including Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin have decided not to show the speech to students. Others are still thinking it over or are letting parents have their kids opt out. Some conservatives, driven by radio pundits and bloggers, are urging schools and parents to boycott the address. They say Obama is using the opportunity to promote a political agenda and is overstepping the boundaries of federal involvement in schools. This continual complaining about everything the president does is getting really tired. Do the political opponents of the president have any sense in their heads. What could be more proper and important than speaking to the students of the nation about the importance of education ? What do these complainers wish to accomplish by continuing these ridiculous efforts. |
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New Mexico Art Teachers: The NMAEA Fall Conference Agenda in Ruidoso is now posted on the web at http://www.newmexicoarted.com/ The conference is Nov 6th & 7th. Judy Chicago is our keynote speaker - Why not join us in Ruidosa - you can see the full schedule at: http://www.newmexicoarted.com/09PresentersAgenda.pdf |
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 Looking Up to the Dome |
In the Land of OZ (9/1): We went on an educational field trip, yesterday, with the triplets to the state capitol. The Kansas capitol building is under major construction. It is scheduled to be totally restored in 2011. The kids were unable to see the John Steuart Curry mural called "Bleeding Kansas" showing abolitionist John Brown standing in triumph atop of dead confederate soilders. We saw some of his murals, but most were covered to prevent damage from the reconstruction. Everyone climbed the 269 steps to the observation area above the dome (except for me) I have a very healthy fear of heights. Afterwards we had a picnic lunch at a park near the zoo. Topeka has a nice zoo. We enjoyed walking around in the cool air to see the animals. Later we shopped in downtown Lawrence - before having dinner and driving home.   Grandma on top of the Capitol Dome Triplet Photographers at the Zoo My Bride:
That beautiful lady on the observation deck of the capitol dome is my bride of 46 years. Our anniversity was yesterday (August 31st) the day we went to Topeka with our triplet grandkids. |
 Kansas Capitol |
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 Pooping on Bike |
Country Living: Frani and I are city folks - this country living is a bit strange for us. For entertainment, we chop up the kitchen scraps and toss the bits of garbage from the deck to the chickens and ducks. It's something to do to pass the time. At least I've got my camera and laptop to play with.  Buddy Going Out to Collect Eggs |
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