The First Child of Christmas

Antique Christmas Card
...artist unknown...

My suitcase is out and clothes and gifts are being stacked around it...awaiting the final packing for my flight to New York on Christmas Day.

Christmas is a special time of the year. There is excitement and anticipation in the air. Children have sent their list to Santa and kitchens smell of cookies and breads. Decorations are in place and the tree lights twinkle in the night. Little ones and adults alike can hardly keep their hands off the presents as new ones are secretly added daily.

Family and friends gather, talking about old times. Ribbons and paper clutter the floor. Little ones run around playing with their new gifts from Santa. All the while 'new' memories are being made and new traditions are begun that will be carried on by generations to come.

In this commercialized era it's important to remember why we celebrate. To take a moment to thank God for His gift to us. To remember what it must have been like on that first glorious day when the Christ child was born. To remember the First Child of Christmas.


The First Child of Christmas
His hands were soft, small, and red,
on a crisp morning in Bethlehem...

His hands were strong, calloused, and scarred
as He fashioned a new chair for home...

His hands were confident, gentle, and firm
as He touched the sick and the lame...

His hands were broken, bleeding, and bruised
as he gave His life away...

His hands are reaching out to mankind...drawing and
beckoning,
and holding us close to the heart of God.


May you feel the touch of His Hands where ever you are this Christmas season.

Best wishes for a blessed holiday.
Marsha

Does Your Art Have Value???

...Old Glory...
Original Drawing, $655

Could you, for example, pay your bills with your art? My local news station aired this story and I chuckled in disbelief. It took some searching...but I found the complete story, and then laughed out loud!

Times are tough, money is tight...this is definitely taking 'creativity' to the next level.

I'll say no more. Read on to see how one struggling artist handled his problem of an overdue utility bill. see his correspondence with the utility company below...guaranteed to make you smile.

_________________________________

From: Jane Gilles

Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles

From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately we are unable to accept drawings as payment and your account remains in arrears of $233.95. Please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.32am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
Can I have my drawing of a spider back then please.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.42am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear David,
You emailed the drawing to me. Do you want me to email it back to you?

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.56am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,

Yes please.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 12.14pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Attached

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 09.22am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Whose spider is that?

Dear Jane, Are you sure this drawing of a spider is the one I sent you? This spider only has seven legs and I do not feel I would have made such an elementary mistake when I drew it.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.03am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David, Yes it is the same drawing. I copied and pasted it from the email you sent me on the 8th. David your account is still overdue by the amount of $233.95. Please make this payment as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.05am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Automated Out of Office Response

Thank you for contacting me. I am currently away on leave, traveling through time and will be returning last week.

Regards, David.

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.08am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Hello, I am back and have read through your emails and accept that despite missing a leg, that drawing of a spider may indeed be the one I sent you. I realize with hindsight that it is possible you rejected the drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb omission but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings. As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 2.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David, As I have stated, we do not accept drawings in lei of money for accounts outstanding. We accept cheque, bank cheque, money order or cash. Please make a payment this week to avoid incurring any additional fees.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 3.17pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

I understand and will definitely make a payment this week if I remember. As you have not accepted my second drawing as payment, please return the drawing to me as soon as possible. It was silly of me to assume I could provide you with something of completely no value whatsoever, waste your time and then attach such a large amount to it.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Tuesday 14 Oct 2008 11.18am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Attached

________________________________________

Final Thought: My Visa bill is due next week...wonder if they would accept an Original Drawing. I could send them Old Glory...I figure it would be an over payment of $125.80. I would actually have a credit on my account.

Who knows, maybe CEO of the company owns part interest in a basketball team. What do you think?

_______________________________________________

To give credit where credit is due...I found this article on http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=665847
____________________________

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

Weekend Chat Line..."When life preempts art"

...Wine Country...

From me to you.
It's the 'holidays'...sit, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine.

In the art world the words 'Working Artist' indicates an artist who makes their living from their art. I've never heard a phrase that applies to the rest of us artists who work a regular job and have to carve out 'creative time' from their busy schedules of 'job' and 'family'.

I'm certain I'm not alone here...but many times my cherished 'creative time' just gets pushed by the wayside. The month of December has been a perfect example. The last drawing I did was the portrait for my grandson. Ever since then, LIFE has just bombarded me. As if preparing for my trip to New York for Christmas wasn't enough, if you read my last post you know 'my friend Henry' is being replaced and I've had issues with my fine art printer.

My printer has been replaced (under warranty) and my new computer has been ordered...a custom built model from Wibben Computers, a local business here in town. They have the most wonderful 'same day service' for business when there are problems. They consider me a business even though some days I question how true this really is!

I wouldn't really say loosing my creative time makes me grouchy...but it certainly brings feelings of 'absence'...you know, when something or someone you love is missing from your life. There is a real void. I almost feel lonely. It's hard to explain.

So I ask...During this time of the year do you find you have less time to work in your studio? If so, do you feel it effects your emotional health? Are you a 'working artist' or 'an artist who works'?

The "Chat Line" is open... Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

_________________________________

Things have been a little quiet here on my blog and will no doubt remain so until after the holidays. I'm counting the days until I leave for New York. I haven't hugged my daughter and grandson for over a year...and lots to do yet before I fly out on Christmas Day.

I still have prints to make and package, packing to do, gifts to buy, and of course there are those two other jobs I work at other than my art. You see...I am 'an artist who works'.

Sincerely,
Marsha

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

A Week of Silence..."Henry has been sick."

Last week was a week of events for me...not all good. My trusty computer, which I named 'Henry' when he arrived in my home almost 5 years ago, started acting up last week. Actually, there had been signs for awhile that he wasn't feeling well, but I ignored them. 'Henry' had become stubborn when searching the internet and when doing everyday tasks would frequently scream for more memory. I thought he was just being difficult.

The diagnosis, after a seeing the 'specialists', is that 'Henry' is just old and tired. The Doctor told me that 'Henry' was just maxed out and needed to be retired in favor of a new model. The 'specialist' made a few adjustments so 'Henry' could properly execute his tasks for the moment...and the new model will be arriving perhaps yet this month or soon after the first of the year.

Well....this certainly brought on decisions that I hadn't been expecting. 'Henry' and I had become good friends. We understood each other and until most recently worked well together. I don't blame 'Henry'...he's been a faithful companion these past few years, and I understand that he's old and I'm asking much more of him now than I did in his younger years.

As a result, I've had big decisions to make in a short period of time. Henry is a PC...and I plan on staying with a PC. It's been the question of what operating system to get that has caused the biggest issue. I'm currently running Windows XP and I understand support for XP will cease in 2009. Vista, as we all know has had it's issues. There is supposed to be a new Windows 7 released in a year or two...I cant wait that long.

In between Henry's visits to the Doctor we did a few Google searches on Vista vs XP. It sounds like Vista has leveled out some what and that most of the issues have been with it's use on computers that didn't have enough memory to run it properly. The consensus of the 'experts' seems to be this. If you have a good running computer, wait for the release of Windows 7. If you need to do something today...get Vista. Knowing Henry's issues, I'm not in a position to wait for the new Windows 7....urghhhh! So, I guess it's Vista.

Hope Vista works well for me...it seems to be a HATE IT or LOVE IT situation with most people in the forums I visited. I guess if I hate it, I can always step back to XP. I will keep you updated.

Enough of this...'Henry' and I are going to color correct the high resolution scan I had done of the portrait I did for my grandson so he can give prints to his family. The large format printer that I use for my fine art prints was my other issue this week. We're not even going to go there now..perhaps another time.

Today's technology is soooooooooo beyond most of us everyday people. When it works, it's BEAUTIFUL. When it has a glitch, it just makes life miserable!


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a point...leave a comment

A Portrait for My Grandson..."up for critique"

...A Portrait for My Grandson...

carbon pencil on paper, 11x15

IT'S DONE...well at least the major part. I will still spend some time 'tweaking' it in the next couple of weeks. I will be taking it to the framers this week so the frame and matting can be ordered. I will actually need to be done with the 'tweaking' by this weekend as I'll be having it high resolution scanned on Saturday so I can make prints available to the family if they are interested.

The shadows on both faces are much darker than what the camera picked up which is why I always use a scan for prints. Even with a good camera and lens...when there is a lot of contrast, as in this drawing, the subtleties seem to get lost, and the face photographs lighter.

The drawing of Teddy's mother is still considerably darker than Teddy...which keeps her in the background and pushes Teddy's image forward. I had thought I would make her even darker yet...but as I look at it now, I think the balance is really good. (yet I'm not sure you can tell)

*I will post the portrait again once I have the scan done and color corrected...yet even then viewing it on the computer screen is a hit or miss thing. Drawing is all about the subtle shadows...and they never seem to show well here. I always think it's such a shame.

If you read my previous posts about this portrait you will recall that Teddy's mother passed away when he was just five. My mother also passed away when I was five years old and he and I have talked about this often. I wanted this portrait to signify his mother's presence in his life even though she isn't with him anymore.

I spoke with Teddy before starting this drawing...I wanted to make sure he understood the concept I was trying to convey and that it was something he would like to have. This is the first view he will have of the drawing...I hope he approves.

Teddy's opinion will be my ultimate critique.

You can see the original layout of this drawing and my previous post with additional reference photos used at the links included here.

____________________________________

This was truly a drawing done from the heart. The older I get the more I realize the void in my life as a result of my mother's death at such a young age. My father remarried when I was a senior in high school...but by then I was pretty much an adult, or at least thought I was. She was a wonderful woman and the perfect influence for my two younger brothers.

I look at Teddy and my daughter...they are such a blessing. I'm so thankful to have Teddy in my life and so proud of the mother my daughter has become.

I know the photo of this drawing isn't the best...but would love to have your critique and opinion.

Sincerely,
Marsha

Weekend Chat Line...Stuffed Turkey? Yup that's me!

I went to my brother's in Mahomet, Ill. as usual this year for Thanksgiving dinner. It takes a little over an hour to get to his home and all the way I'm flat out salivating!

I actually began to envision the table as I put the car in reverse, and started to back out of my drive. I know, I'm disgusting...but you've got to understand, as a single person I rarely cook anymore.

It's a tradition in our family...you arrive early and everyone helps prepare the meal. There is always some great wine and and horsdoeuves to enjoy while the preparations take place.

My job this year was the gravy. Since, as you know, this is one of the last dishes to happen...I had plenty of time to graze the horsdoeuves, enjoy the wine, catch up on family 'business', and play with the little ones running around before I was called to duty.

My brother Ron really put the pressure on when it was time to make the gravy...first of all he announced that he wanted it 'velvety smooth'. I thought, no problem, I can do that...then he handed me a recipe. If I had known I was going to have to follow a recipe for gravy I wouldn't have had that last glass of wine!

The table was beautifully set and the food was spectacular, even the gravy. All ten of us, (7 adults and 3 toddlers), held hands as my brother led us in prayer. The meal came together only a little over an hour late...but no one noticed. We were all having too much fun.

I ate until I felt like the turkey...stuffed. I'm not certain, but I think my feet even swelled up! On the drive home I couldn't help but think about how miserable I was and all the people in the world who go hungry every day.

I woke up this morning still full...and knew I had to do something to repent. I went to the store, purchased two bags of groceries, and took them to the local food pantry.

I was still full...but I felt better.

I'd like to say "I will never eat too much on Thanksgiving day ever again" but it would be a lie....then I would have to repent for that. So for now I hope the two bags of groceries will make up for my glutenous ways...until next year.

No questions today...I just want to express my thankfulness for the pure joy that family brings into my life.

My own daughter and grandson are far away in New York. It's so wonderful to spend these holidays with my brother and his wife, their two girls, their husbands, and their young families.

There is nothing quite so pleasurable as the sound of little feet running through the house and family hugs.

The "Chat Line" is open... Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

_________________________________

I sincerely hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving,
Marsha

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

A Portrait for My Grandson...wip #1

...A Portrait for my Grandson...WIP #1

Here is the first 'look see'. I would have liked to have started on Teddy...since he is the main subject of this drawing. But, since I'm right handed I felt I needed to start on the left to make sure I kept the rest of the drawing clean. Even though I cover the part I'm not working on with a sheet of paper, I just didn't want to take any chances here. There is no time for huge mistakes or time to start over.

I still have a lot to do on the insert of Teddy's mother but am satisfied "pretty much" with what I've accomplished. At this point, (I'm never really satisfied). The insert is approximately 4.5 x 4.5. Lots of detail in a very small area. I may make the entire image darker...I want her to be 'quietly' in the background...at least that was my original thought, but it's time to set it aside and just ponder where I'm at for a bit. I wont know what 'quiet' is until I get some work done on Teddy.

This is one of my other reference photos for Teddy's mother. I really struggled with her face. Using many reference photos...she has a strong chin and her nose is a little large yet feminine. I've tried to show this in the drawing. I intend to bring her blouse down a little more and have the dark background fade into it above Teddy's arm.

This is all carbon pencil. Much of the shadows are done by applying product with a brush from my 'carbon farm'. I also used a chamois and stump to apply color. The darkest areas are applied directly the paper with the pencil.

You can see the reference photos used in this drawing in my previous post. I will post more updates as the drawing progresses.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a point...leave a comment

A Portrait for My Grandson

...Layout Example for Drawing...

I'm getting a late start on this but hope to have it done the first week in December...infact it has to be done by then. I need to get it to the framers to choose a frame and then get it scanned for prints. This portrait needs to be mailed so it arrives before Christmas. NO PRESSURE HERE.

This is the reference photo of Teddy's mother. The photo above is the 'mock up' I did so my daughter could approve the layout. Teddy's mother passed away when he was five of cancer. My daughter wanted a portrait done for his Bar Mitzvah of Teddy with his mother in the background. We will be celebrating this wonderful occasion Christmas weekend.

Not being Jewish myself, I don't fully understand the ceremony...but I do know it's a very special event in Teddy's life. He was sad that his mother wasn't going to be there. My daughter told him that his mother is always with him, watching over him. When Teddy saw the mock up he was very pleased.

My goal is to make the image of his mother 'smoky' and darker yet than what you see above. Hopefully I can achieve the look and tell the story I want to tell...if not I will just blend her image into the background and the portrait will be just of Teddy.

Enough writing for now...I will be back with WIP photos later as the drawing progresses. Lots of work to do in a short period of time.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a point...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Share your favorite art books.

"I don't know about you but I have so many books on drawing and watercolor that I would be embarrassed to list them all. In fact I did put together a short list when I first started my blog.

For me, it was an effort to learn all the things I didn't acquire by going to college. I had such a hunger for knowledge. I struggled to learn the basics so I would have the confidence to actually take a class or workshop. After all, I didn't want to look like a complete fool."

______________________________

My favorite book on drawing is by J. D. Hillberry..."Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil". In fact I ended up taking one of the most valuable workshops ever from J. D. in Colorado. If you are interested in pencil and want a worthwhile class, I strongly recommend his workshops. It was here that I learned how to combine carbon, graphite, and charcoal in the same drawing and how to use various blenders.

EDIT: Don't know where my mind was when originally wrote this post, but Mike Sibley's book "Drawing from Line to Life" actually lays on my drawing table...and should be a part of any aspiring pencil artist's reference library. I've referred to Mike's book often when struggling with a subject and always found my answer.

My other love is watercolor...I'm constantly inspired by the way it moves on the paper. You're going to be surprised but I love the 'looseness' of watercolor. The way the color flows on the paper and mingles. I know...this is in direct contrast to the tight realistic pencil work I do. Perhaps the attraction is the contrast of style. Yet, I have to confess...it's my inability to achieve this looseness in watercolor that defeats and discourages me!!

My favorite watercolor books would have to be "Painting People in Watercolor" by Alex Powers, The Figure in Watercolor, simple, fast, and focused" by Mel Stabin, and "Paint Watercolors filled with Life and Energy" by Arne Westerman. Lastly, if we're going to talk loose you have to mention Charles Reid.

Cold weather is setting in and we are all going to be spending more time indoors. Share your favorite books on techniques, art history, or marketing...something that inspired your artistic juices.

So here's the question...What are some of your favorite books, or DVD's. Is there someone you studied under that sent you home to your studio 'filled' with excitement and inspiration? Is there an artist you look forward to studying under in the future?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

_________________________________

My Final Thoughts: There is always an art book laying on the ottoman beside my chair. Most recently they are about Watercolor. I've said many times...I'm a watercolor want-a-be. It seems like my painting always gets put aside for my drawing commissions. I need to work on this or quit wishing and dreaming for the time to paint.

You see, for me the problem is this...drawing is easy, painting is hard.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a point...leave a comment

Miniature Schnauzer....carbon pencil

...Miniature Schnauzer...

carbon pencil on paper, 8x7
OPEN EDITION prints available
________________________________

Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: This is George. I met George and his owner in the park one evening. While talking with his owner I discovered that her husband had passed away the year before, and that she had acquired George from the humane society to keep her company. George is twelve and Mary his owner is eighty-nine. They were so much fun to watch and so good for each other. I'm not sure just who had the most "attitude" George or Mary. I might add that Mary still lives by herself, except for George of course...and is still driving.

This was a fun drawing to do...but being a schnauzer owner myself, I had some inside advantages when it came to capturing George's saucy personality and devilish eyes.


Links:
Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

"Build It and They Will Come"

In the 1989, the movie "Field of Dreams" staring Kevin Costner was a big hit. I'm sure most of you remember it. The movie was about a struggling farmer named Ray, who while walking through the cornfield, hears a voice whisper, "If you build it, he will come." He imagines a baseball field in his cornfield. Annie, his wife, is skeptical but she encourages him to follow his vision.

Ray works on the field for the next couple of days, hoping the old players will come. Neighbors stop along the road to watch and heckle as he plows under the corn. Ray waits and watches all year to see what happens...and nothing happens, leaving Ray dejected and confused.

For many artists today just venturing into the world of internet marketing...you are in essence building your own "Field of Dreams". There is much to be learned from Ray's experience.

Just as you, Ray had a dream. He plowed up his cornfield and built a regulation size baseball diamond. You ventured into unknown territory and built a website or perhaps a blog. Now you both are waiting for the people to come!

After waiting a year with no results Ray saw he was going to have to get out there and shake some bushes....let people know his "Field of Dreams" existed. You need to do the same.

You say "how do I do this?"...here's the short list.

• Put your web address on every piece of literature, on the back of each original and reproductions...always carry business cards. Talk about your website.
• Add "text" with every image you post. You need to understand, Google does not read images...it only reads text. Write about your art, and how you created it.
• Be sure to title each artwork with a keyword rich, descriptive title. "Old Train Depot in Lincoln, Illinois" is a MUCH better title (for search engines and humans) than "Trains #11."
• Submit your site to Google http://www.google.com/addurl
  
• Use a "Links" page...Ask other artists to EXCHANGE LINKS with you. When you place another artists link on your site it's a free add for them. Why should you advertise for someone who is not advertising for you? This is not personal, it's business.
  
• Submit comments to online Art Forums and Blogs
  
• Send a Newsletter...at the minimum, once a month
• Start a Blog...Every artist needs a blog. This is absolutely the best traffic driver out there.
• Blog regularly...you don't have to write well, just write. Search engines love fresh new material.
  

Marketing is difficult for most artists. We would rather be in the studio doing our craft. Some well established artists will succeed through the momentum of their art alone, while others will create websites that are only viewed by a few family members and friends.

Many artists are like Ray, in "The Field of Dreams"....They build their websites or blogs and wait to see what happens becoming frustrated and discouraged because no one comes. It doesn't have to be this way. Incorporating just a few things from the list above can change this pattern.

The Internet is just another Cornfield. It is vast and easy to get lost in. There are over 13 million blogs out there at present and over 75 thousand more being added daily. Whether you have a website, a blog, or both...a clear marketing plan is needed to let people know you exist. Marketing is time spent now that will pay off in the future.

As the Movie ends you see Ray and his father playing catch on the "Field of Dreams" and in the distance we see a long line of cars begin approaching the baseball field...people were coming to watch the game.

It took a while, but marketing my website and blog is now a habit...just part of my weekly to do list, part of my thought process. I realized that if I didn't learn how to market my art I was going to end up with a very large private collection of my own personal work! Not a desirable ending.

The three most valuable things I've done to generate traffic are my two blogs, my links page , and my monthly newsletter...in that order. It took some time to get them set up and going and 6-8 weeks to see consistent results as I waited for Google to re-index my site. I'm now experiencing a monthly increase in traffic...both new and repeat visitors. Do they all buy, no...have I had significant sales, yes.

"Build It and They Will Come"...not even in baseball! Ray had to promote his "Field of Dreams". He had to develop an interest and gather his players. THEN THEY CAME and they came from everywhere to see the game!

____________________________________

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Attitude Control

I could have slept in this morning...but my dog Alexis was bound and determined that it was time to get up. (It's 5:30 AM on a Saturday...do I really need to say more?) She is her happy morning self and I'm still looking forlornly at the bed!

It's been dark and dreary here in Illinois the last few days. They say the lack of sunlight effects one's disposition. I'm here to say I think it's true. I definitely woke up with 'attitude'. If this were my daughter as a young child I'd be saying "straighten up"...so, I guess that is what I need to work on.

My attitude didn't start because of the weather, although I do feel it has contributed. After all, gotta blame something or someone....this ATTITUDE can't be all my fault!

I've simply been tired lately. I've allowed everyday life to steal my creative time in the studio and it makes me angry at my self. Even with my new evening job there is still time for the studio...I just need to learn how to be more protective of it and make an effort to use my time more effectively.

For me, my studio time is like an appointment with the therapist. When I sit down to paint or draw I begin a conversation with that piece of paper...it's a private conversation that is emotionally cleansing. I loose all thoughts of reality and time. Of late I've allowed (no one else) my studio time to be squandered.

The "time thief" has taken up residence and today I'm kicking him out! I miss my studio time, I've learned from this experience that my studio time contributes to both my mental and physical health..actually more than I ever realized. I said that I've been tired lately...I'm not physically tired, I'm emotionally tired because of the lack of 'therapeutic' time in my studio.

I've heard it said that "We are worn down less by the mountains we climb...than the pebbles in our shoes". I haven't had to climb any mountains lately but I have certainly "had pebbles in my shoes".

So I ask...Is there a "Time Thief" in your life? What is your secret for protecting your studio time? Do you feel depressed when days pass without creating your art?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

_________________________________

My Final Thoughts: From now on "studio time" will be a scheduled part of my week. I intend to protect and nurture this private time...letting some other things go if need be.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

"The Clubs"...carbon and graphite pencil

...The clubs...

ORIGINAL Carbon and Graphite Drawing on paper
9x7, double matted
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Original Pencil Drawing
$495
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Also available in:
Small...open edition Giclee Print @ $40
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
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The Story Behind the Image: It was early evening and the mist was rolling into the low places on the course. Everyone was joking and adding up their final scores. The golf bag was just sitting there in the cart. The light reflecting from the club heads and the deep shadows caused by the late day sun were what caught my eye.

I was never very good at this sport, and tonight I was just along for the ride...but for those avid rain or shine golfers, this is drawing is for you.

I used carbon pencil for this drawing...concentrating on the "mood" of the scene. The angle of the setting sun produced wonderful shadows and the fog rolling in added a certain mystery to the drawing...all this and the reflections on the club heads themselves made for what I considered a very interesting setting. I used a piece of felt to create the smoky background and chamois to render the shadows and reflections on the club heads (used some graphite here).


Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo...Drawing Techniques

Tutorial...see the full progression of this drawing.


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...HOPE for the future

President "elect" Obama
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As much as I would like to remove myself from the mess our nation is in, and the changes that will be necessary to raise us up again to the status we once held...I cannot.

We elected a new president this week in what was a historic election process. It doesn't matter who you voted for...it does matter that you voted and it does matter that we now stand together as one, as this new president struggles to mend a wounded nation.

Yet I will say this...I sit here today with great HOPE. Hope for my country and hope for its people.

I've wondered why I have this feeling of hope. Is it because of the obvious...a change in leadership which will certainly give us new direction? Is it because without hope there is nothing to aspire to? Or is it because of my faith that I choose to believe in what has yet to materialize?

The election of Oboma as our new president will certainly bring change. I don't expect any quick results...the mess we are in as a nation and the threatening situations around the world are not going to be corrected overnight. My HOPE is that the downward spiral can somehow be stabilized.

HOPE is believing in what cannot be seen. We all have our personal hopes and dreams. These dreams are why I get up in the morning...Why I push forward with my drawing and painting, creating new pieces when all the news media says "no one is buying"...Why I'm continually striving to maximize the marketing of my work even though results are slow to materialize. I believe I have a future. Without HOPE, life would be dismal indeed.

My Faith has always sustained me and it does so today. I believe we are going to be just fine. We tend to measure our wealth, health, and happiness by the 'worlds' standards. Yet by God's standards if we have something left after paying our debts...we are rich!

I sit here today a "rich woman"...secure in my HOPE for the future. Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".

My faith in my God and my Country is strong.

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So I ask...Do you feel encouraged by the election of a new president? Do you still pursue your dreams or have you put your "art life" on hold? When life's directions look dismal, what gives you hope?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

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My Final Thoughts: Know for certain...we are a blessed nation and a blessed people. Together we can accomplish great things. Look after yourself, your family, and your neighbor and know there is a better tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Marsha

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

I Am The Flag...

Today is election day. Your right to vote has been earned through the death of many brave men and women over the years...don't let their death be in vain.

I encourage you...Go to the polls today and VOTE to preserve the future they fought for.

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I AM THE FLAG . . .

am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.


I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshiped I am saluted.
I am loved I am revered.
I am respected and I am feared.


I have fought in every battle of every war
for more than 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me,
I was there.

I led my troops,
I was dirty, battle-tested and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.

America has been attacked by cowardly fanatics
And many lives have been lost
But those who would destroy me cannot win
For I am the symbol of freedom,
Of one nation
Under God
Indivisible
With liberty and justice for all.

I have been burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.


I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
and trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those whom I've served in battle it hurts.
But I shall overcome for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.


When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY
LONG MAY I WAVE.

Midnight Rose...carbon and graphite

...Midnight Rose...
carbon and graphite pencil on paper, 7x7
prints available
________________________

Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
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The Story Behind the Image: Have you ever looked into your rose garden on a warm summer night when there is a full moon. Take a look sometime, you'll find your roses dancing in the moonlight!

I thoroughly got into this drawing. I swear I could almost feel the velvety petals in my mind as I worked. I applied carbon directly to the paper in the deep creases of the petals, using a stump to blend towards the areas touched by the moonlight. I then applied graphite with a chamois square to the brightest highlights and used a 6B carbon pencil to fill in the background.

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I'm proud to share an exurb from Matthew Merrighn's essay, "The Gray Rose". I sponsor a Literary Contest each year for Young Authors at our local High School ...and Matthew's essay won third place this year. The students must select one of my drawings as their subject and Matthew chose to write about "Midnight Rose". Read all winning entries.

The Gray Rose....by Matthew Merrighn

"The gray Rose is most desired, not for it's beauty, but for it's uniqueness. The Gray Rose Will be immortalized for it's uncommon color. As time progresses, people will realize the greatness of the Gray Rose and in doing so the Gray Rose will become most desired. But only those who first recognized it's significance will have a Gray Rose of their own."
Click here to read Matthew's entire essay.

Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
Portfolio of Works...learn more about "Midnight Rose"
Literary Contest...introduction to the 2008 Literary Contest
Literary Contest...2008 winning entries
"The Gray Rose"...by Matthew Merrighn


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line..."How did we ever survive?"

...Elsie...

Commissioned Portrait
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Times have been so stressful lately with the economy, the elections, and just trying to live...I thought I would share this email I received from a friend. Having been born in the 40's , it started my day with a chuckle. It was good to laugh out loud sitting all by myself.

ENJOY...let me know if you smile.

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To all the KIDS who survived
the 1940's, 50's, 60's, and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads. As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes!

Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight.

WHY? Because we were always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day...and we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and them ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We didn't have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt...and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, built forts in the woods, and chased the bull in the field next to us. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, not one eye got put out!

Little league had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that?

We learned to do our chores and get our studies done before we could play. We learned to tell the truth and we learned there were consequences for disobeying our parents. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

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...Congratulations...

These 40 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever to be seen.

As children and young adults we experienced freedom, failure, success and responsibility...and we learned how to deal with it all. It is this knowledge that will get us through the tough times ahead of us.

So, I ask: I had never thought about it much...But didn't we have the most amazing childhood? How did we ever make it with out government regulations?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

As I wrote this, I again began to smile and chuckle to myself. Isn't it amazing that we are still alive and kicking. I think children today are many times missing the opportunity to use their imaginations...to make something out of nothing. They have so much...I'm just not certain it's wise?

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Mr. Lincoln...up for second critique

"Mr. Lincoln"
carbon and graphite pencil...11x23
Commissioned Portrait
WIP #3

I know the last time I posted this WIP of Lincoln I said I was going to walk away from working on the face and move to his torso. As you can see, that didn't happen. I did lay it aside for a couple of days...but when I came back it was like an addiction...I had to work on the face and get it more complete before I could move on. So...here he is.

I narrowed his face on the right somewhat and was able to lift some color out of the left eye lid. I've added more wrinkles on his forehead and increased the shading on the left side of his face (even though the photo shows it washed out)...I felt the added shadows would help to 'narrow' his face...and should have been there if not for the use of harsh lighting.

I've also worked on that odd shaped mouth that is 'Lincoln'...still not quite sure here. I have really struggled here. Lincoln's mouth is such a 'signature' in all his photos...the lower lip is fuller on one side than the other...urrrgh!!

NOTE: The photo is a little on the dark side, not a lot but some. I see several things that could be improved upon. I'm anxious to here what you have to say...extra eyes are always good.

I'm looking forward to your critique again . This is the last WIP post I made and the reference photo I used...my first posting is here.

This has been a big project. I so appreciate your comments and personal emails...both the critique and the encouragement. Next time there should be some shirt and jacket to see....at least I hope.

Sincerely,
Marsha

A Quick Update: Heard from the person who commissioned this portrait and he has a newly published article from the Smithsonian Magazine that has a better more detailed photo showing the shirt and jacket. (I'm really winging it in this area.) I'm to receive the reference tomorrow, so going to lay this aside until I get it...darn, this was my last day at the drawing board this week.

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Perfect Companions...carbon and graphite

...Perfect Companions...
Charcoal and Carbon pencil on paper, 7x9
*This is the companion drawing for "Martini Time"
______________________
Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: I love the smell of a good cigar. The cigar and drink have been "Perfect Companions" for years. I had a special friend who enjoyed his scotch and his cigar...and to this day when ever I catch the pungent fragrance of a cigar I think of him. He would have enjoyed this drawing.

I've always enjoyed drawing glass. The secret is to NOT draw the glass and it's contents but to draw the shadow shapes seen in the glass. I generally use graphite for glass and other reflective objects because graphite itself has a reflective quality and will add this to the drawing. Even when used lightly graphite always has a shine. This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal. In this drawing I used graphite's qualities to my advantage...applying graphite with various blenders until the shape of the glass and the liquid began to take shape on paper. For the cigar, I used carbon pencil. I applied it directly to the paper for the darkest areas and then blended to show the grain and texture of the tobacco leaves.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Open for Critique

"Mr. Lincoln"
carbon and graphite pencil...11x23
Commissioned Portrait
WIP #2

Lincoln is ready for 'his' first critique. This has been a challenging portrait for me, for several reasons. First, just try to find a good reference photo. I took this one at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Ill. (I knew I had this commission and couldn't find the reference I wanted to use...almost got thrown out taking the reference photo I'm using!)

I wanted to depict him as he looked at the age he was when he was a lawyer in Illinois...prior to his beard...a younger Lincoln than we are accustomed to seeing.

Drawing someone so familiar to the world has proven to be quite a challenge. That and just the size of this portrait. I'm used to working much smaller and have had to adjust some of my techniques. Everything except the darkest areas were applied with blenders and brushes.

There is still a considerable amount of 'fine' work to be done on his face, (I need to add more lines to his forehead and 'ruddy' it up a bit), but so many of you have ask to see the progress of this piece...thought I would post this photo before I head to the drawing table today. The hard part is done.

You can see the reference photo here...and my previous WIP post here. I still have the torso (shirt and jacket) to complete...hope to make some serious headway on that today. I've worked on Lincoln's face long enough, need to step back for a bit and focus on something else...don't want to over do it. I'm at a place where (when working with carbon) any marks or shadows are permanent...don't need mistakes here.

So I ask: I know the photograph doesn't pick up some of the finer detail...but have I captured the 'presence' of this great man? Do you see the worry and determination Lincoln's face as he considered the future of this great nation? Do you feel the intensity of his gaze?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

Well people, Lincoln is all yours. I'm very serious about my questions. I don't want this to be considered just another portrait of Lincoln...so many have been done. I want the viewer to see the 'person' not the drawing.

It's time for some lunch and then back to the drawing board.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

New Found Knowledge...

As you know I recently decided to add PayPal to my website and blog...

Well, at least in a round-about discreet way. I still haven't scummed to the big orange and blue 'PayPal Buy Now Buttons'...but the PayPal process has been fully implemented.

I had previously put considerable thought into how I was going to display my art on my blog and the topics I would associate with each piece in order to make them easy for the consumer to find. Now that I'm using PayPal this became even more important to me. After all...the reason for adding PayPal was to make purchasing easier.

Prior to adding the 'Buy Now' option I had considered the categories or topics I would use for my art with the idea that someday I may want to also show my watercolors. This was my thought process...

• I chose the main topic of "The Story Behind the Image" to group all my art together. I posted a photo of the drawing and told a little about the image itself and the process I used.
• I then broke this out into sup-topics for those who might only be interested in "Still Life" or "Portraits" for example.
• I took this one more step and added "Pencil Drawings" as a topic...since that is the medium I'm working in now, (Watercolor is listed also) but only has some books listed at the moment". Hopefully there will be some actual art shown under this topic in the future.
• So...each piece of art, (except those used in other articles), is listed under three topics...The Story Behind the Image, the medium used, and subject.
  

This was all working quite well...seemed organized and easy for the viewer to find what they wanted to know more about. NOW comes along PayPal!!

I'm using the same 'Topics' as before...just adding the price and the Buy Now feature. I realized that I had almost 20 entries in "The Story Behind the Image" without the new 'Buy Now' feature available. Well...with me being "Miss Organization", this just wasn't going to do!

So I had a brain storm...I would periodically pull up one of the previous posts and add the 'Buy Now' information, change the date, and repost it as NEW.

Well, I'm here to tell you that this won't work. You can update the information and change the date...and it will post again on your blog as a NEW current post. The catch is this...it will not appear in your Google Reader and I don't believe your email subscribers will be notified. Changing the date does not make Blogger recognize this post as new.

The only way you could do this is to Copy and Paste the new updated text into a new post and delete the old one. This would be OK if there were no comments....you never want to loose the comments as they are incoming links for your readers who took the time to leave their thoughts.

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Final Thoughts: I guess I will just update each entry under "The Story Behind the Image" topic with the 'PayPal' information and leave it as is. I had looked at this as a good way to periodically pull up an older posted piece of art and put it in front of the consumer again.

If I come up with a better way to do this I will certainly let you know. Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Major League Dreams...carbon and charcoal

...Major League Dreams...
Charcoal and Carbon pencil on paper, 9x7
*This is the companion drawing for "Batting Practice".
______________________
Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: Major League Dreams was a gift for my ten year old grandson. As with most boys this age, he is an avid baseball fan and an aspiring major league player. I took this photo of him standing on third base, waiting for his opportunity to make the winning run for the game.

I really like the composition of this drawing...I used both charcoal and carbon pencil on the shoes in order to show the different tones and textures of the dark leather. The rest of the drawing is mainly carbon pencil. The socks have many, many, many, layers of carbon, blended with a chamois square and tissue.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Weekend Chat Line...Do You Squidoo?

So, you ask...What is Squidoo anyway? Squidoo is a website hosting hundreds of thousands of "lenses", or pages. Each lens is one person's look at something online. Your lens is your take or opinion on any subject you like. You are the authority.

Think of it like this. Look closely at the magnifying glass pictured above. When you look through the lens of the magnifying glass, everything you see within the lens is bigger, sharper, and more defined. This is exactly how it is with my Squidoo Lens... it is about very defined topic and that topic is explored in full detail.

The lens is easy to build and it's free...yes, I said FREE! and totally non-techy. You can link back to your website. If you have a blog, Squidoo will even grab your latest postings and display them on your lens.

I first became familiar with Squidoo while visiting Katherine Tyrrell's website, Making a Mark, when I clicked on her Artist Resources link.

In January of '08 I set up my own "Squidoo Lens", Drawing Techniques: using carbon, charcoal, and graphite. My lens is just a baby compared to the information for artists found in Katherine's lens. ..yet the traffic this one lens generates to my blog and website just doesn't stop. I can only imagine what Katheryn's group of lenses does for her.

Many of you have ask so here's what I did...
My thought process as I developed my lens.

• I chose the subject I'm ask about most by my customers.
• I kept it simple,concise and interesting.
• I associated appropriate photos and art.
  
• I linked back to my website and blog liberally and I put links to my new Squidoo Lens on my website and blog...(at the bottom of every blog post)
  
• Most importantly...I included the "module" on my lens that contains an RSS feed. This means that every time I update my blog my Squidoo Lens is also updated with a link to my new article. This not only keeps my "lens" fresh in the eyes of search engines but sends people back to my blog to read the article!
  

The Best Part is...The Results
This year to date, there's been a total of 5,185 visitors to my lens.

In the past 30 days the "most important" stats are as follows:

• Referrers: Visitors coming directly from: My Website, 68...from The Extraordinary Pencil, blogspot, 218...visitors directly from Squidoo, 53...visitors, as a direct result of blog articles I've written, clicking the provided Squidoo Link at the bottom, 72.

• Clickouts: Squidoo visitors clicking on links back to my website and blog: In the last 30 days alone there have been....356 clickouts to my Website and 125 clickouts to my Blogspot.

The beauty of my Squidoo lens is this...I never have to do another thing to it. It updates regularly via the RSS feed from my blog just keeps sending people my way through the links I provided.

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So I only have one question this week... Do you Squidoo?

The "Chat Line" is open...I look forward to your comments and please feel free to comment on what others have to say. Remember...when you share, others are blessed.

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My Squidoo Lens is my "E-Bunny". It just sits there working for me. I'll admit that although easy to do...it took a some thought and some time to set up. I probably spent most of one weekend writing it, but the final statistics can not be ignored. Definitely time well spent.

Thank you as always for your support and encouragement.

Sincerely,
Marsha

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment