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
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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