Tacoma Loves Artists

The city of Tacoma is a great place to be if you have creativity in your heart.  Nurturing, cooperative, cutting edge, and fun, the people here don't just say they support the arts, they come out, full force, stomping, chanting, and even loving the arts with the totality of their hearts.

November in Tacoma is a perfect example of this.  It is, and has been for 12 years, Tacoma Art at Work month.  A monthlong celebration of everything and anything art related.  Gallery openings, yes, but that, and a whole lot more.  Arts and cultural happenings every day in November.

I am so happy to say I am one of the 55 artists who are opening their studios for the Studio Tours on November 3rd & 4th so that anyone and everyone can go and check out where the art happens.  This year is especially special for me.  My husband, Ken Marks, has recently rediscovered his love for photography.  Embracing his right brain (which is so very cool since he is a Math Teacher, so very left brain) he has carefully crafted with the keenest photographers eye, amazing images of the Pacific Northwest.  I am excited he is one of the 55 artists showing his work, as a guest, in my Jet Cooperative space.

Recently, Ken and I both were highlighted on the Tacoma Arts Blog.  My dash with fame came on September 26th, his on October 17th.  I feel so honored and blessed, to be a part of a creative family, as well as a creative community right now.  Thank you Tacoma for your support of all artists out here.

News Friends

Sure, I don't know this guy, so technically I am still sketching strangers, but I feel like he is part of our life, in a virtual way anyway.  This is my rendition of Brian Williams of NBC nightly news.  We invite him into our home on a regular basis, and over time, more an more of his personality shines through.  I think he would be an interesting guy to sit and have a conversation with over a glass of wine.  Brian, if you are out there....you are always welcome to stop by here!

Roman Emperor Hadrian

The Hadrian portrait group over on Flickr is an interesting place.  There is a show this summer at the World Heritage Foundation site in England near Hadrian's wall.  This little group of artistic talent has been invited to portray a likeness of one of the most powerful Roman Emperors ever.  

I am amazed by how many sculptural busts were made of this man, either he was quite powerful, or he was narcissistic to a fault! 

The source for this photo was used with permission from Danita Copeland. 

This is my rendition of the dude....acrylic paint, ink, marker

Stranger Sketches continues....

I am so very lucky to have this little habit of bringing my sketchbook wherever I go.  A bit back I attended a meeting hosted by several different organizations regarding "Art Carts" in Tacoma, and, of course, I brought my sketchbook.  I was sitting way way way back, but the only person in the room I found remotely interesting to draw was Marty Campbell.  He is a local business owner and a member of the Tacoma City Council.  I don't know him really, only been introduced once, been around the same people here and there around town, but he seems like a really great guy.

Skip forward to this afternoon, wandering the isles of the local grocery store when I passed him. Now, he doesn't know me from Doris Day, but I thought, what the heck.  I called out his name, and introduced myself.  Commence fumbling and twittering on about how he doesn't know me, but I sketched him once and would he like to see it and, well, it was rather embarrassing.  Here I am just trying to introduce myself to this guy, thought I could even get some information out of him which could potentially help me with my art business, and I can't even keep my own composure.  What a fumbling fool I can be sometimes.

So, to complete the humiliation, I am posting the whole ridiculous mess here on my blog.  I mean hey, when looking like a goof, why not show everyone what a complete dork you are!  I need to get over this hang-up about talking to people I don't know about my art.  Hmmmm, now, how exactly do I do that?  Suggestions welcome!

Through the eyes of fifth graders

I am always greeted by smiling cheering giggling kids when I go into the neighborhood school.  The building is old, drafty, really needs some tlc, but the staff is dedicated, knowledgeable, and kind.  The kids are pretty secure in who they are and how they fit into this little community.  It is so much fun to be there.

I am not sure if they all knew the landmarks of our city I asked them to draw and paint for me, but as I showed the photos of important landmarks, and some not so important landmarks, there were comments being thrown at me like fast balls, stories of experiences, and loads of "I've been there" shouts were heard.

So this is my town, as seen through the eyes of some pretty awesome fifth graders.  I am so privileged to have been able to spend some time with these young artists.  Now, if I can only get them to not forget how much fun it is to draw and paint as they make their way into this world.

Artists sketching artists sketching artists sketching artists (and making things up about them all the while)

Another portrait of an artist over in the Julia Kay's Portrait Party group on flickr.com.  This is r3nn3r, or Cooper, depending on how well you know him.  Obviously shy, his eyes have always been a point of curiosity because of their strange color.  How often do you see purple eyes, other than, of course, the late great Liz Taylor?

You can see the whole stream of artists sketching artists sketching artists (and so on and so on) of the great r3nn3r here.  He was kind enough to do an image of me, so now, I return the favor.

Stranger Sketches . . . Start!

This is Andrew Blandy, otherwise known as treemade. He is an artist on the flickr.com group "Julia Kay's Portrait Party". The entire collection of artists portraits of treemade can be found here.

This is an incredibly active group of artist from around the world. I am just getting started participating in this group, but so far I am loving it! Loads of off shoots of ideas are coming from being involved with these artists. They are dedicated, talented and prolific. Perhaps I could learn a thing or two as well!

Would you like me to draw you? Do you think portaits of strangers are interesting? Or do you only prefer seeing famous people, or only people you know? Tell me what you think...