My next drawing for a postcard to my parents was from a picture I took while we were walking around in Joshua Tree last Christmas. I thought my parents might never go see the nearby National Park, so I would give them a glimpse of it.
I really tried to capture the glow of the sun setting and hitting the rock formations.
My second postcard was based on the designs of the leaded glass windows at the house I grew up in in Oak Park. I thought they would appreciate a bit of the house they made a home from 1973-2021. So I went back on my phone and found a picture I took of a window during my last visit to the house in January 2021.
There were so many moments of my life and childhood looking through these windows. They truly were the frame around my view of the world growing up. Maybe it is the most formative image layered on my childhood. Does it tie into why I want to have art and creativity in my life? Does growing up in that house shape how I look at what makes a home or what is good architecture? It wasn’t a plain old pane of glass, but faceted and composed. It was a layer of home that was visible between me and the world.
It was pretty special to have that be a part of my growing up. And I realize that more now.
For Christmas of 2023 I bought my dad a watercolor set and some blank postcards. My intention was to send my parents an original image on a postcard each week. And I gave my dad supplies to do the same.
I have not kept up with my weekly deadline very consistently, and I have realized a gift that includes homework is not always successful. So I have not gotten any postcards from my father, but I am going to be posting the images I sent my parents.
Here is the first one I sent:
For Thanksgiving in 2023, we went to New York City to have it in McKelvey’s apartment for her senior year. While we were there, we went to the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade. This postcard is based off of an image I took from the sidewalk during the parade.
I actually finished it in Palm Springs December 2023, in the hotel we were staying at. I went to the front desk to find out where a Mail box was, and they offered to drop it in the mail for me. But it never arrived at my parents house. So this is its introduction to the world.
Another week has gone by, and according to the Year Progress Twitter account, 19% of the year is completed. What did I do this week? I got some good progress on the Model of Picasso at the Lapin Agile for Ann’s lighting class. It was fun to make the painters elevation in PhotoSHop. I feel like it wasn’t too bad and a doable thing to do for a regular scene design (as in for a real show). Whipped up some simple model furniture pieces. They are printing.
I was able to get father along on my new office furniture as well. Got two pieces cut out on the CNC, not just to fit them together. I think I will just do a clear coat, but they might look good with a bit of color mixed in, to make each stand out. I also bought the Plywood for the table. So I just need to double check the drawers and then I could cut that out too.I have also drawn out the stackable boxes that will fit inside each box. I think they will work out great. and I can get 9 out of one sheet of Luan. This might be something, that if it works out, that could be worth selling the digital files for. I think it would have a draw.
I also got some research done on my Taliesin West theater/dance article. Just need to compare some more images and figure out the best way of comparing the different sketches from the book. It would be great to get a lot of that article done before the summer. then I could work on a new article over the summer and front load the next thing.
This is another double post, since last week I was bringing students to Chicago for the annual #WLUthtrbinge. So each day was leading students around to meet people and see shows. It was a pretty great trip. I wa pretty nervous about it at first. On the 16th, Jemma said she might have the flu and not be able to make it. The Idea of being in charge of 10 students on an itinerary I did not make (she arranged all the meals/locations) in a city I haven’t navigated by mass transit in forever, well it seemed quite daunting. But in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t that bad. Google maps helps you figure out which ‘L’ line to use and how to get to them. And Jemma pushed thru the sickness with some medicine. It made me think that leading a bunch of students around London next year won’t be too bad.
Art wise, I did a loose sketch of the Chicago skyline and mailed to Dick Sessoms, the fund for the trip is in his honor, but he couldn’t make it this year. And I worked on my carrying box for LittleBits, but I realized that I need to change it all. The minimum size I want it to be is slightly =bigger than the 1/8″ material I was planning on using. So I have to redraw it in Luan. Which means changing all the thicknesses and since the pieces interlock, that means redrawing the whole thing.
So I put that to the side and worked on my Tetris inspired shelves/storage units. I have done two of the shapes, and am thinking if I want them all to have doors. I am starting with the easy ones to have doors. I saw on OpenDesk a door hinge idea that uses no hardware, and just carefully placed pockets. We will see if it is feasible to do it on the others. It might look cleaner if I can ‘close’ them. You know, look less visually cluttered? Anyway, Should they be wood toned or painted?
This week will be the real test of getting work done. If I can keep on track it will be good. And not just dither away my time. It can be hard to focus sometimes you know?
Well, James & the Giant Peach opened, that was the big thing I created this week. It was a bit of a rush this past weekend, which delayed the posting of this. But the Shows were very well received. It is interesting how the different parts got laughs from various members of the audiences. there is a definite sense of humor for kids and adults. And older adults versus younger ones. That was to be expected, but this brought it back to the forefront of my brain. I did some last minute sound cues this past week and some Qlab work. But it was very gratifying to see everything come together. And without too much stress. the shorter show was totally part of that. We were able to do runs of the show and works some parts each rehearsal, and still not need the entire time. And the extra time was really needed by Shawn Paul to do lights and projections. And I wasn’t worried that it wasn’t going to get done. I knew SPE would take care of the show. And he did a great job. After opening he mentioned that he wanted to do more and felt bad that he didn’t. That is of course the life of the artist right there. Never satisfied with your own work. But the product on stage was great. it looked really good and complete. I wonder if other directors have the same faith in their designers? Some do I am sure. But I really understand the limitations of time and resources. You just have to make choices and decision based on what you have in front of you, never might the restrictions and complications and ‘could be’s. I think I did a good job with that.
Yikes, I let my accounting for last week slip by. I realized it by Tuesday, and then kept delaying writing about it. And now another week has gone by.
The first week was a bunch of work on the show, James & the Giant Peach. That included a bunch of work on sound effects, music cues. I painted the Giant Peach (in time for a photo shoot), made a school of fish puppet. This past week was more music, integrating technical elements into the show in the tech rehearsals, as well as some work on prop elements. Finished the rhino head finally, finished the floating peach at the end (might need more adjustment) made some dorsal fin hats for the sharks. Also got the Snapchat filter for the show out and finished the shark heads. A lot of good work. Still haven’t found the right magic music theme for the show.
A lot more to do. But a fun list ahead.
This third week started off with a march, for MLK. then rehearsals Tuesday thru Thursday. In the rehearsals there was a lot of creative energy. But I also did work on a few items. Finished painting the centipede feet. Finished the frames of the shark heads. Made a tentacle for the Octopus fight scene. A tube a fabric filled with balloons. It actually looks really good. It just needs some paint to suggest the suckers on the bottom edge. Maybe some texture. Also tried my end of show/NYC peach landing bit. But the beach ball I bought was too big. We tried out some ideas on how to crowd surf it. But it proved too cumbersome for the average audience member. Saturday I worked on drafting the LittleBits container. I think it needs some adjustments before I can finish it. Today was rehearsals. Still the majority of the week doing good work though.
This past week has been busy. The school year started up, plus a bunch of other meetings. I was able to accomplish some things this week. Did additional painting on the Aunt Spiker Mask, attached some Elastic on it, arbitrarily choosing some the same length as the other mask. Rehearsals went pretty well. Working scenes on the scaffold in the shop on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday were Robyn Berg coming to do some Laban Effort Actions. That was really exciting to see and I think laid the groundwork for future discoveries for the students. Did some coaching of scenes on Thursday. Friday was frittered away it feels like. Saturday Worked on new Shark Heads for Peach. Will have something to show later this week I think. Sunday was printing more Centipede feet and rehearsal. Spacing is hard with these complex pieces. Ramonah is trying to keep up with the blocking notation. I think she needs more practice with the iPad setup.
Perhaps while the show is rehearsing, I may have to count that work towards my artistic total for the year.
This first week of the New Year stayed pretty much on track. Which is as it should for any new resolution. We will see how long it lasts into the year.
First week of the new year. Monday and Tuesday roughed out and then finished the Painters elevation for the Peach Pit house for James & the Giant Peach. Wednesday I Paper-macheed the Mask for Aunt Spiker. Was able to pull it Thursday and paint it Friday and Saturday. I think it needs some more work to get it ready for the fitting. And today my artistic work was the first rehearsal of Peach.
Overall, a good job on finding time to get work done. Although I do still find myself reaching for social media before the pencils and paints. I think I need to improve on my directing skills. And the true test of the mask will be how it fits with the rest of the costume and fits the actors face.
School starts tomorrow, and another week to account for.