My new glasses! The colors spoke
to me. They match all my clothes.
A photo of my peepers that I wore for
many years. It seemed like a good
idea to continue the tradition!
Studying proportions to get ready for painting
More notes from Figures in a Scene class. In April’s session the class took selfies and studied proportions of facial features. It is fun to see where the eyes, nose and mouth are placed, with the idea of painting themselves or friends.
You can register for classes at the ArtiFactory website — see my post “What’s going on!” for links to upcoming dates.
See previously:
My notes and painting from the April 26 class
(Click image to visit the ArtiFactory website)
Closeup on my notes from the 26th, including the important “Have fun!”
Omer Sanan and I will lead two more Figures in a Scene watercolor class sessions in May (update: see my post “What’s going on!” for links to more upcoming dates!).
Above left: My painting and notes from our April 26 class. It was so windy we stayed in and drew each other with our flowers.
See previously: Figures in a scene
(Click image to view larger)
The wall hanging shows scenes from the Easter story, created from fabric shapes
Many thanks to parishioner Sue for this photo of the updated Improvisational Fabric Wall Hanging, on display for Easter season at St. Thomas Aquinas Church!
When viewed on the church wall it was designed for, the top of the artwork is fairly distant from the viewer, and this year I modified it to make the figure of Jesus more prominent.
The story in previous posts:
Renew
Reclaim
Sample card laid flat to show front and back
(Click image to view larger)
I painted these scenes for notecards to benefit Dorothy’s House, “a safe place for survivors of human trafficking, exploitation and prostitution to discover their healing journeys through the practice of life.” The paintings (and cards!) show two women tooling around the Des Moines area on different styles of cycles, featuring words related to the mission of Dorothy’s House (Renew, Reclaim, Restore, and Hope).
The cards are available as a set of four, with envelopes, and I’ve been bringing them with me to events. Send me an email (jomyerswalker@gmail.com) if you’re interested, and see my Creating for a Cause page for more “products with a purpose”!
Restore
Hope
Starting with a sketch, as usual,
for a larger figure of Jesus
Working on the fabric layout
with filler for shape
My improvisational fabric wall hanging will be installed again this year in St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Holy Saturday (April 8, 2023), after a bit of a refresh! It shows scenes in the Easter story, starting at the bottom (where St. Thomas Aquinas is presenting the story) and working our way to the top (with Jesus’s resurrection).
After the wall hanging was installed for last year’s Easter season, I was concerned that Jesus looked small and two-dimensional. Remembering some scriptures about the strong women who just kept going following Jesus, as shown in the fabric scenes, I decided to keep working and make His figure more prominent. I remembered my flat pattern class at ISU and sculpture class to help show Jesus as three-dimensional, animated and full of life. It was excellent timing for Lent.
Previously:
Skilled assistants secure some loose parts of the fabric while I sew a new book-holding hand on St. Thomas Aquinas (detail-oriented viewers had pointed out that his fabric version had only four fingers!)
My assistants sewed the new figure on
with me helping. The wall hanging now
more strongly emphasizes the risen Jesus.
Detail of the original top section (at left) and the same section
revised (at right) shows the difference in scale of the figure of Jesus.
Update:
See my post “What’s going on!” for links to more upcoming dates!
“The figure is captivating and expressive but is in need of a sense of place. We will be working from photos and sketches as well as still life setups. Omer Sanan and [I] will demonstrate techniques in drawing, watercolor and monochromatic value studies. There will be a short demo leaving time for walk-arounds while the paint is drying. In an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment we can all learn from each other.Bring Arches 150lb watercolor paper for best results. A painting board, drawing board, or foamcore for your watercolor paper. Also, a drawing pad, pencils, watercolors or colored pencils, and photos to work from. Masks along with social distancing are encouraged.”
The cost is $35.00 per person for each 2-hour session. Register online at the ArtiFactory’s course pages, and see the Artifactory home page for more upcoming events!
People coming together for “A world without nuclear weapons”
A favorite part of attending St. Thomas More Catholic Church is the opportunity to work with fellow parishioners for causes that are important to us. I painted this scene, showing people from all over joining together, to use as the decorative side of postcards for the group project Postcards for Peace. After this weekend’s Masses (January 28–29, 2023), churchgoers will have a chance to address the postcards to our political leaders and write why they are urging our government to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Nuclear weapons remain an active threat to all life on the planet, and sending postcards may seem a small measure. Recent church bulletins remind us to Pray — Study — Act, even when the odds seem against us; and they include a World Peace Prayer for contemplation (link is to some historical information about the prayer on liturgy.co.nz).
Update: This event will be rescheduled after being cancelled for weather safety concerns. Keep an eye on the Johnson County Human Trafficking Coalition social media for updates!
Diana Cox and I will lead one of the break-out sessions at this event, where we’ll show and discuss the short documentary film “Chosen” about teenagers deceived into trafficking. I’ll also be learning from other presenters and attendees! This open-to-the-public event brings together many people and organizations involved in working against human trafficking and helping its survivors.
I’ll have cards and scarves from my Creating for a Cause collections for sale to support causes including Lila Mae’s House. The founder of Lila Mae’s House, Sister Shirley Fineran, recently received one of six Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Service Awards given by the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking.
From the event description: “Human trafficking is happening here in Iowa. Come to learn more about how to identify human trafficking, the tactics used, and join break-out sessions to talk with others about how this issue affects our communities.”
Flying dogs and owners, 17″x 13″
I’ve been using up material left over from the (church-wall-sized) Easter story wall hanging to create these little improvisational wall hangings, or “magical narrative fabric collages.” This size is easier to manage, which was especially helpful when I was recuperating from a knee replacement earlier this year! Being creative can be useful in recovery — you figure out how to make things better. The varied textures and shapes of the leftover fabric inspired images of childlike fun.
I’ll have these collages at the Eastside Artists Show and Sale which continues Saturday and Sunday (December 3 –4, 2022), along with watercolor paintings, cards, and more!
At left, Violin lesson, 12″ x 15″; At right, Flower picking, 10″ x 12″
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