REAL Life Drawing: My Eye On Washington DC

REAL Life Drawing: My Eye On Washington DC
Photo- Gessoed Hand of MG Stout holding her favorite paint while prepping paper

Monday, November 22, 2010

Behind the Layers of Raspberry Manicure

Initial Layers

Secondary Layers

Tertiary Layers

Additional Layers 

Refining Layers and ta da...the completed painting!
Raspberry Manicure, Acrylic on Canvas,  24 x 24, by MG Stout
Be sure to visit the Workhouse Art Center, Gallery 4 to check out the painting in person.


Friday, November 19, 2010

Touch

Affect by MG Stout 10 x 10 
Af-fect
1.  to act upon or have an effect on somebody or something
2.  to move somebody emotionally
3.  to infect or damage somebody or something with disease


Na Na Na Na Na Na...

Character Counts by MG Stout
It really makes my heart smile when I see "Bat Girl" running to make a difference.
POW!
TAKE THAT HUNGER




Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Goblin Gallop Art - Food for Others

in progress by MG Stout

BEEing Herself

in progress by MG Stout

in progress by MG Stout

I do have a few more but unlucky for you... I left my cable at the studio and today I am working from home.  (I'm on call as today a very good friend of mine is having a baby and I am taking care of her children while she is PUSHING her newest child into the world)
What an exciting day.
I wonder if you recall the photos of the runners/walkers that I posted earlier?

Walking for Gavin

  Autism Speaks Now 2010 Walk
I love a family who has a child with autism and I've been wanting to do something to show them how much I care.  So I walked.
 I registered online to be on their team - The Rockets
Here is the nifty sign that our daughters held high for the entire 3.5 mile course.
Erin, Bethann and Megan ready to get their walk on!
This sign is special because it has images of all Gavin's favorite things.  We were surrounded by hundreds of other teams donning their colors and signs.  Boys and girls, young and old walking hand in hand supporting and loving each other.  It was beautiful.  The girls also showed support by having their faces painted.
Megan sports a rocket
Erin rocks a puzzle piece
Then the MC announced that it was just about game time and so...
We were lead in some early morning stretches to get our blood pumping and our muscles loose!
Pre Walk Warm Up teams Orange & Green
Now for the fella of the hour, the man of the moment, the dude of the day 
Introducing....the brilliant, the handsome,
the "rocket man"!
Gavin 
...a marching we will go...marching for love...marching for awareness...marching for him et al!
Beginning the journey
The Rockets stepping toward the Washington Memorial

 Autism is a disease that is found in every income bracket.  It doesn't discriminate.  It has no religion, race or gender.  It is a conundrum that is cropping up at an alarming rate.  It really bothers me how diseases of the mind are more often than not the target of discrimination.  When someone thinks or communicates in a way that we don't understand we get upset and frustrated and think...  What is wrong with them? ...are they stupid or something?... why won't they just listen to me, do what I say and behave?  We are so egocentric!  What makes the way we think normal or right?  If normalcy is based on what is average - then I'm looking to learn from the individuals found in the periphery!  For they are truly exceptional and can teach me about alternative ways of thinking.  I say that we should all invest our time in  seeing the world the through their eyes.  We just might learn a thing or two.

I recently read a book written from the perspective of an autistic boy.  The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time.  Brilliant and insightful it reminded me of one of my favorite books - The Catcher In the Rye.  I highly recommend it and have attached a link which includes a discussion guide.
While I haven't read the discussion guide it might be helpful in starting the conversation?

I can't wait to start the paintings of this amazing experience!


  


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Lake Braddock Gobin Gallop & Food Drive

Let us pretend for a moment that it is still October 28, 2010.  My pal Liz, Deputy Director of Food For Others, invited me to the Lake Braddock Goblin Gallop (which is a registered Fannie Mae "Help the Homeless Mini Walk")  I arrived at 9:30 and met this guy: 

Mr. Paul Agner, Lake Braddock Physical Education Department.

He said that the course was a cross country style loop containing hills and turns around the school track and athletic fields.  It was about a 1.5 mile jaunt.  
Students Approaching the Finish Line

The entire student body participated in the Gallop and were given 3 running options:
A. Cross country style run. Runners are to complete the course in less than 15 minutes.
The top 5 scores for boys and girls will count toward points for each class.
B. Costumed fun run.  The costume runners need to finish the course in less than 20 minutes.
The costumes will be awarded points for originality & creativeness.
C. Healthy habits demonstrations.  The students are to complete the course carrying posters or banners in less than 20 minutes.  Posters & banners are to be reminders of healthy habits and or good nutrition. 

Options A & B

Options A & B

Option C

The students also participated in canned food drive during the entire month of October.  The food was delivered to the Food For Others Pantry after the Goblin Gallop.
Lots o Cans of Viddles

Mr. Agner updating the goal bar graph.
Way to go gang!  
So now what you ask?  What can I possibly do with all the photos I took?  Well I will be creating REAL life drawing paper works celebrating the goodness this Goblin Gallop brought.
Costumes and Cans and Signs oh my!  I should have a few ready for Art FARE 2010.


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Lending a Giant Hand

Right down the street from the Workhouse you'll find a Giant.

Here it is.  Front and center.  It looks like all the other Giant food stores, but don't be deceived.  This one is special.  When you enter the shop to get your groceries you'll see the following:

Art FARE Food Drive Collection Bin

I was a little surprised to find both bins empty.  We (Giant & I) have made it so easy to donate.  So I purchased ten boxes of pasta - on sale for $.77 each. What a deal!  
Be sure to lend a hand and toss in a can or bring a few bags of beans to the ART Fare opening reception.  November 13, 2010 from 7:00-9:00pm.



Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Election Day

Second Layer of Paint (work in progress)

Ingredients (palette of MG Stout)

I actually finished this painting today, but I am NOT going to show you the completed work.  I'm just trying to give this piece the perfect title.  
Any suggestions?

Third Layer of Paint

I added about four more layers before I was done.


Monday, November 1, 2010

Wanna Little Taste?

Okay for all of you who are just dying to know what I've been painting for ART Fare 2010.
I'm going to whet your whistle with an under-painting.  Be advised that it will look very different for the opening reception...Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 7:00-9:00p.m.  
Work in progress 24 x 24 x 3 MG Stout
A little taste so you can see what it will taste like.