Oops I Deleted My Hard Drive

 Can't Recall the Title isn't the title of this piece.  Probably capitol something or other?

Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on the Washington Post, 22 x 12, blurry photo by MG Stout

Things are looking up.  So I figured I share a viewpoint from below.  This is an old image of one of the pieces hanging in my studio and is a part of the REAL life Drawing DC project.

Why Mary?  Why are you sharing this particular painting?  Well did you read the title of this post?  Yours truly, being the computer savvy women I am, erased my entire hard drive.  

F%$K ME!

I've been busy uploading all new software and if I have to sit in front of this little machine for one more minute I am going to...

1. need to purchase medicated hemorrhoidal pads?

2. drink a bucket of beer?

3.  put my head in the oven?

SURVEY SAYS: quit your belly-aching, take a break and cry.  Then put on your big girl pants and get back to work.  Until then my friends.

The Eagle Has Landed On the Two of Clubs

This is the last post regarding my version of the two of clubs.  I'd love to hear which image of the three final images you'd like to see included in the Washington DC deck o' cards.  I did a newer version of the eagle sculpture from the WWII Memorial.  She is facing the other direction and has a few other tweaks as well.  I photographed the image making process yet again for your enjoyment.

Bleed Lines

Two of Clubs

The Eagle Has Landed

Hot and Cold

Making Mary Magic

Almost There

That'll Do

Three Is a Charm?

Bleed Lines - For Sketch

Rough Sketch

Laying In Some Color

A Little Spice

A Wee Bit More Spice

Just Right

Number 2 of WWII "Club" Card

Sketch Art Work for Card Face 

2 of Clubs MG Stout

Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on the Washington Post 22 x 12

Card image must extend out to the full bleed line (2.625" x 3.625")

2.5" x 3.5" Actual card area

2.125" x 3.125" Card number and suit must be within this area

Still Sketching

Completed Work

This could be a winner.  I'm going to do one more mock up.  I'll choose the best of three.

First Version of the 2 of Clubs

Sculpture inside the Atlantic Side WWII Memorial Building

I took this photo and used it as the inspiration for my first version of the 2 of clubs.

2 of Clubs by MG Stout

Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on the Washington Post

22 x 12

Dr. MG Stout: Medical Advice for Like-Minded Maniacs

Today I feel like Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch are tap dancing with cleats on my head to the tune of Good Vibrations.  Let it be known these vibrations are sharing no sweet sensations!  Some people think that an over the counter pain reliever will save the day (sane individuals like my husband) and quell the imaginary battle taking place inside my skull. Bah!  I say to him.  I have the mental & intestinal fortitude to beat the noggin nuisance.  I am a tougher, stronger, and rational being with thumbs.  I will go to the tallest mountain and holler, today is my day bro!  I will not let this violent throbbing win.  I'm off to my headache room to deal with this invisible menace... Mary style.  For those with weak constitutions, you might want to scroll over the image quickly.

Here I am taking care of business.  After-while crocodile chomps on my grape just a little bit and now I feel good as new.  Modern medicine is for suckers.

I'm off to the studio as soon as I get the bleeding under control.

  

Philadelphia A Great Sensation!

Oh yeah.  I'm packing my bags.  I'm loading my truck.  I'm not going to drink any water so I don't have to make a pit stop.  Me and my best daughter are heading to the city of brotherly love.

I am officially kicking off my Philadelphia series.  I've prepped the Inquirer with gesso and primary spatter. My Wonder Woman notebook is tucked in my bag along with my trusty camera.  Center city is my destination for Saturday.  I'll be in South Philly on Sunday... 11:00a.m. I'll be setting up my easel and fixing my gaze on the Woodland Mummers FIRST FULL DRESS REHEARSAL... Heck yeah!!!

Those of you NOT from Philadelphia can't fully appreciate my joy and delight.  The Mummers Parade is a BIG Deal.  The competition is fierce and the costumes, music & choreography is classified.  I am getting a sneak peek!  Ode to Joy!!!  So as to not disturb the magnificent musicians, like my cousin Kevin Haag, who is part of the Woodlands production, I will be I will be quietly and diligently sketching in my Real Life Drawing disguise.  I've decided to share a photo of me in costume with you, my "followers." This way you all can recognize me if you see me sketching in the city and say hello.

MG Stout -Undercover

When I put on this mask NOBODY ever recognizes me!  Clark Kent has his glasses and I have my plastic ass. 

Assignment: Two of Clubs

A representative from Art In Hand Cards (a publishing company that translates original art work by  LIVING artists into playing cards) Brilliant!  Enjoy a gallery quality art exhibit right at your fingertips.  I've been invited to create an original piece of artwork to be included in their upcoming Washington DC Project. The idea is to showcase "the wide range of extraordinary artistic talent in the DC Metro area."  Each deck of 54 - 52 playing cards and 2 jokers are standard size and will be available this spring for purchase. 

I've been assigned the 2 of clubs. 

Mary with the 2 of Clubs...

I'm considering my image to be based on the WW2 Memorial.

Why? What is the connection?  Well I think it is pretty obvious:

A. clubs can be used as a weapon

2. the number two is in the title of the war 

Saturday Night

Completed Commission Pose I by MG Stout

I am off to stuff my face with pizza & beer.  It is at moments like this that I miss living in Philadelphia.  The pizza in VA is doo doo!

Responding to Truth

 

Emerging Acrylic, Pastel on Kitchen Cabinet by MG Stout 2009

This is one of my favorite paintings.  A fat little person has emerged from the dark and has found themselves teetering on the edge of light.  Yet the figure's posture conveys insecurity.  The character appears to be  suspect of the light.  What has the light revealed to elicit such an odd response?  Typically when we find ourselves in a dark space we welcome the light.  It is the dark, the unseen or unknown that elicits ambiguity, hesitation, and fear.  Why the uncertainty?  What has the light revealed?  What will be her next step?  Will she turn around and retreat into the darkness or will she move forward?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Christmas is coming....

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.

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

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!

  

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.