A little about my new series...

So, I haven't had time to sit and write about the how and why behind my new series, #JustDanceJLG. I love to dance, and I love to watch people dance.  Growing up, we didn't have money for extra things like dance lessons or gymnastics- and transportation was an issue, so I never took dance classes.  I was always envious of folks that had dance recitals and fun costumes...but it just wasn't something that I could do, but in my heart I love to dance.

This month-I chose to focus on dancers for my daily art.  Not for any reason other than- I love dance.  I am so impressed and amazed by the dedication dancers have to their art, if you have ever seen a ballet dancers feet then you know that they really do love what they do.  Absolute beauty...grace...athleticism. 

I was looking through some previous pieces and really didn't see any attempt to capture dance or a dancer.  The closest thing would be figure studies in college...or maybe some of my fashion illustrations- but that's a stretch.

I did create this one dance-related diptych for my friend Ana back in October of 2014 based on a dance quote.  Here is the blog post and the image below;

In my mind, I am a dancer...even if my body and lack of training doesn't agree.

http://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/october-18th-2014
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At the end of April I met up with one of my fav art students and her friend for some sketch time.  She was getting ready for her AP portfolio, it was just a chance to breathe and draw for fun.  I was thinking I wanted to base my May series on dance at the time, but wasn't sure...and I had a new paint set I wanted to try out...so I figured I would check some of my favorite fashion magazines for inspiration.  I had actually intended on making a few fashion illustrations...then I saw this image of Misty Copeland and couldn't force myself to turn the page any further.  She was just so beautiful, so strong.  I felt like it was a sign from the muses that this- that DANCE was what I was to draw this month.  So I did a trial sketch...which sold the next day, so that's kind of fun!

I started working on a few pieces over the first few days of May...still giving myself an 'out' if I wanted to go another direction.  At the time, I was distracted by a really busy week- finishing up clay tiles with my students at school, meetings or something to do almost every night that week...and also preparing for the 'Surfer's Paradise' show at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery.

One of the meetings that I mentioned was at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.  Brent and I attended an extensive and ambitious arts meeting.  As I entered and exited the building the images of one of the current shows captured my attention; 

Jordan Matter: Dancers Among Us (via Cultural Council site)

I felt like these images were yet another sign that yes, I should work with a dance theme this month.  And side note...I looked at the artist's web site and the images in the gallery literally had me with tears in my eyes because they were so beautiful.

https://www.dancersamongus.com/ (artist's site)

...and that's about it- my version of some kind of intro to why I chose 'dance' as the theme for this month. I haven't committed to only working with the watercolor silhouettes, I know that.  I was actually a little bummed because I saw that an artist (in Spain?) doing this type of work...so I definitely want to differentiate what I am doing.  I played around with adding some background color on one piece...and I have maintained a 'ribbon' motif in my work, I was kind of thinking of how a dancer in motion is seamless and graceful, like a ribbon in the wind...and also that the ribbon is a symbol of connection- of dance bringing people together.  And I am also thinking of incorporating some other dance styles, because I enjoy watching all types of dance.  So...the images may continue to change a bit based on all of this.

Just some thoughts.  In the meantime...just DANCE!