THANK YOU RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN for hosting this lil' group of art teachers and counselors! Ya'll made me want to be an art student again...or at least have some students go there so I have an excuse to visit! We loved this campus! 
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...and it goes without saying- I made my daily art while I was on the trip. We each had our own room, and there was a desk area by the bar, perfect for setting up my materials and changing my water. For the most part I sat on the couch using a book and a pillow as my surface. |  |
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I delivered heART created by folks at LWHS...
(click on the image below to see more pics)
...and some portraits of the victims that my colleague, Brent, created...
...and some portraits that his 2D art students made...
...and some portraits that I made.
I wanted to take a few minutes and write about the second half of my #GirlTalkJLG (revisted) series.
At the beginning of the month I was focusing on established women that I am inspired by in honor of Black History month. My 'twist' on this newest version of the series is that I drew them as children/young women.
I enjoyed the first part of the series, but I was frustrated sometimes because it was hard to find childhood photos of some of the women, and some of my reference images were blurry. If you are trying to see the detail on eyelashes or the value change in a shadow around the eye...that's a problem. Also, in some cases I could not find any photo of a woman that I wanted to draw- like Maxine Waters, or 'Auntie Maxine' as I love to call her. She is a woman I really root for...but I couldn't find any childhood/youth images to work from.
I had already figured out what I was going to do about this issue...I was going to switch the series mid-way through with a new spin.
Then...the school shooting at MSD happened. I made a piece to represent that.
And then...one 15th my idea to switch the series made more sense than ever. I decided to draw some of my own seniors, mostly gals that I have known since they were freshmen. We came to LWHS at the same time, and I feel especially connected with this group of seniors. Now, just so folks know I formally asked permission and explained my project and have written permission to show my representations of them on my web site and social media platforms, which I will only list with their first names. Since my girls are seniors, most are 18 and able to sign for themselves, so that makes it an easier task. In addition to letting me take the reference photos of their faces they also agreed to give me their own original quote to include in the work. I hope I can find somewhere to display these at the end of the month and invite the girls to view the work. Regardless...the work is theirs to keep.
At the beginning of the month I was focusing on established women that I am inspired by in honor of Black History month. My 'twist' on this newest version of the series is that I drew them as children/young women.
I enjoyed the first part of the series, but I was frustrated sometimes because it was hard to find childhood photos of some of the women, and some of my reference images were blurry. If you are trying to see the detail on eyelashes or the value change in a shadow around the eye...that's a problem. Also, in some cases I could not find any photo of a woman that I wanted to draw- like Maxine Waters, or 'Auntie Maxine' as I love to call her. She is a woman I really root for...but I couldn't find any childhood/youth images to work from.
I had already figured out what I was going to do about this issue...I was going to switch the series mid-way through with a new spin.
Then...the school shooting at MSD happened. I made a piece to represent that.
And then...one 15th my idea to switch the series made more sense than ever. I decided to draw some of my own seniors, mostly gals that I have known since they were freshmen. We came to LWHS at the same time, and I feel especially connected with this group of seniors. Now, just so folks know I formally asked permission and explained my project and have written permission to show my representations of them on my web site and social media platforms, which I will only list with their first names. Since my girls are seniors, most are 18 and able to sign for themselves, so that makes it an easier task. In addition to letting me take the reference photos of their faces they also agreed to give me their own original quote to include in the work. I hope I can find somewhere to display these at the end of the month and invite the girls to view the work. Regardless...the work is theirs to keep.
(Top Left) Rachelle is in my AP Art class and has really just set the bar with her work ethic and super-sunny demeanor. She is VERY driven and I cannot WAIT to see where her path takes her. I think I might be as excited about her college choices as she is! (Top Right) Shay was in my 5th period class last year and I have her again for Portfolio. She is low key hysterical and loves cartoons. Shay loves her family and always has a funny anecdote that reminds me of my own family- especially my granny. (Bottom Left) I had Wilna and her twin brother in art their freshman year. She has matured into a brilliant and beautiful young woman over the years but has always maintained that same fresh, positive outlook on life she had as a freshman. She was cheering varsity when I was coaching JV so I also got to witness her become and amazing cheerleader- I hope she will continue to cheer or dance in college. (Bottom Right) This is my second year with Val and she continues to surprise me with her artistic talent now in AP Art. Val has a quiet determination about her, and has really been willing to take more risks in her art this year...I think she is surprising herself even!
I didn't take the final pic of Zariyah's portrait yet, but here it is on my drawing table (above) I first met Zariyah when she was a sophomore on my JV cheer team my final year of coaching. (I love coaching cheer- but I decided it was cutting into my art time...so I gave it up after almost well over 10 years) Zariyah was an awesome captain. A natural leader that was always 100% dedicated to the squad and really was my right hand. Like the best cheer captains I have coached, by the end of the season she already knew what I was going to say- she knew to add the level and formation changes, tighten motions, look at timing, watch lines, and clean, clean, clean the movements. She is another driven female that I know will go out and do great things.
Nine more days to go...nine more student portraits. A glimpse into the future- and the future is female.
Nine more days to go...nine more student portraits. A glimpse into the future- and the future is female.
Sunday was a celebration worthy of a princess- a Disney princess, of course! I have been keeping all kinds of fun stuff under wraps for weeks now as all the girls in our group were hard at work creating the details for the perfect baby shower for our beautiful friend, Sof.
After a flurry of text messages, pins and screenshots the whole Disney Princess theme in shades of pink and lavender started to come together. Everyone did their part to make it a unique and special event worthy of our sweet friend. From the handmade flowers on the backdrop, to the cookies to the wire and beaded wine glasses with custom vinyl quotes...it all came together. (Oh, and experiencing the amazing venue, food, games, gifts surrounded by her family and friends didn't hurt either!)
My job was table decor, signage and the headband station setup. The girls showed me ideas of what they liked via the interwebs, which I used to create my own version in the colors of the shower.
NOTE: It's not your imagination- all of the girls DO match the theme of the shower...kinda 'extra' but Sof is extra special so it made sense :)
After a flurry of text messages, pins and screenshots the whole Disney Princess theme in shades of pink and lavender started to come together. Everyone did their part to make it a unique and special event worthy of our sweet friend. From the handmade flowers on the backdrop, to the cookies to the wire and beaded wine glasses with custom vinyl quotes...it all came together. (Oh, and experiencing the amazing venue, food, games, gifts surrounded by her family and friends didn't hurt either!)
My job was table decor, signage and the headband station setup. The girls showed me ideas of what they liked via the interwebs, which I used to create my own version in the colors of the shower.
NOTE: It's not your imagination- all of the girls DO match the theme of the shower...kinda 'extra' but Sof is extra special so it made sense :)
Since I have started making art every day back in January of 2012...some awful stuff has gone down. Senseless violence, usually involving guns, mental illness and hate. Sometimes I incorporate these events in my artwork, because I can't help it.
I wrote an article about it for an on-line publication one time...the link isn't active anymore but this is a screenshot of my writing and art that was included;
I wrote an article about it for an on-line publication one time...the link isn't active anymore but this is a screenshot of my writing and art that was included;
...and I wanted to write a little more in this post...but I think that the titles and images are enough.
There are more images, I just don't have the patience right now to find them in my files :(
2016- Pulse Night Club, Orlando FL
2015-Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Charleston, SC
2012- Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown CT
2012-Sikh Temple, Oak Creek WI
I wanted to take a few minutes and write a little about my recent ladies added to my #GirlTalkJLG (revisited) series because they are important to me...and to so many others.
The incomparable Miss Erykah Badu.
I don't want to say I know EVERY word to every one of EBadu's songs...but let's just say I can hang, and so can my best girls from back home. I can't sing, but I sure to try my best 'cause I love her music and I feel every bit of it my heart. Been a fan for over twenty years. I have included her in artwork before, in my first GT series back in January 2016, and later that same year in my #FelineFabJLG series- where I imagined her with some colorful cats in full Badu-head wrap and baubles.
For my revisited version of my #GirlTalkJLG series I am focusing on African American Women in honor of Black History Month- but as their younger selves. I gotta tell you, it has been hard to find photos of some of the women that I wanted to depict this month, much less clear pics...but I am trying my best.
That being said, I found a photo of Erkah Badu- looked to be her senior photo. It seemed fitting because her album, 'Baduizm', was released in February of 1997. I was a freshman in college at ECU and spent many hours in the art building (sometimes overnight!) working on my art. I was really discovering who I was as a person as an artist. I don't know if I can pick a favorite of that first album- I love them all. So when I think of her music I think of long hours working on my art, the 2.5-3 hour trip back and forth between home and college and just one my my favorite times in my life- and places.
For my revisited version of my #GirlTalkJLG series I am focusing on African American Women in honor of Black History Month- but as their younger selves. I gotta tell you, it has been hard to find photos of some of the women that I wanted to depict this month, much less clear pics...but I am trying my best.
That being said, I found a photo of Erkah Badu- looked to be her senior photo. It seemed fitting because her album, 'Baduizm', was released in February of 1997. I was a freshman in college at ECU and spent many hours in the art building (sometimes overnight!) working on my art. I was really discovering who I was as a person as an artist. I don't know if I can pick a favorite of that first album- I love them all. So when I think of her music I think of long hours working on my art, the 2.5-3 hour trip back and forth between home and college and just one my my favorite times in my life- and places.
The graceful, groundbreaking Misty Copeland
When I was little I always wanted to take dance- to be a dancer. We never had the money for that- or transportation. It was just me and mom for much of the first part of my life, and she worked second, sometimes third shift. I never wanted for anything but things like dance classes just weren't in the cards for me. Later in high school I would get a chance to cheer and then coach and judge, which allowed me to be around the cheer and dance that I loved so much, but not as a kid.
Dance moves me. (pun fully intended!) I am often moved to tears watching all forms of dance, the grace and athleticism of the dancers is so awe-inspiring to me. And Misty Copeland's story inspires me, how she beat all the odds and became the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre...which I know is a big deal...but watching her dance I just can't imagine how anyone ever questioned her ability.
(I included two pics from my 'Just Dance' series from May 2016 just for fun)
Dance moves me. (pun fully intended!) I am often moved to tears watching all forms of dance, the grace and athleticism of the dancers is so awe-inspiring to me. And Misty Copeland's story inspires me, how she beat all the odds and became the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre...which I know is a big deal...but watching her dance I just can't imagine how anyone ever questioned her ability.
(I included two pics from my 'Just Dance' series from May 2016 just for fun)
Author Alice Walker and Actress Phylicia Rashad
I chose Alice Walker based on the impact of her book The Color Purple, which I read in high school and have been haunted Celie's story ever since.
Phylicia Rashad was another of my choices for my daily art...I wanted to pay homage to a lady that so many consider to be a mom-figure, even if it was just on the tv.
Phylicia Rashad was another of my choices for my daily art...I wanted to pay homage to a lady that so many consider to be a mom-figure, even if it was just on the tv.
The beauty of Lupita Nyong'o
...she is just so beautiful to me- everything about her, the richness of her skin, the shape of hear face, her features- just everything. I had seen her in various fashion magazines but I remember really being amazed by her at the Oscars in the pearl Prada gown- so much so that I included her in my 'Bee Mine' series, or my version of her anyway. I really struggled with my new drawing of her, once again working from a blurry photograph, which was challenging. I really wanted to play up the rich darks of her skin with my pencil, water soluble graphite and watercolor mix...but I think I was still unsure of myself in my approach. I can see my struggles in the image and it didn't come across like what I had envisioned, but I am happy with the eyes in the piece.
Zora Neale Hurston...she stole my heart.
I feel like I have dedicated a few blog posts to the fabulous Zora Neale Hurston...at least one pretty in depth one which I cannot locate. In the meantime, here are two previous posts related to the late, great Zora (and then my two images from her on my first GT series and the current series);
https://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/colooooooor-struuckkkk (2013)
www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/happy-birthday-zora (2014)
...and then there was Amy Sherald.
How amazing is it that Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley are the first African American artists to be commissioned to paint portraits of the POTUS and FLOTUS for the National Portrait Gallery?!
This is important.
This matters.
This should not have taken this long.
Sorry- just thinking out loud. Whatever 'side of the aisle' you are on, I would think you could still that history is being made, and I feel like the comments Michelle Obama made on Instagram pretty much sum it up;
This is important.
This matters.
This should not have taken this long.
Sorry- just thinking out loud. Whatever 'side of the aisle' you are on, I would think you could still that history is being made, and I feel like the comments Michelle Obama made on Instagram pretty much sum it up;
This piece was another tough one for me because I was working from a #TBT photo the artist posted and it was kind of blurry since I was just focusing on the face. Instead of letting it get me frustrated I played on the blur as a softer line quality.
To think, this little girl in the picture would grow up to paint the FLOTUS!
Is this a pattern for 2018- revisiting old themes? I don't know, maybe. But I am kinda of liking that idea the more I think about it.
I was torn this month. On one hand- I LOVE super fun and whimsical Valentine's Day art. Like...it's my jam.
Don't believe me? Here is just a sprinkling of some of the pieces I have created in February ranging from 2012-2017...there are a little over 200 because I threw a side series in there one year;
I was torn this month. On one hand- I LOVE super fun and whimsical Valentine's Day art. Like...it's my jam.
Don't believe me? Here is just a sprinkling of some of the pieces I have created in February ranging from 2012-2017...there are a little over 200 because I threw a side series in there one year;
And you know...maybe I will break off and do a few V-day pieces this weekend just for fun. But I really felt inspired to revisit my #GirlTalkJLG series this month for a couple of reasons...
Without getting into politics and all the hot topics going on in the news right now...I know that it is important now more than ever to support other women- to build each other up, to inspire. The whole time I was creating my original series in January 2016 I was paying tribute to many women that I find inspirational...and David Bowie and Ric Flair creeped in there, but you'll have to go through my old blog posts to find out how that happened.
Just so we're all on the same page, here is the first #GirlTalkJLG series;
Without intentionally thinking about it, or trying to make an effort, my works represented a variety of women from different walks of life, different occupations, ages and races.
It just happened organically, and from the heART. I really wanted to do something to honor African American Women this month ('cause ya'll know I love to draw ladies!) so I came up with the idea to revisit the series and focus specifically on African American women, and of course it ties in with Black History month, so that's works, too.
And then...I had a little more inspiration, and I didn't have to go farther than the walls of my own classroom. I have been blessed (and I rarely use that phrase)- but I have been BLESSED with the gift of teaching- of interacting with my art students, in helping to impact the lives of kids. But more importantly- they impact and inspire ME. I am always in awe some what they say and think up, not only in their artwork, but in their observations about life. This is my fourth year at LWHS and I am seeing some of the students I had as freshman my first year, our first year, as seniors- almost ready to go out and make their mark on the world. And it made me think- someone once had this same interaction with the young girl that would be come Oprah.
And Maya.
And Faith.
And Janet.
And Michelle.
So I decided to delve into finding images of some African American ladies that inspire me- but in their youth. Let me tell you- easier said than done, it's difficult to find some of earlier images of some of the women I would like to depict. So I am working on it, slowly but surely. And if you stumble across this and still don't get it, that's okay. I am drawing girls that grew up to be influential women- that's it in a nutshell.
As for the treatment of the mark making, etc...I really love the idea of detail rendering alongside sketches and scribbles. So far most of the women have at least half (some a little more) of the face fully rendered in pencil, sometimes with a water-soluble graphite or gray watercolor wash over that. There are washes of color in the backgrounds of the pieces, and sketchy/scribbly lines created with pencil, pen and/or Sharpie markers.
Oh...and there are WORDS.
I have continued the style element from the first series of including a quote said by the woman. In my mind I keep thinking the phrase, 'women and their words' and it just feels WRITE. (get it, 'write' instead of 'right'?!)
So...ummm...a little lengthy but that is where I am going with this series.
And I have something kinda exciting that I think I will be doing a few more pieces into the series, so please check back to find out more about that!!
As for the treatment of the mark making, etc...I really love the idea of detail rendering alongside sketches and scribbles. So far most of the women have at least half (some a little more) of the face fully rendered in pencil, sometimes with a water-soluble graphite or gray watercolor wash over that. There are washes of color in the backgrounds of the pieces, and sketchy/scribbly lines created with pencil, pen and/or Sharpie markers.
Oh...and there are WORDS.
I have continued the style element from the first series of including a quote said by the woman. In my mind I keep thinking the phrase, 'women and their words' and it just feels WRITE. (get it, 'write' instead of 'right'?!)
So...ummm...a little lengthy but that is where I am going with this series.
And I have something kinda exciting that I think I will be doing a few more pieces into the series, so please check back to find out more about that!!
Author
...just a gal trying to get this art out of my soul to share with the world on a DAILY basis...no big deal...check out my ramblings!-JLG
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