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Two weeks ago I started a Facebook Page because my personal profile was getting close to its maximum friend limit.
Although this blog gives me the opportunity to dwell more deeply into my art journey, the facebook page offers a daily window into my art, technique, and life as an artist.
I invite everyone to like my page if you haven't done so already. Here's the direct link: Ester Roi - Artist and Inventor
Thank you for your continued support!
In my artist life I've been blessed with many special moments but this one I will treasure forever.
Sandra Rivas-Cole is an art teacher from Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida. She found my artwork on Colossal and introduced it to her students. A few of them insisted on using one of my images for an upcoming chalk art festival and together decided to use my piece "Impasse".
The chalk art festival was at downtown Disney in Orlando, in conjunction with the Festival of the Masters Art Show. Four of Ms. Rivas-Cole's students worked very hard and skillfully to make an accurate replica of "Impasse". They received numerous compliments from visitors and seasoned festival artists as well.
I think these four amazing young students, Haver C., Riana S., Jamilette D., and Meghan S., did a magnificent job. I'm very moved, honored and delighted by their stunning rendition.
Knowing that my art inspires young, talented people, makes it all worthwhile.
A special thank you to Ms. Rivas-Cole for introducing my art to her students and supporting them in their effort.
I just discovered that my new blog was not notifying me of any new comments as they were being submitted, so I have a backlog of unapproved comments from the past two months.
This was clearly a mistake, as I always made it a point to answer every single comment. I'm very sorry if any of you felt neglected. It will take me a few days to go through each post, sift though any spam, approve the legitimate comments, and reply to every single one.
I appreciate everyone's feedback very much and hope you will continue commenting on my posts in the future.
Lesson learned!
"To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."
William Blake
Happy New Year!
May you have a blessed 2013!
Questions from Nannette: "I'd like to know how you begin. Do you grid? Do you use graphite? Do you use photos to work from - and if so do you take them yourself? What other subjects do you enjoy besides pebbles? Is there something you really don't like to draw?"
I take my own photo references since my creative process is deeply entwined with the subjects I study and - dare I say - even obsess over. Photos are secondary to my vision and I always seek to recreate those images that are already in my mind. I rarely get a perfect picture! I'm not a great photographer but I compensate by taking hundreds of shots. Below are examples of experimentation with pebbles and ice that I did at home.
I usually work on the composition in Photoshop from one or several images. Then I trace a rough outline directly from the computer monitor onto a sheet of tracing paper using a soft graphite pencil and a very light touch. Sometimes I free-hand the outline, depending on the complexity (I don't grid anymore but I used to). Finally I scan the pencil drawing and enlarge it with this program: PosteRazor: Make your own poster!
After printing out the enlargement and taping the individual sheets together, I trace the drawing onto the final paper. In the picture below you can see me tracing over a sheet of glass. At this stage I use Verithin colored pencils in the local colors of the drawing because I don't like to erase graphite.
Whenever possible I prefer to work directly from the computer monitor versus a printed photo. It gives me more freedom during the "painting" phase. I can adjust colors and values, enlarge details, lighten dark areas, not to mention the saving in printer ink and photo paper.
In the past I've explored various subjects and techniques, however in the last several years I've been focused on flowers and rocks and their interaction with water. I study them above water, below, and in-between, and observe how their visual characteristics change and relate to each other.
In general I don't enjoy drawing man-made things like buildings, cities, cars, or mechanical objects.
Thank you Nannette for asking these questions. It gave me an opportunity to share my thoughts and process with other artists.
More "You ask, I Answer" posts coming up in the near future. Look for a post on "burnishing" and another on "how I make my pebbles shine".
If you have questions that relate to my art and especially my process and technique, please feel free to ask them in a comment.
Below are some highlights from my first year of blogging.
You can click on any image to visit the related post.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Your feedback is always appreciated.
It took two weeks after the CPSA convention to get back to a daily routine and, as you can see from the pictures below, I'm definitely back to "normal". Here are some things to look forward in the near future:
My art studio has a high cathedral ceiling with a wooden beam running across the middle. Several months ago I had the brilliant idea to install a swing which has become one of the most useful features in my studio. I discovered that by taking 3 to 5 minute breaks on the swing every few hours or so, not only do I get re-energized but my concentration level increases. The motion of swinging is also very relaxing and soothing and it seems to foster creativity and right brain thinking.
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From our family to yours, have a wonderful Christmas Day, full of love, joy and goodwill. Auguriamo a tutti un Natale pieno di gioia e serenita'.
