10/07/10 - World Equestrian Games and Spotlight on Lexington

We here in Lexington have been hearing about the World Equestrian Games or WEG for years now and I think many of us were tired of what seemed like a lot of hype before it even started! Well, as one those initial negative nellies I have to confess that I am now a convert and have been very impressed with Spotlight on Lexington (a 16-day festival of cultural performances, mostly musical in downtown Lexington) and the actual games themselves! Spotlight on Lexington performances are all free and open to the public! This is a great gift to the people of Lexington and I hope many in the area are recognizing the opportunity and taking in as many of these acts as possible. Thank you to the many sponsors who financed these fine performances!

I have attended the WEG twice now, both times with only a general admission pass ($25 at the gate). Even without attending the events I was very enthralled with what was available: specifically the numerous demonstrations at the Equine Village. If you are at all interested in the horse these presentations will be quite entertaining and uplifting. It is a joy to watch and be with people who are clearly doing something they love. Speaking of which, both of these ongoing (until Sunday 10/10/10) events are great opportunities for artists to draw, sketch and learn. Here you will be able to draw a wide spectrum of people and the many breeds and qualities of our equine friends. Two animals have made an immense impact on the development of human civilization: the dog and the horse. I find it quite touching that these noble animals seek our companionship, acceptance and dare I say, love.

The Kentucky Horse Park may very well be the premiere equine facility in all the world, something we Kentuckians can all have a little pride in. Don't be put off by fears of crowds or long lines - neither of these were an issue on the days I went (which were Tuesdays - the final weekend may be different).Take the LexTran shuttle and avoid the $20 parking fee at the park or ride share with a group of friends and split the cost. Just make sure and visit our state park during this once in a lifetime event! I would attend everyday if work and my fall allergies would allow!

Share your art! I encourage all my fellow artists to post a comment or send a link to online galleries of their sketches and drawings of the WEG or Spotlight events.

09/16//08 - Location Sketching - Goddess Reunion Tour

Local art dynamo, Theo Edmonds, clued me into to this cool chance to draw and paint some wonderfully colorful people enjoying their lives and their art!

If you want to draw and be recognized for your efforts give Theo a heads up that you want to attend and participate. Then he can add your name to the list and give and get some improved internet promotion!

Here's the info straight from the tri-city visual arts list serve (thanks to Anna Brzyski at UK!):



EVENT NAME: GODDESS REUNION TOUR:

-a bold and funky outsider art happening

WEBSITE: www.coollifeky.com <http://www.coollifeky.com>

Producing Host: Theo Edmonds and Donna Ison

Type: Visual Art/ Poetry/Theatrical
<http://www.facebook.com/s.php?k=400000010&c1=5> - Performance <http://www.facebook.com/s.php?k=400000010&c1=5&c2=40>

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: the old Heritage Antiques Building across from Dunkin Donuts
Street:238 East Main Street
City/Town: Lexington, KY

Description:
Usher in Autumn with a glam happening of art, poetry, theater, dancing, and drumming. Join us on the equinox for a party that is bound to release your inner deity.

Includes art show of several known and soon to be known Lexington artists. (that's us boys and goils!)

Poetry Performances by:

• Katerina Stoykova-Klemer
• Sumayya Rashid

And... the highlight of the evening... an original theatrical performance piece written by Donna Ison that will introduce the world to Myrtle... Jesus' own Auntie Mame and the Virgin Mary's twin who was written out of the Bible. Also included in the performance piece will be re-introductions to Mother Mary (the archetypal virgin/ good girl with all the pros/cons that entails) and Mary Magdalene (the archetypal whore/bad girl with all the pros/cons that entails).

The whole evening will be set to the music of Nina Simone and Freddy Mercury. So dress in your most glam goddess fashion and join in the drumming, dancing and divine fun as the equinox rises upon us.
Admission is free. Cash bar and catering provided by Mia's.


Setting: The Garden of the Goddesses (a kind of Vegas meets Eden).

09/15/08 - Location Sketching - East Indian Dance Performance

Update: 9/16/08 - this was a great event! Krithika Rajagopalan of the Natya Dance Theater of Chicago both instructed and entertained a small, but riveted group of students, professors and families from our local Indo community. Many thanks to her for sharing an art form she clearly holds dear.

Jump over to my personal art blog by clicking here to see some of my sketches (have to scan) and some photos from the event.

I am constantly looking for events or opportunities where local artists, including myself, can draw, sketch, or paint from life. This is in adjunct to regular life drawing sessions I attend throughout the week. These other opportunities are a chance to study the figure in clothing and in action - two aspects missing from standard nude life drawing sessions.

Today, Monday 9/15/08 (5-6:15 & 7-8pm) at the Recital Hall of the UK Singletary Center For the Arts, there will be a free event that should be great for lots of visual artists that enjoy/take advantage of the the benefits of LOCATION SKETCHING.

Bharata Natnam Performance. Lecture and demo. Performance follows after a 45 minute break. Sponsored by the University of Kentucky Asia Center and the University of Kentucky Department of Theater.

Today is a prime example of a great chance to study a number of items:

• the clothed figure and how wrinkles fold and drape
• the figure in an aesthetic and repetitive movement - dance
• an exotic and foreign culture to the standard American fare

If you go, be a courteous artist and keep a low profile, clean up after yourself and ask before assuming anything. I have not contacted the hosts to discuss sketching on site so please follow good etiquette and request approval before starting. I am hopeful that as long as we are low-key and not a distraction that there should not be any problems.

Tips for capturing the moving figure:

• Look for poses that repeat and that you will be able to view again. Try several at one time on your page - coming back to each as you see and learn more.
  
• Take a mental snapshot - close your eyes and hold the image of the figure in your head - then open your eyes and transfer to your paper.
• Share your tips with others - leave a comment on this blog. Look for links to my work or others.... here.
  

09/10/08 - Jockey Life Drawing Session - Secretariat Horse Festival

Salina Ramsay, a local equestrian, teacher and artist, brought this exciting event to my attention. And I think all of us Kentucky based artists could some practice drawing on the wonderful horse racing tradition of our commonwealth.

To assist and support this event I created a PDF flier specifically for the drawing/painting (which runs from UPDATED again! 9/18/08: new time: 1:00am - 3:00pm) portion of the event.

Use this Google map link to get directions - it is called Bourbon Park, 30 Legion Street, Paris KY 40361