Thursday, February 15, 2007

Helia

In high school I had an art teacher named Mr. Marinaccio. We called him Mr. M and he inspired me and taught many things of value I carry in my creative being to this day. Thank goodness for the remarkable teachers who touch, move and inspire us like Mr. M did for me. I discovered worlds I would never have dreamed of had it not been for his enthusiasm and spirit.
Mr. M taught a form of drawing he called "empathic drawing" and it's this technique that I've carried with me, spilling it into many creative things I do. The idea was you would look at an object and draw it without looking at your paper and without lifting your pen. We didn't have to be literal. And he was also the one who introduced me to the delights of the rapidograph pen with black india ink. The drawings aren't for everyone though the feel of it has served me well in my silk painting designs. And I admit I don't have the kind of skill to make things look real or believable. But I just love doing it... the free flowing undulating line, the sharp clean edge, the spirals and drifts. I don't plan the drawings either. They just flow out, the line goes where it needs to. One of the things I like best is how suggestive one can be. Half a face is somehow complete.
Helia
Yes, sometimes you get two a day, sometimes you get none at all... so it balances out in the end. :)

Gregor

Gregor