A New Challenge - Looking at What (and Who) You Don't See

A New York Times Op-Art piece from October 16th announced a challenge for anyone to participate in. The purpose is about what you can learn from drawing a stranger. Wendy MacNaughton is an artist and graphic journalist. She also is founder and lead of an art-making club (called 'DrawTogether') for kids as well as one for grown-ups.

In Wendy's challenge, she asks participants to draw the other person's image using 'blind contour'. This is a technique when you put pen or pencil to paper, look straight at the subject's face, and draw the face without looking down at the paper or your pen. What do you imagine happens? Want to try it?

Here is a link to the project toolkit that Wendy has put together if you'd like to participate.

'How to' Toolkit from Wendy

Below is the article link announcing the challenge in the NYTimes. Please note you may need a subscription in order to access it.

Wendy McNaughton - NYTimes Art Challenge

Comments

New Project in Progress

I'm working on a new project with multiple layers and shapes of different colored organzas. It is an interpretation of lighting on an ice rink...from a show I recently saw. There is a lot more stitching to do, but I like how its coming along. I'm learning organzas are not easy to work with especially when you layer them and have overlaid edges. The fabric also tends to ravel easily. This post also linked to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com .

Fine Art Restoration - video

This is an exceptional video of a fine art restoration...just beautifully done (and the music is lovely too)!

People have great ideas! They may be friends, colleagues, artist contacts, or even strangers. In this case, it was an artist friend who provided the genesis of this new Blurb magazine through a conversation over zoom. The magazine contains 151 of my favorite photos taken over the years. I'm using it in an art class where the assignment is to review the photos we are drawn to -- for the qualities that draw our notice. Easier said than done, you may ask? Yes, it is. However, by looking at and thinking about why I like these photos, there are some common attributes. They may have patterns, textures, depth, play between light and shadow, and/or an overall pleasing composition. They all have a sense of 'quiet'. The occasional quirky and whimsical images are always a delight, even though more rare. In sum, the photos in the magazine (examples below) are one element of my point of view. That is to bring unnoticed...

Cay Denise

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