Boxes

The semester is almost over in my experi- mental painting class. The third project was Boxes. This was a box with a very rustic finish that I added some mixed media ATCs to the outside and inside of the box and then did some groupings in each of the cubbies.

I found the little aliens in tubes of slime at Target and couldn't resist them. All of the other objects have personal meanings and represent something in my life. The yellow smilely face guy was from an Arby's kid meal about 25 years ago. It was fun to play with all my little momentos.

This "box" is a shrine or collection holder. It is made out of foam core, covered in rice paper, painted and collaged. The idea was from the book, "Crafting Personal Shrines" by Carol Owen. It was great fun to put together and decorate.

The box in the center was a notecard box with a magnetic closure. I added the little shelf.

I was surprised how sturdy it turned out to be. A group of my friends and I are planning a "shrine making workshop this summer". What would you put in your shrine?

Washington DC

Went to Washington DC to visit my son, Jason, for a week. My friend and travel buddy, Dianne, joined me for the trip. We had a fabulous time, saw the sites, ate way too much great food, walked more miles than I want to count and really enjoyed our time together.

It was Cherry Blossom Festival and boy is that a beautiful sight. On the weekend we went to Georgetown and walked around the Dembarton Oaks Garden. It was sunny day and the gardens were lovely even though a lot of the flowers were not in bloom yet.

We made our way to Jason's apartment on Saturday and he made us a delicious lunch and then we walked around his neighborhood and all the great brownstones. We sat outside at a local coffee place and worked in our sketchbooks.

Thanks Jason and Dianne for a great trip!

Robert Bateman 6"x9"Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

Saturday at the Arboretum

Saturday my friend, Liz and I went to the Fullerton Arboretum for a few hours of sketching. It was still a little cool and even though Spring has not sprung quite yet there were some beautiful flowers. I was happy to see the sweet peas in bloom. They are one of my favorite flowers. They are so soft and delicate and I love their sweet smell.

I think these are snapdragons but the petals had lots of ruffles. The little sculpture was hanging in one of the garden plots. It was the first time Liz had been there and we plan to go back when the weather warms up and the flowers are in full bloom.

Robert Bateman Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

B/W Watercolor Study

Here is my black and white watercolor study. This was very challenging for me as I really enjoy working with color and I had trouble getting started with layers of greys. All the same it was a good lesson and I should really do more black and white or value studies.

Ah......the list continues to grow.

Here come the Buoys!

Finally! Finished this last week but couldn't get it posted. One of those "life got in the way of my schedule" things. Once I got the layers done on all the buoys and floats, my background was too light so I added another wash and that really helped. It was a fun assignment. Working on a black and white only still life right now. Not so fun.....yet.

New Painting

I am taking an Experimental Painting class at our local college, from a friend, Moira. The first assignment was to do a watercolor sampler to learn our instructor's techniques. First, I drew out a grid and painted the rectangles pale pink with a gradient area at the top. Next I drew in my design skipping over the borders. Here I have started layering my washes. If you can't tell yet, these are lobster buoys and glass floats. More to come......

Back to Bowers

Last weekend I went to Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. They have an African Exhibition called "passages". There are wonderful photographs, films, masks, clothing and jewelry. I seem to be intreged with masks these days and figured they would go nicely in a grid. There was also a storyteller, sharing old stories from different tribes.

There were many beautiful carved statues and adorments for masks and containers.

The applique squares are from a ceremonial garment which really seemed to be a tent as you couldn't see anything of the person inside.

The jewelry was fasinating. These were made with leather, cowry shells, copper and glass beads. I would wear these but couldn't find any in the gift shop.

The mask is a Society Mask but it doesn't look so social to me.

This sketch was done from a large photograph. The veiled dancer was in mid twirl and I loved the flow of her many layers. It was a challenge but I give myself props on this one. I am happy with the results.

Robert Bateman Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

Winter Travels

I spent this Christmas and New Years with my mom and my sisters and their families in Washington. Thanks to Margaret who posted about a great display in Arizon of Dale Chihuly glass, we found an installation of his work in Tacoma, WA. Dale is from Tacoma and there is a lot of his work around the city. We also visited the Museum of Glass in Tacoma and were happy we had made the trip.

Eight of us ventured out early for the two hour ride to Tacoma. The Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park was host to many wonderful pieces of Chihuly Glass. Planted among the beautiful plants were spectacular colorful blown glass pieces. With the sun shining through the glass of the greenhouse, the sight was truely breath taking.

The next day my sister, Lynette, and I met up with our friend, Sydney, from a previous sketching trip. We went to the Portland Art Museum and spent some time in the Native Art Exhibit. The mask were fabulous and more than a little bit scarry.

I have always been intrigued by the Kochina carvings. Their wonderful shapes and designs are very spiritual for me. And who wouldn't want a Hopi Dance Wand! After sketching we went for, you got it, lunch! It was a great way to spend a very cold day and fun to visit and sketch with Sydney again.

Robert Bateman Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor