06.27.1-07.03.11

I have come to realize that 3 drawings is a more successful number each week.

I would rather do 3 successful drawings, than to always have 2 filler.

Although, I will not change the requirements, I will just admit here that 5 good drawings is a difficult task.

This week mini c chicago and I went on a journey, which made for new drawing challenges.

The beach:  the beach is all about the people.  The landscape is important, but capturing the population of the beach is really what gives that place character.  Funnily, if you reference this drawing and one of the blogminic (www.blogminic.com) blog posts, you will see they have almost the same viewpoint.  The difference being that the blogminic photo was taken before the lifeguards had left for the day, so no one was in the water.  Whereas, this drawing was from after they left, and the people swarmed into the water.  Montrose beach was tested to have high bacteria levels this week, hence the no swimming while city lifeguards are there.  I especially enjoyed drawing my heroine at the foreground.  She was moving around a lot, digging, running into the water, throwing sand balls at her brother (who is the boy who buried himself in the sand, and only his head and harms are showing), lots of crouching and play.    And then there is that cute little boy who ran towards and past me with mother in tow.  He was so quick, but I wanted to capture his energy!

 After struggling with how to capture ever moving people, I tried my hand at some seagulls to my left.  They were a cranky bunch.  I became crankier though, although I enjoyed this view, the bugs started attacking me, which is very distracting to my meditative style drawings!

 The last drawing of this week was definitely my fav.  I went to Rosehill Cemetery.  Reminded me so much of Forest Lawn in Buffalo NY.  So tranquil.  Full of trees and a pond!  I sat on the grass enjoying the peace of the space.  Urban cemeteries are amazing places!  So different then everywhere else in the city.

06.20.11-06.26.11

 This week's drawings are mainly from Cape Cod, where I went with my family to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday!  

Oh how I wished that I could have spent more time just sitting and drawing there.  SO beautiful.  However, like on Ireland the trip everything was family oriented (as it should have been!) so I could not spend much time drawing.  

Also, this week I was shown a gorgeous graphic novel with simple line draws with ink washes.  I have to track down the artist, I cannot remember nor find it on the internet.  It was a challenge.  I can do better.  Do more.  Go further.  I just need to allow myself the commitment and time.  I want to capture this place.

06.13.11-06.19.11.

 This week I am in tech for Educating Rita with the Chicago Dramatists, meanwhile planning for Ann Boyd and my Summer Inc residency at UofC (with other amazing collaborators!).  

It is funny to start that way, but I realized this week how important my schedule and goings on affect my drawings, not just in how many I accomplish, but in location and mood.  I look at the drawing of the huge concrete slabs and metal work near the Green Dolphin, and remember it was right after visiting Adventure Stage Chicago and seeing those lovely folk.  I see the drawing of Roosevelt Road, and think of finals at Columbia this spring.

This week was all about that interesting intersection where Milwaukee meets Chicago meets Ogden, and maybe some other street as well!  And that is where Chicago Dramatists lives.  

On Saturday morning I had a meeting scheduled with Ann, but beforehand she asked if I wanted to have pancakes with her family!  Their backyard is an oasis sanctuary of what is best about summer in the city, inhabited by 2 gorgeous girls who tromp around in colorful patterned summer dresses and skirts.  Banana Pecan pancakes with fresh raspberries (I do not think I knew until this spell check that raspberry has a P in it!  where does it come from!!).

Afterwards, Viola and I drew on rocks with chalk.  I asked if I could also draw in my sketchbook and she said only if I did it with chalk.  I convinced her this was not the best idea.  

 She intently drew on rock after rock. 

 I looked down to see a puddle of hair and floral skirt, with hands working diligently and little toes poking out.

The view from the front door of Chicago Dramatists.  Sears tower in background.

 

A lovely water tower looming over the neighborhood.

 

week 4. a spurt.

I am including week 4 in the extension.
I finished up the film last week and continued to be very sick.
I am now mid week 5 and realized that I should post these 2 sketches from last week,
in preparation of uploading drawings for week 5!

It has been hard seeing my sketch book lying around and know that I am not keeping up with this commitment.  It makes me realize the sense of peace and well being within me when drawing regularly.  I am in a place in which my time is my own.  Whereas, when working on the film (which was rewarding in its own way!), or when in tech for a show (currently Educating Rita at Shattered Globe), my time does not feel mine.  I have gotten better at sleeping and eating during those times, but taking time out to draw is much more difficult. 

All to say I am appreciating the time I spend drawing all the more.  I remember my amazing painting professor from undergrad, Andrew Johnson, used to yell out during figure drawing sessions:  "Model time is precious time.  Draw draw!"  Goading us to draw and not waste a second of that special time you get with a model in front of you, that time is fleeting and you need to take advantage and feel that advantage with every second.  I do not have that zest and active energy when drawing in this book.  It is more a reflective, seeing and comprehending the world-zone.  Sitting and taking in the world and it's unique details and spatial relationships.  Framing and seeing a view that is worth noting. 

Anywho:  here are 2 drawings I did week 4, while on Location for the film at Flashpoint Academy.

week 3. film shoot and sickness time off

I have decided I need to time-out my commitment to keep up the drawings while on the film shoot, due to the long hours.   I am having trouble keeping up with the project and need to unfortunately take a break from it until next week.  Who knew that film could be more all-consuming then theatre?  I look forward to returning to my sketchbook!

05.23.11-05.29.11. Extension. Week 2.

05.23.11.  Winnemac & Ravenswood.  Lovely day.

05.23.11.  2721 W Giddings St.  Memorial Day.  Brilliant sun.

Memorial day.  Back Patio Giddings Street.  Alley.


There are 2 missing drawings and I hope to find them next week.  The 3 drawings that I found I quite like.  

05.23.11-05.29.11. week 2. memorial day extension.

I hate to not keep up with the commitment, but need a memorial day extension.  I promise to get 5 pictures up by tomorrow (Monday).  I started filming the Independent Film Nate & Margaret this week (I am the production designer) and this film schedule is exhausting me!

Soon, and with regret,
Chelsea

05.16.11-05.22.11. 1st week.

This is the first official week of my commitment to create 5 drawings a week.  It was a challenging week.  I felt over-saturated by the layers, textures, and busy rhythm of the Chicago landscape.  I found myself trying to figure out a way to capture the essence of the place, but not get bogged down with all the layers and details.  How can I get back to the simplicity of the Ireland sketches?  Is it even possible?  

05.17.11 Wells Park.

 05.18.11  Ashland & Webster.  Near Green Dolphin Street.

05.20.11. Belle Plain & Bell Ave.

 05.22.11  Alleyway behind 4001 N Ravenswood

 

05.22.11 Lincoln Ave & Jarvis Ave, Lincolnwood

04.25.11-05.14.11. Chicago Drawing Journal. post-Ireland & pre-blog commitment

When I returned from Ireland to Chicago, my plan was to keep up with my drawing journal.

However, without the official commitment of sharing my drawings each week, I was not good at keeping up with it regularly.  

Below are the drawings I made in between Ireland and the official start of my commitment to draw and post 5 drawings a week.

  I want to add to the quantity commitment, I am also challenging myself to draw something special each time.  What qualifies as special is not defined, all that I know for sure is that the subject's cannot be mundane, like my hand or easy locations near my house.  

Partially what made the Ireland Travel Journal exciting, was that I was encountering new inspiring locations, and what I drew on paper was my expression of that experience.

I hope you will take the time to comment and share from time to time!

Chicago Canal Park, 4.25.11

 Northwestern Beach Line Windy Day,  4.26.11

 

Chicago Canal at Berteau, 5.9.11

 Agora by Abakanowicz,  5.11.11

 Roosevelt Road, 5.12.11

Merchandise Mart in the Rain, 5.14.11

04.18.11-04.22.11 Travel Journal from Ireland

I teach a Rendering Course at Columbia College in which the weekly assignment is 5 drawings in your Drawing Journal.  

This spring, I missed class for a week to go on a family trip to Ireland.  

My students sent me off with a challenge:  to keep a Travel Journal and share my drawings when I returned.

I took them up on this challenge and had such fun and contentment that I decided to challenge myself to keep up the Journal for one summer.

The drawings are quick and explore the world around me through line.

My inspiration:  small exploratory drawings that seek to communicate the essence of place.

I am not sure where this project will evolve throughout the summer; hope you will join me!