Jessica

Our model last week didn't show up so fortunately Jessica (talented artist) graciously filled in.
Here are a couple of drawings from the session:

by Elisha Fields (left) and me (right)

Nancy -- singer sits

Here are a few of the drawings of new model and singer, Nancy.

left to right:  2 by Elisha Fields, and right by me

Natalie

Natalie inspired some more artwork from several members of the group.
Here are some of the drawings and paintings done during -- and after the group: left to right by

Elizabeth Stallings, 2 by Ric Skees, and me, Nancy Blum

and a few more by me:

Amanda

In late July we had Amanda, artist Joan's granddaughter, pose for the Thursday group.
Here are two of the works from the group: left to right by Elizabeth Stallings and me

The Importance of Being

New model, Ernest, posed and we made use of the structures at the Artists Center for this figure pose.  I liked the contrast with the geometric blocks and the figure.

Here's my drawing -- hope some others will add theirs!

      

Barefoot Bill

I had to miss the session:  Bill posed in top hat and tails.

    Top left by Elizabeth Stallings;  Top right by Joan Christopher Quillen (thanks for leading the group!) and bottom painting by Susan Proctor

Summer Sessions

Here's some of the work by me (Nancy Blum)

and Elizabeth Stallings    

Additions and Omissions

Here are a couple of paintings from the group for past sessions
Kathy by Elizabeth Stallings

and, Annie as an Angel by Joan Christopher Quillen

Artist Pose

Sometimes the model doesn't show!  I think every group runs into this now and then.  Fortunately artists, as a rule, are a generous group.  We had the opportunity to draw one of our fellow artists, Kathy. 
Here are a couple of drawings:

                                                  left by Nancy Everett, right by Nancy Blum

Style

Finally posting some artwork from the Thursday Group.  Some of the members have been painting/drawing together for several years.  It's fun to watch the progress and directions people take..  Do people who draw together end up drawing like each other?  Or do people stay with a group where they share some similarities?
I think the more people draw, the more they become "themselves" and can feel free to express their own style.

Here is some work by some of the members -- with their own characteristic style:

 drawings by Nancy Blum

 paintings by Nancy Blum

by Maxine  Hess

 by Elizabeth Stallings

by Elisha Fields

by Susan Proctor

 by Joan Quillen

Why Draw?

Well, I've been quite late in posting. We have had some great models since the last pictures: Stephanie, Irene,  Annie, Derreck , Lauren, Ann, Tina, and Emerald.  Some of these tried modeling for the first time and others are well known among Atlanta artists and by the paintings they have inspired (some in collections throughout the country).

We've had a good turnout to the group in the last several weeks.  It's always interesting for me to watch each artist work.  Styles are so different and the artwork seems to say as much -- or more about the artist than the model.  What brings people to try to capture the human form and spirit is quite fascinating to me, and I hope some people will comment about what continues to lead them to draw and paint the figure.

I  took a trip to Taos and Sante Fe during this time.  Besides the fabulous art and wonderful landscapes, people and food, I was inspired by a book by Paul Brunton.  He was not writing about art, but wrote of "the quietness (that) uncovers the essential being"...  "The way (the) body moves, works, walks, behaves, reveals something of the inner man, the ego.  But non-movement, sitting quite still, can reveal even more -- the being behind the ego."

This, to me, is the excitement of a long pose.  It certainly doesn't always happen, but there is the potential for connecting with another and capturing something important of them or oneself.  Another Brunton quote: "What are these symbols but attempts to make use of art for man's loftiest purposes - the transformation of his consciousness?"

New Figure Model

It's always good to get a call from someone who wants to try posing.  I think all artists should try sitting for other artists at some point in their careers. Here are two images of Tom:

                                      These are by Elizabeth Stallings (left) and Nancy Blum (right)

Yoga

We had a yoga instructor, Beth, pose for us.  She brought her beautiful dog along.  I don't have any examples of any drawings with the dog, but perhaps they will follow.  The model, Beth, is the daughter of talented artist
Susan Smith.

Here are some of the drawings/paintings from the group:

from left to right by Elizabeth Stallings, Elisha Fields, Joan Quillen, and me (Nancy Blum)

Mona

This was Mona's first figure pose and she was wonderful.  A very creative person too.
Below are two works created during the session.  Left by Elizabeth Stallings, and right by me:

Joe

We had Joe pose for us.  He was new to our group, but had just had a session with Shane McDonald's group the evening before.  Despite getting hit by a drunk driver on the way home, he did a terrific job.

Here's my drawing of him:

Jessica

The young, lovely Jessica posed for the group.  Here is one by Elizabeth (left)  and 2 by me

More Iman

Here are two more inspired by Iman's pose.  In Atlanta we are very lucky to have access to some very good models.  Many are talented artists themselves.  I'm always looking for interesting faces to paint.

      left to right by Maxine Hess and Nancy Blum

Iman

Last week we had Iman return after many months for a very graceful pose.
Here are some of the drawings/paintings from the group:








These are left to right by:  Tom Wood, Elizabeth Stallings, Elisha Fields, and Nancy Blum

Elizabeth feeling Yellow

We had Elizabeth pose and I thought it would be fun to have her bring something meaningful to her.  She brought a yellow lantern along with a sunny disposition.
Here are two drawings from the group:

         by Elizabeth Stallings (left)  and Nancy Blum (right)

Charles poses

I had to miss this group but understand Charles did a great job posing.  Joan filled in for me and always does a terrific job.  Since I didn't get any pictures sent to me ,I'm posting my watercolor of Charles from his last pose.

Jake

Jake modeled for the first time for our group.  He's very tall and held an interesting pose very well.

Just two examples of work from the group:

These are by (left to right) Elizabeth Stallings and me, Nancy Blum

Gana in Evening Dress

This was a costumed pose.  Here's some of the artwork from this standing pose:

These are left to right by Nancy Hunter, Elizabeth Stallings, and Nancy Blum

More of Claudette

Here is some more artwork from the 2 sessions with Claudette:

These are, left to right,  2 by Nancy Hunter, 2 by Elizabeth Stallings, and 2 by Nancy Blum

Claudette

We had Claudette the past two weeks.  She's a new model and we also had some new members join us.
I'm hoping to get some more examples of member work sent to me, but in the meantime, here's my first painting of Claudette (several more to come):

Damon

Damon modeled for our second session.  He's a friend of Dia's, and this was the first time we had him pose:

left to right by Elizabeth Stallings and Nancy Blum

Dia

Dia posed for our first session of the year.  Here are a few of the drawings:
from left to right by:  Elizabeth Stallings, Maxine Hess, and Nancy Blum (me)

Michael

These are from our last group in 2009 and also Michael's last pose for us, at least for awhile.  He'll be working at SCAD as their model coordinator.

Just 2 this time,  left to right  by Elizabeth Stallings and me (Nancy Blum)