Figure and Form: The Wild Life Sessions Show

Starting May 31, 2014  our life drawing/painting group is having a group show at the Loveland Museum Gallery.  The opening on June 13th is from 6-8pm and is open to the public.  The thought of a group show has been a dream of ours for many years and it's coming true!  Here is an excerpt from the Museum's webpage:  Please join us!

FIGURE AND FORM:
LOVELAND WILD LIFE SESSIONS

May 31 through July 27, 2014 Opening Reception: Friday, June 13, 6-8 pm

Green Room The love of the figure comes through in this group exhibit, juried by artist Filipe Echevarria. Following the long tradition of figure drawing, this Loveland group of artists meets regularly to refine their skills in rendering imagery from life. Including both paintings and drawings, this exhibit explores time-honored techniques of artistic training and is a celebration of beauty within the human form. Artists in this exhibit include George Coll, Venetia Ellis, Steve Engeman, Mary Giacomini, Danna Hildebrand, Suzi Holland, Dave Holman, Amy Lewark, and Victoria Lisi. In 2007, weekly meetings with live nude models began at a local studio in order to provide artists with the opportunity for regular figure study. During these sessions, the model holds a “long pose” for three hours, with occasional breaks, and the artists use various media including graphite, charcoal, pastel, and oil in the “alla prima” (fresh) style. Strong lighting exposes otherwise unseen features, yielding life in hidden places. These are The Wild Life Sessions

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

Live Figure Drawing: Free Open Session    space limited by first come, first seated basis Sunday, June 15, 1 – 3:30 pm FREE Have you ever wondered what compels artists to draw or paint from life? Find out for yourself by participating with the “Loveland Wild Life Sessions” open session group. We will provide a costumed model and working space. You are welcome to come and participate or observe. Bring your own art supplies if you wish to join in. If you’d like to ask the artists questions, you may do so during breaks.

Portrait Drawing Demo with Victoria Lisi Sunday, July 6, 1 - 3 pm FREE Observe as local artist Victoria Lisi demonstrates portraits drawing from a live model.

Draw Portraits Sunday, July 20, 1 - 3:30 pm Fee: $40 ($32 for museum members)    please register by July 13th Learn to capture human likeness and achieve the correct proportions with the placement of features such as eyes, nose, and mouth in facial portrait drawings. We will have a live model on site, or bring photographs to work from, as instructor Victoria Lisa helps you with the basics using pencil, charcoal, or conte.

Go Figure 2014

Several of the "Loveland Wild Life Session" artists will be part of this new figurative show.  Steve and Amy are two of the organizers.  Amy Lewark is the featured artist.  George  Coll is one of the jurors.  Suzi Holland, Danna Hildebrand and Mary Giacomini are participating.  There will be other artists participating as well.  Both original art and photography of the nude will be represented.  The opening is April 4, 2014 from 6-9pm as part of First Friday Artwalk in Ft Collins, Colorado.  The public is welcome to attend and meet the artists.

Danna Hildebrand

Danna Hildebrand recently moved to Loveland from Sheridan, Wyoming.  She is a painter and former art instructor at Sheridan College, now retired. Danna paints primarily in oils, but occasionally does watercolor, drawing, and pastels.  She has concentrated on "plein air" painting in the last ten years, as she loves the out-of doors.  Gardening is her hobby.

 

Danna has been a practicing artist and has shown mostly in Wyoming because of teaching demands. She has shown many times at The Brinton Museum, Nicolaysen Museum, Wyoming State Museum, University of Wyoming Art Museum and Ucross Foundation.  Her education in fine arts has been at these institutions; A.A. at Sheridan College,B.A. at Montana State University,and a M.F.A. at University of Wyoming.

Venetia

The youngest in our group is Venetia Ellis.  She is an exceptionally talented high school senior who plans to go on to college for animation this fall.  She brings a variety of media, and sometimes she makes magic with a just a box of Crayola crayons. It has been a delight to watch this charming girl grow into a fine artist.

Bad Santa night

 Graphite/Danna Hildebrand

Oil/George Coll

Pastel/Suzi Holland

Pastel/ Suzi Holland

Graphite/Will Bemis

Oil/Mary Giacomini

For a holiday treat we had an evening life drawing and painting of  "Bad Santa".  Just in time for Christmas 2013!    We had two models for a three hour session who were excellent.  Several years ago we had a "Bad Santa" night and decided for an encore.  These are some of the group's artwork for the evening. Enjoy.  Laughter is good for the soul.

Josh

"Steam Punk Josh" 

"Josh"

At least 5 years ago we drew a model that arrived in his motorcycle leather, had piercing blue eyes and held his pose like a rock. Josh had never modeled before and was an amazing model.  "Steam Punk Josh" is Will Bemis' drawing in graphite from that evening and "Josh" is Mary Giacomini's conte portrait.  These were done Alla Prima in a 3 hour life  drawing session.

Drawing Hands

 

Drawing hands is the most difficult part of the human body to depict gracefully.  Will Bemis depicts hands in a masterful way.  Close observation and eliminating some detail  makes these hand drawings in graphite natural and realistic.  Will often creates in graphite, focusing on the value and form-and does it quite well.  He gets the credit for keeping our group together for many years by arranging the models,  exposing us to new & different music and treating us to hearty homemade bread.

Mary Giacomini's figures & faces

I have been participating in the Loveland Wild Art Sessions since our beginnings at the Wild Art Center in 2007.  The majority of figure drawing I did this year was on toned paper.  I filled up a sketchbook of toned paper that I would use graphite with some conte and white charcoal.  Another favorite drawing support is using Cold Press Arches Watercolor paper that I tone with a warm watercolor base then proceed to draw with graphite, conte and charcoal pencils.  My focus is on how the light hits the body.  We don't always draw nudes.  Sometimes we paint or draw a portrait.  You can see more of my work on my blog, website & on FAA.