Set Design and Construction

I have again accepted the role of Set Designer for Christian Life Center's Christmas Play this year. I have done a crash course in Ancient Studies, mainly covering Roman and Egyptian influence in Israel, King Herod and Bethlehem. A lot of online research went into studying about the previous and also the Magi and Persian Empire. I bought few books that really help in studying the architecture of these areas:





Ancient Egypt, Art and Archaeology of the Land of the Pharoahs by Giorgio Agnese and Maurizio Re





Lost Cities from the Ancient World by Maria Teresa Buaitoli and Simone Rambaldi





Our plans are to reuse some of the sets from last time, like Joseph's House and the Inn, but will be repurposing the other sets to add to the stage.

The director, Sandy, and I are very excited as we plan on putting a Magi Tower over an aisle next to the seating area (if the Fire Marshal say's Okey Dokey) and turning the lobby into Bethlehem! We will be using market tents and a couple of other surpises.



A few years ago, I made a couple of Egyptian Columns that were used at a company event. I decided to repurpose them to use for the Christmas play this year. This picture is of one of the columns.

When I made them, I did a crash course in Heiroglyphics, so yes, the columns do say something! What does it say? LOL I can't remember all of it and which column said what, but my name was on one and it also said "Merced is very hot in the summer". LOL Seriously!

In this photo I have stripped the plaster strips off the base and top of the colums to reveal the wire framing, which I then removed.

I have now replastered the columns. I have created new bases and tops for the columns, which were plastered yesterday. I promise to post the completed pictures ASAP. I promise. Really, I promise.

These are painted pieces are to make a 4' x 4' x 2' wall. I forgot to take pictures of the framework. I have added foam, with some stone carving and have muddied the walls. I will be painting them today. Again, I promise to update with pictures soon!

I will also be helping out in the Costuming, making new patterns for new characters. I learned what type of clothing the Magi wore and it is very different from what is in the stock.

It's all very exciting, and because Sandy and I are so excited, I'm going to give you a little peek at the rendering for the Magi Tower. Enjoy!

Well, that's all for now. I have lot's of other plans to draw and an ancient wall to finish painting. Toodles!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation...

Yes, I know, I'm behind on my postings again. I try to keep up but I get carried away with different projects and the time just seems to fly right by me! I had a great summer. It was quiet, yet busy.

The first and most important event of the summer was that our oldest son, Jeremy, graduated from High School!

We are very proud of our little Jay bird.

The other great thing about this summer is that I've been able to finally catch up on a lot of reading! I have acquired quite a number of art and costume books over the last year and a half and have been able to read most of them and browse through the rest for quick references.

The art books I have are:

Realistic Textures by Diane Cardaci - this is a great little reference book that covers everything, and a little more, that I learned in class.

How To Draw Dragons And Other Mythical Creatures by Emmett Elvin - This is a browser, I haven't really taken the time to apply my drawing skills, but I still love it because it has dragons! OH! And now Dick Blick is selling a dragon manikin! I gotta have one! http://www.dickblick.com/zz216/29/

Fairy Art, Artist and Inspirations by Iaian Zaczek - This book is just loaded with different pictures of beautiful fairy paintings through the years.

In the costume craftworks department I have:

Costume Craftwork on a Budget by Tan Huaixiang - This has some really cool directions for making headdresses, prosthetic pieces , crowns.... I can't wait to have the opportunity to make some the samples.

Now in costuming, I have:

Character Costume Figure Drawing by Tax Huaixiang - Now when I first got this book, almost a year and a half ago, the figure drawing threw me off. But then I took a fashion design class and the storyboard class and the little light bulb went on inside my head! It all makes more sense to me now, so I need to give it a second go around.

Costume Construction by Katherine Strand Evans - I like this book but I rarely refer to it for costuming tips. I use it more for tools and supply references.

Stage Costume by Mary T. Kidd - I like this also for figuring out how to transform basic shapes. Plus it has a lot of color photographs, which I love.

Costume Pattern books are:

Patterns for Theatrical Costumes by Katherine Strand Holkeboer - This is a great pattern book, it offers illustrations and patterns of garments, trims and accesssories from Ancient Egypt to 1915.

Patterns for Costume Accessories by Arnold S. Levine and Robin L. McGee - Great book for accessories! I especially love the mid-19th century accessories.

More Costumes for the Stage by Sheila Jackson - Good book for period garb reference, illustrations are a bit too close together though.

For more specific time periods in costume I have:

Everyday Dress of Rural America, 1783 - 1800 by Merideth Wright - I have only browsed through this book but it seems to fit into what I was looking for in 18th century clothing.

Patterns of Fashion 1, Englishwomen's dresses and their construction c. 1660 - 1860 by Janet Arnold- Again I browsed through this book. It is extremely detailed in pattern layout so I need to set aside some serious quiet time to read this to be sure I understand it. It looks very, very promising though!

18th Century Embroidery Techniques by Gail Marsh - Oh this book, I love all the photos and illustrations. I also love all the little history lessons and stories about certain pieces. I even whipped out my hand embroidery and practice a little stitching! Ok, the outcome wasn't great but it made me happy!

Costume Design 101 by Richard La Motte - When I ordered this books I thought it was going to be another step by step instructional on making costumes. WRONG! This is actually a costume business book. I love this book! Mr. La Motte really explains the ins and outs of the business and gives stories and examples of what to do. And what not to do. And most importantly, what to consider in making decisions to get into this type of business. Love this!

Now for sewing I bought:

Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire B. Shaeffer - All I can say is, WOW. I knew couture was hand sewing and very detailed, but geez, I really had absolutely no idea what it all entailed! I love this book and read sections periodically. Great book.

I have 3 more books that I loaned to a friend that I can't wait to read. One is on pattern drafting, one on fabric manipulation and the last is on chemicals and fabrics.

So now you're proably thinking, OK, she's read a lot about sewing and art but has she actually done anything? Well, the answer is yes. Nothing grandious, just some minor sewing projects, mainly alterations.

The photo's below are of a dress I altered for my mom. It was too long and the bodice needed to be taken in at the intersection of Princess Seam and Arm Hole. Plus the front shoulder straps needed to be taken up.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation... (cont'd)

This is Princess Emma, my Great Niece.

She is wearing a lined velveteen cape, head piece and muff that I made her. Both the cape and muff are trimmed in a white twisty trim and accented with mini pearls. The Muff is simply velveteen.

Since the majority of my family consists of mainly nephews, it was quite a welcome change to finally make something pretty for a beautiful little girl.

Below are the trim details for the cape and headpiece.

Iguana In Pencil

A few days ago I posted some pictures from the Phoenix Zoo which included a very handsome iguana. Since it's been a while since I've been able to draw something that I wanted (that wasn't homework) and feeling like a frustrated artist I finally decided to just draw something! LOL

The whole thing was a lot of fun and only took a few hours to complete. I thought I was pretty rusty so I was pretty surprised that the end result is so great. It was nice to be able to draw and apply a lot of the pointers I learned in school.

Phoenix Zoo Iguana

I'm probably going to sound a bit like the late, great, Steve Irwin, but ...Crikey! Isn't he a beaut?
I am really into animal textures lately. I sketched a few dragon eyes, but decided I really wanted to see some thing in real life, so........I found while visiting my brother in AZ this iguana at the zoo had to satisfy my Ancient reptilian/dinosaur/dragon like cravings.

I think what I loved most about this guy is that he stayed still while Jeremy and I tried getting the best different angles from him while leaning over the short wall. I guess he's used to the papparzzi because he really stuck a pose!




(now all I need are some close-ups of snakes...........)

The next post will show some great Rhino close-ups.

Arizona Zoo Rhino

Aren't these two gorgeous? Not to mention fierce! Ok, so maybe not right now. It's nappy-poo time.





Aren't you just loving the lines around his eyes? Better him then me!


The texture on his skin is fantastic. It's like diamond quilted ropes! I can't wait to start drawing these!

FINALS!!! Survey of Contemporary Interior Architecture

This is the final project for this class; I still have a BIG test to take tonight. Anyhoo, the designer is John Saladino and this guy I really like. He's big into Mediterranian ruin designs mixed with contemporary designs. I hemmed and hawed about adding the essay I had to write too. I guess I'll go ahead and post it below. I'm still waiting on the grade.

“To me, the ultimate refining of a thing ends in its utter simple geometric form. That is what gives it its timeless quality”. Such is one of the design basics of John Saladino, one of the worlds most distinguished interior designers.

Born the son of a Kansas City Missouri doctor, John Saladino has risen to become known as “the designer’s designer”. Although he initially studied painting, he was educated at Notre Dame and the Yale School of Art and Architecture in the 1960’s. After graduating with a MFA degree, he went overseas to work at an architectural practice in Rome, Italy. In the two years he was there, Saladino fell in love with history and ancient ruins. This new love released his inhibitions and fed his natural romanticism. The teachings at Yale, steeped in minamilist philosophy, and the dramatic architecture of Italy gives Saladino the natural ability to blend the old with the new; modern with traditional. Saladino can seamlessly blends scratch-coat plastered walls, stone floors and sleek modern furniture together. In a 1988 interview he reaffirmed his unique design style, “Now I believe in always bringing something of the ancient world into the twentieth century.”

After his time in Italy, Saladino returned to American and in 1969 he opened his own design company, which is still going strong after forty years. In his designs, Saladino pulls from classical and traditional designs, simplifying them to their basic geometric form. “I want the basic shapes of all the furniture to come out of primary forms – drums, cubes, rectangles, spheres”. His furniture while simple in line, is luxurious in fabric in texture. He is not afraid to change the covers of his furniture to follow the different seasons. A couch or chair may be of cotton in the summer, then of quilted velvet in the winter.

The interiors he designs often displays his love of theatrics and grand architectural scale; he is a master of proportion, such as columns, corroded surfaces and color to create a feeling of a grand house or a cozy cottage. When it comes to the use of color, Saladino believes in using colors that can be easily changed by natural light, whether it is day or night. The use of layered lighting also comes into effect, creating dramatic realms of color in a whole room, from only one color source. As was noted by Adam Lewis, author of “Van Day Truex: The Man Who Defined Twentieth Century Taste and Style”, Van Truex believed that “John Saladino had a remarkable eye for color” which evoked “the aura of a Renaissance painting”. Saladino himself says that “I think of interiors as a walk-in still life…”

The color pencil rending I have chosen to portray is of an interior view of a dining room. The feeling of this room gives the impression of entering an ancient temple and glimpsing into the secret room where Gods may feast. The simple geometric shapes are unmistakably noticeable in the design layout. The initial entrance is an opening with scratch-coat plaster walls that are flanked by tall fluted columns. As with the rest of the interior colors, the actual base color is elusive. The exterior lighting reflects off the walls and pillars in shades of white, gray, tan and a warm light peach.

The inner entry features what seems to be tall, square and triangle, nail-studded shapes on the doors. These doors are open and allow you to glimpse into the dining room beyond. The dining room features four of Saladino’s own Highback Villa Chairs that surround a white linen covered, round table. The chairs seem to be covered in an off-white or tan cotton fabric that absorb the reflect color of the focus wall, seems to be in a shade of peach. The grand focal point on the wall is a large gold framed mirror; the white ceiling which features a curved triangular molding that seems to be the crown on this beautifully crafted masterpiece.

The sample board exhibits the original photo of the room, a photo of the Highback Villa chair, fabric swatches of linen and cotton, as well as paint swatches that seem to reflect the colors that Saladino used in this interior design.

Sources:
www.Saladinostyle.com
www.sfdesigncenter.com
www.fineliving.com
www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-4027126.html
http://query.nytimes.com

FINALS!!! Sketching For Communication part 1

This is a 6 frame storyboard I created for my final in this class. If you are interested in drawing, animation, movies, whatever, I highly recommend taking this class. It's offered at the Academy of Art in San Francisco (I am an online student).

I have always have problems drawing people, especially faces, but I have really improved a lot. I did get an A! I still need practice drawing emotions, but I know you will definately get this little story. Enjoy!

(Continued on next post)

FINALS!!!! Sketching for Communication - Part 2

Light Fixture Concept Model

These are pictures of one of the light fixtures I chose for my mid-term. It almost looks like the sketch; just remember....it is a 'concept model', but I am proud to report that I got an A! ;-)

In my never ending search to find previous works, I have at last found an actual photo of the painted entry way in my first house!! Yippee!!

This was my first foray into faux painting, and while it's a bit rough, man, was it ever cool! I'm still looking to find the painting I did on the opposite side of the entry; it was an archway with a painted vine that had a snake and a lizard on it. So cool. Well, I shall persevere to find a really good picture of it. Nothing like a treasure hunt!

Happy Trails Everyone!

What I've been doing in school

Ok, so you're probably saying to yourself " She finally updated her blog!". Yes, I know, I'm not very current but I do have a reason! I have been in school! I'm on week 11 now, only a few more to go until the end of the semester. I took three classes, all centered around drawing, and what a lot of work! I am constantly doing homework, homeschooling the boys or doing housework! I really need a nice long RV vacation. aaahhhh.

Ok, so what have I learned so far? Well, I have posted a few new posts to show some of the work I've done. I'm only posting the latest works because, well, the first assignments were relatively horrible compared to what I am doing now. LOL

My family says I am too critical of my work, but hey! That's me!

So without further ado....here are some of my assignments!

These two assignments are concept drawings for a dining room light fixture. They have an ocean theme to them, can you tell? In this class we learned about creating concept sketches (no rulers allowed) for different things; we had to create a plan (overhead view), side and front view and the axonometric. The axonometric was one of the hardest things for me to do; especially when it comes to curves, which of course, I just HAD to do all the time. LOL Live and Learn.

Architectural Design Renderings

These renderings were created using pen, marker and color pencils. The above rendering features the works of Walter Gropius.
Don't you just love this chair design? It's called a Pelican Chair and was created by Finn Juhl.
The bed and lamps are the works of Ettore Sottsass. Can you tell I'm really diggin' the markers?

Beginning Illustration

These two drawings are among my first attempts to do some emotional illustrations. The faces could use some adjustments but other then that, I think I did a pretty good job!

Perspective Drawings

The drawing to the left is an exercise in atmospheric perspective. Before taking this class I had never done any value blending using markers, but as you can see, I have learned to use it quite well!








The picture of the Golden Gate Bridge is a homework assignment using the atmospheric perspective. It's really quite amazing how using value can change the outlook of a picture. An example would be the differences in comparing this drawing with the perspective drawing underneath.








This one-point perspective drawing was a lot of fun for me. I have a thing for the west...can you tell? LOL

I used hatch marks to add some depth to the drawing, but can you imagine would it would look like in a gray scale value? I'll have to give it a try when school is out.