I am so fortunate to have a large and vibrant family!
On my wife’s side of the family (the Bentleys) I am known as that “artist/designer/musician uncle” with the curious soul patch. Being an “artist-type” has made for an interesting relationship between us over the years. I’ve happily (and sometimes reluctantly) done my share of art projects for them—murals on walls, ceilings, and staircases; wall decorations; commissioned paintings of greyhounds capturing coyotes (yes, you read that right); art for Christmas exchanges; and lots and lots of family reunion t-shirts and promos. All in all, I have absolutely LOVED IT!
This summer, Lana and I were visited by several family members from western Oklahoma. Of course, in south Alabama we are an easy drive to the gulf shores but believe it or not, they wanted to do some activities and simply visit here in Troy for a time. We did a little bit of local sight-seeing (didn’t take long… LOL) and a lot of swimming in the pool. But, one of my teenage nieces (Selah—I hope that this doesn’t embarrass her) expressed an interest in having an art lesson at my new studio. What am I to do? Deny her? No way! Her mother had painting skills. Her daddy does pottery. And, her younger sister (Whitley) already can really, really draw (I saw evidence of that when they visited).
I’ve done tons and tons of design work over the past couple of decades but not so much drawing/painting. Upon retiring from being a full-time graphic design professor, I established a long-envisioned art studio in downtown Troy—Sienna Cloud Creative.
So, thanks to Selah and her daddy—Dustin, I launched right into making my first “non-digital” piece of art in a good while. In fact, when we began working together on this drawing/painting, I realized all my paints had either dried up, were no longer good, or simply not to be found. No worries—we just started with paper, pencil, markers, and an idea—the subject of "ice cream”. Why “ice cream”? I don’t know—it was summer in ‘Bama and Uncle Jerry and Great-Niece Selah love their ice cream: I guess.
The low-quality video (provided below) was simply produced as a demo specifically for Selah so that she could complete her “sundae painting” at home—at her own speed and in her own style. I can’t wait to see it and if allowed will add her artwork here within this blog post (fingers crossed). If you watch this tutorial, ignore any personal references and be reminded that we firstly drew out our sketch in pencil, then added Sharpie® marks as general outlines/guidelines and went from there with washes and mark-making. It was fun.
YOU TOO could try something like this! PIck a subject. Fill up the general space around the paper or canvas and remember to preserve white space. Try to be intuitive and fluid about where you place lines and shapes. No judgment! No pressure! No hurry! Just ENJOY!!!
I am always inspired by the creative process. I also experience joy when passing on a skill or process to someone who hungers to know and to learn. In all that we do—even in our making of art—the very nature of our Creator resounds because it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.
“God is ‘The Creator’! According to scripture ‘without Him was not anything made that was made...’ so, yes, that means ‘everything’ is His handiwork. I pray that the ‘nature and likeness of God dwell richly in You and in me as we pursue beauty and promise through His mysterious presence.”
THIS IS THE FINAL ART PIECE, DIGITIZED INTO A MOCKUP OF WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE “FRAMED AND HANGING” IN A COOL BOUTIQUE.