drawing squash

I purchased a carefully curated selection of gourds and squash to use for an art lesson. I teach at a private classical school two days a week. I heartily believe in encouraging drawing from direct observation. Here is the result of the lesson with my first graders. Some of them figured out a way to get the contours in right proportion was to place the gourd on the paper and trace around it. That was okay with me, I wanted them to draw life size and to observe the lumps and bumps, stripes and patterns. The children were very enthusiastic about drawing, using different colors for outlines, and asking for more paper to draw more compositions. 

After the lesson was over, I brought all the gourds and squashes home. They were again used as our Thanksgiving decor and now I'm sketching and enjoying a quiet after-Thanksgiving day. When I finish drawing and observing in my sketchbook I will put all the beauties outside for the squirrels to enjoy a feast.

November moon and a pink rose

Our news media put out a lot of hype this month...(no, not that hype), about the autumnal full moon.
Supposedly the full moon in November was a Super Super Moon and the news services urged everyone to be sure to appreciate it.
Well, this artist certainly did appreciate this full moon in November as she does walk out to admire the moon all year long. Not only did the moon hang luminous and long in the night, the weather was mild and welcoming to the evening stroll. The lingering warmth of not-yet winter days also gave the unexpected benefit of roses still blooming in November. All of these most unusual events in the upper midwest/Chicago area where artists notice everything changing.

1st Sunday of Advent

Our sermon at church today was all about the End of the world! I drew this while listening and envisioning Noah's Ark tossing about in a great storm to end all storms. Notice the little drowning person. How terrible! 
In the worldwide Christian Church, the season of Advent is a quiet introspective time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. And if Jesus Christ is returning at the end of days, well, it's the End of the world.
Advent is the season in the liturgical Church anticipating Christmas, observed during the four weeks before Christmas Day.  Advent is a quiet season, a contemplative time.
In America, people put up holiday decorations in November and then hold parties, attend parties, shop, buy gifts, and rush all the way until December 25. After that massive holiday binge of eating and drinking and spending everyone has a letdown crash which feels terrible.In the liturgical Christian tradition, the birthday party for Jesus begins on December 25th and the celebrating goes on for twelve days ending on January 6.

happy happy thanksgiving

My favorite American holiday!

If I were elected president

Out of the mouths and crayon-clutching hands of little children come great words of wisdom. Eighty percent of the First Grader Art class that I teach at Naperville Christian Academy came up with a humanitarian message for voters.

All in the golden afternoon

All in the golden afternoon
Full leisurely we glide;

Lewis Carroll  1865 (prefatory poem in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Here in the Midwest, 25 miles west of the city of Chicago, we are having the most mild and glorious autumn weather. I can remember years when it snowed, or we had a dark and stormy night on Halloween. This year it was nearly 80 degrees, warm enough for all those little ones in their princess and stormtrooper costumes.
Today was so golden hued, so warm and drowsy, I could have dreamed the beauty.

All Soul's Day

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Matthew 16:26