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Digging Up Davinci

2010 January 27
by Lisa Gloria

This is not a new theory.  People have been thinking that the Mona Lisa looked a lot like Davinci’s self-portrait for a long time.  But, to support a theory that he was painting himself deliberately in “drag”….  well, OK, I guess it’s a theory.  But to propose actually exhuming the corpse to do DNA testing?  Huh?  Seriously?  Where exactly is the “drag” gene?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/27/mona-lisa-a-self-portrait_n_439108.html

Please don’t forget to check out the “related news” features at the bottom of the page.  ;-)

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    Aurora Figure Drawing/Painting Group

    2010 January 20
    by Lisa Gloria

    If you’re interested in participating in figure drawing/painting sessions in Aurora, please sign up for email notifications. Dates, Times, Locations, TBD – just getting a group together at this point.  http://lisagloria.com/about/figure-drawing-group/

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    FUN STUFF: Looking at art with a bonus game

    2010 January 18
    by Lisa Gloria

    Actually, I’m not sure how I feel about the corporateness of this, but since it exists….  Disney apparently put out a pamphlet helping lil folks understand/appreciate art.  http://www.boingboing.net/2010/01/18/disneys-looking-at-p.html

    OK, if that doesn’t thrill ya, here’s a nifty game to soothe you from the same guy (as far as i can tell): http://craphound.com/?p=2566  Neat blog!

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    DEMO: David Kassan Drawing Vid

    2010 January 13
    by Lisa Gloria

    Shhhhh, this isn’t out yet, but the preview is so good I just had to share.  David Kassan’s new drawing video is ALLLLMOST here.  I’m pretty psyched.  Watch this preview - it’s like a whole new genre of art instruction video….  Badass.  http://dvd.davidkassan.com

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    POLL: Designing the Studio

    2010 January 7
    by Lisa Gloria

    What’s a good studio look like to you?  Please help me prioritize the amenities for the studio project…  If you could answer a quick poll I’d be appreciative, thanks!

    http://foxriverarts.com/2010/01/04/help-us-design-the-space/

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    Leasing Studio Space

    2010 January 4
    by Lisa Gloria

    Happy New Year Everybody!  :-)  I trust you all whooped it up in style.  Now back to work!  ;-)

    This year, it seems I have outgrown my 168 ft sq of studio space (formerly a bedroom) and have started to look for commercial space near my home.  There is no established studio/co-op here, but an abundance of Victorian shopfronts and factories along the lovely Fox River.  So I’ve started (just barely) looking at spaces and considering leases.

    My dream is a large space with 10 or so studios averaging 150-200 sq ft, arranged around a shared gallery/classroom/performance space in the middle.   Ongoing collaboration with artists/musicians/performers in the area.  Monthly cultural parties/events to keep us on everyone’s mind…  Weekly figure painting sessions and monthly workshops.

    This has been a dream for going on 15 years now, but always I had to consider my inherent laziness and the fact that an in-home studio was way cheaper and way more likely to get used.  The tipping point was that locally, I just could not get anyone to let space for workshops or figure drawing. 

    I would love to hear about your experiences with this sort of arrangement. So, have you ever rented a studio with other artists?  What were the benefits and pitfalls?  Anything you would do differently?  Have you ever leased a large space to divide into studios?  Advice for that sort of project?

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    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    2010 January 1
    by Cindy Procious

    We wish you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year. May all your dreams come true in 2010.

    Thank you for your support this past year - we appreciate every one of you.

    Now go paint!

    Lisa and Cindy

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    Studio Lighting Tips

    2009 December 27
    by Lisa Gloria

    Marc Dalessio has a rather fabulous post (2, actually) about both natural lights in the studio on his blog.  http://www.marcdalessio.com/studio-lighting-part-i-natural-light/  Don’t forget to check out part 2 also, on electric lights. http://www.marcdalessio.com/studio-lighting-part-ii-artificial-light/

    Excellent tips, Marc!

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    TIP: Studio safety

    2009 December 22

    Do you think about what could happen with your trash can full of linseed oil soaked towels & paint rags?

    You should!

    Linseed oil (and solvents - turpentine and mineral spirits) present a very real danger of spontaneous combustion. As the oil oxidizes, the temperature rises. If the rags are wadded up and tossed in an open can, the temperature can quickly reach the flash point.

    Check out this experiment:
    http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/spontaneouscombustion/rbjul05/index.html

    The solution is to rinse out your rags, and lay them flat over the edge of your trash can, or soak them in water before disposal.

    Or you can store them in an air tight container - like these - but you should also wet them first.
    budgetpackaging-com_2083_13228152

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    Demo: Sand art

    2009 December 18
    by Cindy Procious

    I know - sand art. But, this ain’t your momma’s sand art.

    Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine’s version of “America’s Got Talent.” She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and “sand painting” skills to interpret Germany’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.

    embedded by Embedded Video

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