Third Term Finished!

Well, that went fast. It was a very interesting and transitional term for me. Before I get started on that and what is next here are the final two pieces from the term:

This was a 36 hour figure study done in charcoal on Canson Mi Tientes paper in sky blue. I am enjoying figure drawing tremendously. It is very challenging and demanding but also very satisfying. There is something about the energy of a live being that is much more fascinating than an inanimate object. However, that said, I do understand the need for drawing and painting beautiful objects too. So, here the final grisaille. It was my first one so the learning curve was steep yet again. I have never used oils and, even though I was using them in a manner very similar to charcoal, it still was a new medium to get used to.

It is far from finished but I accomplished the learning goals on this study. More will be coming for next term.
Even though the term whizzed by, it was strenuous. I had my share of struggles and growth. That is always a good sign. I feel like I have come a long way in my understanding in the last few weeks of the term. That is priceless. We have a two week break before the fourth and final term. I am certain that it will fly by at a terrifying pace. There is so very much I still need to learn! What I will be learning is part of my homework for the break. I will be sitting down with my design journals and revisiting the ideas I have recorded there. I will be clarifying the direction I will be going in. I know what I want and where I want to go so I will be focusing and sharpening that. When the final term starts up on July 6th, I will know what I need learn for the final push. This is such an incredible opportunity for me. Even though it wasn't as long as I had hoped or planned, I am so grateful for what I have received and achieved.
At the moment, I am with my husband and dog, Twill, in our future hometown of Manzanita, Oregon. We are here partly on business but also to relax, celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary, and start to get to know our town more intimately. Sunday morning I enjoyed participating in a Life Drawing session at the local art center. I met some wonderful women who are passionate about art and working at the study of art. Here is a rather delightful picture of the exterior of where the life drawing was held. Folks here have a good sense of humor:

The building is on the main street of town so all who drive by can see. The evening before this we went to a book reading across the street. We are definitely smitten by this little town and can hardly wait to be settled in. That will be happening the first week of September. Here is a final picture of the town, actually, the ocean at the end of the street!

This is where we will be come September. We will get settled in and I will take a small rest break and then I will get to work. What will I be doing? I will be continuing my art studies on my own. In addition to that, I will be taking up my jewelry making again to hopefully fund my art making. There will be plenty to blog about in addition to pictures and reports of this beautiful little village snuggled on the northern Oregon coast...
We will be heading back to Ashland soon and the final term of school. Stay tuned!
-Renee