Drawing and Art.

What is Drawing?

Two drawings in my sketch book which I carry with me at all times.  Ink and pencil.

draw-ing

noun

a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint, especially one drawn in monochrome.

synonyms:  sketch, picture, illustration, representation, portrayal, delineation, depiction, rendering, composition, study

Drawing created for my Detours exhibition installation.  Ink and colored pencil.

The other day an artist friend of mine challenged me to create a drawing every day in October.  Challenge accepted.  And based on the definition above, the paints and brushes should be put away, however rules are made so they can be broken.  Just guessing, but most likely my drawings will consist of a variety of materials.  I will post them on my blog as well as my Artist's Facebook page so you can follow along.  So here we go....let's explore drawing, and see if we can make up our own definition as we go along.

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Creative Thinking.

Tapping Into Your Creativity.

Big Blank Canvas

Whether or not this is true, I read several years ago that looking at or drawing circles will help you tap into your imagination and creativity.

Page from sketch book

So when I am faced with a blank canvas I take out my sketch book and begin to draw circles.  Those circles become sketches.  A painting is born.

Beginning of a Tahoe Rock Painting

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Creativity.

Creativity Is Everywhere!

It's a phenomenon.  It's when something new is created. New ideas and concepts are conceived and then manifest themselves in something we can see, hear, smell, touch or taste.  Like painting, or music, or poetry, or a new business product.  

Caught and Released

Original Acrylic Painting by Pamela Hunt Lee

33 x 20"

1300.

In this blog I deal primarily with those concepts you can see...visual art, because I am a visual artist. But today I want to share something different.  Today I want to introduce you to something you can taste.  Yes, taste!

Last week while traveling I ventured into a restaurant that featured locally sourced ingredients served with a creatively unique presentation.  One of the items on the menu was an heirloom tomato salad paired with powdered olive oil.  Now this was a must have.  Powdered olive oil?  

That's it, above.  The white powdery stuff is the olive oil, and let me tell you, it melts in your mouth with delicate softness and exquisite flavor.  

After a bit of research I have discovered how to create this gastronomic treat. You will need to purchase tapioca maltodextrin and olive oil.  I advocate using the very best oil you can afford.

Tapioca maltodextrin is a slightly sweet modified starch that will thicken and stabilize liquids high in fat. Since it can absorb more than its weight in liquid, it can transform fat into a powdery substance that melts on the tongue. 

You can buy maltodextrin (also called malto and N-Zorbit M) at L' Epicerie

Ingredients

100 grams extra virgin olive oil (.228 oz)
31 grams tapioca maltodextrin (31% weight of oil) (.07 oz)
Small pinch fine salt

Procedures

Combine ingredients in medium bowl and whisk together until powder is fully integrated into oil and clumps form into something like lumpy biscuit dough. Transfer powder to fine mesh strainer. Push mixture through strainer using whisk in circular pattern; this will create a fine powder. Store in a dry container or use immediately.

Click HERE to watch a video, which helps you understand the process.  Keep adding the powder until you get that lumpy biscuit dough consistency.  Then rub it through a sieve.  

It's easy and fun and a creative experience. Just think of how wild you can get with ideas of how to serve this food item. Creativity can be everywhere and this is creativity in the kitchen.  

To contact me click HERE

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Public Art V.

Take A Walk

Detours Kings Beach is a site specific exhibition that runs until the end of September.  If you are in the area, get out, take a walk, and take a look at the art.  It's great!  It's a visual treat! It's a start! It's Public Art at Tahoe.

I just returned from a trip across the U.S. stopping in several cities that have embraced Public Art.  First stop:  Waco, TX. This is what Waco says about it's art: 

The exhibitions encourage Waco’s citizens and visitors to walk through the downtown area and enlivens our city center. Public art is a sign that a city is investing in itself– creating spaces and places that spark the imagination. A strong public art program contributes to a city’s quality of life—making it a more attractive place to live, work, play, learn, and visit.

Next stop: Orlando, FL.
Orlando already has more public art than can be seen in a single afternoon, and the city has plans to add nine enormous art installations near City Hall.

Public art enriches cities by adding layers of culture, history and beauty to benefit residents and visitors. In Orlando, public art is everywhere; it's integrated into architecture, city parks, public buildings and streetscapes. You can't visit Orlando without encountering sculptures, murals, fountains or a piece of street furniture.

The Creative Tree at the Orlando Convention Center

There were other stops, but these two cities sum it up. Public Art brings a sense of place to a community, enlivens the community, is a benefit to the entire community.  It's happening in our community of Tahoe.  Print out the map here or pick one up at the North Tahoe Event Center and take a walk, a walk that will bring a smile to your face, make you proud of your community, enrich your day.

P.S.  make sure you stop outside the North Tahoe Event Center to see the painting wrapped tree on the lake side patio, the Beat Drum and the Dragon Fly at Jason's Sand Bar.

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE