Hahaha, A lot of controversy

Wow, its fun to get a lot of comments :) a word of explanation:

I think some of you misread the proposed question in my last post thinking that I wanted your commentary on the practice of academic figure drawing instead of what I intended. I wondered "would you be offended to have the option to view God's creation in a non-sexual, but beautiful way, expressed artistically through another of God's creations?"

Not to offend, but to clear the air, I don't care about your opinions on the practice of creating the art, merely the viewing of said art. I do understand your aversion to the human body, being raised in a very strict Utah society, and appreciate knowing that you would not like to view certain subject matter in art. I understand, and in respect to those opinions would like to forewarn you to not check my art blog, because I will be posting academic studies as they come.

And also, I would like to point out that it would be helpful for some to become educated on certain issues BEFORE reading too much into things. Brigham Young sent three missionaries to the Jullian academy to expressly study the human figure in the nude form, in order to hone artistic proficiency so that they could use that knowledge later in life to benefit the church in temple murals, etc. These missionaries would even send home nude figure drawings to be framed and preserved. SUU now has some of these drawings in their personal collection. One of which is a full nude, seated figure, and I have to say, it is an impeccable drawing, and a large reason I decided to pursue academic figuration.

Likewise if someone argues that artists shouldn't study the nude human figure because of some underlying sexual evil, they are in effect, also suggesting that neither should doctors including gynecologists, urologists, or obstetricians. (So I guess in your logic, that exploits Brigham Young and some of our current general authorities as double standard holding frauds. Forgive me, but I in no way share your logic.)

And for those of you who don't know, there's a great site called lds.org :) you can follow this link to read more about the Mormon "nudie" missionaries.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=bb16d7630a27b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

P.S. by definition, Pornography is depicting or describing the human body or sexual conduct in a way that arouses sexual feelings. In essence, sexually titillating. If you are getting kicks out of academic art, I am concerned about you.

Sisters, Sisters, Never were there such devoted sisters.

Outside the Temple

At lunch with Aunt Madge

Cute Girls

In the elevator!Pajama party with pedicures!In the Hotel.

Self Portrait

16 X 20 Oil on Linen. This is a portfolio piece I did last semester but haven't been able to get it home until today. They had it displayed in the art department all summer. Awkward. I've been getting "Hey! You're that guy in the window!" Yeah... like a puppy.

Escalante Festival 09!

I am sunburned and peeling, barely caught up from lack of sleep, heat exhaustion, dehydration, maddening bugs and a painting high that makes it all worth it. Yes, I'm talking about plein aire painting. Specifically the Escalante arts festival 2009. We left on Tuesday morning, stamped our canvases in Tropic and onto "Scalant". We left way early but got there after sunrise around 9 or 10ish. We then drove around looking for a spot and a cut hay field called out to me.

9 X 12 Oil on panel. "Fall Hay Harvest".

The reproduction is pretty bad on this one, its overall not that dark but photoshop couldn't really help much. and sorry for the glare on all of them.

That afternoon we hooked up with Jared Barnes and I painted an 11X14 that is too crummy to show. it actually is a good block in, but I didn't get it to the state of completion that I wanted. I got reference though so I can finish it here at home if I want... though I'm not really wanting to.

The next morning we went out with Arlene and the SUU plein aire society to paint devil's garden. That is the one I ended up entering. Sorry for the small photo.

9 X 12 oil on panel, "The Matriarchs"

Then that afternoon Jennifer and I ditched the group and went to Boulder. The most beautiful and picturesque countryside. I got this painting out of it.

9X12 oil on panel. "Old farm".

The cows were not at all cooperative. They left just as I was starting and then with a spot of good luck they came back again just as I needed them, but the idiot bovine sauntered over the hill. I literally got these postures of them in only four minutes or so. BUT NO PHOTOGRAPHY HERE!!! :)

The next morning was Thursday and we knew we would only have time for one painting before we had to get our work framed and to the show. We went out and I saw this. What a magnificent sight. I love hay fields. They are so organic and inorganic at the same time. A complete merging of humanity and nature. The hay bales are so evenly spaced and I love the repetition and the color. I think like Monet, we'll be seeing many more hay fields from this artist.

11 X 14 oil on panel.

then the next day we got up before dawn and though we knew this piece would not be in the show, wanted to keep painting. So we went to a spot I fell in love with last year and did a morning sketch. This is looking from the Kia Koffeehouse into the mountains. I loved the hot glow morning gave in contrast with the cool predawn light.

8 X 10 oil on panel. "The glow of morning".

Then we went back to the show and tried at a booth for a few hours before I got so antsy we decided to come home. I made it in time for a Chinese birthday dinner with my family and overall, it was a great week.

I'm planning on painting a plein aire piece daily, at least when I'm not painting from a model, so check back. I've got the painting bug! :)

The Iron County Fair! :)

So, what could be more fun than hot jam packed people, pushy vendors, flies swarming around over-sized produce, pasty senior citizens, and the thick smell of melted candles? It sounds terrible, right? Then why do we love it so much? The answer is... TRADITION!!!!

The Oh so traditional Bull.

This year, there was actually far more attendance then in years past. It was packed.

A genuinely freaky doll that one the sweepstakes.

We saw siblings hanging around the art exhibits.Cute Momma standing in front of one of her favorite parts. :)
Haha. I thought this sign was hilarious and sad. ... only at the county fair.
This one was actually really cool.
And adorable children!

So I know it's not much, but I hope you all so far away could feel like you were part of it. Love you so much, and wish you were here. :)

Hanging out with Grandma!

Having a lovely day. Ava was a riot and kept us laughing!!

My Niece Elsa Reese

Nothing much to say, other than... She's beautiful.

Momma too.

Even when she still had some swelling she was really cute

Coming home from the hospital

Continued...

She had to be on Billi lights and Grandma loved just sitting and looking at her little head.

Like this...

And they took the impressions of her hand and feet. Aren't those shoulders awesome?

all gussied up for the doctor.

One hot momma just days after giving birth.

We love them both and hope they are doing well and loved being able to be with them and enjoy their company. Kiss that baby for me Brandi! Love you.

Out of Control

We are out of control. No. We didn't buy this gorgeous horse, but we did in a way... *cough* We decided that since Dad doesn't have enough time to keep Spark ridden, and she is a gorgeous, fantastically well bred mare... why not get a BABY!!!!

These pictures are terrible, but the best I have for now. This is the stud we are breeding her to, and I'm sure it will be a great cross. He's driftwood and bluevalentine bred, and has a phenominal disposition. A nice horse that I'm sure will give us a great baby. Now we just pray that she'll settle.

I promise, he's not high headed, but we had just brought Spark and he was interested in looking at the fresh meat.

A remarkable story in fact, we found him just a month before the owner was cutting him and getting out of the breeding business. Sinful to cut a nice, well bred stud like him, but to each his own.

Spark came in heat a few days ago and they have bred her. They're covering her every other day until she goes out again and then, we just cross our fingers!

My New Baby!

So I never did officially post that we got Get Smart, but here he is. Isn't he darlin'?

I love this little guy, though he's growing and changing every day. Since we took these pictures he has filled out alot and is actually kind of chubby... I tend to feed alot without giving him enough exercise. What can I say? I've been busy. But I did pass all my sumer semester classes with A's.