Art Blog

Drawing on Mondays

Drawing Figure 04/19/21

Drawing on Monday, from a live model is wonderful. During the past two weeks, our models were interesting and held quite still. Last week, the male model posed in different positions for 25-minute sets, and here is my best out of the group of pencil drawings created that evening.

It is amazing how challenging it is to draw a human figure. A slight change in angle or lighting makes the drawing totally different. I dearly love the time spent at Terry Lee’s studio in Coeur d’Alene ID. Talking with the other artists and seeing everyone’s work is a true inspiration. We have artists working in watercolor, oils, pencil, and acrylics. There is a collection of some really talented local artists. Sometimes, I feel like I have just finished doing a 5 mile run after three hours of intense drawing, but it improves my drawing every time.

Figure 04/26/21 The next week we had a female model posing for portrait night. This is where we have the same pose for all three hours. The model takes a break after 25 minutes and then comes back to the same position again after the break, throughout the 3-hour session. Here is the best portrait rendered in charcoal, from a group of three drawings for the night.

Piano Tuned Today

Schiller Piano 07 I had my Schiller piano tuned this morning by a real professional, Mike Paul. He has been tuning for years and years. He says she is a really beautiful instrument, sounding so full and vibrant. She makes practicing a pleasure as our house fills with music.

History of the Piano

This Schiller upright grand piano was purchased for Spokane Washington Symphony but kept in storage because they did not need it. Later, it was sold to a lady who wanted her daughter to learn to play. Unfortunately, her daughter never did learn to play. Peter and Linda used to own a second-hand store, and they bought it from that family’s estate sale. They passed the piano down to nephews & nieces (none played). so, it has been carefully moved and not played for more than a century. In 2016 it was given to us and I have loved playing it ever since.

Mike Paul told me to take a picture of the serial number and ask the manufacturer to find out what it is worth. I contacted the manufacturer’s restorer, even though it doesn’t need any repairs at Antique Piano Shop. It appears to be exotic grain walnut wood in the carved Louis XV style, built circa 1911. Schiller Piano 01

Schiller Keyboard 1

The warranty on the inside of the lid.

This is to Certify that this instrument is Warranted for the term of TEN YEARS from the date of its manufacture, and should the instrument, with proper care and use, prove defective in material or workmanship within that time, it is hereby agreed to put it in good repair upon delivery to our factory.

Schiller Piano Company F. G. Jones Prest., Oregon, Ill.

Schiller Lid Warranty

Check out on the top left on the harp, “$425.oo Net Cash Price at Factory” – Schiller Oregon Ill. How much was $425 worth in 1911? Schiller Piano 04 We are so blessed.

Fiddlin’ Red Simpson Model

FiddlinRedSimpson We had Fiddlin’ Red Simpson as our model for life drawing this week. He is a wild west personality and owner of the music store in Sandpoint Idaho (111 Church St). This wonderful character posed for three hours at the studio of fellow artist Terry Lee for our life drawing class. This sketch above is my favorite 20-minute image from the night.

Fiddlin Red Photo

Surprise, Surprise!

FiddlinRed480

During the breaks “Fiddlin’ Red Simpson,” showed us an 1800’s fiddle that he found in his homestead cabin. He refurbished it and listening to him play it, was truly a gift. We heard a sound that was absolutely beautiful! Talk changed to be about the many adventures that this man has participated in, along with many kinds of music venues experienced. It was like being in the company of my Mom again to hear this caliber of talent musically.

As we drew I found myself easily seeing a wagon train journey, envisioning horseback riding across the prairies or Yellowstone. What a great era to live in. It was a very welcome walk back-in-time for me.

This man performs for small and large events with a 2 to 4 person band called the Risky Gents, see the Monarch Mountain Band. If you hear of any gigs, please let him know at fiddlinredsmusic@gmail.com. As I looked at the information on the internet about Fiddlin’ Red, it became clear that we were really lucky to have him in the studio Monday night. I look forward to seeing him again.