Topic: Watercolor Class
It is almost March, which used to also mean the circus was coming. I grew up in New York City, where "the Circus" meant Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Such a big circus could not be housed under a big top tent so it took place at Madison Square Garden. Years later I saw The Big Apple Circus perform in the middle of January in a heated big tent at Lincoln Center (park?) in New York City. Cirque Du Soleil offers a modern dance magical style of circus arts. There are plenty of circuses that still travel with the warm weather playing under the traditional big top tent. Take a look at this 2006 itinerary of Danish circuses and their story (it is a long download though). The world of the circus is an all-in-one expression of the fantastic, the colorful, the magical, the unbelievable, and drama.
Australian artist Margaret Cilento created a troop of acrobats in her circus paintings. Sweeping forms of tightropes, trapezes, tent structures, spotlights and colors interact in counterpoint with the flying figures. This recent show of her paintings at Eva Breuer Gallery in Australia was the inspiration for the lesson this week. To be continued....
Watercolor Class in New York City - One of these days I'll be able to visit the city again. It would be fun to put together an impromptu watercolor class. If anyone is interested in such a thing, do contact me. Or, if you're in Maine you can take one of my two hour lighthouse painting classes in the summer. In the meantime, if you like figure drawing and you're in New York City, visit the Art Students League. They have a drop in figure drawing sketch class, M - F, 5 - 6:30 p.m, $6 per class. It is called "Life Sketch Class". Just go in the office to pay for your ticket then go find a seat in one of the scheduled studios. Bring your drawing materials or buy some in the little supply shop they have.
