Urban Sketchers Workshops in Tuscany (Italy) and Portland, Oregon (USA) are coming up! Registration for the 3rd International Urban Sketching Symposium in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) is open.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Looking at Art with a Sketchbook

If I had walked into the San Jose Museum of Art before I sketched, I would have stood in the entryway, looked up and thought "Ah, there's a Chihuly!". And I'd have moved on to the next piece.
But with a sketchbook, everything changes. I no longer look at whole exhibits, even small ones... I always run out of time. But what I see, I see so much more deeply than before.

So this Chihuly piece at the San Jose Museum of Art was not just another Chihuly: it was a live, writhing mass of eel-like forms hanging in 3 primary colored clumps from the ceiling at the museum. It was interesting to look at the forms up-close, to see how the striations on the forms accentuated their shape, and how variations in color added depth to the pieces.
Chihuly at the San Jose Museum of Art

This fascinating piece of sculpture is a giant orange-red couch-like caterpillar form eating an electric blue chair. I loved how the legs on this piece were so animated.
Renegade Humor, San Jose Museum of Art

I'm so glad I sketch. It adds a whole new layer of experience to everything!
You can read more about my day at the museum and see more sketches on my blog or on flickr.

2 comments:

My Oh My Omega said...

I've just started being a real sketcher myself and am having the same experience as you. Everything is a possible sketch. I formed a local group with a friend (inspired by Urban Sketchers) and we're having a great time. I like your Chihuly sketch even better than the real thing!

mkalt0235 said...

I instantly recognized Chihuly's sculptures. Of course he's got a very iconic style, but you also captured it very accurately. Nice sketch !

 
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