SKBK#5

 Preparation for Portfolio Drawing #2

SKBK#5.1 Ten pairs of people
three with metaphors

I quickly decided on the empty bonsai pot to represent myself and the olive tree to represent the professor and classmates of the Drawing I class. The drawing is to represent the way their encouragement has brought "life" back to the artistic part of me that had been "shelved" during my recent past and my hope that my presence in the class has encouraged them.

I would not have imagined dirt being so difficult to draw. I am still struggling to draw forms correctly.

SKBK#5.2 the bonsai pot and dirt

SKBK#5.2 the olive tree

After drawing several thumbnail sketches, I used a picture of the tree as I was potting it to get a final thumbnail. I decided to show the pot reflected into the shiny piano surface and the tree to be viewed from the pot's perspective as it was being planted.

SKBK#5.3 Thumbnail sketches

Final thumbnail

Next came the line experimentations. These were challenging and interesting. I found labeling important to remember how I formed different images. I found some easier ways to draw dirt by using a plastic toy golfball in charcoal. It also worked with the graphite on the bonsai pot top surface markings. 

SKBK#5.4 Compressed charcoal

SKBK#5.5 Charcoal pencils

SKBK#5.5 graphite pencils

SKBK#5.6 Drawing with objects

Finally I got to work on Portfolio Project #2

First I drew the bonsai pot on the piano.

Before drawing the tree I taped some newsprint
over the pot so I would not smudge it.

When I removed the newsprint I added dirt beside the tree and in the pot and extended the roots to merge with the piano background. Though the tree seems large for the pot, it really fits the metaphor as sometimes this class is very overwhelming to me. Bonsai trees are "cut to fit" into smaller containers than nature intended for them to grow in. As a non traditional student and senior-citizen,  I am not the "intended container" for a college Drawing class. Difficulties of the past several years have left me feeling "shelved" and unproductive. I was seeing only reflections of my former capabilities while feeling empty of future hopes and plans.

Completed drawing of two objects
 before
adding the relationship lines

After several days, some experimentation and angst, I finally started adding the relationship lines. This hesitation reminded me of signing up for classes at UCA. Transitions are hard and getting "off the shelf' and back into life is risky and messy. 

Water is life-giving for the plant and cleansing.
The professor and my classmates have 
brought me inspiration and encouragement 
represented by the water 
dropped to run down the page. 

Potting a plant and
drawing with graphite and charcoal
are messy projects.
 I added the fingerprints as my relationship lines.

This class has been a "potting of a bonsai" to me. I hope my "fingerprints" on the others in this class has been for their good. I know it has been a messy project for me. The professor and my classmates have brought me inspiration and encouragement. Water is not seen but what it brings is life-giving for the plant and cleansing for the pot.

I have decide to title this piece, "Desolation and heartening during life's transitions"

Desolation and heartening during life's transitions

If cared for properly, a bonsai can last for generations. Though it seldom produces fruit, it can bring beauty and life to stark, barren places. I never plan to make a career of drawing but I hope to use the skills I am learning to encourage my grandchildren with illustrated stories. I appreciate the contribution this class is making toward that goal.

The final potted olive tree bonsai