Assignment 8: Place in Time
Posts tagged ‘drawing’
May 17
Community.
com·mu·ni·ty
/kəˈmyo͞onədē/
a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
2019 in Civita was memorable and wonderful. It was all about ‘community’: the Civitoni, Laura, Tony, visiting fellows returning to the Civita Institute, amazing chefs at the restaurants, shop owners, tractor drivers and of course, my adventurous students.
I feel so fortunate to be part of this Community. I feel lucky to be able to teach in Civita. Seeing each group draw, paint and experience the drawing lessons presented and creating beautiful and strong responses, each their own, unique and with intention.
A few snap shots here of our time together and works.
A grateful teacher.
Drawing Lessons
Click on this link for your assignments + enjoy your time + create beautiful masterpieces.
+ Share.
Be sure to check back, as I will be posting more lessons each week.
Your teacher, Anita
wise spirits: Civita di Bagnoregio
Art becomes a spiritual process depending upon the degree of commitment that you bring to it. Every experience becomes direct food for your art. Then your art teaches you about life.
—Nick Bantock
This was written while studying drawing in Civita in 2013 as a fellowship with the Civita Institute:
City of Ghosts
‘I do not believe in ghosts; however, I do believe in spirits. Spirits are everywhere; and yes, in they are in Civita too. As I began my sketching session this morning, different spirits touched upon me.
Let me tell you the rules: These spirits are those, past and present. I think of them as the grand teachers that have touched my life up to now. As my pencil or paintbrush dances along the page, words of wisdom and creativity flow: Tom: ‘keep it simple.’ Dawn: ‘think in shape.’ Astra: ‘motive.’
Many spirits flow in and out, moving me along. Most important, the spirits continue to keep me present and inside my right brain. Though Civita has reluctantly gained the nickname, ‘City of Ghosts’, I am certain Civita is instead a town of spirits, alive and wondrous. Who will be meeting me next?’
Come experience Civita with me this Fall 2019. Let’s begin the adventure.
More information here: https://anitahlehmannteacher.com/civita-workshop/
Civita di Bagnoregio: piazza (n.)
Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work. — Chuck Close
Piazza (n.): A public square or marketplace, especially in an Italian town.
When drawing the piazza, one needs to find the right time of day. The central square becomes a clock of sorts as one becomes exposed to the sun, especially during the late summer months.
Having a keen understanding of where the sun rises and sets each day can provide you with the ultimate protection and most importantly, the quality of light one desires.
My favorite time of day is when the shadows are long, early morning or late afternoon.
It all begins to fall into place; you see; even the church’s axis is east/west, the sunset from the bridge is breathtaking and turns the rock to gold!
And be sure to check out the children in an early, cool evening, playing soccer in the center square; the end of another great day.
Come along this Fall. Contact me with your interest + go here
Introductions: Civita di Bagnoregio
Let yourself begin anew. Pack your bags. Choose carefully what you bring, because packing is an important ritual. Take along some humility and lessons of the past. Toss in some curiosity and excitement about what you haven’t yet learned. Say your good-byes to those you’re leaving behind. Don’t worry whom you will meet or where you will go. The way has been prepared. The people you are to meet will be expecting you. A new journey has begun. Let it be magical. Let it unfold.—Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart
When introducing students to Civita since 2013, there is a many tale I would love to share. However, like every good teacher, I share a bit, tell them ‘come this way’ and simply discover this magical and sensational place, Civita. ‘ Let it unfold.’
Once again I am offering two sessions:
Session 1: September 24 – 30, 2019 + Session 2: October 2 – 8, 2019
Each session will begin by observing the contextual environment of Civita di Bagnoregio and its surrounding context: learning about the ‘power of a place’ through drawing; mark making inspired by Civita’s extraordinary setting and the beauty of Italy.
+ here’s a tip about what to bring. OK. Maybe a bit more required….
While traveling and sketching outside of studio, I have found these ten essentials so very helpful:
1. Soft pencil, HB recommended. Or a black fountain pen, such as a Lamy.
2. Thin eraser, used for drawing, typically. used for negative space, not errors.
3. Sun hat and sunglasses.
4. Small tripod travel stool, one can select a perfect spot anywhere.
5. Soft paper, 9” x 12” minimum, format horizontal, vertical or square.
6. Time (20 minute minimum).
7. (good) Attitude.
8. Right brain thinking.
9. Confidence.
10. Intent.
Contact me with your interest. go here
Translating Landscape
A creative adventure; a new class via on-line. So great to teach landscape (design) drawing + painting and to reach out to many. Take a look at the preview + sign up.
Warmly, Anita
https://www.carlasonheim.com/online-classes/translating-landscape/
The landscape is a gentle way of exploring the elements that are integral to making meaningful work: line, value, color, shape, edges, composition.
In this 6-lesson class, we will use our study of landscape to work at finding our unique mark, learning and reinforcing design concepts, drawing with intent, and simplifying.
driving through paintings, at every turn
My recent adventure, on the road, placed me into a ‘mighty fine’ place:
Pomeroy, Washington
http://www.historylink.org/File/9578
Five hours there and 5 hours back to Seattle, let me experience some beautiful country where I was ‘driving through paintings’ at every turn.
I have new inspiration to head into studio now; I have ‘work to do’ to describe + evoke this amazing place.
All the design elements play out: line, shape, value, color, edges, textures + space!
I look forward to my work shop in August, out there: letting other adventurers experience the wonder + not too far away + just around the bend. Join me.
Click to access pomeroy_2018_newagenda_ww1.pdf
just saying…
A few testimonials from some wonderful students and adventurers that have participated in my past Civita Workshops.
Come experience Civita with me this Fall 2018. Let’s begin the adventure.
More information here:
https://anitahlehmannteacher.com/civita-workshop/
‘Civita is fantastically real, an artist’s dream. The spirit of this place is inspiring, breathtaking, and immediately captivating.
Anita’s affection and respect for this magical setting made us feel at home in our studio, and with the rhythms of life in and around Civita. Her talent, patience, and caring mentorship created one of the most fruitful artistic experiences of my life. Memorable, too, for the many wonderful friendships we created in our time together. ‘
Dan
‘Anita’s Civita classes provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore art with a gifted artist while living in an ancient, Italian hill town. Not to be missed!’
Pamela
We spent a week with Anita in Civita and it was a truly transformative experience. Our group were of vary levels of skill and interest and Anita adapted her teaching style to each of us in a way that made us all feel comfortable and interested in pushing our own boundaries. Anita is a great teacher uniquely able to adapt her teaching style to each students individual needs. Spend a week with her in Italy. It is a truly great experience!
Jonathon And MC
‘I had the opportunity to spend time in Civita, attending Anita’s second session last October. For those of you who have never been to Civita or taken a class from Anita, I would highly recommend both.
Civita is a breathtaking hilltop village with incredible history and charm. What a perfect place to sketch landscape and architecture. You stay at the Civita institute which has it’s own appeal – Magical to say the least.
Having been my very first art class, ever, I couldn’t have imagined learning from anyone but Anita. She is an amazing instructor, architect and artist. She has the ability to assist beginners to advanced artists. We used a variety of mediums which helped me narrow down my favorites. Discovering the use of charcoal, graphic, pastels and watercolor with Anita’s artistic insights provided such a wonderful learning opportunity.
If you haven’t signed up for this Fall’s session, don’t hesitate, it will be well worth your time and money.
Italy in the fall! Couldn’t be more perfect. Ciao!’
Leona
‘bingo’
Venice.
I arrived home a month ago, really. My trip away was once again a huge learning experience; in Italy and France.
I taught two sessions of evocative/depictive drawing in Civita di Bagnoregio through the Civita Institute in glorious Italy. This was my second year of teaching in Civita.
I was awarded a fellowship in 2013 through the Civita Institute, where I studied drawing in the evocative/depictive process. ‘Bingo!’
My impressions since being home:
- Get right to studio and start writing, drawing, painting, collaging etc. The ideas are fresh and evidence is clear.
- Be thankful for all the good fortune that came your way while traveling.
- Wonder about what may come your way in the future.
- Listen.
- Find your “bingo’s.”
What are ‘bingo’s’? Simply said, a happening that is spontaneous but you know when it’s a win. One could play the game, Bingo. I like to play it in art. How many keen marks create a bingo? Did I find my ’80/20′? How did that painting feel? Did I leave the paint alone?
Mostly, my ‘bingo’s’ on this trip came from my remarkable group of students.
Each student bringing so much to everything; brave, creative, enthusiastic, cheerful, caring and talented. Bingo! Best students!
So, let’s continue to create those ‘bingo’s’.
Back to studio.
Anita H. Lehmann, Teacher 