Starting at the Beginning

Ashton is 13 years old and has been with me for just 2 months. She diligently worked on the beginning exercises to learn how to look differently at objects to draw them more accurately. This drawing is her first and she is still in the process of putting in all the different values (the lights and darks). Ashton is becoming more familiar with her pencils, erasers, and other tools to get a more "polished" drawing. She drew her beagle from a resource, transferred it to drawing paper, and has proceeded capturing it's likeness. I can always depend on Ashton being a careful listener, coming to class with all her materials, using class time efficiently, asking good questions when she is unsure of something, and working at home to continue her progress. Awesome work, Ashton!

Learning Pen and Ink

David has been with me since he was 8 years old. He is now 11 and he has now decided to move on and try pen and ink. He first got familiar with an ink pen by doing several exercises practicing different strokes like parallel lines, stippling, crosshatching, and more. He made these different strokes into value studies. These value studies would help him get the lights and darks in a drawing. David then set up his own still life, drew it, and then transferred his drawing to paper made just for ink. He has now just begun this drawing with careful thought on how to begin. Stippling, producing dots, is how David decided to proceed. The image posted here is the cup in his still life. He started with the darkest object, it's shadow and reflection shapes. David is being very meticulous because he knows there is no erasing! We'll keep you posted on his progress!

AUM Gallery Exhibit

I have 3 pieces showing in this exhibit put on by AUM Gallery.

Location: 2227 East Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206

Opening Reception: Friday, November 13, 2009, 6:00 - 9:00pm

Exhibit runs through January 16, 2010

There are 14 participating artists with special guest, Terry Ludwig.

Spring Tulips By Julie Fisher

This is one of my paintings completed in the last months. Small pink tulips in an antique pitcher with a creamer and lace tablecloth. These are some of my favorite things. This is a tonal painting where large shapes are depicted in the painting. The dark background is a strong shape as well as the white or lighter area including the flowers, pitcher, creamer and cloth. This painting also has interesting negative shapes.

About the Artist

"That's my grandmother's pitcher!"...."I've been there."....."I can feel the mosquitos already!"...

Familiarity of subject matter is implied in works created by Julie Fisher. The viewer often recognizes or can relate something personal in Julie's portraits, still life and landscapes. Her studies in classical realism is also reflected in her accomplishments.

Julie began her formal art instruction at Arapahoe Community College where she developed varied approaches to her art. However, time spent training with Valorie Snyder strongly influenced Julie's realistic style. Valorie trained at Atelier Richards in Amarillo, Texas under the direction of Kirk Richards. This training is devoted to teaching classical realist techniques. Studying with Cindy Haase strengthened her knowledge in color and painting with Jane Angelheart enhanced the applications of color in her portraits. Julie is continuing to make advancements in work depicting light and shadow and tonal painting with Deborah Bays.

Student Progress

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......BEFORE.................................................... AFTER..................

Jim, an adult student, came to me eager to learn. His first drawing for me (left image) was before instruction took place. After about 3 months, Jim completed the right image. Jim made progress in leaps and bounds. He worked hard in class. What ever skill he learned in class he took home and diligently continued which allowed him to make great progress. Jim has since moved on to watercolor.

Award Winning Student

Kiowa School is having a student art show! Many works of art were entered by participants using various media. Included were pencil, pastel, marker, oil on canvas, and charcoal. Our own Jaella entered 2 pencil pieces. One piece was a portrait of her sister and one was of a still life that she composed herself. Awards were given to each grade level and Jaella won at the 12th grade level receiving a college scholarship provided by Air Academy Credit Union. Jaella has been one of my students for a little over 2 years. She has worked hard and is very focused when it comes to listening to instruction and application of that information. Jaella has come a long way and is delightful to have as a pupil. Congratulations, Jaella!!
(Pictures of her work will be posted at a later date.)