Arts in Jacksonville

I'm excited! I signed up to join the Art League of Jacksonville in painting a mural in downtown Jax on Washington Street. It's one of many recent initiatives by groups coming together in Jacksonville to support the arts and help them grow. I can't wait to see what the Art League of Jacksonville can do next, and I plan on helping.





And, I mentioned Carol Marine in a previous post...and I learned that she is represented by Corse Gallery here in Jax. She offers workshops and I plan on attending her April 2010 workshop! I can't wait.





Now, as for my personal endeavors...I've spent (or should I say wasted) so much time working on my website, that I haven't worked on a painting. I was happy to get some figure drawing done the other night, but I would really like to become what is now called a "daily painter" so I better get to work. For now, I will post some older figure studies of mine. I love them! These were quick 10 second gestures. They are a fun exercise and they force you to see the figure the way it is...and to put it on paper without second guessing. Stay tuned, I plan on doing a small still life next and posting it soon.

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Quick Figures II
Amber L. Bailey
Charcoal on newsprint
18" x 24"

Second Time a Charm?

I think I may be happier with the way this figure turned out. This is another charcoal on paper drawing I'll call "Nude Web Surfer" just for fun. This was another study with light and shadow...and of course, the male figure. I'm having to take myself back to college and remember the fundamentals of figure drawing to enable myself a bit and to avoid becoming too frustrated. It worked. I stopped worrying so much about the outcome of the drawing and remembered to concentrate on the information in front of me. What tonight's drawing session showed me is that I still have it! I was concerned that maybe I had become too accustomed to working from photographs. All in all, a good night with sharpening my figure drawing skills.

-Amber L. Bailey

"Nude Web Surfer" Charcoal on paper 18" x 24"

Figure Drawings and Studies with Model

After starting the night out rather frustrated with my myself, I ended up making some progress with my rusty figure drawing skills.


I'm not incredibly displeased with the way this drawing turned out being that this is my first time working with a model in a few years...I've primarily worked from pictures since the last time I had the luxury of a model. I call this piece "Web Surfer." I had fun with this pose. This is just a figure study - charcoal on paper. It has also been quite some time since I worked with charcoal...it was fun to get messy again.

-Amber L. Bailey

"Web Surfer" Charcoal on Paper 18" x 24"