Wandering Artist's Journal

    The first Oddist’s “Art on the iPad” class was a success and there will be more (details will be posted here and there in a few weeks.) The Oddist’s atelier (Richard Perri’s studio in the SF Odd Fellow’s Building) is an inspiring location for almost any kind of art adventure. It’s big and it’s chockablock with paintings, costumes, still life props, funky furniture, easels, lights, music, refreshments and interesting artists & models. I’ve always loved teaching how-to-do-it art classes to adults, at any level. And the iPad has been a favorite medium for me since it was released 4 years ago. David Hockney and the other New Yorker cover artists have sparked an interest this kind of digital paint. It’s significantly more user-friendly than the desktop setups that professional graphic artists use. But most of these apps don’t come with manuals, so a lot of people need a guided tour to get them started. This was a beginner’s class and luckily for me, all of the stu...

iPad Sketch, "Porch",©2011 Anna L. Conti Do you know anybody who got a new iPad recently? Someone who maybe downloaded an art app, made a few squiggles with it, got frustrated and quit? Come on over to the Oddists Art Classes and I'll get you all jazzed up again. Only this time, you'll know what you're doing. Seriously, this little device is an art studio in your pocket/bag/hands. It's even more fun than a paper & paint studio because it's free of expectations and consequences. Throw that paint around! (No need to worry about the carpet or the curtains.) Do something crazy - didn't work out? Hit delete and start over again (unlimited paper, canvas & supplies.) Nobody sees it but you, until you're ready to share. iPad Sketch, Ferry ©2014 Anna L. Conti You may have noticed that there are a zillion art apps out there. Which one should you pick? I've tried almost all of them (I know, somebody had to do it) so you don't ha...

The afternoon started with a visit to Project Artuad and the studio of painter E. Dale Erickson . His latest painting is a realist image of a window at SFMOMA, inspired by Frank Stella's early minimalist paintings - the ones with a strong vertical rectangle and horizontal bars. (Sorry, I couldn't find a good example on the web.) Dale's painting is on the easel in the photo above. Video of him explaining his new palette lifter is here . Next we stopped off at the studio of Maude "Bones Are My Business, Baby" Kirk , to gift her with a baby bird corpse that she will undoubtedly turn into something beautifully gruesome. She's currently working on a series of Goya-homage commissions. In the hall we noticed this painting by resident artist, Bern Rauch : "afterimage in the eyes of the prey" (below) Onward to Philz Coffee at Folsom & 24th Street , were we waited for the rest of the gang to catch up with us. As always, Philz was comfortable, friendly, ...