Model Conversations

Quick sketch with two models having a conversation

Just a quick post of Claudia and the model inspector, Ika. Our cat Ika, really like to check out models, converse with them as well as cuddling etc. By the way, Ika does have good judgement when it comes to models.

Body Painting at Gene Frankel Theatre

The Gene Frankel Theatre is right below us and last night as part of a benefit they had some body painting going on. The artist is Andy Golub, and at this point I don’t have the model’s name. Great spirit for the neighborhood, we need more events like this!

Foreshortening – Inspired by a Great Model

The extended arm gives a reference to the rest of the receding figure, almost like a horizon

This post is a tribute to a great model and blogger, Claudia, whose recent post on foreshortening echoed the work I’ve been doing with her. I feel a bit pretentious showing my work in the company of folks like Joe or Fred Hatt, but here’s some short 10 minute or so drawings. Claudia’s conscious decisions on her poses help dramatically.

Not easy , arms need some work

Surpisingly static, but I like the tension in the shoulder

And Happy Birthday Claudia!

Two Different Models

Here are 2 drawings of different models, very different body types, different sides of the planet but both dancers. I will suggest a general feeling but I let the models decide on the pose. A good model knows how their bodies move best and it avoids painful, awkward poses. I had problems trying to direct models when I was shooting photographs, I think I thought it was all my work, but with models it is a collaborative effort.

Crouching Figure – trying to keep pain to a minimum

Back in New York and working again. I’ve had some more sessions to work on the sculpture, both drawing and sculpting. I’m trying to get a good grip on the pose and it is changing, right leg coming in, torso longer, head bigger, hips corrected. Still it’s challenging to understand how everything fits together. It makes sense when you look at it but later, it doesn’t always make sense. Also, as it is a tough pose to hold I am trying to minimize the time the model is in the pose. We have tried some other poses that allow her to take some of the pressure off, while keeping the form of particular areas.

Second state - Crouching Figure by Bruce Williams

Light Sculptures in Nature

Out here in the wilderness, light seems takes on a much more important role in everyday life. There are fewer distractions from artificial sources and the sky is much bigger. Its easy just to sit and watch as the color of the snow changes with the reflections from the clouds. Boundaries between sky and earth dissolve, the whole world becomes less physical. We saw the same thing happen in India at the Taj Mahal, on the night of the full moon. It was a really transcendental experience. So here are a few images, when the sun rises through the morning mist

Sunrise through the mist

This was not retouched.

Light reflected onto the snow from clouds

Atmospheric conditions and light can produce really unworldly scenes

Adele Bedell, My Great Grandmother

As I noted earlier, my great grandmother, Adele Bedell, was one of the founding members of the Women’s Art Club, now the National Association of Women Artists. She attended Cooper Union in the 1800s and was the first(maybe) woman to have a painting accepted by the Pennsylvania Academy of Art in 1888. Here are three of her paintings.

Laura, Exhibited at the 1888 Pennsylvania Academy of Art Exhibition

Eugenia Bedell, Adele's younger sister

Still Life with Bottles and a Rose

Sculpting Again

Here is a picture of the latest work in progress, a 36″ figure in Klean-Klay. When I’m done I’ll cast it in something. It started from a drawing, a one minute pose that I really liked. It is surprisingly difficult for the model, the weight distribution creates a lot of tension. Try it and you’ll see what I mean. I did a series of 5 minute sketches from different angles, and have been working from them. It is rather difficult though, as there is always a bit of anatomy that wasn’t clear. Unfortunately, the model, Kuan, is only in New York occasionally, for a month at a time. She is an amazing model, who understands anatomy as well as being able to see and analyze problems with the work. Its really a pleasure to work with her.

First Stage

Small Plaster Figure

The original was worked in wax and was cast in plaster. It was the first time I cast a figure. The mold was made of silicone, and it was a major learning experience. There was a base for it and the figure was designed to float about 1/2″ above it. I wasn’t very happy with it and it sat on a shelf for a long time. The need for a base, as in a traditional sculpture before the 1900′s weighed on the perception of what I wanted, In the end, just sitting without a base in an impossible to sustain position seems better.

Seagulls at Night

Ever wonder where seagulls sleep when its cold out? Floating in the water would be uncomfortable but here in New York, they have found a way out. This is a shot of the Hudson River, looking towards New Jersey. There are the pilings from an old pier and on each one there is a seagull, more than 100. Safely away from predators and out of the cold, cold water! Of course, with a point and shoot camera at night the picture becomes a mere suggestion of reality, a hint of a reality that can be experienced only when you are there.