What a Difference
So I have two studio classes this semester. Drawing IV (also called Advanded Drawing, which I am taking for the second time) and Painting II. I have Painting II in the mornings and while it has a wonderfully loose atmosphere (none of the paintings are due until the end of the semester) full of existentialist talks and readings (yes, the instructor reads to us) and is rather intellectually stimulating, the artistic side of it is a bit of a drag. Once I get into moving the paint around it is okay, but I just can't get myself excited over still life(s), for that is what the first three paintings are (the third to be started in the next couple weeks). Of course, the fourth one isn't much better as it is a self-portrait, one of those other subjects that I would prefer to avoid. The last piece, thankfully, is free choice, but we might not get to that one. Which in general makes me feel a bit recalcitrant and rather unproductive.
Now come evening when I settle into the drawing class it is like an EXPLOSION. I finished two pieces Tuesday (technically one was already finished, but it needed to settle for the weekend before I decided it could use my signature) and am about halfway through a third. I have six completed pieces, albeit some are small, but they're finished just the same and as mentioned the seventh is on the way. I will probably finish another tonight, start an eighth, and who knows what else will happen between now and the end!
What a difference between classes! I know painting does, by its own qualities, take more time than drawing, but I don't really feel like I'm accomplishing anything of note in the painting class. Just regurgitating what I see, or at least attempting to, and pushing paint around without any real feel for what I'm doing or passion for it. I need to change that with the next couple of pieces, even though the subject matter is (in my view) rather dull.
I think today I'm going to work on my first painting, hopefully finish it up so it's cleared and out of the way and then attack the second one again until I finish it to my satisfaction.
Yesterday was quite busy.
It started with a long drive out to Peoria again for my "training." The horse, Luxy, is a chestnut Hanovarian with birdcatcher spots. He was a bit lazy and I had a hard time getting him to move off my leg. I was accused of being "too nice" or "not mean enough," which is a rare accusation as Mom often jokes about me being "mean" to the horses because I'm rather firm and expect a response to my cues. I admit I have gotten used to my horses and their (usually) easy movements off the leg so Luxy was a bit of a challenge, though part of it was him feeling out a new rider.
After some flubbing I managed to get both Renvers and Travers and did some half-descent four-tempi changes, which was awesome. Now I just need to teach the boy that *grin.* I am learning quite a bit, mostly how to organize my body to ask for certain cues. I'm also improving my timing, which was pretty good to begin with, but it goes along with that whole organizing the body thing, if your body isn't where it needs to be you won't be able to cue on time.
After I got home I had a quick snack, checked the horses, and was out the door again to see the M. family (I teach the two oldest). They purchased a horse Monday and the place gave them 30 days to try him out so Any wanted me to come out and have a look-see to be sure they got a good horse. His name was Titan and he's a 20 year old grade (maybe pure) QH. I felt all sorts of interesting things on his legs, lots of old scarring, but hey, he's 20, you have to give the old man a break. He was dead quite, but responsive and while he had a funny hitch in his gait probably brought on by his many nicks and bumps, as a horse for the kids to climb all over and be safe on, I think he'll do fine. I recommended not letting the kids canter on him (especially since the footing in their pasture isn't the greatest even for a incredibly fit horse), but walk-trot should be fine and he didn't show any disposition to be irritable or anything. The Jarom rode him around a bit and then Megan before I threw Cooper on. I was quite surprised at Cooper, the two times I had him in an official lesson he was rather timid about the whole thing. This time he insisted he wanted to go "real fast" so we got the old man trotting a bit (I had the lunge snapped to the bit) and you wouldn't believe the smile on that little kid's face.
They're going to keep looking for one that Megan and Jarom can advance on, but since they have six kids in all, having an old guy you can feel comfortable throwing anyone on or plopping a kid on and not having to worry about him stepping on, kicking, or anything like that is rather priceless. They got him for only $600 so all things considered, a rather good deal. Now they just need to get helmets, a saddle or two, and everything else for him!
From there it was back home and two lessons with Kianna and Kiaire. Their mom purchased a POA this last week and would like me to teach them at home next week, so off I'll go! And in the process of teaching the lessons I'll give him a once-over and we'll see how he does.
Had Briel last night as well for a lesson, which went well. Put her on Jinjer for the first time and have reintroduced the trot. We have a bit of work to do on her seat, but she seems to be enjoying it.
Ah yes, I also worked the big lady in between lessons, just tossed on the pad and noodled around the property. She was quite light and responsive, very forward, which was quite good. She may be a big draft, but she is no plug!
Now come evening when I settle into the drawing class it is like an EXPLOSION. I finished two pieces Tuesday (technically one was already finished, but it needed to settle for the weekend before I decided it could use my signature) and am about halfway through a third. I have six completed pieces, albeit some are small, but they're finished just the same and as mentioned the seventh is on the way. I will probably finish another tonight, start an eighth, and who knows what else will happen between now and the end!
What a difference between classes! I know painting does, by its own qualities, take more time than drawing, but I don't really feel like I'm accomplishing anything of note in the painting class. Just regurgitating what I see, or at least attempting to, and pushing paint around without any real feel for what I'm doing or passion for it. I need to change that with the next couple of pieces, even though the subject matter is (in my view) rather dull.
I think today I'm going to work on my first painting, hopefully finish it up so it's cleared and out of the way and then attack the second one again until I finish it to my satisfaction.
Yesterday was quite busy.
It started with a long drive out to Peoria again for my "training." The horse, Luxy, is a chestnut Hanovarian with birdcatcher spots. He was a bit lazy and I had a hard time getting him to move off my leg. I was accused of being "too nice" or "not mean enough," which is a rare accusation as Mom often jokes about me being "mean" to the horses because I'm rather firm and expect a response to my cues. I admit I have gotten used to my horses and their (usually) easy movements off the leg so Luxy was a bit of a challenge, though part of it was him feeling out a new rider.
After some flubbing I managed to get both Renvers and Travers and did some half-descent four-tempi changes, which was awesome. Now I just need to teach the boy that *grin.* I am learning quite a bit, mostly how to organize my body to ask for certain cues. I'm also improving my timing, which was pretty good to begin with, but it goes along with that whole organizing the body thing, if your body isn't where it needs to be you won't be able to cue on time.
After I got home I had a quick snack, checked the horses, and was out the door again to see the M. family (I teach the two oldest). They purchased a horse Monday and the place gave them 30 days to try him out so Any wanted me to come out and have a look-see to be sure they got a good horse. His name was Titan and he's a 20 year old grade (maybe pure) QH. I felt all sorts of interesting things on his legs, lots of old scarring, but hey, he's 20, you have to give the old man a break. He was dead quite, but responsive and while he had a funny hitch in his gait probably brought on by his many nicks and bumps, as a horse for the kids to climb all over and be safe on, I think he'll do fine. I recommended not letting the kids canter on him (especially since the footing in their pasture isn't the greatest even for a incredibly fit horse), but walk-trot should be fine and he didn't show any disposition to be irritable or anything. The Jarom rode him around a bit and then Megan before I threw Cooper on. I was quite surprised at Cooper, the two times I had him in an official lesson he was rather timid about the whole thing. This time he insisted he wanted to go "real fast" so we got the old man trotting a bit (I had the lunge snapped to the bit) and you wouldn't believe the smile on that little kid's face.
They're going to keep looking for one that Megan and Jarom can advance on, but since they have six kids in all, having an old guy you can feel comfortable throwing anyone on or plopping a kid on and not having to worry about him stepping on, kicking, or anything like that is rather priceless. They got him for only $600 so all things considered, a rather good deal. Now they just need to get helmets, a saddle or two, and everything else for him!
From there it was back home and two lessons with Kianna and Kiaire. Their mom purchased a POA this last week and would like me to teach them at home next week, so off I'll go! And in the process of teaching the lessons I'll give him a once-over and we'll see how he does.
Had Briel last night as well for a lesson, which went well. Put her on Jinjer for the first time and have reintroduced the trot. We have a bit of work to do on her seat, but she seems to be enjoying it.
Ah yes, I also worked the big lady in between lessons, just tossed on the pad and noodled around the property. She was quite light and responsive, very forward, which was quite good. She may be a big draft, but she is no plug!