Author Archives: esanford

Sneak Previews & Art Hunts

Here’s a sneak preview of part of my Web of Interbeing project! I’m in the midst of adding an illusion of depth here; you can see the contrast with the undeveloped parts as I choose shapes to push back and pull forward. Although the doe is in shadow, I added a hint of an eye. Here’s a before photo for comparison:

It’s exciting to be adding the final details! Since it’s a round piece of paper, bits of the underneath layers are showing in the lower right corner. I’ll trim those off once I decide on the final placement of each piece and add the spacers.

And this is a sneak preview of one side of my design for Cheekwood’s Great Spring Art Hunt! This is just the basic idea on paper; it’ll look different as a 4-foot tall painted piece of plywood. Instead of their usual Easter Egg Hunt, Cheekwood chose 9 artists to decorate plywood bunnies, which will be hidden in different spots on the grounds. The goal is to find all the rabbits! The Great Spring Art Hunt is April 2 and 3, and each family will receive goodies and a guide to locate all the bunnies. You can learn more here:

https://cheekwood.org/calendar/spring-art-hunt/

Although I enjoyed the snowy woods, I’m ready for spring and the inspirations for new art that it always brings. The ephemerals are creating their own sneak previews by popping out in greater numbers every day — some even poked their heads through the snow:

Mystery Technique #100

Here’s a closeup that shows part of my Web of Interbeing project. Curious about what techniques I used? You can find out next month if you’ve signed up for email updates!

ANSWER TO MYSTERY TECHNIQUE #99:

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much drawing is required as part of my ANFT Guide Training, and it’s deepening my connections to where I live in ways I didn’t anticipate. Some long-term projects, like keeping a nature journal, are due at the end of the course. Other assignments, like mapping our own watershed, are part of specific learning modules. It was intriguing to trace the path that water from my hill travels before it finally reaches the ocean and to learn the names of the connecting branches, creeks, and rivers that play a part in the story. Having to sketch various hazards that might be encountered here, like poison ivy, chiggers, and ticks, has helped me see them in new ways. Our Trainers have shared some wonderful resources, like this video with Ralph Ammer about how drawing helps you think:

https://youtu.be/ZqlTSCvP-Z0

They also recommended this excellent book by John Muir Laws:

You might enjoy the step-by-step videos on his website:

https://johnmuirlaws.com/

Circles, Layers, & Murmurations

I’m enjoying the novelty of working on Twinrocker’s circular watercolor paper for my Web of Interbeing project. Look how much the background changes with a slight rotation of the circle:

Right now these 2 panels are unfinished and waiting until I’ve put the final touches on the middle ones. It feels so different to work from the inside out and let the middle panels determine what needs to happen with the first and last ones. Not much of the last one will show in the finished piece, so here’s a chance to see all of it:

If you’re interested in exploring other versions of the Web of Interbeing, today’s Brainpickings by Maria Popova is a wonderful place to start! There’s an intriguing animated film by Kate Sweeney, which is based on Murmuration, a poem by Linda France. I recommend watching the animation first so you can experience the feeling of seeing and hearing the poem come to life line by line. Here’s a link: https://www.brainpickings.org/2021/01/29/murmuration-linda-france/