SpyGirl

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Tell Us About Challenge: Confidence

This is about that time I posed nude. This year!

The occasion was a live nude sketching event hosted by Kristine Schomaker during The Brewery Artwalk in October. Members of the public were invited to sign up to pose for 30 minute sessions for a group of curated artists over the course of the Artwalk weekend. Models were given the opportunity to purchase the art after their session.

I was one of the sketch artists and I also modeled!

Here are some of the artists. Kristine stands in the doorway.

Each model had two poses: a 5 minute and a 15 minute. They could choose whether to stand, sit, or recline.

I was called to pose earlier than I expected, as one of the signups didn't show.

Perhaps this helped alleviate my nerves.

For my first pose, I stood. Five minutes are longer than you think when you trying to hold one position!
Not to mention the naked part!

As I stood, I kept up an inner dialogue of "Be bold, stand tall, have presence, be confident."

Ink sketch by Rachel Berkowitz

I sat for my second pose. Five minutes is long. Fifteen minutes is an eternity!

All I can remember thinking was "Don't move."

Pencil sketch by Lorna Herf

Not sure if I'll ever pose nude again. But it was interesting to see everyone's interpretations of my body.

I'm joining these seven other bloggers on the subject of Confidence:

Debbie likens confidence to boldness and reminisces about her YEAR of being BOLD. Confidence is something she never thought she had a lot of but perhaps she was wrong! http://www.debs-world.com

Rosie's taken a fun approach to this subject with a little personality quiz. https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/

Gail at Is This Mutton is a shy introvert, but over the years she has taught herself number of tricks to be confident. Find out more: https://www.isthismutton.com

Confidence is an elusive thing for Penny, it’s there and then in a flash, it’s gone. But it does reappear again. Capturing and keeping hold of this thing called confidence is going to be a major target over the next few years. https://frugalfashionshopper.co.uk/

Marsha writes about the confidence she found in the most unusual place. https://marshainthemiddle.com/

Suzy writes about her journey with confidence, sharing how simple lessons learned as a teen—like the power of walking tall—sparked a path toward self-assurance. From dancing her heart out at parties to finding confidence in front of the camera later in life, Suzy reflects on her own growth, amusing moments, and helpful tips for those days when confidence feels elusive.
Find her post at www.suzyturner.com

Leslie has chased confidence all her life. Has she ever caught it? Stop by to find out. https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Tell Us About Challenge: School Days

I'm joining 9 other international bloggers opining on the subject of School Days.

In August, I wrote a post about my "school life" from toddler (1957) to teacher (2017).

What else is there to say?
I'm currently teaching again, and I've boarded the struggle bus!

Photo by Santiago Gomez on Unsplash

I'm teaching two classes in Digital Design for BFA Fashion Students at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. The classes are held weekly on Zoom, which is fine by me.

My sophomore class meets on Thursday from 4-7pm (originally they wanted to have it 7-10pm and I said no way!) They are learning techniques in Photoshop that they can use on their fashion illustrations. Their demos for homework are all prerecorded (I watch them as well and make notes) and they mostly work on their own.
I briefly meet with the whole class and then I do 1:1 critiques on their homework. (Yes, I now know how to make two Zoom rooms!) I believe last week was the first week that I got through all the 1:1s before 7. Phew!

I like to meet with them in the order they submit their work.

Here's our instructors' example of half of the above assignment (they had to realistically bend plaids on the provided figure):

All the efforts from last week's midterm test.
Can you guess the "A"s?

My junior class is meeting asynchronously. That means we don't have a regular class meeting, they just have to turn in their homework by noon, Saturdays. I then record my 1:1 critiques on Zoom and upload it to the course system. It takes me a long time!
They are learning advanced techniques in Photoshop and Illustrator and applying them to their design coursework.

They just had their Midterm test, which was drawing a flat (like a garment blueprint) from this garment photo:

excellent student work

All in all, I'm working on getting a good rhythm going and it's getting incrementally better. By the end of the semester I'll have it figured out! And then it will be too late! Meanwhile, I cross off getting anything accomplished on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Here are more thoughts on School Days/Schooldays

Debbie shares memories of her schooldays in Australia, and sending her daughters to school in Cheddar (UK) where (by coincidence) she’s currently staying!

Gail from Is This Mutton serves up some amusing memories from school, including the missing gerbil and her mum's ride home in a hearse.

Jill gives us her take on this one is a smattering of memories from her long ago schooldays.

Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After reflects on a long but beloved career as a school librarian. Find her at onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/

Marsha spent the majority of her life in school, either as a student or as a teacher, and sometimes both! She writes about her earliest teaching memories.

Mary Katherine ponders her Schooldays, and what she learned that she actually used in later life, at mksadventure.com/

Penny goes a bit off-piste with this theme. She does look at her schooldays, which were sooo long ago! But she also looks at the British class based system of schooling; as in private v state schooling. This is because it not only impacted her life but also it has huge consequences for British society as a whole.

Rosie is talking about her village primary school and a very special 'School Girl' rose!

Suzy reflects on her varied and memorable schooldays, from culture shocks and cherished friendships to inspiring teachers and unexpected changes. Find her at www.suzyturner.com