Due to the COVID19 pandemic, all SDAC programs are postponed. As we shelter at home, it is important to keep a creative focus and connect with our fellow members. Maryjo Lemanski has put together a series of art exercises that will engage and encourage the Saugatuck Douglas art community.

Here is the plan: 

All SDAC members will be sent an art exercise via email blast. The exercises are designed so that all members — NO MATTER what skill level — can participate and enjoy. The exercise needs to be completed and an image sent to info@saugatuckdouglasartclub.org 10 days after receiving the email.

Kat, SDAC Communications Director, will post the finished artworks in the following week's email blast so everyone can view the pieces. No names will be posted so all work will be anonymous. Please join us as we socially distance but artfully engage! 

Exercise 5: Save a Chair for You

Choose a chair to inspire you. Think about how the design of it is influenced by comfort, design, how we sit, lounge and wait.

Ideas for the challenge:
- DRAW YOUR FAVORITE CHAIR
- USE FABRIC TO CREATE A COLLAGE OF CHAIRS OR CHAIR
- BUILD A CHAIR OUT OF WOOD, TOOTH PICKS, ETC.
- PAINT AN UPHOLSTERED CHAIR. 
- MAKE A DIORAMA
- WEAVE SOMETHING
- PAINT ON AN OLD CHAIR
- WRITE A STORY ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE RESTING PLACE

 
Email your creative response to  info@saugatuckdouglasartclub.org  by Wednesday, July 22!
Henry David Thoreau had three chairs in his cabin.
“One for solitude, two for friendship,
and three for society."
“Everything I have ever written has been
in the same chair, in the same room”
- Alan Garner 
The fifth round of SDAC creative exercises, "Save a Chair for You" is complete.
Here are the results:

Exercise 4: Nature's Zoom Call

There is a subtle peace
that comes upon observing nature
grandeur to observe
around every corner
 
There is the peace that comes
from enveloping oneself in nature
the peace that comes from being
in the arms of Mother Nature
is serene and calming

There is a call for all of us
to see the beauty in the everyday.”
all natural things both live and move
 in natural peace that is their own."

There is meditation when you think about nature
and the environment
 time reflect on your place in the world
how to connect with it.

Understanding nature and the environment
will continue to be an inspiration for artist  
never forget to use it
for inspiration and guidance
to express yourself

Go take a walk
Observe and explore your surroundings, looking for interesting textures, colors and other patterns in the natural environment.

Document your walk by photographing anything that catches your eye. Zoom-in and focus on small details to take close-up shots of your findings.
Upon returning home, review the photographs from your walk and select 1(or more) of your favorite images

Using your choice of materials, photoshop, paint, printmaking, clay, glass pencils, collage recreate the photograph in a new vision. Let nature take you someplace you have never been before.
The fourth round of SDAC creative exercises, "Nature's Zoom Call" is complete. Here are the results:

Exercise 3: Faded Memories.

Faded Memories
in our quarantined time we may have sorted through our old photos

there is something about opening that box
they can bring in a rush of emotions
not all of which we’re prepared for when we have a look

they can make us think of how good the past was.
how today can never compare to those happy days

the kind of hairstyles and clothes worn the places we were
we see the past with rose-tinted glasses
ignoring all that was not great about it

we remember the people in them
some might have gone from our lives forever
old photographs remind us of the bond that we had
how happy they made us

sometimes the people in the photos weren’t good for us,
even though we did not know that at the time
how fresh the wounds seem

old photos make us realize how far we’ve come
they are a visual record of our growth

select an old photo that speaks to you
from an emotional or artful voice

what made you pick this pic?
how do you feel when you look at it?
how does the composition, gestures, mood bring inspiration?

using this photo
create a drawing, textile, print or sculpture or another photo

the photo should transform into a piece of art.
distort the images

photo copy several times
play with multiple images.
collage, paint, cut, sculpt, print

take some chances and transform a memory into a piece of art
captured memories seen from a different view
The third round of SDAC creative exercises, "Faded Memories" is complete. Here are the results:

Exercise 2: A Room with a View.

Windows of Art
so, what is a window, really?
an opening cut out of a building,
yet the placement of a window, like an artist’s brushstrokes on a canvas,
has special meaning.

what is a window metaphorically?
a spiritual entrance through which your soul can travel.
if you choose to let it go,
your soul can break the glass boundaries and travel into the world,
soaking in imaginary sounds, smells, sights.
it is a portal for your thoughts to roam freely.

a window, however, creates boundaries,
as your soul can only travel as far as your eyes can see.
you watch life go by, failing to contribute any involvement.
windows aren’t for proactive people;
they are for those who watch rather than do.

during this time of isolation, windows are especially significant.
we are often found staring out from our homes into a world where we can’t engage.
forced to stay home, our view of the world is limited to what we see through the glass.

communities are finding small ways to reach out and connect through windows.
many neighborhoods, hospitals, nursing homes are posting signs and pictures
to show that while we may be isolated, we can still show support and love.
people all over the world are interacting with their loved ones through windows,
all to keep themselves and others safe during this trying time.

you are invited to capture your room with a view.
select a window where the scene that you observe is inspiring.
using any materials that you find suitable,
create a piece that speaks to your observations and your emotional responses
to being quarantined.
color, composition and mark-making can play a major role in your artwork.
you might choose to create a photo to send your message.
take some chances
enjoy the process!
The second round of SDAC creative exercises, "Mirror Mirror" is complete. Here are the results:

Exercise 1: Mirror Mirror on the Wall

We are all in our houses.
The place we call home, our abode, our shelter and our dwelling.
During this time that may go on for a while, we look at our surroundings and ourselves in a very
different manner than we did a few weeks ago.
We have time, lots of time to do things we might not have done if this pandemic did not occur.

We may catch ourselves looking in the mirror more often than before.
Maybe even stop and stare for a while.
Recognizing things or changes that we might not have noticed.
We are taking a closer outer look at ourselves and hopefully also an inner look at ourselves.

You are invited to take some time to look in the mirror and create a self-portrait.
Use the examples below to inspire you.
Try to use a material you have never used.
Try to imitate an artist you admire.
Try a new method of making art.

None of these self portraits should be photographic. You can take a selfie instead.
What they should be is an interpretation of how you see yourself during this time.
Many might say…I can’t draw a face, I can’t draw myself.

Yes, you can.
Whatever you draw will be good.
Judging yourself right now is useless.
Looking at yourself and creating a drawing or painting or sculpture of how you feel right now is
useful.

Take the challenge. You will be glad you did.
The first round of SDAC creative exercises, "Mirror Mirror" was completed April 4, 2020! Here are the results: