GOLDEN GINKGO AWARD for w/e Dec 8, 2007. Congratulations!

I did not name it..it is not mine but an image borrowed from a fashion class...That it looks nothing like, I might add. lol. In the picture i have, the woman is soft, has a sophisticated air about her, and beautiful. hmmm..may go to the vast waste land of many before her..I'll have to see. ha! :)

This is reaaaallly gorgeous. I think my favorite of yours!

When I saw the thumbnail on the Portal page I tried to guess who did this and couldn't. I thought maybe Bakenius but I know he's away in Prague until the 30th (which is why the Golden Ginkgo Award will be late this week. I told him we'd wait for him to return to pick one.) To me it's like a character from one of those exquisitely costumed British period piece productions-Masterpiece Theatre or a Merchant Ivory film. She looks like a tragic 1920's heroine--maybe from a Henry James story or Edith Wharton. And she's got Grace Kelly magical golden hair, too. Love it all.

i'd pick this as a GGA

OH YOU GUYS!! =D Flattery will get you everywhere!!...or at the very least not a victim of the delete button. hehee.

Seriously, thank you very very much. It such fun to see all your individual thoughts about her. My thought is..of course.. there is plenty i am not happy with. (am I EVER going to be happy about my work???!) I mean look at her neck! Last weekend I watched "MODIGLIANI" with Andy Garcia and I am not over it. Please see it if you can, it's so good. Beautiful, dark, sad (crying!!)...and somehow, I ended up with such a long neck on this. hmmm, i wonder why.

I have my movie finder expert on the lookout for that movie, Suntan, since you mentioned it before. Sounds like something I'd really enjoy, too. Thanks for the heads up.

There is something so special about this picture. It works, as an entire composition, there are elements of it that are technically masterful and places where I think I can see that you were struggling with it. But something transcends the technical aspects and just shines out of it. Congratulations, Suntan. I'm so glad Swan 'broke the rules' to draw attention to this picture and give it the credit it deserves. (yes, I know it was not drawn during last week but I decided to make an exception here. I don't think it's even written anywhere, is it? that the GGA must come from the previous week only, although that has been the tradition. I think that I'd like, in general for that to be what we do for picking the GGA but I also think that if someone wants to honour an earlier work of art that's okay with me. Anyone have thoughts on this?)

I agree, Grace. I've seen excellent pieces of art go by that I thought should have gotten more recognition, because a different one was chosen that week. (I didn't realize i chose outside of my week, incidentally)

No need to feel badly at all, Suzie. I've always asked people to pick from between certain dates as well and would have reminded Swan except that we went away for a couple days on a whim and I didn't get a chance to address it. There isn't really an archive section, as such. It's just that when we, as admin, mark a picture as archived, the site programming doesn't automatically delete it. This site is programmed to delete work after it reaches a certain number (I think it's 1000 pictures) UNLESS it is marked 'archived'. I think we have enough voting with the Jam contest. And the percentage of our membership who bother with that (maybe 10% ?) is so small that I don't think it merits asking Noel to do another big chunk of programming. I know I have been remiss about archiving--I forget all about it sometimes. If anyone wants a picture of theirs or someone else's to be in the permanent Ginkgo Collection I am happy to mark it archived. Just ask in the comments.

OOooOOMY!! ...and OOooGosh!! lol...First, thank you, swan, for picking this piece for the GGA! I was delighted and so surprised. I worked myself on this one, I think you can tell, even if not from the piece itself, but also from my time spent on it. As you all know, (i think) I'm not one that is able to spend a hunk of time on a work...it's my patience, you know, as well as my skill level. All is a struggle. So I'm VERY grateful for the recognition from swan and you all. Thank you again, swan. Your explanation of why you chose this was very appreciated. I gained much from reading your reasons. I wish I could find this piece from the original artist and show you just how lovely it REALLY is. I've given the handout back to the art teacher and who knows what hands have it now....those fashion drawing classes have many students in them and it could be on a collage somewhere...but I will try. :)

Secondly, let me say, that should there be further discussion between the admins and the admins decide that swan should go back and choose within the time frame, I would in no way be upset...on the contrary, I would understand fully. Just as I understand, Suzie, that your feelings do not reflect on this piece of work of mine. :)

That all said, this, too, will be figured out...and in the end, I will remain very happy. Thank you. :D

(Edited on September 2, 2008, 12:31 pm)

Really great drawing!

Awesome, emi! You can paint anything and make it looks special!! ..and , ooh, yesss, I've seen this dog, also. I don't know about General Patton's dog, but I have see this breed. Great work. :)

This is so cool emigre! Yes, I would agree with George in that this is a bull terrier for sure. You did an excellent job capturing this one.

Awesome draw Emi :D I love the way you've accented the muscles with different tones here, and the reflection on the floor is great too :D Excellent draw! :D WOOHOO! :D

My grandad had a bull terrier just like this when i was a lil kid, i used to vsit his farm every week and it was a vicious little thing used to nip your ankles and chew your wellington boots.His name was jip and it used to have a big round stone ball it used to roll about in the kitchen, and if you didnt roll it for him to fetch he would get grumpy and start barking

"Wow"! This is a great picture! That is definitely a "bull terrier". He looks like the dog that played in a movie about two dogs and a cat, who got lost hundreds of miles away from their home....and they had to find their way back home. It was a great movie....and they all made it back home safe and sound!!

He looks like General Patton's dog! Good job!

Bull terrier yes :) and no i have no dog :) i even think those are a bit scarry ;) merci all :)

This is a wonderful drawing. The coloring and shading throughout showing the dogs muscular portions to it's body is my fav. part of this. The stance too. And the reflection as it stands on the ground is really a nice technique. Beautiful!

spuds! he is missing his black eye. very nice, love the reflection, great draw emi.

Awesome looking dog. I was asked not to long ago to draw one of these. They are interesting looking to say the least.

First attempt, Black Bird in the mist....

Lovely first go at using the drawing applets. Sorry I haven't been around much...busy with late summer/fall work outdoors and also had relatives visiting. Will be around a lot more during the late fall and winter months. So, if you need help just give a shout. Welcome!

Welcome! You will enjoy the apps here..tools are great! :)

…

If you spend an evening You'll want to stay Watching the moonlight on Cape Cod Bay You're sure... You're sure to fall in love With old Cape Cod What a gorgeous watercolor!!!! I love this.

Everytime I go across that bridge someone breaks out into that song!! lol..there is no escaping it there!

Thanks! I think it looks a bit washed out. Too afraid to put darks into it, just plain chicken. Any suggestions? :)

I don't think it seems washed out. There's nice dark blues in the water and red/browns in the shore. I'm envious of how you got it to look like a watercolor. I've tried so often. Never get it right. And there's no animation!

…

So pretty, Kathy. Makes me long for spring.

Thanks, yes I am ready for spring too, I'm so tired of this cold weather.

Very bright and sunny, makes me feel happy and hoping for spring. Nice Kathy!

Hi everyone!

I'm so glad to see Ginkgo is still around. It must been ages since I last drew here. I've been really busy with commercial animation work.

But I finally have some time to work out the concept of new picturebook project featuring a boy that lives upon the clouds stealing the weather machince of his father...

Hey Leo! I've been wondering what you are up to these days. Glad to hear you're busy with animation. Did you finish your project of the girl from Easter Island? This Cloud Boy story sounds wonderful. Always a treat to see something from you. Ginkgo is pretty slow these days but I'm hoping people will start drifting back here to draw now that I have some time again to spend here myself.

I keep you bookmarked so I can stay on top of what you're doing. I read you were busy with commissions..great to see you. Take care. :)

Hi Grace and Suntan,

Sorry to see it so quiet here. I'm planning to draw more oekaki here the upcoming time. The Easter Island project is still stuck in pre-production since I failed in finding proper funding for it. Yet. I like to see if I can revive the project the coming year. But first I have other interesting stuff to finish up. Like this 'cloud project' an interactive childrens book experience with my artwork for the iPad we hope to launch before the Easter holiday. :)

I'll try to keep you up to date!

Delightful! So nice to see something from you here. I have often thought of your Easter Island project and wondered if you had finished it. An interactive childs book? Incredible. And you speak of an ipad...I have been following reviews from them and have been wanting one for quite some time now. I have never talked to another artist about them and just wonder what the art programs are like for them. Nice to see you here, don't be a stranger.

For the iPad!! Sounds like a fantastic venture. Yes, please keep us posted, Bake..I love keeping up to date.

gutted.

Gutted. Perfect title. This is a favorite of mine. I just couldn't collab on it and chance messing what I love about it.

If you ever want to play with a collab and not worry about being unhappy with the alteration, you can copy the original and paste it as a new layer, just work on the new layer. Both will be saved and separate. Either layer can then be displayed by going in for a retouch and making a layer active or inactive.

oh god, I hate layers, but interesting thought. shall see. ^^

having another look. always loved this one.

The frost is coming Kissed all the leaves to sleep Forever Time sketches a few lines And etches its wishes into our lives See how everthing's changing And see how time is rearranging The people and the places Keeping nothing sacred And just like leaves In the autumn wind We're drifting

I thought of Tess the other day. I don't know why..nothing reminded me, she just came.

retired avalanche rescue dog and my friend who I miss.

Retired says a lot, his intelligent face does, too. He spent a lifetime helping. Where is he now?

He lives with his human (a lady engineer) in Vancouver. He's such an athlete. It's pure joy to throw a frisbee or a tennis ball for him. He LEAPS into the air to catch it. He has the type of Frisbee that is just a big flat circle with a hole in the middle. He flips it up over his head and wears it like a big necklace while he carries it back to you to throw again. One morning I got up before dawn and there was a huge, creepy spider on the living room floor. I said "Geordie, kill it." He came right over and stomped it to death. I could not believe my eyes. When I told Diane she laughed and said "Yeah, he does that for me all the time." So, he's still working only now he's in the extermination business. :-)))

haha..SUPER intelligent! that's a great story..happy to hear about him. :)

ps..did you show her his portrait?

(Edited on January 4, 2011, 3:00 pm)

I thought about it...but I don't feel like this really does him justice. I've been thinking about doing portraits of some of my favourite dogs using more of a pencil drawing approach. There's a pencil portrait of a golden retriever in the examining room at my vet's office that is so amazingly beautiful. I want to try that. Maybe my next series....hmm.

I am trying to get back into the drawing mode....it's been WAY too long and I'm very rusty.

Don't be shy...You have to make bigger pictures, Kathy. Drawing this small is really difficult. I hope you'll do a face or a figure. Your portraits are amazing.

I am thinking of doing a portrait next, of my cousin's granddaughter. I have to find a really good ref. picture of her first. It's going to take me a while to get back into this, I knew it would - I just have to hang in there and not quit when I get discouraged.

Kathy! You are back. Not long ago I was on RMD and I sent you a message wondering what happened to you. Glad you are back and like Grace said don't be shy. Use a larger canvas and it will be much easier for you. You have been missed dear lady.

I didn't see your message on RMD, sorry about that Kute! I am glad you are here also. I have been working a lot lately, but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things soon.

Hi! Great to see you back. This looks like an early Autumn frost! :)