Field Trip to the Getty Center

Last week, I took my architecture class to the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Luckily, the Getty Center is located only a few miles north of UCLA, so that made getting there very easy. Ofcourse the students in my class were more excited about going on a field trip, rather than visiting Richard Meier's masterpiece. "What is the Getty Center?" some of the students asked me. "It is a wonderful institution for the arts and humanities and it is Richard Meier's greatest project."

After parking in a separate parking structure at the bottom of the hill, we took a tram to the top, where the beautiful, travertine-cladded, 6-building complex awaited. I immediately gave my students the day's assignment, which included drawing both an architecture and a garden detail. They soon got to work. "Why do you guys think Richard Meier selected the color white for the Getty Center?" I asked them. "What was his design intention?"
"Because he wanted the building to be pure."
"Because he wanted everything to match with one color."
"Because he wanted a lot of light in his buildings."
All very good answers. As you may know, Richard Meier was almost obsessed with the color white. It is very apparent in many of his designs. In his words, "Architecture should help reflect changes in nature...I think it (architecture) should help intensify one's perception of the changing colors of nature, changing colors of the day, rather than attempt to have the architecture change." Therefore, "White is the light." -Richard Meier

After about 15 minutes of drawing, they were ready to traverse down to the whimsical garden, the brilliant creation of artist Robert Irwin. After spending some more time drawing and answering a few site analysis questions, the students were ready to go inside the museum, where we viewed original paintings by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne, and we viewed some wonderful photography exhibits, including several from the mastermind of Sebastiao Salgado. At the end of the field trip, most of the students were intrigued by the garden, expressing that the garden was their favorite part of the Getty Center. I think my students have very good taste :)

Crystal Cove State Park

It was my birthday on Sunday and we decided to go to Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. It was a very good decision - the distinctive, pristine beach of the California coast juxtaposed with the unique vegetation of coastal sage scrub. I tried to identify some plants, as the park is undergoing restoration of the native vegetation - Atriplex, Baccharis, Encelia californica, Rhus integrifolia, there was way more... And the tide pools, when you go down the bluffs to the beach, are absolutely wonderful - crabs, sea snails, hermit critters, sea cucumbers (I think) and others. I honestly think this is one of the most beautiful places in California. There was a $15 vehicle entrance fee but this was a great day trip, nonetheless.

Bella Artes International

Hi everyone - I know in yesterday's post I mentioned teachers who are dedicated to exposing children to the arts and I wanted to share the great efforts of Bella Artes International here: http://www.bellaartes.org/Bella_Artes_2/Bella_Home.html

Ms. Elizabeth Eve King is an artist-in-residence here and you can learn more about her garden project, publications, and more. Many props to Evie and Bella Artes International!!

Thanks everyone :)

These times are tough but there's always time for painting :)

Hello, seekers and supporters of art and design! Can you believe it's almost summer?! I am trying to recap what I have been doing for the past few months of absence.. my job has not been the greatest, but I'm not here to talk about that.

There are many forms of art that have been lost throughout the decades. Especially today, where our "government" has banished art programs from schools. However, there are many teachers out there who work so hard to bring art back into children's lives through art programs outside of school. Many props to Ms. Evie King, a very talented teacher, artist, writer, gardener, community advocate, instigator...trust me, there isn't anything she hasn't done! I worked with Evie at her after-school art program with Esperanza Community Housing Corporation while I was at USC. But art isn't all she teaches - she has built a beautiful and educational garden in an easement space right outside her classroom. Please check out the garden and more stories here: http://esperanzacommunityhousing.wordpress.com/category/arts-science/

Watercolor painting is one of those lost arts. Thankfully, I had the privilege of learning many lost art forms as a student at the College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley. I cannot tell you enough how much I love to paint and what I get out of it - sense of fulfillment, creativity, peace. If you're interested in learning how to paint with watercolors or if you want a painting partner, email me: jules05.julie@gmail.com, and I would be more than happy to paint with you!

My Interpretation Of Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Hello Everyone,

I know I haven't updated in a while, so I decided to post one of my latest watercolor paintings. It is my own interpretation of the great Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers painting which was done with oil on canvas during the late 1800's. As part of his still life paintings, Van Gogh did a series of sunflower paintings, many of which were sunflowers in vases. For more information, please see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflowers_%28series_of_paintings%29

I am a huge fan of van Gogh and a huge fan of watercolor painting. For watercolor painting, you can use any type of watercolor paper (whatever is on sale at the art store). I have a Winsor and Newton Watercolor Compact Set and a few tubes. Please see here for reference:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/winsor-and-newton-artists-watercolor-gift-sets/

I think Winsor and Newton are the best watercolor paints - ask Chip Sullivan :)
Speaking of Chip Sullivan, I would like to credit him for teaching me the art of watercolor. He was a professor of mine from U.C. Berkeley and he has done a lot of great work. Check out his website:
http://www.gonzogardens.com/index.html

You should also have some good watercolor brushes, a watercolor board (any hardboard will do), and drafting tape. Here is the process:

1. First, tape your watercolor sheet onto the board on all 4 sides, along the perimeter. Make sure the sheet is as taut as possible.
2. Apply a wash onto the paper with a large brush. The wash can be just water, or it can have a tiny bit of pigment in it, depending on what kind of tone you're going for in your painting. For example, if you're painting a sky at dusk, I like to wash with a VERY slightly pigmented indigo/purple.
3. Let the wash dry COMPLETELY.
4. Then, paint your subject! Be careful not to mix colors ON the paper, if you don't intend to. Make sure you wait for the water to dry completely before adding the next color/application, unless you want the colors to mix on the paper.
5. Mix colors on the actual watercolor palette, especially since most things are not just one perfect color.
6. After you finish painting, let it dry.
7. You can take off the tape now - do it slowly and carefully, and make sure you use painter's tape or drafting tape since those are easier to pull off. 
8. Enjoy your masterpiece and share!

My Sketchbook in New Zealand, Summer 2009, Part II

My Sketchbook in New Zealand, Summer 2009, Part I

Hello Everyone,
Thought I should post these sketches I did while I was in New Zealand last summer. These sketches are a tribute to a beloved friend and mentor of mine, who passed away recently. Carl was a very talented architect and artist, and he had an immense passion for the outdoors. I am forever grateful to him, for what he taught me, and for his loving friendship and invaluable guidance. To Carl With Love.  -Julie An

First Landscape Project Under Construction