From the article Hudson Happenings in the NJ Journal:

Read the press release:

Download the press release: ColleenBlackardSoloShowPR

RSVP on the Facebook event page: Summer Solo Show of Colleen Blackard Drawings in New Jersey

On June 20th, I participated in a summer arts festival in Jersey City, right off the Grove St. Path Station.  It was a beautiful day full of music, celebration, sales, and new connections.

At our booth, “Greyegg & the ARTistic inTENTions”

I chose to create my second live marker drawing so that viewers could better understand my style. It was wonderful to have 6 hours to complete the canvas drawing instead of only one! As a result, my drawing was much richer, more detailed, and took 6 markers instead of the 3 it took last time.

After the first 4 hours

I loved how people would come up to me to ask about my technique and inquire about the drawing.  My favorite was a little girl who also loved to draw.  She would watch for a while then come back, and she even wanted to touch the drawing!

Still drawing as the sun sets

Almost done

As the sunlight faded and the music stopped, I finally had to finish.  It’s hard to know when it’s done, but having the set cut off time helped me to resolve the piece as quickly as possible and focus on which areas were most important.  I loved drawing the soft light on the path around the trunk, but the wild branches also call out to me in this one.

“Dusk Falls” 2014, Prismacolor marker on canvas, 16″x20″

With no light left, and the booths disappearing as I finished, this darling drawing didn’t get it’s spotlight that day, so look forward to it in my upcoming New Jersey solo show next week at GP’s!

I was invited by my talented artist friend James Giardina, who also teaches art at a high school in Brooklyn, to come in and speak to his students about my career as an artist a few days after the Conception show.

After seeing me draw in permanent marker for the first time, he understood my work in a new way and realized that “I’ve created an abstracted way to draw realistically.” He thought it would also be beneficial for his students to see me create one, so I got excited to share my technique with the class.

After introducing my artwork, explaining my career path, and talking about the drawings I’ve made, the class was given their own pens and paper and told to follow along with what I do, or create their own.

I created a permanent marker drawing in 20 minutes for each class, and was impressed by their ability to create their own “circulism” drawings.  Some were like mine, and some were of their own subjects, but EVERYTHING was in circles!  It was so exciting to see them apply their own style to my technique, every single one was unique.

1st period 20 minute marker drawing

2nd Period 20 minute marker drawing

The 3rd period class was full of many young serious artists, and I was very eager to leave them inspired.  I created a drawing of the ocean, which was a bit more difficult to copy, but they were up to the challenge and did beautifully.  Very talented artists in that class.

After 3rd period, 3 drawings done! A couple smaller drawings created by students are also up.

By lunch, my first three drawings were already claimed by students.  I felt like a celebrity!

After lunch, during the off-periods, many students from previous classes came back to the classroom and asked me to draw for them.  I learned that I can create quick circular-drawing portraits in Sharpee, and that I love the look of blue Sharpee for moonlight.

A sketch of a member of One Direction in sharpee. This student was SO excited about it!

The moon at night in blue sharpee

The first Sharpee sketch I created of a student. Her friends were amazed!

After the off-periods, I spoke to the largest class (30 students) who were very animated and curious about my work.  After I explained where I was in my art career, I even got a “You go girl!!!” from one of the kids in the back.

6th period 20 minute drawing

7th period 20 minute drawing of one of the students

The final class was full of graduating kids, and it was basically an independent study class. I drew one of the students while they worked, and at the end the whole class gathered around to see the result.

AMAZING DAY!

While sharing my art with them was an incredibly supportive and validating experience, I was humbled by their kindness, passion, and confidence in their work.  These are all brilliant artists. “Mr. G” has really made a difference in their lives, and I hope that my visit also helped them have the confidence to take the path to succeed at their dreams.