Saturday, February 28, 2009

From Rehearsals to the Stage

The next six sketches posted here are fresh from recent rehearsals at the Oregon Ballet theatre.

I specifically focused on a piece called Lambarena. It is full of moves that are liberating to the soul. Performers move to the high energy and seductive rhythm of African music and with Bach slipping in for a clever contrast. All in the name of Ballet.

I Can't wait to see how it all looks on stage this weekend and encourage everyone to consider the privilege of seeing this on stage along with Rite of Spring and Ash. For information go to OBT.ORG




Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Of Birds and Ballet


My office is in a separate location from the studio so I can accomplish desk work without the distraction of whatever painting is on the easel.  However, there is one pleasant distraction I can work beside and that is the bird life that occupies our backyard and the many feeders.  In the mid-afternoon the crows and flickers arrive for their shift.  It's amusing to watch them take flight with a single hop, a runway take off or a drop from a tree. 

When at a rehearsal later today there will be an attempt at flight as the dancers leap with such power and grace they seem suspended in the air.  It's exhilarating to see the human form airborne using only their strength to defy gravity, even for a few seconds. 

There are many images of the dancer in flight in my pile of sketches, but none of  a bird.  That's a challenge worth taking on.  That lift off when the body of the bird collects itself in such a way as to become instantly airborne.  Any takers?

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

DANCE, TENNIS, OR FOOTBALL


This week has been a combination of dance rehearsals at the Oregon Ballet Theatre, outstanding performances in sports with the tennis finals at the Australian Open, and the NFL Superbowl.  

When reviewing my sketches from these events I am struck by their similarities.  Even though art philosophers have written many chapters on the topic of the cross referencing that exists in sports and dance, it is still exciting to see it come down on the sketch pad in front of you.  

The image to the right is an example of this daily revelation.