No. 43: Clotheslines and More
Earlier this week, I met with about fifty of my paid subscribers on Zoom to catch up and paint clotheslines. There is something so human about laundry hanging in our homes, outside of windows in small towns, or in people’s front yards. It is an especially common sight outside of the U.S., where many people don’t use dryers the way we do. All of my reference photographs were taken during my travels abroad. As we painted together, it felt like we were capturing a slice of everyday life, a moment of quiet beauty that connects us all.
It was a great meetup, and I was so grateful for the patience, kindness, and creativity that the community shared. I really love meeting up with everyone, whoever can be there, from all over the world. These gatherings remind me of the power of art to bring people together, transcending distance and differences. We need more of this in our world!
Congratulations
on the feature in Forbes yesterday! Your Human Intelligence Badge project is inspirational and important. I am honored that mine is included in the piece, especially with over 1,200 to choose from at this point.Can art made with artificial intelligence convey the raw human emotion and passion of a lived experience? Creatives have conflicting opinions, but not surprisingly, the artists participating in Spencer’s challenge fall in the skeptical camp.
“My work has always been created by hand, and there is no way to replicate the feelings it provokes through those hand-drawn lines and layers,” Brooklyn-based artist, author and teacher Samantha Dion Baker wrote when posting her badge to Instagram.
Artists like Baker increasingly are relying on the conduit they know best, their art, to counter the rushing AI tide.
Click here to read the full piece!
Last week I collaborated with a group of artist friends—the same friends I went to Oaxaca with earlier this year—to create the reel above. We all painted something that represented or felt like summer. It was so fun to see how Michelle, who was the brains behind the project, put it all together.
My next Skillshare class is going to be live soon. This one will be part of a small series on the business of art. My class is titled, Drawing for Business, From Analog to Digital with Samantha Dion Baker. Link to the class will be shared soon!
Blackwing has partnered with Traveler’s Company! The sets sold out quickly, but if you’re keen on getting one during a re-release, you can join the waitlist. I’m excited to visit both brands’ booths next month while teaching at Stationery Fest. Will you be there, too? I teach my workshops on Thursday, August 8th, and Friday, August 9th, but plan to walk around the festival on Wednesday.
Thank you for being here, and for reading!
Ambassador and Affiliate Codes
If you’d like to try out Blackwing pencils or just order some new items, please shop using this unique link: blackwing602.com/sdionbaker. When you purchase using my link, there’s no additional cost to you and I earn a small commission. I appreciate your support!
Most of my Skillshare classes feature my favorite Caran D’Ache art supplies. My relationship with the US distributor, Creative Art Materials, started back when I wrote Draw Your Day in 2018, and they saw how heavily I featured their art tools— many that I have been using since I was in grade school. Click here to find some my favorites on the Orange Art wesbite.
All Canvas lights and accessories are 10% off with my discount code: SDB10.
I love how positive you are! Thanks for sharing with us. :) Can't wait to read more!!!
This post was so inspiring! I'm looking forward to using it (your post) as inspiration for my weekend drawing and painting. Just love it. Thank you!