newsletterSeptember2008.htm

Art League student Marie Drissel and her husband Curtis Bristol have generously established The Art League Endowment. It was formally announced last January. Drissel began studying with Rob four years ago. The following is taken from The Art League newspaper, Developments, Spring issue: "I started to thrive under Rob's instruction. He is just a fantastic instructor, and he can work with anyone. When I went to Florence with Rob, on an Art League travel workshop, his depth of knowledge blew me away. My husband and I have been completely inspired. The depth of education has really impacted our lives. We have traveled to museums around the world, and are now able to see art in a new way. Rob has brought us so much, we really wanted to do something special in return," she states. "We hope that students will consider donating to the endowment to make it grow, or that they will contact others to donate, adding a new dimension of outreach. We plan on adding to the endowment over time," concludes Drissel.

Rob was honored by Marie and Curtis' generosity. "Though I wasn't surprised that the Art League school and it's dynamic atmosphere would inspire such excitement I was especially honored that my class played a role in motivating the idea to create this endowment. I'm looking forward to teaching some of the young artists who benefit from this opportunity."

Drissel has a long background as an activist, locally and nationally. She was recently the CFO of World Links, which brings internet learning and technology to underprivileged children. She currently sits on several boards in Washington, DC, including the Washington Humane Society and the Bell Multicultural High School.
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We've always known Rob has some great folks for students, but sometimes they just amaze us!
(And in case you're wondering why horns appear to be coming out from Rob's head, it is a metal wall sculpture by Pat Monk called The Hairy Cave of the Emerging Moon.)

"Paint Alexandria" Demo, May 18, 2008
You could find teachers painting demos everywhere you turned the weekend of May 17th and 18th in Alexandria! Proceeds benefited The Art League School. Rain kept Rob from painting outdoors, so an impromptu demo was held in the gallery. Thanks to Anna, a volunteer from the audience who did a spectacular job modeling! (Sorry Anna, I lost your email - hope this gets to you!)

Portrait Demo at the Art League

At the Accadamia art museum

Thanks to the wonderful group who participated in the Venice trip. We all had a blast and saw more Tiepolos, Titians and Tintorettos than you could shake a stick at! Above shows the group at the Accadamia Gallery of Art. Below is a view from just outside our hotel facing the Grande Canal. Special thanks to Margaret Cerruti from the Art League of Virginia for her hard work in arranging the trip. Also see images from the Florence workshop 2006.
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Trois Crayon Demo in Textbook
Rob was asked a few years back by local artist/teacher Sallye Mahan-Cox to do a demo for a textbook she was working on, titled "Discovering Drawing" by Davis Publications. Rob drew his long-time friend, poet Lee Klein. Lo and behold, a gorgeous and well produced textbook recently arrived on our doorstep. Rob's demo had its own beautiful spread. Great job Sallye!

Click on image to enlarge

Out of the Mouths of Babes
At the age of four, our daughter Ava was already developing her own "artist mentality". She brought a drawing to show me while I was busy at the computer. I praised her work, and then, to buy some time, suggested that she add a few details. She pulled the drawing away, looked at me squarely, and replied "I do what I do!", and walked away holding her drawing tightly. L.L.

Gobs of Blogs
Several of our friends (both Art League sudents) have been writing their own art-related blogs...
and doing a fantastic job. If you write one, we'll mention it in the next newsletter. Check these out:

http://jillbanks.blogspot.com
http://mongoose1.wordpress.com

UPCOMING WORKSHOP AND EVENTS SCHEDULE ...

Portrait Demo for the Maryland Society of Portrait Painters (non-members welcome)
October 4, 2008, 7pm-10pm
(Doors open at 6 for refreshments.) To be held at the Conversation Room in Melon Hall/Francis Scott Key Auditorium at St. John's College in Annapolis. Contact Susan Snyder at jsnyder@toad.net if you need more information.
$20 ($25 at the door ) mailed to: MSPP, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Raleigh, North Carolina, November 1, 2, 3
This three day workshop will focus on drawing the human figure. For more information please contact ArtSpace. Further information will be posted or contact Artspace for more information. Registration (not until July 15) through Artspace.

Child Portrait, Art League in Alexandria, Dec 5, 6, 7, 2008, 10am - 4pm
Please contact the school directly at 703.683.2323 or go to www.theartleague.org
This workshop provides an in-depth analysis of the portrait with an emphasis on both specific anatomy and technique. Students study the overall structure of the face with exercises intended to sharpen our understanding of planes and how features relate to one another. Then each feature is explored independently focusing on their specific anatomy and character. Both drawing, grisaille, and full color painting are demonstrated and discussed.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts, January 21, 22, 23, 2009
This three day workshop will focus on both drawing the human figure and the the "grisaille" (a monochromatic) painting technique (see example below). For registration contact Jane Buckman at jbuckman@ringling.edu

ArtCenter Manatee, January 25, 26, 27, 2009
Join Rob in Bradenton, Florida for this three day figure workshop, 10am -3pm each day. For details and registration contact Mary Roff at mary@artcentermanatee.org or go to the Art Center Manatee website.

Drawing Workshop in Puerto Rico, February 16-20, 2009
Monica Linville will be hosting Rob again to teach a five day figure drawing workshop at her studio in the mountains of the spectacular El Yunque rainforest. Students will work with live models both in and out of doors and Rob will demonstrate his drawing techniques. CLICK for more info.

Artistic Anatomy - Upper Body, Art League in Alexandria, March 20, 21, 22, 2009, Please contact the school directly at 703.683.2323 or go to www.theartleague.org
This workshop is devoted to the intensive study of skeletal and muscular structures. Using a variety of media, students complete exercises to help them understand where form begins and where it ends. Previous figure drawing is recommended. March workshop will focus on the upper body and September workshop will focus on the lower body.

Road trip to Boston (through the Art League)
John Singer Sargent: Through the eyes of the artist with Robert Liberace
(tours through Boston's fine art musuems) April 6, 7, 8, 9 2009
Join Robert Liberace for an art history/sketching workshop focusing primarily on the works of the great american artist John Singer Sargent. Boston contains some of the most important museums in the U.S. including the Isabella Stewart Gardner, The Boston Museum of Fine Art, and the Fogg Art Museum. Sargent is one of Rob's favorite painters, so you won't want to miss this one! Details being finalized, please call 703-683-1780 x13 or email margaretc@theartleague.org for questions/information. (This workshop may possibly shift to April 5-8. We'll clarify soon.)

Northern Ireland, June 13-27, 2009
Yes, we are returning to Northern Ireland again! John and Melanie of Limepark Arts Centre have been very busy. They have renovated more cottages and now have room for 20. In addition they now have a tennis court and a workout room on the premises. Today is September 19 and I am waiting for one last set of prices. Once that comes in I will send out the announcement via email. View the photo gallery of the 2005 trip.

Artistic Anatomy, Art League in Alexandria, - Lower Body, September 11, 12, 13 2009, Please contact the school directly at 703.683.2323 or go to www.theartleague.org
This workshop is devoted to the intensive study of skeletal and muscular structures. Using a variety of media, students complete exercises to help them understand where form begins and where it ends. Previous figure drawing is recommended. March workshop will focus on the upper body and September workshop will focus on the lower body.

Sheep in Field