Inn of the Wandering Dragon

As it turns out, I am the last member standing of the Tuesday night dance class. One bowed out a month ago due to an insane work load. Another stopped showing up as she was in the process of moving, setting up house and planning her wedding. In regards to the other two I really can't say why they dropped off the planet so to speak. Ah well.

Instead of performing for my non-existent class, my instructor and I chose to perform the routine to her level 1 class right before my usual class time. I showed up early and warmed up by joining in their routine. I think I did OK considering I haven't practiced that routine in over a year! I am fairly certain that a couple spots have been changed as well but no worries as we all had fun.

I'm not sure how much of my "individual touches" actually showed through. I was more concerned about not letting the cane fly out of my hands and hit the audience (there was one definite close call but I kept it). But the applause was enthusiastic and the class members were complimenting us and asking about the different moves we performed, so I guess we did all right.

Some of them will be back for the summer session. Unfortunately I'll be taking the summer off so it will be the fall before I return. Realistically I doubt I will have very much time to practice over the summer months, but I would like to if I get the chance. I'm definitely going to miss it!

A friend of mine has been taking drawing classes part time at the art college. She has been checking in with me on a very regular basis, looking for advice and opinions. Thank goodness her instructors give decent outlines in their handouts because some days I have to read through that to get an understanding of what question she is asking. But I will say one thing, she is better than she thinks she is!

The latest class is unlike anything I have ever taken, it is actually designed to improve your skills for actual illustrative / design work. And believe me - it's not easy! I find it fascinating though, to check out her assignments. In fact, if I had the time (which I don't) I would seriously consider signing up for the class in September. But, be that as it may helping my friend has given me a few ideas to practice in the sketchbook.

My background is pretty much the opposite. In fact I can recall certain instructors who actively discouraged "realistic" art and illustration. In truth I honestly think the program I went through was seriously lacking in terms of key foundations. As a result I do not think my art is as strong as it could have been if those foundations were in place. What is my basis for this statement? Consider Klimt, Picasso, Dali, or any of those we consider masters. They had a grounding, a foundation in crafting realistic illusions. And when you truly understand the rules of how illusion works, you can more successfully bend those rules to express your vision.

The Tuesday night class I attend has been a fun collaboration over the past weeks as we have all been working to create a new choreography. The dance is just about complete now. There are a couple spots that need some "tweaking" to get it right.

Our instructor has hatched upon a brilliant (in her mind anyway) idea: this choreography we have been building is the generic version. She wants each of us to practice and work out our own version of it with our own personal accents. And then we are to perform for the class on the last day, which is two weeks away.





So far each student has demonstrated their own personal look of terror as they digest this idea. Nevertheless, I better start practicing some more...