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The following was originally published in July, 2010:
For an artist, a nightmare to draw is called "foreshortening." Foreshortening is a trick of perspective. When you see a person laying down, and it looks like the largest part of their body is their feet, you are seeing foreshortening. Here is a photo example of that, using the timer function on my camera. My feet are HUGE compared to the rest of me. We all know this is not really how I am built (I hope!).
For an artist, a nightmare to draw is called "foreshortening." Foreshortening is a trick of perspective. When you see a person laying down, and it looks like the largest part of their body is their feet, you are seeing foreshortening. Here is a photo example of that, using the timer function on my camera. My feet are HUGE compared to the rest of me. We all know this is not really how I am built (I hope!).
Me, circa 2010, showing foreshortening by having my feet closest to the camera and my smile farthest away.
When a model poses laying down, there is a collective groan from the artists because to most foreshortening is difficult. Not me. I relish the challenge. I was the only artist cheering! It is fun to see how to translate something so out of whack into something that makes sense.
How did I do? Do these look like the curvaceous female model we had at the Bakehouse Art Complex?
All of these are 11 x 14 inches, ink on watercolor paper.
2020 Update:
Wow. Me, 10 years ago. Andy and I were renting a townhouse. Simon cat was still with us. We weren’t married, yet. The Bakehouse is still around, but I haven’t had the opportunity to do a figure drawing class since about 2010. Figure drawing isn’t really my favorite thing, but I do enjoy it when I have the chance.
These are also done in only black india ink washes. Lately, I’ve only used india ink to practice lines, lol.
These sketches are available. All are on watercolor paper and will be shipped rolled in a tube with instructions of how to flatten and frame. The set of 4 is $100, or each $35. Please email me if you’d love them for your space, at angeline @angelinemarie .net
2020 Update:
Wow. Me, 10 years ago. Andy and I were renting a townhouse. Simon cat was still with us. We weren’t married, yet. The Bakehouse is still around, but I haven’t had the opportunity to do a figure drawing class since about 2010. Figure drawing isn’t really my favorite thing, but I do enjoy it when I have the chance.
These are also done in only black india ink washes. Lately, I’ve only used india ink to practice lines, lol.
These sketches are available. All are on watercolor paper and will be shipped rolled in a tube with instructions of how to flatten and frame. The set of 4 is $100, or each $35. Please email me if you’d love them for your space, at angeline @angelinemarie .net
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The only hair dryer I own is used to dry paint!
I am Cuban-American. My mom thinks that going to sleep with wet hair will make you catch a cold. My hair is thick and wavy, with curls. Hair drying it was a long, tedious nightmare resulting in painfully frizzy tangles. My mom and I only knew about hair mousses and gels, neither of which helped.
My mom kept my hair short until I completely lost it with her after an awful afternoon. This girl purposely called her friend just to tell them I looked like a boy in their class. Right after I pitched the fit, I was allowed to grow my hair and I got braces.
There are two hair dryers in our home. The other hair dryer is for guests. I love drying paint as you can tell by looking at my hair dryer...lol...my hair, well, not so much.
As for the Cuban belief that you’ll catch a cold by going to bed with your hair wet? It’s completely false. Don’t tell Mama.
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It’s Not Easy Being Pink Cat, 6 by 6 inches, acrylics on wood, by Angeline Marie Martinez.
One of my reasons for loving cats is when you call someone a pussy, you’re calling them a coward…and a female human.
This article is all for us cats, pussies, kittens, female humans.
We need ladies in the energy industry…but most of us are not qualified and encouraged to get into most science fields.
I am currently (no puns intended) a lady working in the energy industry for my day job. I didn't know this was an option for me, until suddenly I made the jump. My next jump was within the company, from organizing glorified group research papers to planning work packages (what I call "human performance technical writing" because that's really what it is). Is my background energy? Mechanical? Nope. I am very left brain AND right brain...so there is that!
I digress.
I am relating this article to gender bias. I began my Goofy Cats collection at the beginning of 2016. But by the end of that 2016's US presidential elections, Goofy Cats means more about how I feel about my life and that as a woman in general. Each Goofy Cat is inspired by our cats Simon, Ghost, and Tuxie, but also by how I was feeling while painting them.
This pink cat was created in acknowledgement of the Women’s Marches that were held yearly from 2017 through 2020. Yes, I am beyond relieved that Biden is being sworn in today! Yes, I will continue adding to my Goofy Cats collection!
If you have school age girls in your life, please, encourage them to get into science, energy, and construction. If you’d like to know more as to why this blog post, read on:
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/women-are-missing-out-on-the-biggest-job-boom-in-america-1.1274691
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This was originally published in 2012:
Back in the 1980s, pastelitos de guayaba (guava pastries) were a treat enjoyed on the weekends. Mama, Papa, and I would go to Abuela's (Grandmother's) house on a Saturday or Sunday morning after picking up some staples at the Cuban bakery that time has erased. Staples were a roast chicken, pastelitos de guayaba, pan cuban (Cuban bread), and a couple of bottles of Coca Cola. Each of us would also get a sweet treat, enjoyed while shopping. My favorite was this layered sweet white cake with some kind of thick, crispy, sugary frosting much like the Krispy Kreme donut glaze. Mama's favorite was "un enborrachito," and Papa's was a cafe cubano.
You might be wondering, "Why on weekends? You lived in Miami!" In those days, North Miami Beach had no Cuban bakeries. We visited Little Havana for my Abuela's company. Kosher, Italian, Winn Dixie and Publix were the markets and bakeries available in our home neighborhood in that era!
That Cuban market and bakery are regrettably long gone, but pastelitos de guayaba are still found in Miami! Every time I enjoy one, it takes me back to driving to Abuela's to have lunch with her and my parents.
I plan on having some fun blogging about my growing up as the "Gringa de la Familia." If you have suggestions or questions, feel free to ask! If you are from Miami, or have lived here a long time, please share some of your good experiences!
Back in the 1980s, pastelitos de guayaba (guava pastries) were a treat enjoyed on the weekends. Mama, Papa, and I would go to Abuela's (Grandmother's) house on a Saturday or Sunday morning after picking up some staples at the Cuban bakery that time has erased. Staples were a roast chicken, pastelitos de guayaba, pan cuban (Cuban bread), and a couple of bottles of Coca Cola. Each of us would also get a sweet treat, enjoyed while shopping. My favorite was this layered sweet white cake with some kind of thick, crispy, sugary frosting much like the Krispy Kreme donut glaze. Mama's favorite was "un enborrachito," and Papa's was a cafe cubano.
You might be wondering, "Why on weekends? You lived in Miami!" In those days, North Miami Beach had no Cuban bakeries. We visited Little Havana for my Abuela's company. Kosher, Italian, Winn Dixie and Publix were the markets and bakeries available in our home neighborhood in that era!
That Cuban market and bakery are regrettably long gone, but pastelitos de guayaba are still found in Miami! Every time I enjoy one, it takes me back to driving to Abuela's to have lunch with her and my parents.
I plan on having some fun blogging about my growing up as the "Gringa de la Familia." If you have suggestions or questions, feel free to ask! If you are from Miami, or have lived here a long time, please share some of your good experiences!
Pastelito de Guava, taken at home, bought from now a long forgotten bakery, by Angeline Marie Martinez
2020 Update:
Well. I picked this to repost because it was one of the most viewed posts of my old Blogger blog. All the good intentions I had of continuing the series went “poof!” like this pastelito in the photo, lol. So...I’ll do my best to share these little things in my life that are so “Cuban” in my life that makes me feel different, or just me, in the future. No pressure, lol!
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Over a decade ago, I was sharing a Miami studio space with a few other artists.
One artist dismantled his studio. He left tons of studies, intact, in the trash cans. I took the opportunity and took some of the studies. The most I will do with these gorgeous studies is frame and hang them.
Before this, I heard stories of a master artist doing demo pieces during his classes and then throwing these away. A student would take them out of the trash and frame these pieces. I've read similar stories about artists that find their studio trash displayed or even sold as if finished works.
I truly don’t blame Michaelangelo for burning most of his works. I either am going to repurpose or destroy what I make if a painting or design doesn’t find a home. You won’t find my finished works in our trash can, lol, unless it's ripped up like here.
What are your thoughts about an artist destroying their art?
Article about Michaelangelo and his studio works is linked here:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-mystery-of-why-michelangelo-burned-his-sketches-just-before-he-died
One artist dismantled his studio. He left tons of studies, intact, in the trash cans. I took the opportunity and took some of the studies. The most I will do with these gorgeous studies is frame and hang them.
Before this, I heard stories of a master artist doing demo pieces during his classes and then throwing these away. A student would take them out of the trash and frame these pieces. I've read similar stories about artists that find their studio trash displayed or even sold as if finished works.
I truly don’t blame Michaelangelo for burning most of his works. I either am going to repurpose or destroy what I make if a painting or design doesn’t find a home. You won’t find my finished works in our trash can, lol, unless it's ripped up like here.
What are your thoughts about an artist destroying their art?
Article about Michaelangelo and his studio works is linked here:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-mystery-of-why-michelangelo-burned-his-sketches-just-before-he-died
2 ink studies I posted to Facebook for sale at low price. After a few days, I removed the listing and ripped it up. Why? Because just throwing these in the recycle bin means someone else can still find them.
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Simple Line Drawing of a Cat on Green Background, digital only, by Angeline Marie Martinez. You can add it to your home by emailing me angeline @ angelinemarie.net
Oh, how funny this little cat drawing!!!!!
The little drawing here is mine, and although also funny, it’s based on the photo through the link from Smithsonian Magazine:
[ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2000-year-old-cat-etching-found-peru-180976085/ ]
A 2,000 year old cat drawing was found in Peru, known as another newly discovered part of the Nazca Lines. You can see these Nazca Lines from the skies...as they are lines “dug” from the ground. This cat drawing is on a hill, so maybe you could see it from the ground, looking up.
The cat looks so relaxed! Maybe I’ll make its expression into another goofy cat?!
I had to share. Cats are cool, cats are great! If you’d like to see Goofy Cats that can show up in smaller places and don’t need high elevations to enjoy them, click on this paragraph.
[ https://www.angelinemarie.net/store/c8/Goofy_Cats.html ]
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September is all about the dates listed...but to me it's definitely Happy Cat Month.
September, 2019 was the first month without Simon cat. I still miss him...I'll always miss him.
In the meantime, I still have Goofy Cats entering my studio playground, like these four here. If you'd like a Goofy Cat to adopt, you can find these and more by clicking their image or this sentence.
Here are the meme-worthy celebrating pets and animal days for September:
September, 2019 was the first month without Simon cat. I still miss him...I'll always miss him.
In the meantime, I still have Goofy Cats entering my studio playground, like these four here. If you'd like a Goofy Cat to adopt, you can find these and more by clicking their image or this sentence.
Here are the meme-worthy celebrating pets and animal days for September:
- Happy Cat Month. Established by the CATalyst Council.
- National Service Dog Month.
- National Pet Insurance Month.
- National Disaster Preparedness Month. Led by FEMA’s Ready Campaign, Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council, this effort encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to work together and take action to prepare for emergencies. Visit Ready.gov.
- Sept. 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day.
- Sept. 8: National Pet Memorial Day. Established by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries (IAPC). Second Sunday in September.
- Sept. 8: National Hug Your Hound Day. Second Sunday in September.
- Sept. 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day. A day dedicated to the issue of pet birth defects including information on identification, prevention and treatment. Sponsored by MBJungle.
- Sept. 21: Puppy Mill Awareness Day. Third Saturday in September.
- Sept. 21: Responsible Dog Ownership Day.
- Sept. 22: Elephant Appreciation Day.
- Sept. 22-28ish: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week. Last full week in September.
- Sept. 22-28ish: National Dog Week. Last full week in September.
- Sept. 23: Dogs in Politics Day (also known as Checkers Day). Recognizing the dogs of politicians.
- Sept. 26: Remember Me Thursday® Remember Me Thursday® is an international social media awareness day that brings attention to the millions of adoptable pets waiting in shelters and remembers those pets who never got a second chance. Share your rescue pet using #RememberMeThursday.
- Sept. 26: International Rabbit Day.
- Sept. 28: World Rabies Day. Sponsored by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
- Sept. 28: World’s Largest Pet Walk. Sponsored by Pet Partners.
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During this entire time of heebie-jeebies, aka COVID-19 pandemic, many many many people have been working from home.
A lot of people have a tough time turning off their “Job Self.”
Some people also have be teachers to their children. Their kids have a difficult time figuring out when their mom or dad is on the job and when not on the job.
How about a little fun and easy to see visual reminder to anyone who finds it too different to work from home? An easy to understand way to let yourself and those you love when you’re on the job and when you can have fun?
Each sign is custom painted with love for the person who works from home. Every sign is based on the colors, favorite ocean life, and a photo of their work space.
Having one of these signs gives you the advantage of a quick glance to let everyone know if you’re working or available…no matter if your kids can read or not. You benefit, because it might save you time and interruptions, lol, even if you’re in the kitchen (like me!).
You’ll have to send me some info and a photo of your work space, but here’s a few I’ve done over the last months:
A lot of people have a tough time turning off their “Job Self.”
Some people also have be teachers to their children. Their kids have a difficult time figuring out when their mom or dad is on the job and when not on the job.
How about a little fun and easy to see visual reminder to anyone who finds it too different to work from home? An easy to understand way to let yourself and those you love when you’re on the job and when you can have fun?
Each sign is custom painted with love for the person who works from home. Every sign is based on the colors, favorite ocean life, and a photo of their work space.
Having one of these signs gives you the advantage of a quick glance to let everyone know if you’re working or available…no matter if your kids can read or not. You benefit, because it might save you time and interruptions, lol, even if you’re in the kitchen (like me!).
You’ll have to send me some info and a photo of your work space, but here’s a few I’ve done over the last months:
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August has some interesting dates!
WHY a day for mosquitoes?
There's a patron saint for dogs?
Aren't most days work like a dog day?
Why only DOGust Universal Birthday? What about cats?
All dates approximate...
WHY a day for mosquitoes?
There's a patron saint for dogs?
Aren't most days work like a dog day?
Why only DOGust Universal Birthday? What about cats?
All dates approximate...
- Rawgust. Celebration of raw feeding for pets for the month of August.
- Aug. 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs. The North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, declared August 1 as a birthday for all the shelter animals whose birthdays are unknown. Happy DOGust!!
- Aug. 4-10ish: International Assistance Dog Week.
- Aug. 5: Work Like a Dog Day.
- Aug. 8: International Cat Day.
- Aug. 10: Spoil Your Dog Day.
- Aug. 10: National Lazy Day.
- Aug. 15: National Check the Chip Day. AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) joined together to create “Check the Chip Day.”
- Aug. 15: National Honey Bee Day.
- Aug. 16: Saint Roch’s Day. Patron saint of dogs.
- Aug. 17: International Homeless Animals’ Day.
- Aug. 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day.
- Aug. 20: World Mosquito Day.
- Aug. 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day.
- Aug. 26: National Dog Day.
- Aug. 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.
- Aug. 30: National Holistic Pet Day.
Eshimo, for Laura, acrylics on wood, 8 by 8 inches, commissioned lovely black cat with burnt Sienna highlights. If you'd like a pet portrait, please check links below this post.
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Oh, for the years I’d DROOOOOOOL to have a massive music collection of records!
I LOVE and MISS record album art. The 12 by 12 inch covers were pieces of art, from paintings to photographs.
There was a time I had to pick between the purple or green album covers for RunDMC and then never could decide so never bought it! The time I giggled to the cash register of Record Land with my new Poison album with the newly censored cover but I was getting the original cover without the black outs above and below the face’s eyes! I never got the Bon Jovi banned cover…but that’s ok, lol. I’d read the liner notes, super happy when the lyrics where printed like for Prince’s Purple Rain. Oh, I had to hide my second copy of Purple Rain, as my mom insisted on buying me something else to replace Prince because she didn’t want me listening to it. At least she replaced it…but I still played and played Prince since she had no idea what I was playing, anyway.
Now in days, I don’t buy records. I don’t even buy CDs. It’s really sad…because streaming music is what most of us do, now. My collections gather dust…and many of the artists I still love are forgotten on streaming services, too. The group called Archive of Contemporary Music keeps collecting music to archive it. Now, this group is looking for a new home for their vinyl, music sheets, autographed items, historical items, you name it.
I’ll stick to my smaller collection of about 200 records, maybe 300 CDs, as it’s easier to manage. Plus, it's great to ask Alexa to be my mix tape in my studio.
These 3 million records would prefer a home in New York City. The board of directors, that includes donors, is quite the list of rock and roll personalities. You have to check it out, here: https://artdaily.cc/news/119776/Wanted--A-home-for-3-million-records#.XhMfN0dKhaQ
I LOVE and MISS record album art. The 12 by 12 inch covers were pieces of art, from paintings to photographs.
There was a time I had to pick between the purple or green album covers for RunDMC and then never could decide so never bought it! The time I giggled to the cash register of Record Land with my new Poison album with the newly censored cover but I was getting the original cover without the black outs above and below the face’s eyes! I never got the Bon Jovi banned cover…but that’s ok, lol. I’d read the liner notes, super happy when the lyrics where printed like for Prince’s Purple Rain. Oh, I had to hide my second copy of Purple Rain, as my mom insisted on buying me something else to replace Prince because she didn’t want me listening to it. At least she replaced it…but I still played and played Prince since she had no idea what I was playing, anyway.
Now in days, I don’t buy records. I don’t even buy CDs. It’s really sad…because streaming music is what most of us do, now. My collections gather dust…and many of the artists I still love are forgotten on streaming services, too. The group called Archive of Contemporary Music keeps collecting music to archive it. Now, this group is looking for a new home for their vinyl, music sheets, autographed items, historical items, you name it.
I’ll stick to my smaller collection of about 200 records, maybe 300 CDs, as it’s easier to manage. Plus, it's great to ask Alexa to be my mix tape in my studio.
These 3 million records would prefer a home in New York City. The board of directors, that includes donors, is quite the list of rock and roll personalities. You have to check it out, here: https://artdaily.cc/news/119776/Wanted--A-home-for-3-million-records#.XhMfN0dKhaQ
Simon loved to jump into my armoire full of records. He didn’t have front claws, so his “sharpening his claws” movements didn’t scare me. How I miss my little studio cat!!!! Photo taken sometime 2017-2019.
