Saturday, May 12, 2012

Symposium Participant: Marcia Milner-Brage


This will be my 3rd Symposium!! I discovered Urban Sketchers on flickr the Spring before Portland. My lifelong practice of drawing from direct observation has been energized by it ever since.  I retired 6 years ago. My last gig was managing my husband’s medical practice for 20 years. In my 60 years, I’ve also taught art to children, college students, and senior citizens; cooked in a vegetarian restaurant; written commentary for public radio; done commissioned artwork; and framed pictures. And now I am doing my most important life work: Drawing everyday for my own pleasure--learning and naming my world one drawing after the next.  
I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa, which is in the center of the US. I travel and draw as I go.

School Bus in Vacant Lot--my neighborhood, Cedar Falls, Iowa, this winter.  Neocolor II wax pastels--my current favorite drawing tool.  I love color! I'm really looking forward to Eduardo Bajzek's introduction to markers!

The House Across Clay Street--also in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this winter.  Mostly self-taught with watercolor, I'm ready for instruction from master Marc Holmes. 

John Picnicking at Sweet Marsh--my husband of 31 years and A#1 appreciator will be accompanying me to Santo Domingo 

Santa Monica Pier. I carry my pocket-size Moleskine everywhere.

Minneapolis-St Paul Airport. I'm so excited for another infusion of inspiration for panoramas from Simo and Claudio!

Here are 3 links to more of my work: on flickr, Urban Sketchers Midwest  and Sketching in NatureI'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SKETCHING ALONGSIDE OF AND LEARNING FROM ALL OF YOU!! SEE YOU SOON!


23 comments:

  1. I think the talent meter may go off the scale when we all arrive in STO DMO. Love the pastel!

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    1. “talent meter”--teehee! I look forward to meeting you in person in STO!

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    1. Isn’t this great to carry on a friendship in different places around the globe?!!!

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  3. I really like the diversity of mediums here, Marcia! I´m looking forward to meeting you in SD!

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    1. Sometimes I think I should focus on just one (less lugging around of stuff), but I can’t contain myself! I look forward to meeting you in SD, too!

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  4. Can't wait to meet you, but you know that already!!!!

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  5. Marcia, I am so happy you will come to DR. I think you would enjoy the lively spirit of the Dominicans and the colors down here! Bring on those NeoColors pastels... aren't they fun? :-)

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    1. Interesting you should say that about the Dominican colors, because I’ve been envisioning being exposed to a whole differnt range of color then my eyes have ever seen! Wow! So exciting!

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    2. The light is different, and colors are as bright as the ones in your NeoColor set. :-)

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    3. I still haven't used these Neocolor II in a hot place. I'm assuming SD will be mucho calor en julio, si? Do you have any experience with them melting?

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    4. One of my sets got melted but it was because I left them in a very humid place, it was raining a lot and they all got damage... but I had other sets that had survive the heat.

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  6. Very nice sketches Marcia, I really like how you did your husband's sketch. See you soon!

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    1. Obviously I’m not a purist when it comes to artist medium. Much of the time, I’m from the mucking-about-on-the-page school of picture making. In other wards, grab what’s in reach until Voila! either the paper won’t handle anymore stuff layered on it or the invisible hand of discretion stops me. I look forward to meeting you in person and discovering SD together. Do you still sport a goatee?

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    2. I do... this avatar was a sketch I did to my son when he was 2yo and he said it was me, so apparently it does look like me.

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  7. Excellent work Marcia, love the pastels and colors you use. Really looking forward to meeting and drawing with you!
    $(@TT

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    1. I see you have a flamboyancy with color, too! I’m sure we’ll find other intersections when we meet in SD. $(@TT--I like that spelling.

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  8. Hi Marcia - great selection of sketches! Looking forward to seeing you again - 3 symposiums in a row- yay!!!

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    1. I'm signed up for your and Frank's workshop, too! I liked the part about enjoying drawing buildings even if you don't know perspective real well. That's me. Yes, It will be great to see you again! My, you have an especially long trip to make to get to SD. Fortify yourself: drink a lot of tea!

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  9. ....fantastic works Marcia!!! I like your sketches..
    See you at the new panoramas

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  10. Obrigado, Claudio! The session on top of the Elevador Justica in Lisbon last July was very rigorous for me. But it was well worth it. Until July...

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  11. Love the portrait with the loosing lines and color. Will love to see other neocolor sketches in S.D. sketching non stop! ;D

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    1. If left to my own tortoise-like tendencies, I will spend 1-2 hours on one drawing. I’m going to try and get into a faster gear before SD. (sketchier, inotherwords). The portrait above is more like that. I’m working now on slimming down for SD the volume of Neocolor II crayons that I usually tote around (2 cigar boxes-1 of warm colors, the other of cool) to one small box.

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