December 2008 Archives
Good morning drawing fans! Today is the last day of the Thrilla in Manila Draw-a-thon between Jane Mount and Jason Polan. It's been an exciting and inspiring few days, although, as Jane pointed out last night, "Drawing is hard work!" Yes it is, but these two artists have staying power. They will fight till the end!Jen and Jeffrey are on their way back from sunny Miami today, so I will leave you with a few more trivia notes before I sadly hand over my drawing reportage to the artists themselves. From now on, it will be no holds barred!
Yesterday, I asked Jane and Jason to name their favorite artists. Jane is fan of Chris Johanson (they both love to draw planets), Marlene Dumas, and folk artist Howard Finster. Jason mentioned Derek Erdman, Katie McDonough, Michael Worful, and Bill Thelen. Learning who our artists look to for inspiration brought me to another battling artwork: the very famous Erased de Kooning where Robert Rauschenberg erased a Willem de Kooning drawing. You can hear him talk about it here.
Well, this is it dear fans, let the final round begin! Best of luck to our talented artists and may the best drawer win!
Our winners are seasonally sweet this evening: Gummi Bears and Santa Claus! Jane and Jason can barely keep their eyes on the page as we finish up another long but fantastic day of drawing. One more to go!
The stacks of paper are piling on the tables, I can barely keep up! I'll be back with some latest and greatest from the Battle Drawing series. Who do you think will come out on top? Gummi Bears vs. The Eiffel Tower? Santa Claus vs. Big Foot entering a black hole? You be the judge! (winners will be announced soon...)
The blog has been down for a few hours so, in the meantime, Jane and Jason have been making incredible progress (up to 80 5x7" collaborative drawings!) and we've had some very special guests. A musical duo all the way from Brighton, England popped in to make some lovely drawings and inspired Jane and Jason to choose their favorite British artists: Hennie Haworth for Jane and superstar Damien Hirst for Jason. Photographer Amy Stein just joined us at the table drawing along with some very special members of the Taco Bell Drawing Club. It's been quite a day so far! Be sure to be here Monday night for the real stand-off: who will be the first to buy the beautiful drawings?! It will surely be difficult to chose just one.
We're half way there drawing fans! Get plenty of rest for we'll be back tomorrow, as bright eyed and bushy tailed as Jane's presidential dog series (come down to see her amazing work!). Alright ladies and gentleman, it's time to put those pens and brushes down and time for me to sign off. Enjoy!
With close to one hour to go, the battle continues! Jason is gaining energy from his new AAA Holiday Edition just released on 20x200 but we all know that it's Jane who's keeping him on his toes! Keep a watch out for more drawing action as we wind down in today's final round.
Hi Jen,
Love the head-to-head thing. But shouldn't it have been Thrilla on Manila?
Wanted to add another, earlier artist boxing match to your list. At the end of Documenta 5, for which Beuys set up an Office for Direct Demoracy (where for 100 days he debated political systems with visitors), he boxed (and beat) the young formalist sculpor Abraham David Christian.
Best,
Dakin Hart
Dakin Hart
Jane and Jason just arrived with new source books and supplies in tow. They have been quickly tidying and sorting all the new work from last night's full house. I can't wait to see what they come up with today! I'm sure Jane will be busy with her polaroid portrait series and I'm looking forward to more of Jason's witty commentary. Come down and add yourself to the mix!
If you are in need of some creative inspiration, you can become your very own drawing superhero at the 826NYC Superhero Supply Store in Brooklyn. With about an hour to go, more people just sat down to draw and the wall is filling up. Jane and Jason are still going strong! Stay tuned for more!
As Jane and Jason get back to work after a well deserved pizza break they tallied their efforts to a prolific 25 drawings in 3 hours with more on the way! Incorporating animals, chairs, and text (to name just a few), their pens rarely lifting from the page, these two don't miss a beat! As Jason mentioned in one of his drawings, "It won't be painful. And you don't have to buy anything." Not yet anyways, but come Monday evening when each drawing will be on sale with all proceeds being generously donated to 826NYC. Come down to the gallery and draw with us!
It's 11:35am on Wednesday and I'm at the gallery and have unwrapped all the lovely art supplies; it's like Christmas morning. Come by and use them!!
Jason's due here any minute, and Audra, who's helping us out for the next several days (and will be posting here as well b/c we will be too busy drawing a lot of the time, I am sure), has gone to get more chairs.
I'm going to go do some finger exercises now, and drink some more coffee, just to be sure I'm fully prepared ;)
