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Miss Mouse... carbon and graphite pencil on paper, 6x9, prints available, double matted

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The Story Behind the Image:  Miss Mouse is our neighborhood cat.  We say she is a "free spirit."  She never lets anyone get too close and only comes around if she thinks there is a meal for her.  Miss Mouse and her family live in the big storm sewer pipe that drains into the branch near my home.  I worry about her and her little family because when it rains this pipe drains all the water from the streets...but somehow she always knows just when to move her kittens to higher ground!  

On this day I used my telephoto lens and got this wonderful shot of her "shopping" for her own meal.  Crouched down in the grass, stalking a bird...all you could see was her head.  She definitely had lunch on her mind.  I just love the intensity in her eyes and I tried to catch the intensity of her gaze in my drawing.

The drawing Miss Mouse is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

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The Extraordinary Pencil 
    "Sponsors High School Literary Contest"

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High School students are ask to submit a Poem or Descriptive Essay...using one of my Pencil Drawings as their subject and inspiration.  There are over forty drawings on my website now and as I finish my spring collection more will be added.  The deadline for their entry is May 15, 2007.  The contest will be presented to the students after Easter break.  I would expect to be announcing winners on or before June 1. 2007.

There is $100 in prize money to be divided between the first, second, and third place winners.  Their writings will be posted here on my blog with a short biography about the author.

My hopes are that through the writing process the student will develop a greater appreciation for fine art of all types, and learn to view an original drawing, a painting, or even a piece of sculpture with a questioning mind.  Art always tells us a story.  In fact I believe there are two stories to be told...the one that inspires the artist and the one that inspires the viewer.

I hope you will return to the "Young Authors" section of my blog often, and read  "the story behind" the image that inspired their poems and essays.

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Pencil
Shavings...
"The Results of Making a Point."

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The drawing "Pencil Shavings" is a new work for 2007, and was created specifically as the signature piece for my blog.

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We each make a point...in the way we dress, in how we interact with others, with the things we speak and write, and yes, even with our art. 

The Random House Dictionary defines "shavings" as..."the part left behind or the part that remains after the greater part is removed." 

As we move through life, making our "point", we leave "shavings" of ourselves with each person with whom we interact.  Be it negative or positive...we are molded by these interactions and enriched by what we receive.

So, you ask, "What is my point"?  You are the reason for my writings and my art.  You are what makes my blog work.  It's not just "my drawings" and "my writings" that people come back to see...they also return to read "your comments".  The sharing of opinions and information is what blogging is all about.  Without your input, my blog becomes simply a collection of my thoughts.  

I want my blog to be a fun, informative place to visit.  My hope is that you will return often to see what new things have been added, view some of my latest drawings and learn what inspires me.

Sincerely,
Marsha Robinett

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Guidelines for taking photographs:   Whether you are planning to take photographs specifically for your commissioned drawing, or plan to use a favorite photograph that you already have...you will find the "Photography Guidelines" listed below helpful.  If after reading these you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

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Indoor Photography:
1.  Inside photos are great if your camera will take a clear, detail-filled image
     without the use of a flash.
2.  Please...use natural light (no flash);  side lighting is best. Try taking 
     some of your photographs near a window...but do not have the subject
     facing the window.

Outdoor Photography:
3.  If you plan to take your photographs outside...a cloudy, but reasonably
     bright day is good because you will have nice soft shadows.
4.  On bright sunny days take photos in the shade, or with the sun a little to
     the back and side, to avoid squinting.
     ...mid mornings or late afternoons are best.
     ...Soft shadows on the face are a good thing.
     ...Please try to avoid harsh shadows on the face, as they sometimes tend
        to hide detail. If this is unavoidable, try using a "low key" fill-flash.  
        Note: In this situation, give me a photo with and without the fill-flash.

General Photography Guidelines: 
5.  Fill the lens with the subject.
6.  Where the portrait is to be "three-quarter" or "full length," also take
     some close-up shots of the head and face, before the subject moves! 
     Making sure the head  is at least close to the same angle as in the 
     "full length" photograph you just took!
7.  Make sure you always get some additional close-up shots of the facial
     features, especially the eyes and mouth.
8.  When you are photographing pets or children,     
      ...keep the camera at their eye level or  below. 
      ...Sit in a chair or get on the ground if necessary. 
9.  Take lots and lots of photos from different angles and in different
      lighting situations.
      ...Don't skimp here; digital photos are cheap!! 
      ...You can never take too many and you can never send me too many!
10. Don't pose them all...try some candid shots. 
      ...Those unplanned photos will often "say" the most amazing things in 
         a drawing. 
11. I can't say it enough...it's all about the detail...detail, detail, detail. 

Camera Settings and Misc.
12. Use the highest resolution your camera supports.
13. Save the images in "extra fine jpeg."
14. Do not crop your photos.
15. Take your photos in color.
16. Your digital references can be emailed if the image is not "downsized" 
      in the process, I need to have the largest file size your camera can 
      give me....if this is an issue, your photos should be copied to a CD
      and sent by regular mail.
17. Any traditional paper photos can be scanned at 300dpi or greater
      and emailed, or of course, photo copied and sent by regular mail. 
18. PLEASE...do not send me your "Treasured one-of-a-kind Family
      Photographs."  You need to have them either scanned or
      photocopied, which ever produces the best image.

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I am just an Artist...not a professional photographer.  I take photos as reference for my drawings, and this is the equipment that works best for my needs and style of photography.

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I believe that I have, except for perhaps a good macro lens, settled into the equipment that I need for the type of photography that I do .  Most of my photos, if not all, are taken as reference material for my drawings.  Because I try to do all of my photography in natural light, no flash, the lenses that I have chosen are suitable for that purpose.

My camera is the Canon Rebel XTi.  I traded up from the Rebel XT...an upgrade which some photographers would say didn't offer enough for the $$.  For me it was a no-brainer.  The rebel XT was always blowing highlights unless I remembered to adjust the exposure compensation...but my biggest complaint about the XT was that I could not see the LCD screen to make these adjustments when I was outside.  The Rebel XTi exposes a little more to the left, saving the highlights, and the LCD screen is bigger and brighter...I have never had difficulty seeing it, in any type of lighting.  The extra 2 MP on the XTi have proven helpful also, as I do a lot of extreme cropping and zooming in on the computer screen, to see the small details.

This camera was rather controversial when introduced by Canon...with some people experiencing alot of "exposure" issues.  In my opinion, the way it washed out was, that most of the issues were experienced when the "kit lens" was used.  I believe Canon did finally admit or offer to correct this issue if you sent your camera in.  This is certainly a short explanation of the problem.  If you are interested the the XTi and want to know more about the "exposure issues" that I touched on here, I would suggest doing a search on DPREVIEW.  This is a wonderful photography forum for professionals and amateurs alike...the members are helpful and informative.  The-Digital-Picture is another good place to find reviews on cameras and lenses.  I have used these sites often.

The lens that I have on my camera most of the time is Canon's new EFS 17-55mm 2.8 IS...for me this is the perfect general purpose lens.  It has great low light ability with the F2.8 and IS.  The range is where I shoot most.

I also have the Canon 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8.  These are my portrait lenses, and again, good in low light.  I find the range of these two lenses work well in most situations, there are times however, when the 50mm is a little to long, especially in a small room.  I have, in these situations, been able to use the 17-55mm...but a 35mm would have been my first choice.

My latest purchase is the 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO...This is my "Street Photography" lens.  It's small size and black color and IS makes it the perfect lens for this type of discrete photography, and I love its reach.  I am excited to get out and really use it this summer.  The photos taken with the DO require a little more post processing, but never underestimate the fine detail and color this lens is capable of capturing.  The 70-300 DO is a lot of lens in a small package.

I am not a photographer...just an artist who takes photos, and this is the equipment that works best for me.  Over time I have learned many things that have improved my "picture taking experience".  Today's digital cameras are wonderful, sometimes exasperating, yet exciting tools for documenting our life experiences in a way never before possible.  Check back often, for new hints and techniques.

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