By Richard Charvet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-charvet-61965329
© 2023 All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
ARS GRATIA ARTIS INTRODUCTION
"Blessed are the weird people: poets, misfits, writers' mystics, painters, troubadours for they teach us to see the world through different eyes."
- Jacob Nordby
Somewhere along the line, whether it was in school or listening to my local park bench philosopher, they reminded me an artist will walk into a room and notice if a light switch plate is missing a screw or how many dots are in a ceiling tile. An artist sees what others don't and then tries to replicate that magic on paper, canvas, in sculpture or in song. They notice details others may never see and lie beneath it all.
It is an artist's way.
Years ago, when my son was a toddler, the Ninja Turtles were coming of age. From toys to the movies, they were a hit. But, many warned, "That is not something for children to see. The turtles should be banned!" I liked them and the stories. I educated myself on how they were created. Besides, if it wasn't for us, we didn't have to watch. My son's childcare provider who also had a PhD in Early Childhood Development, said she was against viewing anything like that, at first. She went on to say, "But how could I come to a conclusion solely based on what others told me? I went and saw the movies and felt they were imaginative and fun." I thought, "Education is the key; we need a renaissance in how we make decisions." Now that I think about it, the "Naked Truth."
Which leads me to the study of the human form: nudes in art. Is it sexual? Is it pornography?
Should students not be able to view it? Or, if one doesn't appreciate pure anatomy, should they just choose not to look at it? One should not be condemned for another's obtuse mindset.
Again, if you don't like it, "change the channel."
As an artist, teacher, and one who has drawn in a life drawing class, at first it is daunting for one who has not experienced observing a naked body. I remember the first time I saw a nude male in one of my classes. I was embarrassed. It was the first time I had ever seen the male "form," in this setting and I felt uncomfortable. With that said, however, through this educational experience not only did I gain artistic skill but learned from the history behind "drawing nudes." It became second nature to utilize different media and the art elements to take what I saw and put it on paper; a true challenge. There was no time to think about "other things" that have so many people wanting to dismiss nude art for what it is not.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In the end, perhaps the Ninja Turtles, Rafael, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Leonardo taught us to have a "renaissance in our own thinking" before forbidding others to enjoy what we all have in common, the human form.
My poetic life drawing reflections instinctively guided by Calliope (the muse of epic poetry). Her name translates in ancient Greek as "beautiful voice." My intent was to convey the emotions related to life drawing to not only educate, but to evoke joy as well. I hope you enjoy these six offerings.
GENESIS
A Quiet room.
Fellow classmates.
Anxiousness.
A large man in a maroon robe walked into the room and took center stage.
Then, unrobed.
A large penis unveiled itself.
"Don't stare. Dude, don't stare."
Graphite, Conte, Charcoal found their way onto our drawing pads.
There was plenty of time to stare.
But not anymore.
That weirdness dissipated within minutes.
Human anatomy, tone, spinal flow, proportion.
Light.
Shadow.
Contour.
Essence.
"Next pose!"
My mind went to a still place.
I was alone while trying to capture the energy of the human body.
It was innocent.
It was pure.
The soul.
There was no weirdness to be found.
Just an artist trying to capture God's creation.
EUREKA!
Textured, toned, plain, smooth.
It doesn't matter.
Put MEDIUM to the paper and go, go, go!
Quick gestures do not rest in the
30, 60, 90, 120 second drawing sessions.
Keen observation needed to take
nothing to pure essence.
Kinetic movement of mind and hand.
Sketches turned into realness one can feel.
Again. And again.
This time the soul will be captured.
Round, oblong, straight, curved.
Contour lines give the body weight.
Today, light and shadow treat me well.
Modeling at its best.
Behold!
Natural beauty is unveiled.
Such curves; hair glistens.
Fingers, toes, feet, shoulders, neck.
Eureka!
I look up and her eyes meet mine.
I feel ashamed.
But, her gaze tells me it's okay.
Just draw me well.
DRAWING CLASS
Still, quiet, focus
Innocence displayed purely
Life on canvas now
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Gaze shapes, curves, feet
Accurate concentration
Awe of pure essence
THE HUMAN FORCE
Normal part of life
Light and shadow begets form
Masterful gesture
MASTERY
Drawing is innate in all of us.
We scribble, doodle, and write our names in different ways.
Drawing: A minute to learn yet a lifetime to master.
Oh and those pesky tools of trade you say?
They beg us to challenge their control.
Charcoal is messy.
Conte crayon flows nicely with colors like red and white.
I love how it makes for great highlights.
For tone, graphite blends well yet accurate.
An Ebony pencil creates intense blacks.
Today we use charcoal.
Dust is everywhere.
I do try to control my strokes, but as they say,
"It ain't happening."
My eye can see the model, but what's on the paper looks
More like a chubby frog.
Dang this charcoal.
And to make matters worse, my arm just rubbed across my sketches.
Just great. Just great.
Win some; lose some I tell myself.
I gaze upon my classmate's drawing.
Charcoal mastery at its best.
Today my drawing will be abstract.
Richard "Rick" Charvet has spent a lifetime looking at the world in a different light. And to many, he is the "crazy creative guy" who makes people laugh. At age two, he learned to draw by watching "Magic Drawing Board" on Captain Kangaroo. Charvet is a daydreamer and eternal optimist; he played nearly every sport while finding a myriad of subjects fascinating from CB Radios to Humanitarian Law. He was the first in his family to earn a BS in Applied Art/Design ('83) Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA. Charvet, along with his dog Charly, spends his days finding beauty in the mundane, gardening, watching birds, writing, and philosophizing while wishing for a better tomorrow. After 32 years of teaching art (and other subjects) to "at risk youth," he advocates for those who are underserved and always looks to protect "the little guy." He lives with his wife Linda in Gilroy, CA and has two adult sons. For more on Richard Charvet, please click here