Rachael Padilla

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

I saw a tortoise

Approached carefully, quiet.

He politely posed.

I always feel lucky on a day when I see a turtle or tortoise. Today’s walk had me crossing paths with this beauty!

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Unique perspective

Upside down, maybe backwards

See it a new way.

Standing on my head is a literal example of what I was thinking when I wrote this haiku. It isn't about the physical point of view but the logical, mental, or emotional point of view. I think there have been a lot of situations in life where I've become more stressed out by a thing because I couldn't see it in a different way. But I'm reminded by the thought of seeking new perspectives in how I ...

A wonderful and weird walk on a Wednesday

I went to explore a unique and beautiful place. When I first stepped on the firm rock surface it felt as if I was standing on the bare face of the earth.  It felt solid and connected.  As if the rock beneath my feet went all the way down to the very core of the planet.  Mt. Arabia is a beautiful place that has an other-worldly feel, and I will be back to visit again! 

https://vimeo....

Tuesday Update

I hope your week is off to a great start! This is what I'm up to.

It's been a strangely cool spring, leading to a strangely cool summer. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to enjoy the sunshine or summer heat. 

I suppose I'll just have to take these breaks wherever, and whenever I can!

Trouble viewing? 

Try this:

https://vimeo.com/835953046/de51a7a7b9

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Jumping just for fun

Feet pushing the earth away

Finding it again.

Hula Hoop Tricks

35 years ago, I was sure that my Hula Hoop Skills would come in handy some day! 

Maybe they finally have! Here, some silliness with the hoops! 

https://vimeo.com/835252253/fd266b07d2

How I Draw a Gesture Drawing

I've posted a lot of "Selfie in Three Parts" posts lately. So I thought I'd mix things up a bit today!

With all of the new Patrons of late (thank you so much!!!), it has occurred to me that not everyone has seen the process of how I create my gesture drawings. Traditionally, gesture drawings are done using a live model, where the artist creates a quick impression (or gesture) of the pose the model is in. The idea is to be quick. 

Since I use myself as a model, I generally mak...

Patron Exclusive: McRib is Back

I worked today on finishing up some of the paintings I started during livestreams on YouTube. After I finished up today's gesture drawing, I got to work on McPig. Here are some of my thoughts!

https://vimeo.com/835218871/d4e9475072

Selfie in Three Parts: vitamin D

A haiku:

The sun bakes my skin

Breaking for Vitamin D

Between the edits.

I’ve taken to much needed breaks of sunshine while editing this week. It has helped me to feel happier, and stay better focused for the tedious work involved in moviemaking!

Selfie in Three Parts (plus context)

A haiku:

Faces of granite

Where trees grow in ancient pools

Created by time.

I went for a beautiful hike today in a space that looked almost otherworldly. The whole mountain is a gradual slope of granite. Time, air, and water have created texture and pools. Some of those shallow pools now have unique ecosystems. What a beautiful hike at Arabia Mountain!

Lunch Break

I filmed this while taking a break from work yesterday.  Editing is a very time-consuming process.   I've tried to limit how much editing time I spend per week, but it can get away from me.  Breaks are important.  

https://vimeo.com/834386752/cec3385ca8?share=copy

Wednesday Walk

This week's walk finds me in an unusual location.  While I enjoy nature and exploring the woods, I also enjoy exploring places that are off of the beaten path in a different way.  Places that are abandoned or at least not being used as originally intended are always interesting. This formerly industrial spot is being taken over by trees, animals, vandals, and movie crews.  Sharp eyed viewers may recognize it as one of the locations in the Nicholas Cage movie Willie's Wonderland...

Tuesday Update

Everything up with me this week. 

https://vimeo.com/833831041/f433c18863

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

In my hands I hold

All the tools necessary

To be an artist.

Turtle Test

This is just a test. 

It's occurred to me over the years that besides a few accessories, the Ninja Turtles aren't' wearing any clothes. I've pondered how a human cosplay costume might translate in a more literal sense to a human being wearing the same thing. That is to say that I no longer ponder. I've satisfied my curiosity with this test. I did forget my belt, though. So that will have to be included with later versions of this theme. Along with (hopefully) a wider range of trick...

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

The buzzing chainsaw

Cuts through heavy thick branches

Lawn bright now with sun.

I spent a good part of the day in the backyard working. Trimming out low hanging branches that make it increasingly difficult to mow. I like that kind of work. It feels like a workout with the added benefit of being able to see what I’ve accomplished!

Gesture Drawing

A behind the scenes look at today's gesture drawing from in front of the mirror in my studio. My time on these seems to be improving: this is the quickest one yet!

https://vimeo.com/832791418/9bba68c554

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku: 

Green fuzzy peaches

Tested by birds and chipmunks

Still too hard to eat.

I got a new T-shirt. It says, "Yo!". It is to support a skater that recently travelled across the country on his board. I thought I'd wear it for today's instant photo. In other news, my peach tree is loaded with fruit, but I had to critter-proof it so all the peaches aren't eaten by chipmunks, squirrels, and birds! Looking forward to peach jelly later this year! 

Yo! Cow

I followed a skater on an epic journey via YouTube. 

This is a behind the scenes look at why. 

https://vimeo.com/832781436/c75c305555

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Charcoal and paper

Using a mirror I draw

The artist seeing self.

The three parts of the selfie that I regularly post are:

1. A photograph. A real tangible instant photo that I can hold in my hand. These are accumulating in a nice old fashioned photo album. The photograph represents how others perceive me, as it is my own image.

2. A gesture drawing or sketch. Generally created with charcoal on an 18 x24 inch sheet of paper. This is achieved by usin...

Wednesday Walk

Join me for a lovely walk in the shady woods! 

A little walking, a little talking. Some of the sights include a grist mill, a stream, and a footbridge! 

https://vimeo.com/832041682/920bc32559

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Glasses on my face

I have worn them my whole life

My ticket to sight.

Itchy eyes and seasonal allergies made contact lenses impossible today. Fortunately I have some glasses, which don't work as well as my contacts due to their age. Perhaps that's why today's gesture drawing has a Picasso/Cubism vibe!

Tuesday Update!

All the things with me this week. I hope your week is going well!

https://vimeo.com/831676354/39feafe1fa

Turtle Skills Practice

What you see here is turtle skills practice. I was trying to set a tone with the "heroic music" style, multiple cuts, and variation of speeds. So, what you don't see are the countless times I was laughing at myself, or the multiple times that I dropped the sai!

It's all in  good fun. 

https://vimeo.com/831008402/31460b6181

Selfie in Three Parts: turtle skills

A haiku:

Turtle style with sai

I practice with intention

Slaying pretend foes.

In last Tuesday’s update, I talked a bit about animal flow. I suppose this could count toward that. I’ll just call it turtle style! It’s occurred to me that Rachael and Raphael are pretty close in spelling, plus I like the idea of defensive combat with a garden tool!

Definitely more to come in this vein of silliness!

Behind the Scenes: Gesture Drawing

A behind the scenes look at creating a gesture drawing. 

The options are limited for how I can pose, but I do like getting a variety of hair options for these drawings. Braids are surprisingly fun to draw. This is recorded at regular speed.

https://vimeo.com/831027476/93bd529739

Experiments in Timelapse

This is an experiment. Often times, before I can even think of how to apply a new technique to my art or videos I do experiments such as this. My thinking was that as the clouds rolled by if I moved my body very slowly across the edge of the screen that I could somehow create a paradox of the appearance of time and space. Had I thought of it at the moment, I would have put up a second camera to capture my slow movement in real time. For future reference I will keep in mind the performative na...

Behind the Scenes: Gesture Drawing

With my left arm reaching to the sky, I create a gesture drawing using a mirror. This was a fun challenge for myself. As it can be difficult to find interesting poses to draw when you're using yourself as a model!

https://vimeo.com/830629245/24b1d00cf0

In the Backyard

I wasn't able to post yesterday so one of the first things I did this morning was to film this. I love spending time in my backyard! From gardening to mowing to sunbathing it is a source of inspiration as well as an oasis for me. Many of my photo shoots, videos, reference photos, and paintings  take place in and are inspired from the backyard. I have a tree that's been featured in a couple of different paintings and seems to have its own personality.

2023-05-26 17:51:55 +0000 UTC View Post

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Reaching for the sky

Just beyond my fingertips

Goals lofty as clouds.

I was feeling particularly grateful today as I reflected on my goals from the past few years. Just a few years ago, I was out of practice in making art, and very few people had actually ever seen any of it. Now, I create art every day and live the dream of being an artist! Partly because I made a goal to put my art into the world via the internet. Goals give me someth...