Blah, Blah, Blahg! I know. Sometimes that’s just how it feels. I tried to keep up with a monthly posting routine. I realized that’s just not for me. So, I did away with the blog as my cornerstone page and changed to a static one. I do, however, like to write about process and things that work in a journal format to remind myself or share with others.
So, I’m creating this post as a menu page to find the posts that I do write. Because, apparently, there is no other way to find my posts that is convenient when you have a static page as a cornerstone page.
Anyways, enough of the venting for now. Below are the posts that have been written if you ‘d like to check them out.
Thanks for your patience and understanding. It is greatly appreciated.
My second post is about the models I’ve worked with. My continuous efforts in learning, exploring, and being inspired to develop my creativity with life drawing and figurative work evolves around my work with models.
Going through my archives led to the inspiration for this post and new digital figurative work. I was still hopeful about blogging then, too. Hopefully I’ll regain that enthusiasm with this new approach.
My enthusiasm began to slow, my creative flow also started shifting. This was my last post for a while. Can we say unexpected plot twists? Life happens. Time to pivot.
Time for a new approach. Don’t worry I’ve enjoyed the break from blogging and spent time with collage, abstract painting, artist trading cards, digital exploration, macrame and beading, and some much needed maintenance on my other sites as well.
Looking forward to what’s ahead for the rest of 2026! Stay tuned.
What a transformational month February 2026! I shifted from drawing to digital exploration with image editing and abstracts.
February 2026 Projects
I always have some projects that are ongoing. This month my creative flow crossed several of my ongoing projects. One of the ongoing projects has been about utilizing the abstracts created for the model name cards. I tried to keep my main focus on finishing model gallery pages. As part of that process, I also wanted to create new digital work for those new pages.
Mixed Media with Painted Abstracts for Image Editing Projects
This particular project with painted abstracts from the name cards was used with previous work from several models this month. The digital work resulting from the image editing is shown below. The models included in this project are @malemodelmtl, @mistry.3y3z, @mrkendonagasaki, and @lifefigure_.
@malemodelmtl
@mistry.3y3z
@mrkendonagasaki
@lifefigure_
Along with the digital image editing of previous work, there is also new sketchbook and artist trading card work for @lifefigure_.
Newsprint with Painted Abstracts for Image Editing Projects
Another project for February 2026 was digital exploration with archived newsprint drawings. For the abstracts used in the digital image editing here I utilized some of my paper bag abstracts. (More on the paper bag project coming soon to my artcie.com site.) From my archives, the newsprint life model for this digital exploration was Christine K. from art gym at San Diego Art Institute in 2013.
I also worked a bit on image editing with archived model photography. The images below are of Donovan from a San Diego Gay Men’s Art Group (SDGMAG) event in 2018. One of the digital images below uses the abstract for Donovan from the name card project.
Donovan
Model Pages
Well that’s the direction I was headed in. I am in need of catching up on model pages for the site. I did finish a new gallery page for my work of @lifefigure_. Other new model pages are still in development.
Thank you for your time and your continued support. I am grateful. Again, Thank You! Looking forward to what’s ahead in March 2026!
Welcome to ciejavie.com. All work is my own unless otherwise noted. My life drawing journey and work with life models began in 2013 and continues to evolve in the present.
You will find images to models listed alphabetically in sections. Models with large amounts of work will have gallery pages created.
I have worked with many life models in various locations around San Diego. I started in life drawing courses at San Diego Mesa College in 2013.
Tori – Digital
art gym – SDAI
I sought out what was available to me to supplement my classes. I found that with “art gym” at San Diego Art Institute’s (SDAI)Museum of the Living Artist in Balboa Park.
art gym – Model Photography
The opportunities for model photography there also allowed me to acquire images for photo reference drawings and digital exploration.
art gym – Collaboration
I’m fortunate and grateful to have met and worked alongside a large number of talented local artists and life models there. I am especially grateful to have collaborated with several of them.
James – 2015
collaboration with Jaron Stokes, Lena Gardelli, and Jonathan Williams
SDAD
I would also draw at San Diego Art Department (SDAD) on Ray Street in North Park. Opportunities that allowed me to explore my creativity freely were at the top of my list.
Anonymous Three – SDAD 2013
NPDG
I was grateful to find another opportunity with North Park Drawing Group at the rec. center in North Park.
Christa – NPDG 2015
MAS – La Jolla
I also enjoyed excursions for drawing to My Art Shed in La Jolla. I would collaborate with Jaron Stokes and we would also draw individually there (see my drawing below) with life model Yoni – @bakermodel.
(My Art Shed – La Jolla 2015) Yoni – @bakermodel
SDGMAG
Participating with the San Diego Gay Men’s Art Group and having the opportunities for both drawing and photography at Diversionary Theater and Twiggs Coffee in University Heights was also truly a blessing.
SDGMAG 2018 – Brock, Chris, Donovan, and Jaron (back to front)SDGMAG 2025 – Donovan, Brock, Stu, Jaron, and Scott (left to right)
A Model Photography page has been added. The creative digital work and reference drawings that were inspired by those images are being processed to be included. The page is in continued development.
Chris – 2018 SDGMAG at Twiggs (2025 digital)
As pages are created this post will evolve. Thanks for your patience with my process and new site construction.
