Transforming Austin

Blanton's new $20 million grant may help transform downtown Austin

This plaza will be transformed thanks to a $20 million Moody Foundation grant.

Photo by Katie Friel

The Blanton Museum of Art is poised to undergo some beautiful changes. During the museum's annual gala on February 9, the Moody Foundation announced it is donating $20 million to the museum — the largest gift ever awarded to a member of Austin's fine arts community.

The multimillion-dollar donation is earmarked to transform the Blanton's exterior spaces, ultimately connecting the University of Texas at Austin campus to the Texas Capitol Complex. Snøhetta, a Norway-based architecture firm, is leading the project.

Though the plans won't be released until this summer, the Blanton did tease a few of the changes in a news release. The design will reshape the plaza between the museum's two buildings, and the area surrounding Ellsworth Kelly's Austin. The "reconfiguration will enable the museum to use more versatile space for a variety of lively public programming," the museum says, including its annual Blanton Block Party.

"Blanton collections inspire thousands of scholars, students, and art lovers from around the world to visit our city and university each year," said UT president Gregory L. Fenves during the gala. "With a beautifully reimagined exterior, the Blanton will continue to expand its reputation as one of the premier destinations for fine art in Texas."

Under the leadership of director Simone Wicha, who assumed the position in 2011, UT's art museum has elevated its international profile. The acquisition of what would be Kelly's final work, Austin, proved a pivotal moment for the museum. In 2018, the Blanton was among five other internationally renowned institutions — including New York City's Museum of Modern Art and Madrid's the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía — to receive portions of famed collector Patricia Phelps de Cisneros' collection.

"As a young visitor growing up in Austin, this museum taught me that art is a vital social force to inspire and unite communities," said Elle Moody, trustee of The Moody Foundation, during the gala. "The Blanton continues to make great strides in bringing world-class art experiences to visitors from Central Texas and beyond, and we are honored to support this exciting next chapter."

In addition to improving Blanton facilities, this new chapter may prove pivotal for downtown Austin as well. In creating this outdoor space on the UT campus, the area would serve as the capstone to the Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan, an ambitious project to create "grand civic spaces." Released in 2016, the plan envisions turning Congress Avenue from the Capitol to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard into a tree-lined pedestrian plaza, ending at the Blanton.

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Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

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