1. Elizabeth “Grandma” Layton

2. 1909 – 1993 Wellsville, Kansas From a family of writers & journalists Editor of Wellsville Globe (hometown paper) Divorced, raised 5 children, remarried 2 nd husband, Glenn Suffered from depression Began drawing in 1977, at 68 Took an art class at Ottawa University Used art as therapy to help her get better.

3. Contour Drawing Learned to use the technique of "blind" contour drawing Artist seldom looks at the paper while drawing Artist concentrates on the subject, not the line being drawn on paper. Drawing is focused on the edges of the drawing The result is a distinctive, rough image. Art therapists use contour method because it makes drawing more personal and can release suppressed emotions.

4. “Rainbowed” Colors Mean Hope Elizabeth Layton used a “rainbow” of colors in her drawings. To her they represent hope. She thought hope and wisdom went hand in hand. Her art demonstrates emotion and often makes contemporary political statements as well. (Hunger, Buttons…) She uses herself as the subject in many of her drawings, to show societal and political issues. She has empathy towards those who find themselves in situations beyond their control. She felt society tends to overlook the productivity that can continue into old age. “…At the same time, it is the responsibility of the old people to be as productive as they can in whatever ways, for as long as they can. Even a smile in thanks.” (www.elizabethlayton.com)www.elizabethlayton.com She has a sense of humor and sometimes displays this in her art.

5. Self-Portraits Buttons, 1982 Through the Looking Glass, 1984 I’m into Art Therapy, 1987 Masks, 1978 Hunger, 1985

6. "I hate to cook, so this is my Thanksgiving, because we have Kentucky Fried Chicken and Oreo cookies, and I didn't have to work at it. I have cooked I don't know how many family dinners. I've given up. So the turkey is outside there, strutting because he didn't get killed. See, it's better for everybody." Elizabeth Layton Thanksgiving, 1977

7. Capitol depicted as a birthday cake loaded with candles Elizabeth Layton & 2nd husband Glenn Orchestra plays on the statehouse steps. State motto “to the stars through difficulties” represented by stars above the capitol dome Traditional Kansas symbols (sunflower, bison, yellow brick road, outline of state of KS) Celebrate the Arts and the 125th Birthday of Kansas, 1985, KS Museum of History, Topeka, KS Originally given to Don Lambert, a reporter who “discovered” and promoted Layton

8. Let’s do a contour drawing! Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoGAXg6m4Gchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoGAXg6m4Gc Choose a simple object to draw. Pick a point on the object to start. Focus on the edges of the object. Let your eye begin a slow “journey” around the contour, or edge, of the object. – Your eyes should move slowly, like a snail, around the object as you draw. As the eye begins to move, so should the hand holding the pencil. Look at the object not the pencil or your hand as it draws. Try drawing the entire contour (edge) of the object without lifting your pencil from the paper. Practice this drawing method - your drawings will begin to look like what you are looking at.

9. Choose a simple object to start.