Views: 2248... USA, South Korea, Turkey, France & Philippines.

Cynthia: Check out Cynthia's website (on the right)....she is a talented artist, writer and was one of my students (all to briefly). 

Sorry, I have been absent from posting for such a long while. I have had a busy time. It seems when one least expects it...life changes and moves in different directions. Life is good, if not just different. 

It looks like my Italian trip may be put on hold until next year...that is one adjustment I can share with you that really has disappointed me. My dreams of living in a quaint Italian apartment on a quaint side alley, near all the great eateries, sights and art, still burns in my soul...so I know it must happen. After all...I created the perfect travel watercolor painting kit to tote around the country!! 

I have a new class of Credit Drawing students for Summer Term...I still get excited in knowing what is ahead for each one and hope that art will become a permanent joy. 

My on going Intermediate Watercolor/Acrylic class also started. It came to my attention that some of my regulars have been taking classes from me since 1997. There is a comfort in knowing these artist/friends that I can't explain. There are also 3 new students to this class (they all finished my beginner class). Each one adds greatly to the class.

Travel Journal: I, of course, had several journals ready for an international adventure...but, why go out of the country to fill it up? Join me in filling up a journal this summer...lots of sketches crowded with writings of your feelings or memories. Have several journals...one for your home town, one for your state, one for your homestead, your neighborhood ...etc.....a memory album painted by you. Send me your pages to post...I would love to see them.

Blog Views: US, Poland, Australia and South Korea.

Artwork: Two artist students...Liz and Colette... have offered their paintings for you to enjoy. 

Colette: 

Liz:

I offered each of my Intermediate artist/students to see if they could incorporate two objects into their artwork...a gold and silver Josh paper and a  Chinese New Year Money Envelop. This one is Liz's mix-media.

Quote: "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."....George Bernard Shaw...Irish Playwright

Viewer Contribution: 

Liz Hubbard:

Liz is one of my Intermediate student/artist. I'm always amazed how involved she is with her world and community. She keeps busy with her family's large sheep ranch, fleece, painting etc etc etc...! (click her web site at right)

Below is a painting...mix media...she started during our last class of the term. I was afraid I would not get to see it finished...but here it is. How wonderful !!!  She did so well and I'm so happy to see it.  I felt she was on to something.

Liz's statement:   

"In our intermediate painting class with Joni we often tease her about trying to turn us to the dark side, or trying to bring out our inner dark.  That is because her most often heard advice is “more darks.” 

In this piece I have taken  tissue paper colored with pencil, tore pieces and glued them to a canvas board to collage a sheep cameo.  To finish I added detail with a charcoal pencil.  I did the finish work at home and I kept hearing Joni say, “more darks.”  I added more darks, several times, and after calling the piece finished I think perhaps it still might need “more darks.”

It was an interesting study; working in just shading, starting with the lightly shaded scraps of paper and working to the darker.  The idea came from a book called Painting Shapes and Edges."

In response to her statement :... "I can (always) say more "darks"...but she doesn't  have to add any if she doesn't feel it needs more. The head pops out forward, there is a light source, the eyes talk to me...I want to reach out and touch.

Thanks for the inspiration."

Thank you.