Hi...Can't believe it has been way over a month since I posted anything. Time does fly !!!@.
           It seems like I have been on overdrive. You too? Sorry about the delay.

Views: Total....2890. This week from USA, China, Ukraine & Kazakhstan.

Quote: There is no growth in your comfort zone and no comfort in your growth zone.
                                                                                 (no idea who said this)

My last posting was about me going off to take a portrait watercolor class. I bet, since you never heard from me since then, you might have thought I perhaps didn't survive the class. Ha. Well. close !!!
It is always good to have your cage rattled some throughout the years of your life. This class did just that for me. Rattle...Rattle. 

The class was taught by Ted Nuttall. I love his work and even though there isn't anyway I would or could paint in his style (or have any Portrait style  or talent) I did gain a lot from taking his class. I came away from the class with a set of "New Shiny Tools" to add to my "Old Shiny Tools"....and I have more confidence. I really have been flooded with portrait ideas to paint. 
            My cage was rattled by the following.

 The class was 5 days...9-4....at Cascade Fine Art Workshops, Bend, Oregon...www.cascadefineartworkshops.com.
Check out Ted's website...www.tednuttall.com. 

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.

Student Art:

I have my students paint from a photo that is upside down. This disengages their mind from thinking in terms of object to shape....example: the mind will go from "tree" to a "shape" when seen out of context in the upside down format. If you look for the "Shapes" in what you are painting (start with the big main shapes...then break those down to the shapes within etc) you can paint or draw just about anything.

Below are 2 examples from my beginning watercolor class. Aren't they great !!! Give it a try.

The photo is one of mine from a Bend area lake.

Sue:
This is the view Sue saw while painting.

This is our view now that the painting is finished. 

Patty:

This is the view Patty saw while painting.

This is our view now that the painting is finished. 

Thanks for sharing.