Teaching a Workshop this week

I love to teach! To pass along the knowledge I have gained through years of experience and see it help others to advance on their journey is very rewarding. Painting is a journey of self- discovery as well as self- expression and most importantly it is so much fun!

This Friday I begin teaching a 3 day workshop at the Crossroads Art Center, in Richmond, on Mixed Water Media. This workshop explores the virtues, pitfalls and advantages of watercolor and acrylic paints in mixed media painting. I will demonstrate how to use these two different paints effectively in one painting and how to further enhance the painting  surface with water soluble crayons, pencils, various tools and paper surfaces.  My painting below, called Tree Party I, is an example of mixed water media.

Any Studio will do.

When I first came to this small cottage I struggled with finding a suitable place to paint. The kitchen table just wasn’t cutting it.  I really needed my own space …even if it was outside under a tree. Before resorting to the shade of the big Maple, I decided to try the garage. I set up a couple work tables in one of the two bays, took out my art stuff, put on the music and started to paint.   It has fluorescent lights (Ug!), but they are located 10’ high on a white ceiling and there is some natural light from the bay door windows. Humm….the quality of light is actually better than I thought it would be.  I can keep one bay door open in nice weather and use the handy garden hose for cleanup.  All my art stuff is out and ready when inspiration strikes and best of all I can make a mess if I want to.  This “lightly” heated and air-conditioned space is my version of a garret studio. You know, it’s not ideal but it will certainly do and surprisingly I am happy there.  Ah….freedom to paint! You have to create your own studio even if it means kicking the car outside.  Where could you create a studio?



Inspiration

Inspiration can come from the unexpected or from the everyday. The unusual things that happen by chance, like a dramatic cloud layered sunset, make us stop and take particular notice. We may take a photograph or paint a quick sketch to capture this unusual moment. This type of striking inspiration is always welcomed but it is the everyday that requires a closer look to be appreciated for its familiar comfort. I am inspired by the little things in life that make me happy…like my Crocs. I have made two paintings about these popular and endearing shoes. The square one is called Love My Crocs and was inspired by the traditional Crocs that so many of us know and love.  The rectangle is called Flip Flops. It was inspired by a pair of sandaled Crocs that I love to wear on hot summer days. Inspiration can be right under your nose, or in this case, right under your feet.