Sunny Side Up

12" x 16" Watercolor

Sunflowers, once again! I love painting them! Today, in Pat's class, we worked with the latex house paint - using it to draw the image, letting it dry, and then painting over it. I love the way it makes you paint very loose. And, I love the way you always have whites! All in all, I really like this painting!

Spinning Out Of Control

8" x 8" Acrylic

So I went to my friend, Carlynne's, house on Friday for a one-on-one class in acrylics. I learned so much that my head was spinning when I left. Unfortunately for me, I spent a lot of time drooling over her magnificent abstract paintings. Unfortunate because I know I will never paint anything that even comes close to the beauty that is hers.

Anyway, after spending a fortune online, ordering lots of paints and brushes and whatever - I tried to come up with a painting out of my head. I can see that I will be needing a LOT of practice in this medium! But, you know, that's ok. Rome wasn't built in a day. So now it's a lot like learning to paint with watercolor - one day at a time!

It's taken me a very long time to be comfortable with my style of watercolor painting, so I'm sure that the same will be true with acrylics. I post this beginning, just as I have all my other painting practices - and someday, I will look back and be amazed at my progress. Stay tuned!

Sunset Palms Redo

For class today, I decided to redo a painting that I did a couple of years ago. You can see the original here. When I went to look up this painting, I discovered that I painted it almost exactly 2 years ago. Anyway, I wanted to show my students a way to do sunsets.


Drum roll, please! I want to introduce you to my students -- they are all working so hard! They all practice during the week, and are doing very well. My favorite part of the class is when we do "Show & Tell" at the end. They truly encourage and praise each other - and it's so much fun to see the different styles emerge!

From the left: Susan, Jo & Mary

Sandy

Jeanne & Donna

Judi

Ginny, Ilda, Sue & Teresa - and Linx in the back

And, 3 new students today - Loree (in front), Charmaine & Cheryl

Great job today, Ladies! Thanks!

Still Life

11" x 15" Watercolor

Today in Pat's class, she put a bunch of stuff in the center of the room, and challenged us to find something in it to paint. It forced us to edit, and find a center of interest. I picked the 2 blue vases - she had one bunch of sunflowers, so I made 2 bunches. We had to figure out our light source and then shadow appropriately. And, even though I'm not entirely happy with the outcome, I found it to be fun -- I didn't even draw the scene, just painted it!

Little Beach

7" x 11" Watercolor

Today, my watercolor class was all about sky, water, and sand. Even though I'm not too great at making up scenes to paint, this one ended up ok. Have to be careful not to divide the paper into 3 stripes! Once again, my students did pretty well with this - it's quite different than what they had been doing. I'm truly enjoying this teaching gig -- it's making me step up to the plate, and acknowledge that I DO know a few things or two! Sometimes, I'm amazed at some of the stuff that just flows from my lips! You'd think I've been painting forever! LOL! Oh well, we really do have fun! Next week: Sunset!

The Marsh

16" x 20" Acrylic

I've been wanting to play with acrylics lately. And, I've kinda had this image in my mind, and today there was a photo similar to it in the newspaper -- seemed like karma! It was fun to paint on a canvas again, but I'm still not sure exactly how to handle the paint. But, it was a nice diversion, and I'm sure that I'll be trying it again!

Mixed Fruit - Class #2

This was the subject of my class today. All 12 students showed up again today - and, they had all practiced during the week. I'm so amazed - they're all doing so well. I didn't get a chance to get another group shot, but all of their efforts today were fantastic!

Lazy River

12" x 16" Watercolor

Last week in Pat's class, she gave us a black & white photo of this river and trees. We not only had to edit and interpret it, but each of us made our own color decisions. Unfortunately, mine was very predictable. I really want to stretch out more and use more interesting color combinations. My goal is to paint more impressionistic, and less realistic. Sometimes it comes together in my head, but I have a hard time actually painting it! I'm contemplating taking some acrylic lessons from one of my first instructors, Carlynne Hershberger. She has a look that I'm so in love with. Check out her blog!

My First Teaching Job

This was the subject of our first painting class

I gotta tell you - I just loved teaching this class! Everyone was really anxious to learn, and all did such a good job! When 12 showed up, I was a little (make that a LOT) nervous - cause I know from being in large workshops that it's hard to give everyone enough attention. But, they were all troopers - and their first painting was a very simple one, so it wasn't as hard as I thought it might be!

I sent them home with homework - I can't wait to see what they come up with! I just hope they all had as much fun as I did today!

Pass-A-Grille

7" x 11" Watercolor

Finally got to do some painting this weekend! At least I'll have one painting for critique in class tomorrow! This is from a photo I took at Pass-A-Grille Beach during the grandsons' visit. It was so hot that day -- and the water was so warm and salty -- even though it's so beautiful there, it wasn't a pleasant trip for me!

I've been getting ready for a new class. This time, I'll be the teacher! I'm starting a basic, beginning watercolor class on Thursday, Aug. 5th. I'm able to use the Friendship Hall at my church, and they were nice enough to advertise for me - and ended up with a full class! I'll be sharing a lot of things that were taught to me by all the amazing instructors that I have encountered on this path. I hope that they love it as much as I do!