Catching Some Rays

Catching Some Rays, 9x12" oil on RayMar ($300)

I took this photo a couple of years ago in downtown Washington, D.C. and finally pulled it out to paint.  Two things struck me when I took the picture.  I loved the turquoise color on the building and the young lady enjoying the sunshine was a great compliment to that color in her yellow top.  Putting figures in my paintings is fairly new for me and probably why I'm just painting this now.  The paintings I've done over the past year have given me a lot more confidence about adding figures in a cityscape.  

The day I started this painting, I posted it for discussion with my critique group. New eyes are good even when I think I'm humming along fairly well.  Sue asked me what I wanted to viewer to look at in the painting.  I didn't know what to say.  She, like many artists I know, have a story they want their paintings tell before they begin to paint.  I rarely thought in those terms before working with this group.  Most of the time, when I paint a cityscape, something draws me to it and it is usually color.  I guess I'm thinking more about perspective.  Rats, I was hoping the story just happens like magic. Back to basics!   It all goes back to the school of doing a thumbnail sketch (which I don't do often anymore) before drawing in paint on the canvas.   
The figure wasn't my focus when I started the painting, it was the turquoise on the building that caught my eye.  But as I painted and removed a tree in the front of the building the figure became the interesting part of the painting and not so secondary.

HH4 Challenge # 12 - Looking for a Handout

As I've mentioned before, the Hilton Head Four (HH4) challenge began after I attended Karin Jurick's workshop in Hilton Head last Fall.  Maria Bennett Hock came up with the great idea of renting a beach house...lucky me... it was soooo much nicer than staying in a hotel.  Not only nicer accommodations & great view, but it gave me the opportunity to become friends with our housemates.  

We had such a good time at the workshop we wanted to do something to extend our experience. So the HH4 challenge was created to help us continue keep in touch with the added bonus to paint more.  Initially, we took turns posting a photo we took in Hilton Head as the painting challenge, but later branched out to artist's choice. 

Another great thing to come out of the workshop/challenge is Lulu invited us to visit her in Switzerland.  We have taken her up on hr invitation.  We will all meet in Switzerland next month and travel around hunting for the perfect pictures to paint!    

HH4 Challenge # 12

Here is Chris' pick:  A bird perched on the back of a chair.  

 

Lydia Jechorek

Looking for a handout, 8x8" oil on RayMar

 

 

Artist Maria Bennett Hock

 

Artist  Regula Scheifele

 

 

 

 

HH4 - "Looking for a Handout"

Artists Helping Artists (AHA) 

I was inspired to start posting again after listening yesterday to a show about blogging on an "Artists Helping Artists" podcast.  It is so easy to get out of the habit!  AHA is the brainchild of Leslie Saeta.  Every Thursday Leslie & a co-host artist pick a topic and discuss a myriad of art subjects from shows on how improve you art, the internet and it effects on selling your art, interviews with guest artists and gallerists and more. Leslie and many of her guests share their experiences and knowledge of the business side of art. Its one thing to paint, but like me, many artists aren't always good about how to sell their art. 

If you haven't listened to AHA, you are in luck because all of the last 4 years' shows are archived for you to pick and choose topics that interest you.  I download a few at a time on my phone so when I'm exercising or stuck in traffic I listen to a show.  I've even timed my walks to an hour so I can listen to an entire show.  I can't tell you how much I've learned from them.

Hilton Head Four Challenge

The HH4 cut back to 1 challenge a month over the summer.  I didn't post our June results.   Here is mine.  I'm excited to say it sold recently, especially given it is not a subject matter I normally paint, but found I really enjoyed.  I'm missing a HH4's member's painting so I'll have to request it again and post everyone's paintings tomorrow.

Looking for a Handout, 8x8" oil on RayMar (sold)

• To Challenge or not to challenge... that is the question.  

Speaking of challenges, I've had discussions with fellow artists about shared photo challenges.  Some love them and others don't like them at all.   For me the pros outweigh the cons!

Cons: For those who don't like them, its mostly because they don't like the idea of painting a painting similar to other artists.  

Pros: Its like having a free workshop. I have learned so much from this type of challenge. I believe they've made me a better painter.  I view the challenges as a learning tool, something I don't do often enough at this stage in my life.  Like most artists, I fall into the bad habit of wanting every painting to be a work of art when in reality we all have paintings that don't work for reasons sometimes beyond our comprehension.  A funny thing happens when I do a challenge.  Maybe because I enjoy them so much, I find that more times than not I have a successful painting.  

Why do a challenge?  Sometimes its really nice to not to have to think what am I going to paint today?  It fires me up when I'm in that mode. 1) They inspire me to paint.  2) I am painting subject matter that I might never paint on my own.  Its good for me to get out of my comfort zone once in a while if I want to grow.  3) It is amazing how much I learn seeing how others translate the same subject by seeing what how they've cropped, composed, used different styles, methods & color palettes.    

Crosswalk

 

Crosswalk, 12x12" oil on Raymar panel ($300)

I am a huge fan of art magazines.  They allow me to admire the work of many contemporary artists whose work I might never know about otherwise.  The perfect example is James Zwaldo, a mixed media artist whose work is featured on the cover of the June/July 2013 International Artist magazine.  He works in acrylic and generously shared step-by-step his technique of photo-shopping images and transferring the images to canvas with acrylic medium before he begins to paint.  Reading the article, I realize he must have the patience of a saint.  Me, not so much.  

Not long after receiving my copy of the magazine, I was at the Baltimore Harbor walking across the pedestrian sky-way.  Looking down I was reminded of Zwaldo's work and was struck again how interesting it was to see people in the crosswalk.  The lines of the crosswalk add such an interesting dimension to the overall picture.  The second thing that struck me was how anonymous everyone is from above. I took a number of photos.   Zwaldo's work is large and comprised of dozens of figures.  I decided I would try a lone bicyclist in the crosswalk!

Art in the Comics

Comics = art + a great sense of humor!

This week I found these great comics about art & thought I'd share them. 

Non Sequiter by Wiley Miller

This one made me think of friend and artist Kat Coy's series on cave paintings. 

Bound & Gagged by Dana Summers

Can't Catch Me

I don't work in acrylic very often but enjoy it when I do.  I haven't done any acrylic paintings larger than 11x14".  For me, I find it a great medium for painting small pieces especially when I need to paint small works (3x3" or smaller).  Being an oil painter, I can't always get the acrylic to do what I want until I remember not to fight the drying time and just go with it.  Of course remembering to spray my palette so it doesn't dry out isn't something I normally have to remember.   I have learned unlike oil, just when I think I have finally achieved the color I want, I come back later and find the acrylic has dried darker.  

ART TIP: If I can't get it light enough, I resort to going back into an area and painting it out with white then repainting it.  Then I get the lighter coloring I was aiming to achieve.

I always try to take lots of pictures when I'm at the beach.  I couldn't resist the little boy running with his big pail and his ever patient mom bringing up the rear.  

I decided to tone the canvas in black which is a bit tricky when painting in acrylic and dealing with the paint drying darker.  I'm learning it is all about lots of layers. 

The painting didn't feel quite right/finished so I turned to my critique group for suggestions. They suggested I tone down his maroon romper which was too dominate and didn't fit in with the palette I choose for the rest of painting.  I heeded their advice and I'm very pleased with the final painting. 

Can't Catch Me, 8x10" acrylic on gessobord ($200)

 Comics & Art

Herman by Jim Unger

Sunflowers in Pen & Ink & Oil

It's been a while since I've done a posting.  Opening my blog, I just realized this would be my 100th posting!

I have wanted to get out of my comfort zone for a while and try something new.  I have a couple of friends who are constantly trying new ideas and mediums and they inspired me to look for something new to try.  

I've been intrigued with Amy Ringholz's work since the first time I saw it in an art magazine. Of course I looked her up on the internet and I was thrilled to discover her videos.  I thought maybe I could experiment using pen & ink too.  So I looked through my photos to see any of them might translate into something interesting and be compatible with that style.  I knew picking a floral would have me painting a subject matter I rarely do and in this style that is totally alien.  It sounded just like what I was looking for!

I did my sketch in charcoal and sprayed it with a fixative.  I don't think I would do that again because my charcoal lines show through.  Not a bad effect, but I wanted it to be all about the ink lines.   I don't have a device like Amy uses to apply ink, so I used a wide nib.  The only problem with that is your lines are the same unless you change nibs and that would take the spontaneity out of it.  I think being able to change the width & flow makes the lines much more interesting.   But you have to work with what you have.  

I used a 16x16" canvas for my first try but I think a larger would be better since you are  basically trying to paint between the lines.  I did end up going back and darkening some of the lines with paint. 

I found the ink step was almost like doodling.  I really enjoyed the entire process.  It was fast and so much fun I plan to try it again one of these days.  

  

Dreama Tolle Perry said for most people no matter how many classes you take or styles you try, your painting style is just like your DNA.  Our styles change as we grow and improve, but our styles are unique to us.  I totally agree...But it is fun to try something totally different every once in a while.

Charcoal sketch

Pen & ink layer.  You can see the lighter charcoal lines.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the final result.  It took on an almost stained glass feeling.  I did go back in and darken some of the ink lines I lost while painting to help bring the larger flower forward. 

Art in the Comic Strips

Mug Shot # 20 - Maria Bennett Hock

Maria and I paint get together to paint almost every week.  We carpooled to Karin Jurick's 2012 Hilton Head workshop.  Maria came up with the brilliant idea of sharing a beach house with a couple of other artists she'd met the year before instead of staying at a hotel.  I have to say if you ever have a chance to do that for a workshop do itl.  It was wonderful to have people to share the experience with on a much more personal level and spent evenings expanding our art adventure.  The Hilton Head 4 challenge grew out of our time spent together when we decided it would be a great way to continue the fun we had at the workshop.  The biggest reward has been I now have 2 more dear friends.  

I'm still working hard trying to paint these 'portraits.'  I have a tendency to not go light enough with my skin tones and to over work them.  So for the last few I have toned the gessobord with red light instead of black and decided not worry about leaving some of the red showing.  

WANTED

  Maria Bennett Hock, also known as (aka) "The Enforcer"

 

Maria Bennett Hock, 4x4" oil on gessobord

Supervisor Wanda Rottenfusser report:

Just finished doing an internet search on Maria “The Enforcer” Bennett Hock and I am exhausted.  It appears this woman has done everything leading me to believe this is an extremely deep cover for a seriously nefarious felon.  She has stated “my days are filled with conceptualizing, defining and realizing concepts”.  This sounds more like a ringleader than an enforcer.

We know she spearheaded the original mug challenge of the 2011 Hilton Head Gang and instigated a similar exercise among the 2012 Hilton Head felons.  She is a member of the splinter group Hilton Head Four, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Paintbrush, and numerous art societies and organizations.  She often participates in challenges (30 in 30, 6 at 60, etc.) and workshops in North America and Europe.  She has published at least 2 books and has been heard on several episodes of blog talk radio.  We suspect that it is during these activities that she exchanges information with other felons, learning and developing more refined techniques for creating havoc. 

“The Enforcer” can often be seen skulking in art galleries dressed like a private eye (as camouflage this is not terribly successful), in the streets or on the beaches – shooting apparatus at the ready.  She is armed and dangerous and we believe her goal is to immortalize the world “in portraits that convey emotion”.  Please help put this woman in bars where she belongs [sorry, that should read behind bars].

To see other eye witness accounts (paintings) of the Hilton Head Caper click on  2012hiltonheadcaper.blogspot.ca

Rhymes with Orange

I'm still on the hunt for cartoons by artists who do cartoons about art.  If you missed this one yesterday, Hillary Price has continued to show nothing rhymes with orange! 

Created by Hillary Price

Mug Shot #19 Sandhya Manne

     I'm coming up to the end of my 2012 Hilton Head Mugs.  There are 21 mugs.   I've continued to try to use the lessons learned in Karin Jurick's workshop, but Karin's bottom line is simple....you have to paint (a lot) to improve.

WANTED

Sandhya “Zentangle” Manne

Sandhya Man, 4x4" oil on gessobord

Supervisor Wanda's report on muggle #19:

Just when we thought the Hilton Head sisterhood couldn’t get any more diverse, a Far Eastern connection has been uncovered.  Sandhya “Zentangle” Manne has connections in the East (India) and the West (Dallas, Texas).  [Note – Last week we had Kat and Dogs, this week Indian and Cowboys – this group is definitely multi-dimensional.]

“Zentangle” is, as you would expect, a certified Zentangle teacher.  This means she teaches the making of ‘beautiful images by drawing structured patterns … which are elegant metaphors for deliberate artistry in life’.  This sounds very harmless but do not be fooled – this woman is a marketing guru.  She has put her M. Comm. to good use in exploiting the online marketing universe.  A quick internet search shows she has a website, blog, facebook page, a presence on Pinterest, linkedin, etsy, twitter, meetup, as well as Daily Paint Works, and Fine Art America.  One can only speculate at what would turn up with an in-depth search. 

Circumstantial evidence shows that this approach is working.  She seems to be adept at extracting funds from the unsuspecting public in return for zen-like images that “evoke calm, peaceful, spiritual and happy emotions”.  She must be stopped before we become too relaxed to care.  

To see other eye witness accounts (paintings) of the Hilton Head Caper click on:  2012hiltonheadcaper.blogspot.ca 

Prickly City - Its all about Art!

Created by Scott Stantis

Mug Shot #18 Bettsie Miller

     I am still working on the 2012 Hilton Head Mugs.  Just when I thought I was getting the hang of it I don't like one and end up redoing it.  I'm finding the less strokes the better.  I will think my mug looks pretty good and then I decide it just needs a couple more strokes of color and that's when I get in trouble.  If you are doing a "portrait" a 4x4" canvas is very unforgiving.

WANTED

  Bettsie Miller, also known as (aka) "The Communicator"

Bettsie Miller, 4x4" oil on Gessoboard

Supervisor Wanda's report on muggle #18:

The Hilton Head felons have just gotten more dangerous with the discovery of an accredited public relations professional in its ranks.  One wonders what kind of spin has been put on this group to make them seem more politically correct and socially acceptable. 

Bettsie “The Communicator” Miller has a long and varied career in higher education, public relations consulting, environmental causes and her very own non-profit Family Foundation.  However, her disguise as mild mannered artist is not convincing.  Nowhere in the cyber world is there a single work of art by “The Communicator” (at least none were discovered).  We did find a reference to the Studio dei Leoni where the mission statement claims to “expose the student … while also catering to a student’s individual needs, desires and goals”.  The accompanying photo shows a large number of people eating, drinking and “communicating”.  As well, her personal goals seem to be “Dance – play – write – live like a happy adult child”.

These are extremely dangerous activities.  If the public catches wind of this they will all want to join in and then where would the world be.  Please put brush to canvas (or board) and help apprehend this notorious felon.

To see other eye witness accounts (paintings) of the Hilton Head Caper click on:  2012hiltonheadcaper.blogspot.ca

ART TIP - Inexpensive homemade Plein Air Pochade Thumb Box

      I keep telling myself that I want to try my hand at plein air painting.  So far I've procrastinated, but I'm always on the lookout for plein air ideas!  Go figure.  I want to buy a plein air easel even if I only use it for workshops.  There are a number of really good ones out there.  That's the problem, each of the four I like seem to have at least one feature I really like.... so hard to decide!  I am also intrigued with the "how to" internet videos where people show you how they built their own boxes.  Some of the small ones are built out of cigar boxes.  

     I spotted a thrift store the other day and swear my car just turned in on its own.  I went in looking for toys to paint.  They didn't have any toys I was interested in, but I found some cigar boxes and then an old metal cash box for $4.00.   Of course I bought both. When I got them home I realized that unlike the cigar box, the cash box was ready to use.  The lid opens to exactly the right angle and I don't need to add hinges as I would with the cigar box.  The lid easily holds a 6x6" panel.  I think I will cut a piece of masonite to fit as a palette then it will have  room for a few paint supplies under the palette.  I also think paint will last with the top closed. 

      I tried it out today painting a 4x4" 'mug' and it worked like a charm.   The lid has a lip that holds the panels and leans back just far enough you don't have to worry about the panel falling forward. 

Use a metal change box to paint on small panels

                                                                                                                 I was even more thrilled about my pochade cash box after looking online for modifications ideas.   I found this wooden Pochade Thumb Box ... it was on sale  for $84.00!   I saved $80!!  What else can I buy?

 

 

 

 

 

Its all about Art...

B.C. by cartoonist Johnny Hart

Blue Day

I was visiting the National Gallery in DC on a rainy day recently with friends.  This gentleman was sitting just outside obviously waiting for his wife since he was holding her coat.  So gloomy day all dressed in blue holding a blue coat!  I told him he was picture perfect... after I'd taken the first couple of photos. I thought... blue... how hard can that be!  Way more of a challenge than expected to make the blues have dimension.   So I'm going to paint another similar one to play with the blues again.  

Blue Day, 8x8" oil on RayMar panel

Dreama Tolle Perry's Workshop

Artists in Dreama's Springfield, VA. workshop (April 19-21, 2013)
(That's me in the pink sweatshirt, front row in the middle of the gals sitting down)

I learned lots of great things about color and brush strokes from Dreama.  And not only did I have a grand time at the workshop, I met a lot of wonderful artists.  

Mug Shot # 17 - Kathleen (Kat) “Dogs” Coy

If you are a fan of Karin Jurick, you know she paints mugs shots... real mugs shots she finds on the internet.  Maria Bennett Hock, who had taken Karin's workshop in 2011, came up with the idea of doing mugs of Karin's students and opened it up to the class.  It was a great success.   So in our  "continuing education" program from Karin "Quick Draw" Jurick's November 2012 Hilton Head workshop the class agree they wanted to try another round of class mugs.  Wanda Rottenfusser took over the task.  She took mug shots of everyone then sent out one each week.  She's posted the finished mugs on the 2012 Hilton Head Caper Blog.  Each posting has been made even more special with the wonderful write-ups she has done for each person.

Somehow April seemed to get away from me, but I'm happy to report that I'm still working away on them.   I love that I am seeing improvement.  It is true you need practice to improve. You would think after all this time it get easier. Not so much!

WANTED

Kathleen (Kat) Coy, also known as (aka) "Dogs"

Kat Coy, 4x4", oil on gessobord

Supervisor Wanda's report on muggle #17:

Beware the Ides of March!  They have come but not yet gone so all things are possible. 

Kathleen (Kat) “Dogs” Coy is a felon with a mission.  On Day 230 of a year long vendetta to render all things in paint, “Dogs” has shown a clear preference for, well, dogs.  Her website and blog is littered with canines  immortalized in paint.  Until her momentous meeting with “Quickdraw” Jurick last fall very few humans were victims.  That has changed dramatically.  She has since been depicting her fellow felons as well as vintage mugshots of women we can only assume are role models for all things nefarious.

 “Dogs” has been gaining notoriety on the art scene by garnering the top prize at the Edward Hopper House exhibition in New York last year and has ventured into videos (check out UTube).  Is nothing beyond the reach of the sisterhood? 

“Dogs” is often seen hiking and biking in the hills and cornfields of Iowa so keep your brushes at the ready and your dogs on a leash (we are not in Kansas any more, Toto).

To see other eye witness accounts (paintings) of the Hilton Head Caper click on:  2012hiltonheadcaper.blogspot.ca

A big Congratulations to Kat... its her daily paintings one year anniversary!! Check Kat's work out at http://katsdailypaintings.blogspot.com/

Day 2 - Dreama Tolle Perry Workshop

Painting Brings Me Joy .... The art affirmation on my name tag.   It is so true.  I liked all of the affirmations, but one I wrote in my notes was "Joy Flows from the tip of my brush."

My rendition of our assignment

Day 2  Dreama handed out a photo reference to the class so the class could paint along with her again.  She broke her demo into segments (still love that) to help us get a handle on her technique.  This time it was a scene.  Step 1 again was blocking the entire white surface (of your choice) in transparent color.  Boy, it looks so easy when she does it and I thought I was getting it as I follow along, then I quickly realize I need to take Dreama home with me... I really need her there as a safety net! 

Each day there was a general discussion about life and art.  When painting "Go with your gut." "Don't second guess yourself."  There is nothing harder in the world than a solo show or trying to get in a show.   I liked Dreama's way of putting it because it is exactly how I feel when I put my art out there...."how naked are you willing to be?"   

We were reminded to use colors other than white (which is cool) as highlights, plus it is unexpected.... a light orange on a blue shutter or a light green on something turquoise. A light touch of light orange or blue on a red.  Reminders to think out of the box... because my box has very high sides. 

Once again it was the darks that I found I had to keep going back in and to work on.  Dreama reminded us not to forget neutrals.  Without them the focal point is lost and colors will not pop.

You can find Dreama's palette on her website.  She introduced me to colors I really like and have continued to use.   Winson & Newton magenta is kind of a warm version of alizarin crimson, Rembrandt Transparent Red Medium & Transparent Oxide Orange (great color), and Richeson Shiva Ice Blue (not a transparent), a nice shadow color.   

Day 1 - Dreama Tolle Perry's workshop

Day 1, My version of Dreama's demo.  12x12, oil on RayMar
It is always fun to see how 20 people interpret the same photo

If you haven't seen Dreama Tolle Perry's work it is a wonderful mix of glorious color and brushstrokes.  In addition to her art, Dreama is also a writer and story teller, a combination of talents I found make her a natural when it comes to teaching.

Our first day in Dreama's workshop was great.  Our name tags included an art affirmation.  We introduced ourselves and read the affirmation saying why the affirmation was true about our art. Dreama started the class reminding us to remember why we want to paint and to be careful not to get into a self defeating mind set which is easy to do if you start questioning and negatively self critiquing your art work.  Art is a journey you do because you love the creative process.  I still find myself in awe when a painting comes together.  It was also interesting to hear, just like you and me, not all of her paintings are successful and some actually get discarded.  I call my misses learning experiences.  She reminded us that just because we have successful paintings that almost paint themselves that isn't always true.  Every canvas is a blank white expanse waiting for you lay on paint.   

Dreama reminded us not to forget that workshops should not be about having a successful painting at the end of the day, but about the experience and what you can learn. Our painting style, like our handwriting is unique to us and learning new techniques will not change that, just like DNA.  Day one everyone is given the same picture to paint.  To help her students (and I needed lots of help) learn her way of painting, Dreama breaks up her teaching in segments which allows you to go back to your canvas and try to apply her techniques.  This is a technique that really works for me.  I've found if an instructor is using a technique new to me once they've completed their painting I sometimes have trouble remembering some of the essential points. And I admit I don't sit still well for long periods of time. 

Dreama's focus for the workshop is color and brushstrokes.  She paints with a fairly limited palette, mostly transparent colors, which she has changed and refined over the years as she finds colors or brands she believes work better with her style.  She starts with a white untoned canvas and lays in shapes and values with only transparent colors using a mix of 1/2 solvent (she is now using a non-toxic solvent) and 1/2 linseed oil.  The transparents will cover the entire canvas.  If the final layer will be a light color then the transparent color is laid on thinner in those areas.   

I must say the first layer is very contrary to the way I paint because there is little drawing going on and for the most part seems very dark.  But as almost every instructor will tell you the values of lights and darks are so very important and this first step is where you need to make sure your darks are DARK.  I think most of us have struggled with getting wonderful lights into our paintings.  I struggle with highlights and whites.  I keep reading that if you want something to look light don't add white, you need a darker dark next to the light.   Also rarely does white by itslef look right and she said that's because white by itself is cool so doesn't feel right if it something that is in the sun.  For a warm white add a touch of Indian yellow or orange but for a cool white add a touch of cad lemon yellow. 

Once the first layer is on, your medium is capped and Dreama does not use any solvent to clean her brush as she goes.  Boy, not swishing my brush clean every few minutes was the hardest part of the exercise!  She noted something I never thought about... every time you swish that brush to clean it in your solvent you contaminate your brush therefore potentially dulling the next color you pick up on your brush.  Who knew!?!

You need good absorbent paper towels (Viva or Blue Shop towels are both good).  Inexpensive ones just don't work.  Dreama "cleans" the paint off her brush pretty much after every stroke or two by starting at the ferrule (metal part of brush that holds the bristles to the handle) and gently pulling straight down to the end of the bristles in her paper towel (you will use a lot of paper towels).  That also helps keep the shape and a good edge to your brush.  Most of us have the bad habit of wiping a brush back and forth across our paper towel which can damage the end of the bristles and really doesn't remove the paint.  

While I knew transparent paint gives you wonderfully brilliant color,  I did not know that unlike opaque colors which can go "muddy" pretty fast if you aren't careful,  no matter how much mingling you do with transparent paint they will not get muddy.  So that first layer can be mingled with no problem.  It is only when you add the opaques you have to be careful. 

The first day was informative and fun.  I saw a few familiar faces from past workshops and made new friends.  Even though the workshop was near my home I went out to dinner with a number of the artists each night.  Since we're either listening or painting during the workshop, its the only time to get to know everyone. 

HH4 Challenge - It was all about the ripples

I found myself surfing art YouTube videos instead of painting this morning.... I confess, I was actually procrastinating since I needed to unpack my supplies from Dreama Tolle Perry's 3-day workshop which ended yesterday.  It is a mystery!...can anyone tell me why it is my supplies seem fairly condensed (for me) when I go to a workshop, but fill the car when I pack it to go home?

I had a wonderful time...Dreama is a fabulous artist, instructor and person.  I learned so much from her my brain is officially full...at least for this week! OK, now I need to get going and finish the painting I started in class yesterday before it gets too dry.  Dreama's method is wet into wet.   More about Dreama's workshop tomorrow.  

Challenge #11 - My Pick

Once again, it was my turn to pick the Hilton Head Four (HH4) bi-monthly challenge.  The pressure was on!  I've had this photo set aside waiting for me to paint it.  I love paintings of people in water and when I saw this young girl floating on her noodle I couldn't resist.  I love the colors in the water.   Painting water seemed like it should be fairly easy, but how do you really paint ripples in water?  Just figuring out how to approach it was a bigger challenge than I thought it would be.   I also learned the weather is wonderful in Florida in February, but the traffic is brutal and the pool is always full of grand-kids... just say'n!

 

Noodling Along, 12x12, oil on RayMar panel

In the order of who is up next for the picks.....

Chris Werst.   

Christ never fails to think out of "my" box. She always goes somewhere I would never think about be it her colors, cropping or style.  She sent her submission to us saying she did the painting then decided to wipe it off and start again.  She decided she loved the look and kept it.  It is like looking through water.

  "Ripples",  Regula "Lulu" Scheifele

"Dunkin"  Maria Bennett Hock