Morning Grace - Monday Mentoring Classes

8"x8" oil on archival panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here. 

I'm enjoying spending time with students in my 'Mentoring Mondays'-leading other artists on their own art journey. At this point in the year, the garden is bursting out with color, the weather is comfortable and a total delight for plein air painting.  In the mornings, the eastern morning light hits this part of the picket fence and the rock wall below it. It's funny, when we planned the garden, I knew the picket fence would be an important feature for me (I've always wanted a garden like this).  But one of the most intriguing things (for me any way) is representing light and shadow on white surfaces. Where they come together is an endless fascination for me.  This painting leans more to the abstract, yet I love the memory of the fuchsia blooms on this rhododendron crawling over and poking through the fence, and the magenta shades in the dwarf Japanese maple below. By the time a week passes, the colors and blooms will be different. The light in the summer sky changing just a bit each day.  I love to hear from other artists & gardeners about your own favorite gardens!

Mentoring Mondays in May! -Gaining direction for YOUR art journey!

 

 Some of the most interesting paintings start with quite simple beginnings. Sometimes we wonder, "where do I begin? or, now that I'm 'here' where do I go next?" Join me during the month of May for "Mentoring Mondays" from 9:30- 12 noon, $35 for each Monday.  We'll meet the 5th, 12th, 19th. (the 26th is a holiday weekend, but we can determine if we'd like to continue in June). Call to reserve your spot- I have space for a limited number of students!

 We'll be covering values; bright pure colors vs. grays (& how to mix them); edges (soft vs. hard); brush/knife stroke variety; variety of shapes and sizes; and composition.

 Many people find bringing in a new tool such as a painting knife, or a squeegee adds such an interest to their work. Starting out with simple exercises is a good way to get the 'feel' of using tools that are new to you, while also considering all of the following:
We'll be covering values; bright pure colors vs. grays (and how to mix them); edges (soft vs. hard); brush/knife stroke variety; transparent paints vs. opaques and how to best use these to your advantage; variety of shapes and sizes; and composition.

If you have particular concerns, things you'd like to learn, let me know, I want to help you find the next path of your art journey! 

More thoughts on workshops and  finding your direction on your art journey in my next post.