Pineapples & Adult Classes

My first show of the season (and last outdoor show of 2008) is done. Artscape had a nice crowd and I sold a few pieces but all artists are feeling the effects of a slow economy! On the bright side, my booth looked great and I met some wonderful people that I'll, hopefully, see again!

I'm into my 3rd week of Child Classes and every session I am amazed at the talent and creativity of these kids. We are studying Line: naming, describing, contours & gestures. Here is a pineapple rendered in charcoal from Rebecca, one of my 3rd graders.


Adult Classes

I've got an adult watercolor class starting next week.

Watercolor, Basics Made Fun! – Wednesdays, October 1 – November 5th, 10am – 11:30am - $135

This class will provide an explanation of basic watercolor materials and techniques. We will explore composition and color theory as it relates to the watercolor medium. Several paintings will be completed during this 6 week course. I’ll supply the paper, you supply paints and brushes. (supply list available)

I've also had several requests about "Ladies' Night Out" Art Evenings. I put on my gender correct hat and called them "Adult Night Out" classes..but you get the drift! Check out the Adult Classes page on my website for more information.

Paint Out at the Dallas Arboretum

During the month of May the Dallas Arboretum is sponsoring a Paint Out for artists. For a modest registration fee, artists' can come and paint all month long at the arboretum. In July, artworks created during the paint out can be submitted for jurying into a show in September at the arboretum.

I signed myself up as well as convinced my friend, student, apprentice, slave, (oops..did I say that out loud?) Mindy to sign up with me as well. I went for the first time last Thursday to check things out a do a dry run and also because it was actually officially May and I was bursting at the seams to do this!

I have never painted en plein air with acrylics before but I was very excited to try. After loading up my stuff and trudging around and painting in the arboretum for about 3 hours I learned some valuable lessons:

1) My stuff is heavy..not at my studio or by the van...but after an hour in the garden..its heavy...really heavy.

2) A lot of people go to the arboretum.

3) Every single person mentioned in point 2 walked by me while I was painting and looked at my canvas..some more subtly than others..but they couldn't resist looking!

4) Children are the best ego boosters in the world! They all though I was great! Even when they had to ask me what..exactly..I was painting..I was still great!

5) Using acrylics outside is easier than I thought!

Mindy and I went today and she enjoyed it as much as I did. The garden was far less crowded today but that was probably due to the drizzle we were painting in. The dampness didn't affect my paintings but her pastels had a little added texture from Mother Nature.

These photos are from last Thursday. I'll update photos from today as soon as I can find the camera in all the art stuff. One painting I liked..one I'm going to keep working on. But I am learning lots and that's the point!