BLUE  Oh, Joni. You are a treasure. How many times have I closed my eyes and lost myself in your music? Countless times. I’m not the only one; artist and instructor Effie Wild also values you and your music. This was such an enjoyable lesson and experience. The color palette . . . no surprise. . . BLUES. The lesson called for liquid acrylics, which I did not have and did not want to purchase. To solve that problem, I made my own using acrylics, matte medium, and water. It didn’t quite have the same transparent effect, but I think it turned out okay. Drawing all of those branches, outlining, and lettering the lyrics were a very meditative task. Great project!  

  From Russia With. . . Watercolor Whaat an interesting experience! I signed up for a free 5-day watercolor class and was fascinated by the fact that Elena Vavilina, the   artist, was based in Togliatti, Russia. The audio was, of course, in Russian but translated. She offered some very good tips on techniques. Impressive. I only wish my work looked like hers! The first lesson was painting a lily. I had a great deal of water control issues with this painting, but I learned a lot. For example, it helps to sit back and squint at a painting to determine the balance of color tone. Also, it was interesting how she adds some of the flower tones (burgundy) into the leaves, which creates a lovely harmonious overall effect.  Lesson two was a ripe physalis, a plant in the nightshade family like tomatillos. I’ve always known them as paper lanterns. This one was quite challenging, but I love the drawing.  Next up was a tulip. The color on my iPad screen was reddish, whereas the t...

Yet Another Watercolor Class  Instructor: Emily Olson Sparrow : After adding the quotes, I had to include a moon. Fortunately, it is easy to remove watercolor pigment. 🌝 Fox: Hers looked cute; mine looks angry. I guess he doesn’t like his portrait.  Cosmos: I am burning out on watercolor florals.  Ocean: My first attempt at this style of negative painting was just okay, so I HAD to try this again. Second attempt was somewhat better, but no doubt I will try again to master this one! 

 Intuitive Floral  Another painting class; more lessons learned. This workshop, taught by Mary Price, took a long time, but every moment of it was enjoyable and informative. My art table was overflowing with tubes of paint, mediums, brushes, and so many mark-making gadgets.  I had intended to take photos of my process along the way so that I would remember how to create this style of painting and all the little tricks I learned. I started out well, but once again, I got wrapped up in the moment and forgot to snap photos. Again, layers upon layers. Layer one: Floral(ish) shapes in magenta, orange, and yellow. Just play.  Layer two: Add green acrylic ink with dropper and then “comb” out some leaves . Layer three : Add floral shapes in turquoise. Layer four: Mimic broader outlines in phthalo blue (red shade).  Layer five : New technique - very cool . Glazing.  Mix magenta acrylic paint   with medium in 1/3 to 2/3 ratio. The lesson called for gloss medium;...

 Kaleidoscope Taster Week 2024  This is my second summer participating in this week-long art workshop, and sadly, it is the last year that it will be offered. Classes are offered by —- participating artists in an incredibly wide variety of styles and mediums. Last year I tried them all, even ones out of my comfort zone and ones that were a complete mismatch to my usual style. It helped me narrow down my interests and refine my repertoire.  The first day included three artists, but I chose to tackle only one project because I really liked the artist last year. Introducing Dove Delight by Eulalia Mejia, an artist and illustrator living in rural Columbia. Her art is always nature-based, magical, colorful, cheerful, and whimsical. This one was interesting because it involved a negative painting technique. In this case, the whole paper was filled with watery acrylics that, with an already wet paper, bloomed like watercolors. Then the wings, feathers, breast, beak, and eye...

The Anatomy of Collage  I’ve dabbled in all kinds of art in my life. All kinds of mediums. Each one has its own mysteries and rewards. In the past couple of years collage has interested me.  Friends have asked and I have even asked myself - Why just cover up a layer with more layers? What’s the point? Tonight I realized the beauty of collage. I can only explain by showing. As I used to tell my students - show, don’t tell.  So I will show. Gather materials   Layer one: Reflection, Contemplation Breathe. Ponder. Write. What thoughts come to mind at this moment? I am taking an art workshop with an artist named Taire Smith on this day, Juneteenth 2024. Her focus today was Harriet Tubman and her acts of bravery. What better time than now, in these troubled times, to recognize and celebrate such bravery. Feels good to express these thoughts. (I forgot to take a photo of just my writing.) Then grab some pens and play. Breathe. Scribble. Let out bottled up emotions. Be wild....

More Garden Work I think we may be finished (for a while) in the back yard. We stained the table and chairs, filled some more planters with beautiful flowers (75% off clearance sale - yay), and did some trimming and rearranging. I’m ready to just RELAX back there for a while.