New Class!!

I think I posted this little sketch the other day before I toned down the shadows, so I'm posting it again for you to compare. 

I've been busy working on other things like bookkeeping, photographing/editing still lifes for future paintings, planning classes, learning new software programs, and making updates to my website. Some of my changes have been uploaded while others are still in the works, so I haven't gotten much painting done.  One thing that has been updated, is my "Workshops" page - both here and on my website.  (I really do have to get better about updating my site.  I was amazed at how long it's been and how outdated my info was - yeesh!)  So check out my new class, I think it's going to be fun.

It's late on Tuesday -- so I'm off to bed -- have a great night!

So Proud

"all together now . . ."  

Well, tonight was the last night of my watercolor workshop.  I am sooo proud of my "On the Vine" students and happy to share their paintings with you.  Look at how well they turned out.  While they are all the same subject, each one has its own style and personality.  And pretty much these are all from first time painters!  I'm so proud of "my ladies'" patience and commitment.  I mean, look at the depth on some of these tomatoes!  :)  What a great class -- thank you so much Donna, Jacqui, Joanne and June.  

Donna

Jacqui

Joanne

June

Tomato Class

Here are a couple more progress shots of the work my students are doing in my "On The Vine" workshop. Because of vacations and such, we've decided to extend the class one more week, so I'll post the finished images next week. There's one more student, but she took hers home before I had a chance to photograph it.  Aren't these looking great!?

And here's what I've begun . . . 

Workshop Wrap-Up

Anne

Joanne

Laurie

Shelley

Aren't these fabulous!?  I'm so proud of my students!  We finished our 5-week workshop on Monday night and thought you might like to see the final paintings.  I think each student was able to capture the enamel's reflective surface and what about that steam?  I think I can actually hear Laurie's kettle whistling!  :)  I love the chips in the enamel that Annie, Laurie and Joanne included. (I don't think I even attempted to render it in my painting -- and they handled it like pros!)  Joanne's enamel looks amazing -- like it's just been polished.  And what about Shelley's wallpaper?  I think her choice of red creates such peace and harmony -- even her steam, wafting so gently from the kettle's spout makes me feel calm.  I also love Annie's beautiful wallpaper -- that blue-green is really lovely in person and the slight reflection of it in the handle is very well-done.  I'm just so pleased at how great they all did.  Three cheers for Annie, Joanne, Laurie and Shelley!!  Thanks for coming by and viewing my students' work.  :)

What A January!!

"Oh Boy . . . Christmas is Coming!"
8" x 10"
watercolor on aquabord

I'm happy to report that January is officially over and hopeful that it has taken all the germs with it!  Good grief!  For those of you who follow this blog, you may have noticed my absence last week.  Well right after I finished this commission and taught a 5-hour workshop at the Concord Art Association I came down with the stomach bug.  Nothing like chasing a headcold with good virus.  Oy!  Every few years it seems I get knocked for a loop and I guess this is just one of those years. 

Anyway . . . I'm finally back in business so here's the finished product of the Christmas dogs.  They really do put a smile on your face, don't they?  :)  And I'm happy to report the painting was very well-received by the doggies' owners -- it was a birthday gift from my friend to his wife and she was very surprised.  So now I've got lots of catching up to do in the studio if I want to get back on track with some of my 2013 goals . . . ahhhh life really is an adventure, eh?  Stay healthy out there -- it's a jungle of germs!  Ciao for now.

New Workshop, New Painting, New Prints and a Shameless Plug

Good grief!  How'd ya' like this post's title?  I would LOVE to share with you the painting I'm finishing but alas I can't.  It's a gift and I'm not sure if the recipient reads my posts. So to be on the safe side, I'm just going to have to wait until after Christmas. But believe me it's all I can do to contain myself . . . in fact I'm having a heck of a time keeping the secret. This is why I can never shop early: I get so excited I want to give out all my presents early.

Oh . . . and so I'm sure you're wondering why I have posted a picture of "Steam Heat." I've decided that this is going to be the subject of my next Watercolor Workshop. You can read about the specifics of this 5-week course under "workshops" located on the navigation bar above. Students can choose their own "wallpaper" and color -- so at least they will have some choice while we all tackle basically the same project.  I think it should be fun and am really looking forward to it.

At the end of January I'm also presenting a workshop at the Concord Art Association on online marketing and social media -- sharing all I know about blogging and Facebook, DPW, printed marketing materials, how to make a website, and anything else that could help artists sell their work. I'm still learning myself, as it's a very long and never-ending process, but I'm looking forward to passing along to other artists, whatever I can, including great resources I've found. I'm finding the journey into becoming a "self-employed" artist VERY challenging, but extremely exciting and rewarding. And I just love and appreciate all the online support from other artists and art-lovers (you all!) and want to share what a positive online experience I've had with others. You can read about my upcoming workshops and other shows under "news and events" on the navigation bar above.

Hmmm . . . what else . . . oh yeah, the "shameless plug" part.  I just want to remind you that I have calendars and notecards for sale -- they can make great teacher gifts and/or stocking stuffers. And I also have a few prints. So check out the nav bar above for links to these items. In fact below are four new small prints. They are $10 each (plus tax and shipping where applicable). I'll be putting them up with their specs and links for purchasing later today or tomorrow -- so keep checking back. You can always email me if you'd like to make an order.

"Fireside Chat"

"Best Friends"

"What Not To Wear"

"Nostalgia I -- First Day of School"

Sorry for the long post -- just lots to catch up on!  Thanks for visiting!

The Fruits of their Labors

Well our first workshop finished up on Monday night and I wanted to share paintings by two of my students.  Unfortunately weather and sickness got in the way of my other two students, so we ultimately ended up with a class of two -- but had a merry ol' time anyway!  I'm very proud of them and their hard work.  Above is an example of their cards . . . below are their paintings.  If you are in the area of central Massachusetts and would like to participate in my next class, I'm anticipating running a new one at the end of January, so be sure to check back here under "Workshops." I hope to have my new description up within the next few weeks.  I think for my next class I will pick a subject and we'll all paint it . . . so stay tuned!  In the meantime, check these babies out:

"Winter Cardinal"
by Cheryl M.

"Christmas Bulb"
by Donna S.

Aren't these great!!??  Thank you Donna and Cheryl!  :)

P.S. -- the PayPal link on my "2013 Calendars" post works!  Yippee!  So if you haven't already, check out my last post and my new calendars.  And if anyone out there needs help creating their own PayPal button, just let me know, it's not that hard.

Getting Ready

I've been busy preparing for my "Open Studio" during the Backroads Studio Tour this weekend, so I've been a little neglectful with regards to this blog.  Over the weekend I found myself painting walls and re-designing my studio for the new workshop I'm giving.  (There's nothing like a deadline to get you motivated!)  The 5-week class began Monday night and was terrific! I have four great students, all of whom are eager to learn.  And because I was able to rid myself of the couch over the weekend (gotta love Craig's List!) there's a ton more room for everyone to have ample space.  (Although the dogs are beside themselves because their "napping bed" is now missing.)  Anyway . . . I'll be sure to take pictures this weekend so you can see what I've done.

So I'm going to get back to work preparing prints and attending to last minute details.  If you are in the area and are looking for something to do, come on out.  It looks like it's going to be a great weekend weather-wise and there are lots of Fall things to do in addition to visiting artist studios -- antique and gift shops, great places to eat, orchards to visit and lots of places to get pumpkins!  You can visit www.backroadsstudiotour.com  or click on the image above, for a map and more information.  We hope to see you!