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  I was amazed at how long it's been and how outdated my info was - yeesh!)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!

Christmas Card

I had a change of plans and decided to go with my painting "Tangled" as my Christmas Card this year. I got behind in my painting,"Holiday Sparkle," and didn't know if I'd have enough time to finish, design and order my cards, so I went with a painting I did earlier this year. Actually, this was originally my plan for my card anyway.  I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. (I get my cards at catprint.com.) There is also a little red bulb on the inside along with the interior sentiment:  "and a Happy New Year!"  -- I should have taken a picture to show you. Oh well. 

I've been racing around, trying to CLEAN (an impossible battle), decorate, shop for gifts, wrap, etc. so sporadic painting has gone on. I did photograph some future still lifes last week and messed with them in photoshop. I also did some studies, worked on a commission - but nothing really to show yet. Did I share with you, that I've been attending figure drawing sessions? (Pardon me if I already have -- my brain is mush.) Well, aside from the past 2 weeks, I've been going on Monday nights to Workshop13. It's been so much fun . . . but I'm REALLY horrible. Bah! So I went online and found a very cool site that helps me practice. I also bought a great book. I am hopeful that I'll get better. It's such amazing training -- drawing what you see. So difficult, but oh so rewarding. And the people that surround me are MASTERS! It can be both intimidating and inspiring. They are really great people, so I'm mostly inspired.  :)

So that's the scoop around here. I finished up my watercolor workshop at Workshop13 last night. Two of my students were at a concert and finished last week. But here is a photo of my remaining "kids" and their completed work. I'm so proud of them all!!  Cheers!

Workshop13 Class

applying washes

I've been working on the pet portrait, so I don't have any photos to share just yet.  But I finished up my first 5-week class at Workshop13 in Ware.  My students did some wonderful paintings!  These are photos from weeks 4 and 5.  Cindy (photo above) couldn't make it to our last class because she took a trip to Florida, but as you can see, her painting was coming out beautifully.  

contemplating the next step

drying time

week 4 - work in progress 

adding layers

hard at work
(Isn't this space beautiful?  Look at those windows -- and that fireplace!)

applying details

last class (minus one -- someone took a trip to Florida!)  :)

Have a great day . . . and thank you for stopping by.

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 . . . 

Late Post

I forgot to post the progress my students from my "On The Vine" workshop, made last week. So here are 3 -- at various stages. All my students have taken their paintings home to work on them, and unfortunately I only took photos of three of the paintings -- I missed the fourth!  Sorry! I'm really excited to see what they come back with next Monday . . . they are all doing terrific work and I think are having a good time. I'll be sure to post some shots after that class.

As for my work . . . I'm working on a large commission, but have started a small watercolor and will post my progress in the next few days.  In the meantime -- Happy Painting!  :)

Watercolors and Wine

A group photo.  Hey I recognize that red door!

I've attached some photos from yesterday's "Watercolors and Wine" workshop at the Hardwick Winery.  It was a beautiful day for sipping sangria and painting.  I think everyone did a fantastic job!  And this was pretty much the first time these folks ever painted with watercolor, (barring some limited high school experience.)  I don't know about you, but I was impressed.  :)

Hard at work . . . but don't dip your brush into your sangria, Donna!  :)

Lovely!

I was helping myself to cheese and crackers when this photo was taken.
"Get `em working then eat" -- that's my motto!

Decisions, decisions . . . what color to choose next?

Working on raised paneling . . . 

ooooh . . . and there it is!

A welcoming red door.

And a welcoming barn door!

Thank you for stopping by and taking a peek.  Have a painterly day!

"On The Vine" and July Workshop

"On The Vine"
6.5" x 4"

Click here to bid

This painting is the subject of my next 5-week workshop beginning July 1st here at my studio. You can read about it above, by clicking on "workshops." I hope you can join us! 

Now back to my other paintings.  Happy painting!

Winery Class

This post comes to you a little late as I was battling some serious stomach issues this week stemming from what was supposed to be a lovely date night with my husband. Oy!  Luckily the problems developed long after conducting the watercolor and wine tasting class at the Hardwick Winery. (And I assure you were unrelated -- "stomach issues" is not code for "helluva hangover!")   :)

It was our first event of this nature and we had a beautiful day!  My talented ladies enjoyed their wine, cheese and fruit all while working on their small paintings of one of the Winery's side doors.  Here are a couple pictures from the sunny day spent painting on the deck in our beautiful New England surroundings.  My next class is May 19th and I'm already counting down the days.

McReavey's and Student Work

McReavey's Barn
6" x 8"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)
starting bid:  $95

stained sides -- ready to hang or display

Click here to bid.

I did a little bit of tweaking today and put McReavey's up for auction on DPW.  I also did some more work on the basket, but far too little to photograph and post.  I'll be sure to do that tomorrow.

But in other news, we just finished week 3 of my 5 week watercolor workshop here at my studio and my students are well on their way to finishing up some wonderful paintings (as you can see below).  I'm already planning my next workshop . . . it will be something on aquabord.  So stay tuned and if you're interested in attending, keep checking my workshop link at the top of the page for when I post more information or please email me and I will send you out a notice when I firm up my plans.

Aren't these wonderful?  I'm so proud of my students!  Thank you for stopping by.

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!

Workshop

click on the image to enlarge it

I finally got my act together and have organized the small class I am offering in my studio beginning in a few weeks.  I'm limiting the class to 4 and already have two students signed up but there are two more available slots.  More information on what to expect and what supplies are needed can be found under the page "workshops" located on the navigation bar above.  I think this will be fun and I'll be sure to post how it all turns out.  Hopefully I'll have permission to show some student examples.

Unfortunately I have no painting updates to post.  I caught a cold and so I've been lying low.  It's actually working out because I have lots of computer stuff to work on and I can do that in bed with my laptop!

Thank you for stopping by.