Friday, January 16, 2009

Brrrr.......

Today's high was 15 degrees. Classes began for me this week, which I look forward to so much. Many students are becoming accomplished watercolorists. I love seeing how much they're growing and how individual and personal each person's work is. The critique at the end of class is a revelatory time. We're learning to paint lace during this session and it seems to be tougher than I thought. I'll have to think of ways to present this topic .....

Sunday, January 11, 2009

And On The Seventh Day, Ye Shall Rest...

I created this painting from a series of photographs that I took early one Sunday morning while driving through Martinsburg, WV. This large teddy bear of a man was sound asleep on some concrete steps, oblivious to the waking world around him. He looked comfortable, peaceful and at rest. I felt like this might make a good portrait of social incongruities: the large man might look threatening but at this moment, he was a gentle giant. The night is turning into day, the dark into light and the otherwise cold world of glass reflections and stone make a fine resting place.

Beat the Winter Blues with Upcoming Classes

Classes Start this week--there are still some openings -- call right away!
Round Hill, Virginia (Loudoun County):
Round Hill Arts Center
540-338-5050 for registration
Thursday Evenings, 7:00 - 9:20 p.m.
Friday Mornings, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Build the bones of good watercolor technique. Most classes begin with demonstrations and every class ends with a confidence building critique. Compose and design better paintings. Use color like a professional!

Weekly classes will continue through 2009.


Also coming to Orange, Virginia, March 21-22:
The Famous Flower Power Workshop for Beginners and Intermediates
The Arts Center
540-672-7311 for registraton
129 E. Main, P.O. Box 13, Orange, VA 22960

Learn how to paint vibrant realistic florals in watercolors! The instructor will demonstrate how to paint several types of flowers and leaves during Saturday morning; Sunday will include demonstrations on glass. Students will work with real flowers and learn how to create their own masterpiece.

Back in Winchester, by popular demand, Starting March 31:
Weekly Watercolor Classes at Shenandoah University
Hinkle Hall Call Jo Miller at 540-665-5442 for registration

Continue to develop strong skills in watercolor painting. Learn how to design and compose a good piece from beginning to end.