Artist in Motion

This Old House?

2012-02-17T14:58:00.001-08:00

At the end of Friday, here's what I've got..... I'll continue to tweak this until it's done, but it's a good day's work and I'll start another painting this weekend.

By the way, I have a YouTube chanel now; if you go to "Watercolor Tips by Catherine Hillis," you'll be able to view my first few segments on painting....I'm trying to keep them short and practical.

An Interior on the Move

2012-02-17T08:19:00.000-08:00

One hour later.....

Build The Light, No. Three

2012-02-17T08:08:00.001-08:00

I continue to brush on glazes of paint to build up the wonderful light that streaks through this moody old house in Maine.

I may come close to completing this painting today; I'm including a picture here of what I woke up to this morning. I couldn't paint yesterday, because I taught all day long. I needed a good night's sleep before beginning again.

First thing today, I framed a completed painting, then I played with two pieces that are nearly complete - I was trying different mats to see what the best way is to crop them. These two paintings have been in the studio for a month or more, and I've poured on them, atomized on them, and tweaked the values. I think they may finally be ready for prime time. Meanwhile, I'm also working on another drawing....busy, busy, busy.

I'm painting good thoughts and prayers into every piece. I feel compelled to consciously place peaceful memories on each and every painting for someone special who might need those healing thoughts.

Two Hours In

2012-02-15T06:40:00.000-08:00

It's 9:45 am.
I'm two hours in on this painting, although I built up the warm background washes yesterday, so I could begin my real work today.

The light is coming through the door and bouncing across the hallway. I plan to work as quickly and thoughtfully as I can, and relay information with as little detail as possible......

Painting Light Again

2012-02-15T04:04:00.000-08:00

It's 7:05 am and I'm in the stuio, excited about the new piece on my easel. It's a scene of the hallway in the house I stay at in Maine, light streaming through the doors and reflecting back on the walls and the old furniture. I hope that this one turns out.

I'm posting the painting of the chair in light that is nearly finished. It may require tweaking, but that will wait until I've put the piece away for a while. It's always good to wait a few days before re evaluating.

Building Light No. Two

2012-02-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

I'm still working. I enjoyed a night off last night to see Arlo Guthrie. It was a great show, but, as I looked down across the orchestra, I saw a sea of grey hair.... it really hit me. My generation, the generation of love and hippies and blue jeans....was old. Ugh!

I'm building light in this painting with one glaze after another, always considering to place warms against cools.

I also worked on a piece that I've been struggling to finish. I poured paint on the "completed" painting and atomized on the shadow areas, but I'm still not sure that it will go into my solo exhibits scheduled for this year. Only my very best pieces will be on exhibit.

I paint because I love it. There's nothing else I'd rather do on a cold and blustery Sunday.

Building Light

2012-02-10T14:48:00.000-08:00

Today, I was a little late into the studio. I came in around 9 am and treated myself to lunch with a long time friend at around noon. I had to ship a painting to the Rockies West National Watercolor Show in Grand Junction, CO, so I didn't really get much done today. Sometimes, I end up making several deliveries a week, not leaving much time to paint. This is so frustrating and can really confuse my creative process.

I spent today and last night working on two drawings of interior scenes, which I'm pretty excited to begin working on. I finally finished the drawings and began the painting. I hope to get two more paintings done by the end of next week...maybe.

I also worked on another painting that's almost complete. It isn't quite where I want it to be, so I stretched the paper (again), masked out the whites, re-wet the surface, and poured paint on top of the entire thing. I think I may like it now. Sometimes, it takes weeks or months to evaluate a painting, before I figure out the next step to completion....it's almost like a mathematical problem and there seem to be many ways to figure out these conundrums....

Every Day: I'm Working

2012-02-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm working every day, moving on towards new work and new ideas. All of the thoughts I have seem to merge towards painting light, light reflections, patterns of light and what happens to color when light is bouncing back and forth. I began at 6 am in the studio yesterday; today was a late day for me. I started working at 8 am.
Here's my latest.....

Moving Ahead: Light Patterns

2012-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on "Quite a Pair."

I had an area that wasn't working, and I like to add humor to my paintings, so I hope you enjoy how this piece is moving along. I'm going to continue emphasizing the interplay of shadow and light. I still have a long way to go, but it's snowing and I'm happy to paint tonite.

LIght Patterns

2012-02-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

Here's another painting that's on the easel. I usually have several pieces going at a time, so that I can keep it fresh and moving and spontaneous.

I'm teaching my students how to paint fabric; yesterday's lesson was how to paint quilts. Watch as I develop this piece.

I love to paint pears because they're such a classic subject and there's so much more than meets the eye, if the artist takes their time in observation......

Color, Light, Action!

2012-02-03T06:51:00.001-08:00

I'm currently thinking about, and painting about: Things I Don't Need Anymore.
Society and clothing has changed quite a bit since my teenage days and I can see painting more lacey items that....are no longer fashionable. Of course, as always, I'm painting color, light and....action.

Yin and Yang

2012-01-29T05:14:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to rest more, laugh more and play more, in order to replenish my yin, as advised. It's difficult for me to slow down, though, because I find real joy in multi tasking, organizing and pushing ahead to reach my goals.

I am finding, however, that my creativity is soaring. As a result of slowing down just a little, ideas are pouring out of my head. I now have three paintings going in the studio.

I'm teaching my weekly students how to paint fabrics, and in searching for subject material, I've begun to look through some of the items that I've been saving through the decades. The picture here is "Things I Don't Use Anymore," and it's in the beginning stages. I'm spending most of my time building glazes that glow in the shadows and creases. I won't even begin defining the lace until towards the end of creating this painting.

Replenishing My Yin

2012-01-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

I have a solo exhibit coming up in late March at Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown, WVA. I need to have twenty quality pieces completed by then...framed....competition worthy....I'm spending lots of quiet time painting this winter, which is nice.

Last year, I worked myself hard, but I did well even in a tough economy. This year, 2012, I plan to continue working but to be nice to myself. I'm going to replenish my yin. I think I'll feel better. I'm going to rest more, laugh more, and try not to set unrealistic goals for myself.

The picture posted here will hopefully be in the show coming up in March at The Bridge Gallery.

Happy Painting Holidays!

2011-12-20T05:20:00.000-08:00

December 20, 2011

This is the time of year when I just feel darn grateful. Not everything has gone my way, for sure, but I'm grateful to be working as a professional artist and instructor, to be selling artwork to those who love it, and to be able to travel (I'm a gypsy) to share my knowledge.

This year has found me teaching, and/or painting, in Italy, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida and throughout Virginia. I have loved every minute of it.

I've sold a lot of paintings and I've met a lot of wonderful people who share a love of watercolor painting with me. I enjoy sharing what I know (and, I'm still learning and hope that I always will be), and watching students advance. It's pure joy to start seeing results from students and know that they love painting just as much as I do. Along with this blog, I've posted a picture of some of the cards students have sent me this December.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all and, most importantly, Happy Painting!

Ghost Ranch: Thanks for the Memories

2011-11-08T19:32:00.001-08:00

Thanks, Debra, for sending me so many good pictures to share with everyone from Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. I'm sharing pictures here: Lani and her paintings at our final exhibit; some of the wonderful students; Debra, Nancy, Linda and I in front of one of O'Keeffe's subjects (Debra is holding a copy of the Georgia O'Keeffe painting): finally, a photograph of me and my best friend, the wild burro, Ed.

From Ghost Ranch, NM to Snow in Virginia

2011-10-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

It was sad to leave Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, NM. It was mostly sad because a big nor'easter was blowing through the mid Atlantic, leaving a wet sloppy snow in Virginia, along with power failures at my house.

Thankfully, I arrived home safely and I wish everyone along the Mid Atlantic and the Northeast well, as this bad storm barrels along the coast, leaving many power outages along the way.

I hope that these pictures will leave you feeling warm.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Ghost Ranch, I highly recommend it. What a gorgeous location with so many possibilities for the painter.

Last Class at Ghost Ranch

2011-10-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of my class. Everyone put their paintings up on screens and the outcome of this week's work is amazing. Great, great work, everyone! The class was full of interesting folks from all over the country. I immensely enjoyed meeting everyone.

After class, I went hiking towards Box Canyon to find the pond. I wanted to get pictures of the mountain reflected in water.

Here is another painting to share with you, "Morning Shadows," as well as pictures from my hike.

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, Tuesday

2011-10-25T18:18:00.001-07:00

My workshop is going splendidly. Everyone in class seems to be moving along quickly and they've all begun painting the landscape.

Today, I went on a tour of the area where Georgia O'Keeffe lived, and we saw her home and many of the areas where she drove her car, which she had customized into a studio on wheels, and painted.

If I thought the landscape on the public part of the ranch was strange, then today I discovered that the private areas where O'Keeffe painted were even more imaginative: more twisted forms, layers of different colored rock, odd columns and holes and more contorted shapes.

I'm posting some pictures from the landscape tour, as well as my first completed painting of the scene outside of the art center, where I'm teaching.

New Mexico

2011-10-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Cottonwood trees are a brilliant gold. I can see why Georgia O'Keeffe was mesmerized by the rough beauty of the area. I understand her paintings now.

Earth Colors and Chimney Rock

2011-10-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

How does one paint the colors and the contorted rocks of the New Mexico mountains? I've never seen so many earth colors: all the reds, all the yellows, all the ochres and browns will be required, as well as grays, lavenders and greens.

Today, I finally sat down and began an "en plein aire" painting of Chimney Rock. It's a strange tower of red rock, hung high on a cliff. It was so windy, my paper and palette were blowing and, of course, the paints were drying very quickly. I ended up with a fairly nice little piece, which I'll post tomorrow. Meanwhile, here are more pictures of Ghost Ranch, including the Cottonwood Trees in all their fall glory and Chimney Rock.

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, is the land of dreams

2011-10-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, exceeds expectations. The vastness and strangeness of the landscape is incomparable. Is it a moonscape? Is it from some strange imagination? There’s geologic drama everywhere you look. The colors consist of reds, oranges, purples, greens, and grays. The shapes are molded and melted and twisted from some sort of cataclysmic geological event. The light during the day is amazing and I can clearly see why the shapes and light attracted Georgia O'Keeffe. The night sky is the blackest I’ve ever seen but, at the same time, it’s full of more stars than I’ve ever observed. There are so many stars and complex galaxies, that the sky is nearly opaque.

I’ve never felt more like a grain of sand than I do now.

Ghost Ranch must be one of the most eerily beautiful places on earth…..here are some pictures to share with you.

Dancing Shadows and The Apple Tree

2011-10-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

"Dancing Shadows" is a portrait of the little stone spring house on the Wyeth property and "The Apple Tree" just won 1st place in Watercolors at the Waterford Fair in Virginia.

Wyeth Estate: Paint Fast! Real Fast!

2011-10-09T17:58:00.001-07:00

Friday was a delight. About forty artists were allowed to paint on Jaimie Wyeth's estate in Chadd's Ford, PA. What an interesting farm. First of all, the site was waaaaay back on a dirt road, with a skull and crossbones on the sign! Then, we drove beyond the estate into a field and had to drag equipment for quite a long way and THEN: we had to turn in a completed and framed painting by noon! And, it was already nine am!

Imagine selecting from these scenes: a tremendous stone house; a striking multi level barn with dramatic shadows; pure bred black horses and black cats; an ancient cart with a hat artistically placed by the whip on the seat; spotted goats; peacocks; mountain vistas; and a little stone spring house with purple shadows dancing on its side.

The result of this morning's painting session was "Dancing Shadows," which will be available at Wide River Gallery in Colonial Beach, VA, during November of 2011.

"Old Glory" in West Chester, PA

2011-10-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

The previous painting from the King's Ranch area is titled "Big Sky," and it is sold. That painting was completed in three hours!

The previous painting of "Autumn Arrives at the Old Mill" will be available at the Wide River Gallery in Colonial Beach during November, 2011. That painting was also completed in three hours.

On Thursday,I did a really fast piece, "Old Glory," right in front of the West Chester, PA courthouse. I sat right under the eaves and by the hot dog vendor (yum). It was a lot of fun, the sky was glorious, rain was impending and I drew the perspective up so quickly, that I excited....myself!
This painting was the fastest one yet: it was completed in two hours.

King's Ranch and the Brandywine Valley

2011-10-09T17:45:00.001-07:00

I painted in the King's Ranch area on Wednesday. King's Ranch is an enormous area of acreage in Pennsylvania that is very historic, rolling farmland filled with every beautiful scene imaginable to the painter. I painted this piece on private property. We drove over a very old covered bridge to reach our destination and there were so many things to paint: a beautifully restored barn! a gorgeous historic house! sheep! fields and mountains! little interesting outbuildings!

I decided to paint on this lovely, well kept, delightful garden that overlooked the broad vista of the Brandywine Valley.

Plein Aire Brandywine September 2011

2011-10-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Painting in the Brandywine area of Pennsylvania was very tough. Artists were fighting rain and insects, as well as time, all week long. Every day, we were on site by around dawn. We had a few hours to paint and then our framed pieces had to be in by an assigned time: daily! This is particularly tough for a watercolor painter like me. All frames, mats, paper and glass had to be cut, sized and ready to go.

Every time it rained, it came down in torrents and we had to rush our equipment back into our cars. I didn't sleep much, nor did I go to the bathroom or eat much. Needless to say, when I returned home after my week, I slept a lot.

I did enjoy the beauty of Longwood Gardens and Winterthur on Monday. Honestly, my favorite place in Winterthur is the Enchanted Woods, where one and all can become children again and play on the troll's bridge, or sit in the tiny chairs in the tiny cottage, or hop along the mushroom path. It was lovely. On Tuesday, I painted the old stone mill at the Hagley Museum. The painting looks like it was ... a little rainy. I sat in the woods and created this piece in three hours.

www.pleinairebrandywinevalley.org

2011-09-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

I'm gathering things together for plein aire painting in the beautiful Brandywine Valley.

It takes a tremendous amount of coordination and organization to prepare for these events. I have to order frames and mats ahead of time, and have my painting surfaces pre cut. I don't enjoy painting to a pre determined size, but in plein aire competitions, the artist must turn in completed paintings that are beautifully framed for the final sales. So, I'm already thinking, one month ahead of the contest, of what I might paint and what size the pieces will be.

I have to organize all of my supplies and be sure that I don't forget anything. There may not be art supply stores available to meet my needs. Also, I need to plan my time carefully to be sure that not ONE MINUTE is wasted that could be used for painting during the limited times I will be allowed on the sites that are on the list. Most sites can only be visited for six to eight hours on a specified day.

So my mind and goals must be fine tuned: I must know where I'm going to paint each day, have a good idea what sort of subject I'll paint and I must know EXACTLY what size I'll be working towards because I have a limited number of complete frames that I'm taking with me.

I'm a studio painter. Most of my plein aire pieces are more difficult for me because they must be completed in one day. In the studio, I can just.... take my time.

Meanwhile, in the studio, I'm painting sheep. I'm attaching a photograph here to muse upon....

Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, Georgia On My Mind....

2011-08-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

I truly enjoyed meeting the artists in Carrollton, GA. This town has a surprisingly large and new arts center with a theatre, a set design studio, costume shop, art gallery and plenty of large well lit classrooms. Who knew? I thank the students for sharing time with me and allowing me to present a few ideas to them.

Plein Aire Brandywine

2011-08-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

I just found out that I've been selected to participate in the "Plein Aire Brandywine" competition from September 25 - October 1, 2011. The competition will take place in the scenic Brandywine Valley, including Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, the Hagley Museum and Mt. Cuba. I'm so excited! I've never even seen these properties, but I've heard a lot about them and look forward to painting them!

If you'd like to visit me during this event, I would just love it!

Here's the website: http://www.pleinairebrandywine.org/.

I absolutely love painting outdoors. One must paint quickly, trying to capture the scene in as few brushstrokes as possible. Plein aire work doesn't always turn out; but when it does, it's magic.

The picture here was painted on site in Unison, VA in 2 1/2 hours.

Still Thinking about Tuscany

2011-07-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

I've booked another trip to teach plein aire painting in Tuscany, Italy, June 9 - 16, 2012, through www.ilchiostro.com.

The staff and the location were so amazing, I can't get it out of my mind. Registration information is on my website at www.catherinehillis.com.

This picture was taken by Marcia, one of my students. It's such a classic. It looks like, perhaps, I've missed the best scene of all.... which is behind me! But, truthfully, everywhere I turned was some beautiful subject, just waiting to be painted.

Summer's the time for plein aire painting and I'm doing my share of it. I didn't paint outdoors today because of the 100 degree weather, but I'm trying to go out twice a week at a minimum to paint en plein aire. There's something so exciting and even DANGEROUS about capturing an image in just a few hours. I love the sense of adventure and the spontaneity required in plein aire work. And, for me, it's just plain fun.

Splash 12: I'm published!

2011-07-02T19:09:00.001-07:00

The Splash 12 Book: Best of Watercolors, is out and I'm in it! This is an exciting step in a good direction for me. If you want a copy of the book, let me know and I'll order you one. I'm on page 96: the painting is "Round 'n Round."

Interested in workshops? Check out my website at: http://www.catherinehillis.com/

Easels in Frederick

2011-06-24T16:55:00.000-07:00

A week after getting back from Italy, I've been on the road again, this time in Frederick, Md., for the Easels in Frederick plein aire event. Here. courtesy of the Frederick News Post and AJ Messer, is a video of the event where I was interviewed. This is a national level event, and only 30 artists were selected to paint. We had a small geographic area in which we could work, but Frederick provided us with beautiful subject matter.

VENICE!

2011-06-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

Venice is a wonder. The entire town looks like a painting and nearly every photograph I took could become a painting. There are colorful characters everywhere, the graceful gondolas, the ever amusing gondoliers, and quirky little shops stuffed into every corner and crevice, bursting with unusual items: commedia dell’ arte masks, colorful glass, jewelry, wooden items, fine china, expensive designer clothing, the funkiest art, hand made papers and books, marvelous clothing, and hand crafted items of every color, sort and style.

It was a delight to wander through the Venetian streets, not knowing where I was, and somehow return right back to where I started.

It seems as though much of the gold in the world is either in Venice, Rome or Florence – in the churches. I’ve seen more reliquaries than you can shake a …. um, bone, at. Words cannot express the wonder of the art available for viewing in Italy. And, it seems to me that Venice must have been, at one time, the center of the entire world, from the looks of its great wealth and splendor.

Of all the places I’ve been, I’d like most to return to Burano to paint. It’s the little island outside of Venice that’s best known for its lace makers. It’s full of boats, and little buildings painted in all the pastel colors you have in a crayon box: lavender, pink, blue, yellow. The streets are wide and fairly quiet, the laundry is flapping in the breeze above the colorful window boxes, and the shops require a second glance. It’s my hope to return, sooner rather than later, and set up my easel and capture those colorful and watery landscapes on paper.

Watercolor Workshop en plein aire

2011-06-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

I presented several demonstrations outdoors. The first one was on site in Radda. I wandered around the town to get a feel for where I’d like to paint; then I set up my equipment, took some photographs and penciled in a quick sketch. The students looked around the town for suitable spots where they might like to paint, and then we gathered around my easel for the demonstration, which took me about 45 minutes.

On the day we spent in Siena, several students met for lunch, and sketched at a little café overlooking the valley. Eleanor and Bonnie then “went to the wall” to complete their pieces. Chris and Laila found a lovely little spot where the owner gave them permission to paint and even honored them with an umbrella for shade. Marcia, Mary and Susan completed their sketches, while Tess wandered around town to soak in some “Italian.”

A plein aire workshop is not only about painting; it’s also about experiences. It’s true that practice is an important component of learning how to compose a successful painting outdoors in the elements while tourists are distracting you, the wind is blowing and the paint is drying, but time spent in plein aire is a time of opportunity. The artist will take home some pretty pictures they created, many photographs of magical moments that may become work in the studio, sketches that will become masterpieces, and creative ideas that will provide artistic food for a lifetime.

The Workshop in Italy

2011-06-12T10:20:00.001-07:00

Little did I know what I was headed for when I boarded the bus for the Tuscan Renaissance Center and the impending workshop.

The staff treated us graciously and with impeccable service, beginning with day one at the train station in Florence. We were most pleased with the facility: a restored monastery with tastefully luxurious Tuscan decor in every room. Our group had their first meeting in what was once the chapel and now serves as an extra large meeting room. A group appetizer night included olives, bruschetta, local breads, crackers and zucchini tartlets along with free flowing local wine. I set up my week long schedule with staff and we were off on an adventure of incredible meals, polite care, different sites daily, shopping and painting.

Meals were a real adventure: the local chef would bring up each dish and deliver a lengthy description of ingredients and any history that might be relevant. We had dishes such as a hearty peasant soup, a barbeque of ribs, chicken, Tuscan bacon and sausages, rissotto, pastas, fresh Tuscan lasagna, spinach tarts, local delmonico steaks,all sorts of local vegetables, including asparagus, broccoli, Italian beans, potatoes, eggplants, Italian breads, olives, figs, peaches, apricots, and nuts of all kinds. Each dessert was magnificent: an apple tart with an apple liqueur sauce, bread pudding with caramel sauce (made by our own magnificent Tess), chocolate souffle with braised peaches, an ice cream concoction that incorporated cherries, chocolate and tiny almond cookies, and another cake with a lemon curd topping. Each breakfast included fresh cake baked by the Renate, one of the owners of San Fedele, along with yogurts, local jams and honey, cereals, croissants, fresh local fruits, nuts, eggs, juices and lots of coffee. Because of the hearty meals, it become imperative that we get out and.....walk.

We set up easels in Radda, San Fedele and Monteriggione; we toured Siena and San Gimignano and the market stalls in local towns. Our group went to a dinner and wine tasting at a local winery. We took hundreds of pictures of stone towns, shadows, sunlight, laundry hanging from windows and wine fields. One day, Michael, who was always so helpful and gracious to us, diverted to a field where there was a cherry tree, weighed down with fruit. We took advantage of the situation.

During two of our meals, we were treated to music: two of our hosts, Linda and Michael, are professional singers.

Every evening, we enjoyed a critique of artwork on the back patio of San Fedele.

Vini, Vidi, Vici.

We came. We saw. We painted. We shopped.

Italy: Part Two

2011-06-12T04:26:00.000-07:00

Sadly, our time came to leave Vernazza. Sniff, sniff. I must post one more picture of my view of Vernazza here. We boarded the local train to La Spezia, hauling our heavy luggage down the stairs, then up the stairs, then down again, to the platform. There we found: a lift! After that, we sought elevators wherever we could. In La Spezia, we boarded a Eurostar train to Florence. We found the train system in Italy to be generally good: they are usually punctual, relatively clean and comfortable. Naturally, a first class cabin in the Eurostar is steps above the local trains, which only offer second class cabins and are not always air conditioned, which can be critical in the summer.

Each Italian city or town I visited seemed to have an entirely different "flavor." It was a little bit like gelato: Vernazza was the most delicious flavor of local lemon - it was small, cozy, tart and deliciously home made. Florence is a huge tourist town, so you probably won't find organic gelato here and the concoctions will appeal to tourists: banana or chocolate with vanilla swirl; Venice is exotic, so one can expect the most expensive, most unusual and dramatic flavors here - cherries steeped in liqueurs, drizzled in chocolate and topped with creams and strange nuts; Tuscany offers organic, wholesome, fresh, local: the melons, the licorice, the pure vanillas. So, when I travel, I try not to have rigid expectations and just think "un assaggio, per favore?" (A taste, please....)

Also, whenever and wherever I travel, I indubitably stumble upon "international" personalities. In Florence, I ran into Snookie, JWow and crew (why the heck are they considered personalities...ugh). In California, I ate in a restaurant and saw Julia Roberts, and in Las Vegas, Little Richard was getting into his car. Go figure.

As for Florence, it's a big city, it's rich, it has lots of gold in the museums and churches, it has a multitude of expensive shops and more well heeled shoppers than I have seen in a while AND it reminds me of NYC. If you get off the tourist trails, you'll make better deals in the shops, and get more of the feeling of .... well, just a darn big city with regular people. Bargain in the shops; it's expected. My favorite thing to do in Florence is SHOP and my favorite sights in Florence are the Accademia, where I could stand in front of Michaelangelo's "David" statue forever AND the lesser known Museum of San Marco, which is the monastery where Fra Angelico lived and served as one of the world's lesser known interior decorators, since he painted frescoes on the walls of each and every monk's cubicle, along with the ceilings.

While in Florence, I met up with some of my students and we enjoyed several meals together. On Saturday, we gathered at the train station, boarded a special bus and drove off to the sun kissed mountain tops of San Fedele in Tuscany, Italy. The trip took about 1 1/2 hours and rolled through "S" curves of breathtaking scenery. Tuscany looks like it does in the movies: it's a star. It's filled with antique stone walled houses and villages, curvy roads without railguards, those beautiful, pointy cypress trees, field after field of patchwork color, poppies, wild flowers, and row after row after row and mountain after mountain of GRAPE VINES.....

Italy: Part One is Continued

2011-06-12T04:07:00.000-07:00

During our last day in the Cinque Terre - this means "Five Villages" - we took the tiny local, local, local train that runs between the towns. The train system is rickety, very cheap and follows the steep and rocky cliffs along the sea. The views are breathtaking. Read the instructions carefully about taking the trains and be sure you have all the correct tickets that you need.

There are spectacular, scenic hiking trails that hug the cliffs along the coast and connect each of the five villages together. There were many serious hikers to be seen: most appeared to be German and they were heavily equipped with walking sticks, backpacks, and properly expensive clothing and shoes. These are the professional hikers. We three were only interested in walking the lower, "easier" trail, which was remarkable enough. This is the trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola. It lasts about one hour,is mostly flat and snakes along the mountain providing the walker with unbelievable panoramic views of the villages, the sea and the mountains. The fee one pays for access is well worth it, for it pays for maintenance and safety, along with the view.

The photographs here show a typical sunlit shop in a Cinque Terre village, as well as my view from the trail.

On my last day, I sunned on the rocks and dipped my feet into the refreshing water at the beach. There were many locals enjoying the sun and the water, too, and it was lovely to "melt" into the Mediterranean, and be as one with the sea, the sand and the people of the town. Ah.......

Italy: Part One

2011-06-12T03:33:00.000-07:00

My travels to Italy in late May 2011 were a combination of business and pleasure. I had to teach a watercolor workshop at Il Chiostro in early June, so I decided to make my second trip to Italy more comprehensive. The first time I saw the country was as a chaperone for my daughter's Latin club trip during spring break; the teacher had an itinerary that would make a soldier quake in his boots. We saw a LOT of Italy in five days, but we marched from 6 am until midnite, swooping past towns like birds in flight, dropping a few Euros along the way. While the trip was grand, and the kids were fantastic (seriously, they were too tired to misbehave, but the teacher knew what he was doing), I was exhausted. This time, I decided, I would do Italy right and take my time to enjoy the scenery, the gelatto, the wine and the people.

I flew into Pisa with my husband, John, and my good friend, Eleanor. The Pisa airport is small, manageable, and easy to understand, plus, it's closest to the Cinque Terre,along the Italian Riviera, where I planned to go first to relax and wind down before my workshop. Like every other tourist, I had to save the leaning tower from falling into a crumbling pile. Here's an obligatory shot.....

After one morning in Pisa, which is all the traveler really needs, we boarded a local train to the Cinque Terre. I don't really want to expound upon this too much, because I'd like to return to these villages along the sea, and I don't want too many tourists to discover the magic beauty of the place. We rented an apartment at the top of the little village of Vernazza from Franco. The apartment was lovely, clean and....very high. Thank goodness Franco and his strong friend, Marco, helped get our luggage up to the top. After that, though, we were on our own. Up and down, and down and up and back again we climbed and climbed and climbed. At the end of the day, we would reward ourselves with the best gelatto around (it's at the Gelateria Stalin); we also enjoyed the food and entertainment at Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre, which is owned by twin brothers from Sicily who missed their true calling as stand up comedians. The food at Il Pirata is very good, and the Sicilian desserts are even better. The breakfast at their restaurant is supposed to be stellar, but since we were in Italy, trying to live "la vita dolce," we never found the energy to walk down from the top of Vernazza to the other end to try the morning menu out. A final night was spent at the very top of Vernazza, at the Ristorante Al Castello, enjoying wine with a view of the mountains dipping into the Mediterranean sea.

Still Living La Vita Dolce

2011-06-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

I took photographs of wine in every setting I could: Siena, Florence, Venice, San Fedele....I love painting light and reflections and the wonderful distortions that occur in glass and, especially, in glass with liquids.

Here's a picture of my glass of locally made (and a bit dry and very delicious) white wine in Siena, Italy. We found a fantastic cafe' located along the outer wall of the town where we could eat, drink wine and sketch and paint. The bruschetta that was deliverd to Bonnie and Marcia was so large, it was daunting. The bread covered the entire plate, and it was topped with several inches of fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella and olive oil. What a way to begin a day.

We spent several hours on this day in Siena; the town was too full of tourists to set up our easels, but we took many photographs and then returned to San Fedele to paint, or swim or just think about what sort of new adventure and experience dinner might bring.....

2011-06-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

My workshop took place at the Tuscan Renaissance Center, a restored monastery in San Fedele, Italy, in the Tuscan mountains.

I thank the owners for their gracious hospitality and I thank our hosts for maintaining a spirit of conviviality and for taking such good care of us.

Here's a photograph of Michaelino, who drove us pretty much EVERYWHERE and diverted onto a dirt road one day where we picked, and ate, delicious Italian cherries, which were ripening during our time there.
I'm also posting a picture of some of the fine Tuscan wine we enjoyed. This is right outside my room.....

2011-06-09T03:38:00.001-07:00

Return to list of postsItaly and living "la vita dolce."

I'm back from teaching a workshop at the fabulous Tuscan Renaissance Center in San Fedele, Italy. My carefree life of eating incredible Italian meals nightly, drinking cheap but marvelous Italian wine and painting the sun kissed Tuscan hills is over. However, since I am a painter, my tour will live on through my paintings.....

Here are some highlights of the trip:
I saw Snooki and JWow, of the Jersey Shore, in Florence. The girls and their camera crew walked past my table (I was close enough to give them a good slap, which from Snooki's smirking face, appeared to be needed), giving us all a cheap (very cheap in person, I dare say) thrill.

We were waited on hand and foot during the workshop at the Tuscan Renaissance Center and treated to EXPERIENCES, not food, every night. We enjoyed wine and olive oil tastings and some excellent serenading by Linda and Michael, who perform as professional singers! Wow!

I now realize why there's not much gold left in the world: every bit of it is in the Catholic churches and museums in Italy, ensconced in the frescoes, artwork, altars and chalices.

It appears that being an artist during the Renaissance might have actually been profitable.

Venice is amazing and you cannot take a bad picture in the town or run into a bad shop.

Even the most meager outdoor market in Italy has better fashions than one can find in.....Virginia.

There is no bad food or bad wine in Italy. This thought leads me to another thought: I may not be able to drink Virginia wine again or eat American food. Ugh. Food in Italy is a three hour, five course experience, utilizing only the freshest ingredients while our food here...... oh, well.

Plein Aire Painters

2011-05-17T10:39:00.001-07:00

I'm preparing curriculum and equipment to teach a plein aire class in Tuscany, Italy.

I'm excited, nervous, and jittery, but, most of all, I'm planning everything as carefully as I possibly can so that the STUDENTS will have the TIME of their LIFE.

I've been painting outdoors as much as I can during the past two weeks, trying to warm up my plein aire skills. It's quite a switch to move from painting in the studio to painting outdoors. My neighbor, friend and patron, Jean, was asking me yesterday what could be different in plein aire painting? We had a long conversation and, truthfully, I probably gave her more explanation than I needed to. In short, I can put lots of those little details I love in my studio work but, when I'm working outdoors, I have to contend with weather, tourists and drying paint, so I only have time to capture a moment and place in time. For me, I try to work as quickly as possible, before the light changes, leaving out as many details as I can, connecting the large forms and shapes and, hopefully, coming up with a more simplistic view that really captures the day, the scene, the time and the feeling. Plein Aire may minimize details, but it usually makes it up in emotion. The viewer really ought to feel like they're STANDING right there in the scene.

Catch me in Frederick, MD, beginning June 22nd, as part of the Easels in Frederick national plein aire competition. Completed works will be on exhibit on June 26, 2011, at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in Frederick, MD .

My painting, Morning in the City, has been selected for the National Watercolor Society Show, on exhibit at the NWS Gallery at 915 S. Pacific Avenue in San Pedro, CA during May 2011.

Curiosity, Light and Shadows has been selected for the International Watermedia XVII Exhibit, sponsored by the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society, Colorado Springs, CO during June and July 2011. This painting is included in today's blog.

Go paint!

Award at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Show!

2011-04-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

I won an award for my painting, Chinatown One, at the Baltimore Watercolor Society's Mid-Atlantic Regional Show, on exhibit at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, MD during the spring of 2011. I'm so honored - excited - thrilled - and, grateful. Heck, I'm just thankful to be IN the show. The work is of a national quality and many of the exhibiting artists are the top watercolor painters in the country. So, I thank the judge, John Salminen, for his faith in me - I feel so encouraged to continue working; I thank the folks at the Baltimore Watercolor Society for always putting together such a classy show and I thank my students, Marie, Melanie, Tess, Linda and Alice, for coming to see the show during the award ceremony on Sunday.

'Tis sweet.......

National Watercolor Society (smile)

2011-04-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

This week I shipped a large painting, City in the Morning, to the National Watercolor Member's Exhibition in San Pedro, CA. This is the second time I've been accepted into the NWS show, but I hope that there will be many more acceptances. Sadly, this isn't the show where I can apply for signature status. I've had paintings accepted into five national exhibits now since January 2011! Wow. I'm so excited and always grateful that I can pursue something I enjoy so much.

My sweet neighbor, Susan, has urged me to keep up with my blog and post this great news. My friends, sometimes it takes me a while to keep up with everything and that's because I am a WORKING artist. I am a working artist and I have one employee and it is.... me. If I'm not posting on blogs, or responding to your emails, then I'm probably painting, or framing or maybe cuttings mats, or perhaps purchasing frames and/or mats, or developing a workshop or calling/emailing workshop contacts, approaching a gallery, developing CD's to send out to galleries, writing press releases, writing magazine articles that I want to submit to watercolor publications, editing articles, attending a business meeting, delivering paintings somewhere, keyboarding in dates or workshop or exhibit information, committing to general business work so I can presume to be a good business woman, packing and shipping something, developing marketing plans, TEACHING or planning curriculum (this takes a tremendous part of my time because I'm overbooked with workshops and classes and the teacher must be organized), planning the next travel destination, renting cars or booking hotels or gathering art supplies and teaching equipment or taking photographs to use for my next painting, working en plein aire, or perhaps developing photos or drawing them or checking different online supply stores, comparing prices and ordering supplies or going to Office Depot for some silly thing I must have.

So, you see my friends, the work is never done; the day never ends, and there is oh, so much to do.

When do I paint? I try to paint every single day in the early morning when I am at my freshest and have ideas. But, I have to be careful where my energy goes and save it for what I believe I'm created to do: PAINT.

Pouring: And Loving It.

2011-04-05T18:12:00.001-07:00

I just found out that I won an award at the Baltimore Watercolor Society's 2011 show. That's pretty exciting! I'm surprised, too, because when I dropped off my "Chinatown I" painting, my first thought was that I was absolutely lucky to even be included in the show! The BWS show is becoming one of the top in the country; the quality of work is remarkable. Go see the show if you can at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, MD during April through early May, 2011. Again, I was amazed at some of the paintings I was looking at.

Here's a picture of the painting that I've poured on several times. I'm now hand painting and I expect to pour on it several more times. I enjoy incorporating pouring and atomizing; these are both ways to glaze.

National Watercolor Competitions: Learning As I Go!

2011-03-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

I am not an old pro at entering national watercolor competitions; in fact, I've gotten serious about this in the last two years and this year, I've entered nearly every national competition that I have paintings available for: good paintings. This is hard, hard work.

First of all, I have to hold back every painting that is entered. The process ties up a good piece for months while you wait to hear back from the judge, wait to ship the painting, ship it to the location and then wait again for the piece to return. This can take up to six months of your time with ONE painting! If you have gallery exhibits happening concurrently, your best work can be sitting on the sidelines, waiting, waiting, waiting..... You must hold the entered painting back because if it's selected and the piece is no longer available, it's my understanding that the artist will not be permitted to enter that show again.

Secondly, the paintings that you consider entering into national competition need to be DARN GOOD. One must be mindful and honest; is this work really competitive on a national level of skill and technique? Be sure to review catalogues and websites of previous shows. You can certainly enter a show, but it doesn't take long before you've spent a lot of money on entry fees. If you're spending the money, be sure you honestly have a chance at selection.

Should you do some research on the judges? Maybe.... I'm not familiar enough with this issue to be able to "judge." I've been reading some scathing blogs about watercolor judges recently, so I'm guessing that there is a lot of political "stuff" that goes on with some judging, just as it does in any occupation. I'm going to try to gather more experience in this issue.

Money, money, money! These entry fees really build up quickly. I'm not entering local shows anymore because I can't afford to and if my focus is on the national level, then my money needs to go to the national level. Besides entry fees ($25 - $40), there are shipping fees ($100 often covers both ways), shipping box fees ($100), and handling fees on the other end (these are running as high as $50). These fees don't even include the cost of painting a winning piece and framing it.

Can you take disappointment? I was a theatre major and I'm accustomed to standing in audition lines and being rejected because I don't fit the physical description of the character. I try to have the attitude that I'll enter shows, I won't take anything personally and I won't expect anything in return. If I really believe in a painting, I'll enter it over and over again, although by the 3rd try, I think I'd have to re evaluate my quality control summary. You have to acquire a very tough skin......

Quality, quality, quality. I have to say it again, mostly to remind myself. I'm learning as I go through this process. I want to be sure that I only enter quality work and that my work represents who I am: artists and judges are visual so my work is me and I am my work.

If you're entering a lot of shows, good luck. I'm learning as I go and we can learn together!

So far this year, I've had entries accepted into the Georgia Natioal Watercolor Exhibition, the National Watercolor Soceity Member Show, the Missouri National Show, the Rocky Mountain Watermedia Show, and the Baltimore Watercolor Society MId Atlantic Regional Show. I was not accepted into the TWSA or the AWS. Of course, just like every other competitive watercolor painter out there, those are the two shows I very much would like to make but I'm incredibly excited and honored to be selected in the national exhibits listed above. I hope to continue improving and refining my painting and working hard towards a level of quality and imagination where a painting by Catherine Hillis is noticed more and more.

I plan to paint my heart out: this is what I'm created to do.

Happy painting!

Selected for National Plein Aire Event!

2011-03-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hurray! I just found out that I've been selected to participate in the nationally juried "Easels in Frederick" event, June 22 - 26, 2011.http://easelsinfrederick.org

I can hardly wait. I hope the weather will be lovely, since I'm a watercolorist and most artists selected for these events are oil painters. They don't have to worry about drying their paint!

Check it out. Frederick, MD is a beautiful and historic town. I think it will provide me with many opportunities to produce some colorful and sharp watercolors.

I'm grateful for another opportunity.

Here, I'm attaching a painting that was produced "en plein aire" last summer. It's for sale, of course! If anyone out there in computer neverland is interested, send me an email! This piece was painted in the countryside and measures about 17" by 12" unmatted.

National Exhibits for Catherine Hillis

2011-02-15T04:56:00.000-08:00

I've had paintings accepted in three national shows during the past three weeks:

Round 'n Round has been selected for the Watercolor Missouri National 2011 on exhibit at the Winston Churchill Museum and Library in Fulton, MO during Spring 2011.

Monday Morning will be on exhibit at the Georgia Watercolor Society's 2011 National Exhibition at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center in Carrollton, GA March 1 - April 21, 2011.

The Pedicure was accepted in the Rockies West 2011 National Show in Grand Junction, CO at the Cultural Arts Center there.

My show at Art Square just about sold out during opening night. Whew. What a month.....

The Big One: Art Square Exhibit opens in Leesburg, VA on 2/11/11

2011-01-29T06:22:00.000-08:00

My first Loudoun County, VA solo exhibit in several years opens on February 11, 2011, with a reception from 5:30 pm until 8. The show is looking beautiful. There are lots of colorful and complex watercolors that will star in this show. I'm excited, nervous and hopeful. Please come see my work and join me at the reception on Friday...

Whatever paintings remain in the show will then travel to the Crary Gallery in Warren, PA on March 3.

I'm teaching a workshop there that's already confirmed - if you're in the Warren area and you'd like to register for the class, please do so soon, because it's filling up quickly and my February workshop in Winchester has been sold out for a while. I'm very grateful to students who seem to enjoy my teaching style and it's wonderful to have workshops and classes that sell out!

Artist as a Multi-Tasker

2011-01-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

A professional artist is a multi-tasker.

I'm currently working on painting and framing twenty paintings for upcoming solo shows, which I scheduled and applied for last year.

I compete on a national basis: just found out that I've had a painting (The Pedicure, see photo) accepted into the 18th Annual Rockeies West National Exhibition. I apply for an awful lot of national shows; I'm rejected from some and accepted into some. It's hard work, keeping my paintings "on the edge."

I teach every week.

I teach workshops out of town, at least one every month.

I do my own marketing, sales, tax documentation, paperwork, applications for the upcoming year, research, etc. etc. etc. The work is absolutely NEVER done, and, of course, what is the value of the actual painting, photographing and working in a creative process?

A painting is worth every penny of its cost.

Watercolor in Progress

2011-01-12T06:52:00.001-08:00

Progress is being made on the painting of the Christmas parade.....I've been working non stop on this piece for three days now.

I like to move all around a painting, but I definitely develop focal points first. I don't recommend this to anyone. It's just my style.

I advise students not to become too focused on one area. When students stay in one area too long, painting and painting, they tend to overwork that one section. This leads to frustration, which leads to more overpainting.

The issue is usually one of contrast. The values are well developed in the one area, making the rest of the painting appear weak when, in fact, if the student will move around the paper and paint "up to the values" in the adjacent areas, the work will usually pull together.

What Am I Doing? I'm working!

2011-01-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted on my blog for some time. What do you think I'm up to? I'm working....and working HARD.

I have several solo shows coming up. First one's at Art Square in Leesburg, VA (www.loudounacademy.org.) Opening Reception is Friday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 pm until 8 pm. Please come!

My next solo opening is at Crary Gallery and Museum in Warren, PA (www.crarygallery.org) in early March. I'll be presenting a watercolor workshop in conjunction with the opening. Warren is closer to NYC.

I'll be posting again before the exhibits begin; meanwhile, I'm concentrating all my effort into painting the most fantastic, wonderful watercolor paintings that I can. The one I'm working on today is of the Christmas Parade in quaint Middleburg, VA.

Back to work. I'm turning up the music, focusing and just painting. This turns into a wild sort of meditation that's tough to break, but this is what I'm created to do. I feel honored to be painting today.....

Christmas Shows 2010

2010-12-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

I have lots of work available for sale during the holiday season. IF you're in Cleveland, Ohio, drop by the Pennello Gallery. It's fun and funky and has my work for sale!

Also, I have a fabulous snow scene, as well as some NYC pieces, at The Bridge Gallery in Sheperdstown, WV. This gallery is in a darling town with cute restaurants and interesting little shops.

This painting of "The Pink Box" in Middleburg is for sale at Art Square in Leesburg, VA, along with a delightful painting of Waterford, VA. I love capturing the history around me in iconic paint.

So, please! Go, see, buy and support local artists! Many, many thanks.

Feed the Artist; Feed the Soul

2010-11-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

The purpose of my trip to Beaufort, SC was to take a workshop with Eric Weigardt and try to loosen up my technique a bit. He's a wonderful teacher! I learned SO MUCH and can't wait to paint again. I've been teaching too much and feeling burned out. Ugh.

While I adore my many students, I tend to give everything I have in class and then, I'm running on empty. During the winter, I plan to teach less and paint more. Painting is food for my soul.

Southern food is delicious and will always be my delight. But food for my soul, painting, is the thing I cannot survivie without.

Here's a picture of sunset on the Beaufort River in South Carolina. Perhaps there's a watercolor in this one......

Feed the Artist

2010-11-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in Beaufort, NC, participating in a workshop and trying to keep the hungry artist well fed. Whenever I foray into the south, I like to enjoy the southern food. What else!

On my first day here, I found a barbeque place with all my favorites: pulled pork, pork chops, chicken, fried okra, gumbo, white beans, green beans, collard greens and... so much more. Lunch is less than $8.00 and includes a hefty portion of meat, two vegetables, a large slab of cornbread and fresh lemonade or tea.

Breakfasts at my B and B have been delightfully prepared by Henri, the owner of the establishment: the first day, I was presented with a "Croissant Patricia;" the second day included "tropical pancakes," a stack of light cakes with layers of bananas and coconut. My beautiful old antebellum "home" overlooks the Beaufort River, a harbor full of boats and old moss covered oak trees that were quiet sentinels during the Civil War.

Tonite, my last evening, was a celebration with Debo and Nancy, students from Georgia. We shared a gourmet meal at the reknown "Saltus" restaurant. I had the best shrimp and grits that I've ever had: light, flavorful, fresh and artfully presented. We discussed the problems and joys of artists, and the tremendous need to feed the artist, not only emotionally, but also nutritionally.

I do recommend Beaufort as a gustatorial haven for the hungry artiste!

Prince Edward Island and Anne of Green Gables

2010-09-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

I’ve always wanted to see the Anne of Green Gables house on Prince Edward Island. I love the books and read them to my girls when they were young and we watched the movies together. The stories are wonderful, inspiring and amusing and the author really establishes a sense of place and community. I've been intrigued about what the island would really look like. Although the house is not the actual home of the fictional character, Anne, it is wonderfully restored and close to representing the home of the author’s aunt and uncle, who were a major influence in her life.

We crossed an 8 mile bridge to arrive on the island. The landscape is green, wild and rolling with lush fields and bright barns and houses of turquoise, red and corals. The surprisingly orange soil against the green fields, dotted by these brightly colored houses and barns makes for some luscious scenery and will, I hope, transfer into beautiful paintings.

Beatiful Inside and Out

2010-09-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Maine is an absolutely beautiful state and the house I was able to stay in is one of the most photogenic sites I’ve ever stayed at. I took tons of pictures just inside the house!
I have many fine interior landscapes that I intend to paint.

Traveling the Atlantic Maritimes

2010-09-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, Maine.

What can I say? We ate lots of lobster while we were in Maine and the Atlantic Maritimes. It was delicious and I don’t regret a single bite…..

Trekell Brushes

2010-09-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.trekell.com/Featured-Artist_ep_41.html

I'm featured as Trekell Brush Company's artist of the month for September 2010.

See the website above.

Please feel free to use the 10% discount offered. Just use the name HILLIS when you order. I'd love to hear comments from students and professionals alike.

Reception tonite

2010-08-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

Everyone.

Come to the reception tonite at Applegate Gallery and Framing, 101 Church Street (upstairs), Vienna, VA www.applegateframing.com

6 until 9 pm

FOOD WINE FUN ART CONVERSATION

Resting.....

2010-08-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm......I haven't posted a blog for a while.

That's because I'm ..... resting.

While workshops have been ongoing throughout the summer, I do try to take a break from weekly classes during July and August so I can travel and rest. I spend so much time on the road, teaching, dragging paintings around to exhibitions and entering national competitions, that I find myself near exhaustion by June.

So, I've been re-charging my battery in anticipation of the start of classes.

I've been day dreaming, thinking, painting en plein aire, playing with the cats, gardening.... all of this restful activity will guide my thinking and planning and will make me a better (rested) teacher and a thoughtful painter.

End of Line

2010-07-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Summer for the watercolor painter can be all about plein aire painting. What a great gift and opportunity it is to get out there and capture the lighting, a moment in time and a feeling that .... well, with weather conditions, IT WON'T LAST LONG.

PAINT QUICKLY!

This is a scene at the end of a Virginia country road....

Contact me at chhillis@aol.com if you like this piece.

Sky Meadows Park en plein aire

2010-07-29T06:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a painting of the grouping of barns at the historic Sky Meadows Park in Delaplaine, VA. The painting is about 15" x 18." Contact me at chhillis@aol.com if you're interested. What I enjoyed capturing was that dramatic sky!

It's Hot Here, Too!

2010-07-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here we are in mid July in the mountains of Northern Virginia and it's just as hot here as it was in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I've had plans to paint en plein aire, but this kind of weather makes it an unsafe proposition for me.

I was able to paint outdoors at Sky Meadows Park in Delaplaine, VA, on Tuesday. I began at 11 am in the morning and I was out by 2 pm with a nearly completed painting. I've had to take it back into the studio for tweaking and, believe me, if there's anything that needs corrections, it's always the values. Values is the topic that students hear me harping about but.... it's nearly always true: once we adjust values, the painting is improved.

As for successful plein aire painting, I believe comfort is the first issue to consider. Next comes simplicity in both subject matter and supplies. In this heat, a watercolor painter needs water to drink, snacks, sunglasses, hat,a small portable chair (I have one that's a camping chair, with side pockets and a marvelous tray for my palette: I sit in comfort) and an umbrella if you need one. I generally find a good spot in shade to set up: that's imperative in the heat. My camera goes with me everywhere and as soon as I set up, I take a number of photographic references, so I can complete the painting at home.

My watercolor supplies are greatly reduced: I take several sheets of pre cut paper, masking tape, a very small portable corrugated plastic board with a handle, my pre filled palette, a few favorite brushes, water, a spray bottle, paper towels and a container. Most of these things can be put into the pockets of my chair. Simplify everything and take very little.

Once you sit down, and you've taken photos, select something you can paint easily in an hour or two.

I'll be posting the picture of my Sky Meadows painting soon. Be looking for it...

Mimosa Bloom on the Gentle River

2010-07-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest painting, based on my trip to Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I was based along this beautiful river during the trip and I spent a lot of time along the water. I hope this view brings peace and tranquility to all who see it. We certainly need it. Please contact me if you are interested in this painting. chhillis@aol.com

There's No Place Like Home

2010-07-02T17:53:00.000-07:00

2010-06-25T18:49:00.001-07:00

Today the National Park committee selected my painting "Fordyce, Hot Springs National Park" for their collection. This was one of my favorite paintings of the bunch.

We had a lovely meeting and they presented me with a plaque. How unexpected!

Artist in Residence

2010-06-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

I'm finishing my paintings here at Hot Springs National Park. I cannot post pictures from the library computer, so I'll be updating this blog when I can use my pc. This will be a few days.

I'll be posting pictures as soon as I can. Meanwhile, know that all is well and I've enjoyed the little cabin in the campground along the river.

I shall be at the old swimming hole today.....

Hot Springs: Is it always hot?

2010-06-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

It's another 100 degree day here. The minute I step outdoors, my glasses fog up completely...maybe that's symbolic of my life.

I'm nearly finished with my work here. I'm going to show the Superintendent and her committee my paintings on Friday morning, at which time they'll select the piece they want for the museum. Again, it's been a delight to serve here at Hot Springs National Park. However, I do wish it had not been so, well, hot. If the weather had been a little cooler, I would have painted outdoors more, which is my preference. In this case, I've been taking photographs, returning to the house to print the photos, and painting from the pictures. I really do feel like there's an extra energy in a painting when it's produced en plein aire, but it is what it is. I have produced a mixture of water landscapes and architectural pieces. Most of the real park consists of those beautiful, Victorian bathhouses. My, are they interesting ..... and old. They still contain the original locker rooms, porcelain tubs, steel showers, porcelain sitz baths and steam boxes. I think about how hot those buildings must have been in those days, with the steam of the water filling every nook and cranny, rotting the timbers. The Victorians had a higher tolerance for weather than we did...

The Old Swimmin' Hole

2010-06-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2010

There’s a small river running along my campground. It’s lovely and I’ve painted it twice so far. It’s one of my favorite spots in the national park. It’s full of little waterfalls, which are fun to paint in watercolors. Every afternoon, I go to the swimming hole, just below a main waterfall, and watch folks swim! It’s a delight to see the children and their parents taking part in this old fashioned activity. What fun! I confess that I’m participating as well. After a little swim, I grab my fishing pole and try a little fly fishing. The afternoons have been very enjoyable…..

Painting in Hot Springs

2010-06-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

June 19, 2010

It’s blazing hot in Hot Springs. So, it’s not just about hot water; it’s also about hot weather. I’m told that this near 100 degree heat is pretty typical during the summer. I can’t seem to get it right: when I was painting in France as Artist in Residence, it ended up being the rainiest June on record… and I work in watercolors! Ugh. I hope that the next time I travel or apply for a residency, I’ll find good, dependable weather that’s conducive for painting outdoors. Of course, regardless of conditions, I paint and find new ways to reach the goal….

I’ve completed four paintings this week: two for the park, and two for me. I have two more drawn, stretched and ready to go. I like to go on site and draw, recording the scene with photographs immediately. It’s too darn hot to sit outside for long. I tried to paint outdoors yesterday, and thought I’d pass out from heat stroke! So, it’s back to the studio for me.

Seeking free internet is a constant struggle. I finally went to the public library and thought that would be a breeze. I began filling out the papers to apply for a library card, so I could begin working my way through their books as well, but the process was so difficult and became intensely personal, so I finally gave up. In order to apply for a library card at the Hot Springs Library, a non resident like me must sign their life away: signature, multiple addresses and telephone numbers, references with personal phone numbers and addresses and FINALLY, my social security number. I politely refused this last request. After all, I only wanted to borrow books! They do, thankfully, have computers that non residents may use to catch up on the internet and that was sufficient for me except that when I want to update my blog, I really need to use my own computer and photographs that I’ve uploaded.

As soon as one ventures outdoors, glasses, camera lens and water bottle fog up. This glass of wine is on the picnic table in front of my little abode. Note the condensation. This is in honor of my good friends, the “Susans,” who are probably at a wonderful Virginia winery right now enjoying themselves.

So, I shall continue painting the National Park here in Hot Springs. In between sessions, I continue to seek free internet resources, the best fried chicken, the crunchiest catfish and the most delectable ribs so that body, mind and soul can remain in balance.

Chow, friends, and drink a glass for me! Happy painting!

It's Hot in Hot Springs.

2010-06-18T07:40:00.001-07:00

It's been very hot here at Hot Springs National Park - nearly 100 degrees every day. Lots of folks here in the campgroounds are taking advantage of the old swimming hole here at the campground. I hope to do that myself today.

I'll be painting the lovely river and swimming hole while I'm staying here.

There's lots to paint; it's too hot to paint outdoors, however, so I'm taking photos and then going indoors to work.

The National Park Service and their Mission

2010-06-14T14:24:00.001-07:00

The National Park Service

Artists really do need to research a location before they paint. I like to know the culture, the history and the lay of the land before I begin working, because I’m hoping that the “feel” of the place will come through my paintings.

What an incredible gift the Department of the Interior and the administration and staff of Hot Springs National Park has provided for persons selected to be Artist in Residence. There is a lot of support from the staff; employees seem to know about the position and they’re all willing to lend a hand if needed. The AIR house is a lovely c. 1932 stone cottage, fully equipped, clean and ready to go, with a large studio and excellent lighting.
I feel honored to have been selected and I hope that the work I commit to here will reflect the beauty and history of my surroundings and will be worthy of the selection process.
My hope is that the Artist in Residence program continue in perpetuity and that other national parks will be able to find the funding to promote artists and their work in the parks.

Ranger Jeff Heitzman has patiently seen me through the process, from my first letter of acceptance until my arrival, answering questions and providing contacts. He graciously took me on a tour of Hot Springs National Park, providing real insight about this particular park’s history and mission.

As Jeff has said repeatedly, Hot Springs National Park is about the thermal springs: water, water, water. The park is about the water. I had misconceptions about national parks in general, believing that they were all about mountains, landscape, rivers, creeks and skies, but indeed, this national park is about the thermal springs, the Victorian era bathhouses and all the areas in between

Artist in Residence, What's it Like?

2010-06-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

Still, more reseasrch is needed to understand the indigenous culture of the area where I am to paint.

Today, I decided that it was essential to participate in the hot thermal baths in order to understand the nature of this national park. After all, it IS about the water, the HOT water, and the spas.

After participating in the bathing experience, I have decided that there is a Higher Power after all and H.P. may very well live in Buckstaff Bathhouse. The experience was heavenly. I have new respect for the Victorians and their belief in the healing power of the spas.

Tonite, I had to continue the cultural research: it ends with ribs, cole slaw and an extra large, thick slice of white bread at Stubby's BarBQ.

Artist in Residence, What's it Really Like?

2010-06-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

Before I begin any painting, I like to do some research on the local customs.

Here I am....committed to research.

Catfish, hushpuppies, ice cream.

This should help get me focused.

I just won the creative challenge award!

2010-06-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.artistsnetwork.com/article/wca_creativity_design_responses/

Here's the link to the Creative Challenge award I just won for this national magazine! I found out the other day. This is exciting news for me and a good way to begin an artist's residency in a national park.

Adventures in Arkansas

2010-06-07T18:36:00.001-07:00

I'm off to serve as Artist in Residence in Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas!
I have a fully furnished house and studio waiting for me and I can hardly wait to see what adventures lie ahead!

I hope to paint steam, fog and all sorts of real and imagined atmospheric conditions in the wonderful medium of watercolors.

Stay tuned... paintings to be posted as they are created.

2010-02-24T05:13:00.001-08:00

February 22, 2010

FOCUS: The State of BEING A Professional Artist
(all paintings and text are the copyrighted property of Catherine Hillis)
(The attached painting is titled Pedicure and it will be available at Wide River Gallery in Colonial Beach, VA during March of 2010.)

I'd like to invite artists, gallery owners, and art lovers to bring their opinions to the table.

Alright, so you've spent some time thinking about your goals and your definition of success. It's difficult to be honest about this topic and I'd wager that we could all spend another few weeks in thoughtful consideration. If an artist knows what her goals are for her art, if she knows what success means for her - then, what's next? More thinking..... leads me to ask myself if I'm focused, utterly, singularly, professionally, unequivocally.... focused on my goals, my art and my road to success.

Am I focused on the WORK (and this is my occupation that I'm talking about) of producing my art.
Am I focused on producing only quality work.
Am I focused on practising good, standard business practices. This includes keeping financial records in excellent condition, staying organized, maintaining a good credit standing, arranging for insurance, titles, incorporation filings, and yes, making a profit. A viable business must make a profit.
Am I focused on using all of my talents and abilities to add income to my business: this might include writing, teaching, selling artwork, managing, or utilizing any skills one might have in their field. Another word for this might be....diversification of the use of your skills.
Am I focused on marketing myself and my work.
Am I focused on listening to the customer.
Am I focused on listening to the gallery owner and meeting their needs for their clients.

Life as a Professional Artist

2010-02-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Life as a Professional Artist:

The past two years have been brutal ones for artists and gallery owners alike. Even the savviest marketers have taken a hit and I've been utterly shocked at the many great painters and aggressively successful gallery owners who have had to fold as a result of the 2009 recession. It's definitely survival of the fittest out there!

Perhaps this is a grand time to begin re-defining our goals and re-evaluating why we're out there painting or selling art and whether we are reaching the level of success we desire. Art is, after all, a retail operation, whether we like it or not, so the sale of art requires that the artist be certain that they're running a sharp, effective retail operation with, of course, an awful lot of leeway in between. After all, the purchase of a piece of art is not a necessity but is perhaps the result of something subjective that occurs between the artist and the client.

Think on these subjects if you're an artist. Why are you creating your art and who are you creating it for? What are you doing with your art after it's completed? Are you truly committed to art as business, or is the pursuit of art your hobby? What defines success to you? Take some real time to define your goals, examine where you're at in achieving those goals and evaluate your definition of success.

The painting depicted, Last Day (watercolor by Catherine Hillis, c., 14" x 17" framed), will be available at Wide River Gallery in Colonial Beach, VA for $190.00. (804)224-9984

Friends, Wine, Art, Fun

2009-11-15T17:39:00.001-08:00

I had a wonderful weekend. Our neighbors had a Shiraz wine tasting on Friday night. I always meet interesting people who live on or about the mountain here on the Blue Ridge of Virginia. I'm lucky to have all these interesting personalities living so close by: we have writers, artists, engineers, historians, all bright and entertaining people. On Saturday night, some of the same friends and some of my students came to a reception for me at the Art Center of Manasass. We went out to eat afterwards.

What a wonderful weekend I've had.

Here is a photograph of my latest piece: a beautiful scene from Maine and my wonderful artist's summer there.

Commissions

2009-08-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

This has been the summer for commissions. I enjoy recording the beauty and history around me - who knows how long these beautiful homes and locations will be preserved. I want to applaud the owners of these beautiful, old properties for being the caretakers of history. I thank them for honoring ME, too.

Many good wishes go to the Hughes Family for inviting me to paint this beauty....

If you're interested in commissioning me to paint a watercolor of your historic home, or property or land, I welcome your inquiry at chhillis@aol.com/www.catherinehillis.com

New Classes Coming Up at The Lorton, VA Workhouse

2009-08-24T05:46:00.001-07:00

Hey, everyone. Registration for weekly classes is now open!

If you want to improve your composition and design and learn how to develop a watercolor painting that glows, here are some classes in YOUR area!

The Workhouse at Lorton, VA: Make Your Watercolors Glow. Saturday mornings from 10 am until 1 pm beginning October 3. Register on line at http://www.workhousearts.org/ or call 703-584-2900. After class, you can browse through the many artist's studios and galleries filled with jewelry, pottery, woodwork and more.

Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, VA: Check it out! You can paint with me at Ida Lee Park and then work out or swim afterwards in this state of the art facility. Wednesday classes from 12:30 until 3 begin Sept 30 - Nov. 18, 2009. Go to http://www.idalee.org/ or call 703-777-1368.

The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in Frederick, MD: Come and Paint with me on Tuesdays from Sept. 29 - Nov. 17 from 1 - 4 pm. After class, peruse the beautiful galleries in this wonderful building and then browse through historic Frederick and visit the most unique shops. This is where I find unusual gift items. Call 301-698-0656 or register on line at http://www.delaplaine.org/.

2009-08-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Flower Power Workshop at The Arts Centre in Orange was a big success. The Arts Centre provides arts education as well as a venue to display contemporary art. During the past year, when our economic climate has been so difficult, I feel thankful for folks who support the artists, the arts and the local arts centers that are providing society and the local community with another point of view and sustenance for the soul.

The Arts Center in Orange, VA

2009-08-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

I want to thank the board members and students who brought beautiful flowers for us to paint this weekend during the Flower Power Workshop at the Arts Centre in Orange, VA. We had bounteous buckets of sunflowers, zinnias, ferns, vines, hydrangeas and oh, so much more.

I want to thank the students who shared their talent and imagination in creating their beautiful paintings.

I also thank the staff at the Arts Centre for having everything organized and ready to go. We had a great workshop!

Come by and see me sometime at the Lorton Workhouse, Building Ten, Studio #1006.

Catherine

Trekell Brushes

2009-07-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

I'm now a sponsored artist of Trekell brushes. You can visit their website at www.trekell.com

Lorton Workhouse

2009-06-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

I love working at the Lorton Workhouse on Ox Road in Lorton, VA. This former prison has been renovated into artists' studios. The glass house and the pottery building are state of the art facilities and it's such a delight to be a part of this artistic community.

Come by and see me at Studio #1006, Building Ten, if you're interested in visiting our artists' community, seeing beautiful artwork, and spending the day with some friends and interesting people. The artists are there to answer your questions and we hope you'll spend a little cash on some of our wares. Support the arts! Keep the world a beautiful place to live in and help us to be able to continue making it so.

Painting History is a Special Task

2009-06-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

Being commissioned to paint some of our historic homes and sites is an honor. I have always been a history buff, so I feel a real pleasure to be able to permanently preserve some of our area's historic sites onto watercolor paper.

A real treat....

2009-06-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

Anita's Sea Turtle

I'd like to thank Anita for bringing her beautiful photographs to class and sharing them. Anita traveled to the Antilles and was able to take many photographs, both above and below sea level. She's a very talented lady, being able to paint in watercolors, take lovely photographs and create some darn nice pottery, too. This painting was created by using several techniques, including pouring paint and atomizing.

Thanks, Anita.

I'd also like to thank Michelle for bringing in a wonderful backdrop stand that the class will use next week for a still life set up. I'm so surprised to receive this gift and I thank Michelle with all my heart. I'll be working this week on a demonstration of Mason jars and it should sit quite nicely on the new backdrop. Oh - and this lady is a great painter, too!

Watch out for her work..... this week she created a gorgeous painting of a beautiful eggplant and some luscious tomatoes.

Watch for a video of me on.....

2009-06-02T06:03:00.001-07:00

Watch for a video of me on..... http://www.monkeysee.com/

On Sunday, I spent the day taping a video "How to paint in Watercolors" for the website noted above. It'll take about six weeks to edit and produce the piece. Watch for me around mid July of 2009. In the video, I'll go through some of the basic skills in watercolors.

Catherine Hillis

Chinatown, Philadelphia, USA

Summer Classes with Catherine Hillis

2009-05-31T17:54:00.000-07:00

Watercolor Studio in Frederick, MD

The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center
Catherine Hillis
Section: 09-3-WC2
8 Wednesdays
6/24/09 - 8/12/09
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $190 ($170 members)
Explore the joys of watercolor including color mixing, form building, and an appreciation for the beauty of the fluid mark. General techniques of watercolor painting will be demonstrated and students will experiment with the medium, working in both landscape and still life subject matter. Please bring photographs of your choice from which to paint. Photographs should be your property or you must have permission to use them. Drawing experience recommended. Enjoy working in this beautiful space.

The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center
40 South Carroll Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701

Voice: 301.698.0656
Fax: 301.663.1080

Studio Art Shop,

Winchester, VA

2033 S. Pleasant Valley

Winchester, VA

540-722-5620

Paint in watercolors this summer. Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 until 5:45, beginning June 30 – July 28, 2009. Students provide supplies. Beginners through intermediates. Improve your skills, see color in a new way, learn how to observe. $120.00 for five weeks, 2 ¼ hours. Space is limited.

Registration for this class is through the instructor only. Please make checks payable to Catherine Hillis and mail to: PO Box 41, Round Hill, VA 20142-0041 Questions: 703-431-6877.

IDA LEE PARK, Leesburg, VA

Paint in Plein Aire: Paint the Park

Saturday, June 27, 2009 10 am until 4 pm

This class is suitable for older teens through adults, beginning to intermediate painters.

Bring your paints, your brushes, a paper bag lunch and your imagination and learn the ropes of Plein Aire painting, a French expression which means “in the open air.” Paint some memories in historic Leesburg.

Please contact Ida Lee Park at 703-777-1368 for more information.

Watercolor Bootcamp, The Lorton Workhouse

in Lorton, VA

Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 10 am until 3 pm

Beginners to intermediates, bring supplies, a bag lunch and photographs to work from.

Ten-hut! Learn how to fall in love with your watercolors by refreshing your knowledge of the basic watercolor skills. The instructor will lead you through the basics and help you design a composition that works. Each day begins with demonstrations and ends with helpful, positive critiques designed to build your confidence and competence.

Work in a beautiful space dedicated to the arts, visit artist’s studios during the break. See jewelry, pottery, ceramics, fibre art, paintings and MORE.

For more information or to register, call 703-584-2900 or go to www.workhousearts.org

Twitter

2009-05-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

I'm on Twitter. You can follow me to find out about my most recent paintings, classes, workshops and more!

http://twitter.com/CatherineHillis

Is the Sky Really Blue?

2009-04-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Is the Sky Really Blue?

Watercolorists have some fine blue paints available to them, and generally, when I look at a painting - I see lots of blue skies in water media landscapes.

But, observe the sky. In fact, start spending lots of time in observation....

Even in the most vividly blue sky, is it just possible that there are other hues evident?

Look along the horizon line: could there be yellows, roses, greens, subtle greys?

Look at the top of the sky: could there be roses, violets, or several hues of blue? Are there any subtle color changes that you might not have noticed before?

This painting is titled: Early Spring Storm Rising. The skies where I live are always a joy. The storm clouds are wild and colorful; the sunsets are vividly pink; the morning skies include a myriad of color. This painting is currently for sale at Round Hill Arts Center in Round Hill, VA.

Observe the color around you. Paint what you see. Enjoy.

Why Paint?

2009-03-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Why do artists paint? What makes us work?

I paint because I must. I'm driven to paint and express myself and when a day goes by that I cannot pick up a brush, I'm pretty frustrated. I feel a meditative calm come over me during the painting process. Truthfully, I enjoy the solitude, too.

How lucky I am to be able to work out my emotions through this very expressive medium.

Here's another tip for some of you artistes out there: are you expressing the very essence of yourself when you paint? Many of us work from photographs and I'd like to ask you: are you a photo copier? Or are you a painter? When you've painted about 60-70% of a piece, put the photograph AWAY. Start evaluating your work as a painting and not as a replica of a photograph. Many times, I hear students say, "but, my painting doesn't look like the photograph." I want to say "good!" The photos we use to paint by are merely references. Once we put those photos away, and put the painting up and stand back and OBSERVE, that's when good painting begins.

It's just my opinion....

Tip of the Week

2009-03-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

In honor of the burgeoning Spring season, I'd like to give you a tip about green.
I almost always add a little red to every green I paint. There are lots of reasons for this.
Most watercolor tube greens are too garish to look realistic. Red is the complement of green and it will grey or tone down the tube color. So, try it. I usually use alizarin crimson, opera or rose quinacridone in my greens.

Remember, when you're painting leaves, they're NOT going to be the color of a tube of green. Remember, also, that all the leaves on one plant are NOT the same color green. Those leaves are reflecting everything around them: shadows, red flowers, pink flowers, the sky, surrounding buildings.

Try this exercise: Draw 2" x 2" squares on some watercolor paper. Wet each square and (one at a time) paint each square with the different greens you own. Below that, draw matching squares. Wetting each square individually, paint wet on wet 90 % of each tube green you own with 10% quinacridone rose. After you've done this, stand back and see how sophisticated and beautiful those new greens mixed with the rose are! It's ok to allow the colors to mingle and not totally blend. That's some beautiful watercoloring.

2009-03-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Happenings……….Here’s what’s going on this spring of 2009…..CLASSES, SOLO SHOWS AND WORKSHOPS

Watermedia Classes with Catherine Hillis in Round Hill, VA
Strong technique will always be taught here! Yes, I can’t help myself: I’ll always help students with good, basic transparent watercolor skills (because I’m in love with this medium) but this spring I’ll be bringing in all the stuff that’s just plain fun to play with: acrylic paints, collage papers, gels, photo transfer techniques, stamps and stencils. If you prefer to continue in traditional watercoloring and have your own project you’re working on, please bring it and if you want to play, materials will be set out for your amusement. Bring your watercolor supplies, any watermedia items you want to be adventurous with
(you know, those unopened bottles and jars in your studio), a digital camera and photographic materials you want to use as references.

I’m offering two classes at Round Hill Arts Center at 6 W. Loudoun Street in Round Hill, VA. Classes run for six weeks and you can either take the Thursday evening class or the Friday morning class. Tuition is $190.00.

Thursday evenings 7 – 9:15 pm classes begin March 26, 2009 and run for six weeks
Friday mornings 10 – 12:30 pm classes begin March 27, 2009 and run for six weeks

Register for a class at RHAC by calling 540-338-5050 or online at www.roundhillarts.org

Learn How to Cut Mats! Mat Cutting Class
Tired of paying high prices for mats at the store? Learn how to use the Logan 450 Intermediate Mat Cutter at the Ashburn A.C. Moore Store at 20020 Ashbrook Commons Plaza, # 175, Ashburn, VA 20147. Classes are $35.00 and run for two hours. Space is limited so the instructor can work with students individually.

The next class is scheduled for: Thursday, April 9, 2009.

Call 703-858-9565 to register for this class.

The Art Center of Orange, VA - Workshop and Solo Show: The workshop in this location has sold out (yeah!) but the show is up and it looks fresh and beautiful. If you haven’t been to the town of Orange, VA - it’s cute – it’s historic - and worth the trip. The show will be up until April 19, 2009 at 129 East Main Street, Orange, VA 540-672-7311. www.artscenterorange.org
When visiting Orange, check out the wonderfully classy B & B, The Inn at Meander, www.meander.net

Watercolor Missouri National: This artist is honored to have a painting selected for this national watercolor exhibition which runs through May 30, 2009 at the Winston Churchill Memorial in Fulton, MO. Yeah!

Doukenie Winery: Saturday, April 4, 2009. Drop by Doukenie Winery on April 4, sample the wines and let’s talk art! I’ll have some of my work for sale and will be presenting live demonstrations from noon until 4 pm. Drop by, have a glass of wine, watch the demo and chat with me! I love to talk about WATERCOLORS! Painters! The special landscape of Loudoun County, VA!
Doukenie Winery
14727 Mountain Road, Purcellville, VA 540-668-6464 http://www.doukeniewinery.com

Gallery 222 on King Street in Leesburg, VA: Gallery 222 will be hosting a Watercolor Show from May 2 – June 2, 2009 in historic Leesburg, VA. I believe First Friday is on May 1, 2009. Come join us for wine, cheese and an artsy evening!

Health and Human Services
Some of my watercolors are on display at the Health and Human Services Building, 200 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20201 through April 2009.

Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen
If you live near the Richmond, VA area, I invite you to participate in the Flower Power Workshop and drop by my Solo Show at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen, in Glen Allen, VA. May 2 – May 30, 2009. The Flower Power Workshop will be two days of painting glorious, lush, colorful fresh flowers in glass vases and jars. Monday and Tuesday, May 11 and 12, from 9 am until 3 pm. Contact 804-261-2787 or
www.artsglenallen.com for registration or more information.

2009-03-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Here's another new piece that I call End of the Road. This scene is not far from my home and it's the residence of a lovely lady named "Aunt Betty" by all the neighbors - who adore her, I might add. Betty was a nurse during WWII and she has marvelous stories to share. Her home is open to visitors and she always has delicious baked goods to give to all who drop by. She's a wonderful character who is admired by all and full of life and energy to spare.

This painting is in honor of Aunt Betty. Featured in the painting, close to the house, are deer, which feed on the corn Betty leaves out for them and you can see her red pick up truck just to their right.

2009-03-10T18:51:00.001-07:00

Well, I've got a new painting and it gives me a feeling of satisfaction for sure. It glows, which is a good place to be in watercolors. I love my medium. Watercolors are the most forgiving (yes, they can be corrected), flexible, glowing medium ever and they can convey the palest hue to the richest color. There's nothing more beautiful than a hydrangea or poppy in watercolors and what could be more evocative than a subtle watercolor sky?

The title of this painting is: Pedicure. I hope you like it. Painting it was more fun than .... eating chocolate. Or shopping. Or other things.

Brrrr.......

2009-01-16T15:56:00.000-08:00

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 .....

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

2009-01-11T17:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

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.