Classes January-February 2012

I have been busy trying to keep painting for my art class.  It is challenging to complete a painting every week on a different concept or theme.  Although we have been encouraged to paint on larger canvases or boards, many of us seem to be shrinking our sizes.  After one discouraging painting that I just couldn't seem to "get right" I gave in, and grabbed 2 small 6 inch squares and completed my "man-made' light painting in "diptych" format, side by side paintings.

Our next challenge was "direct light" source.  That meant having a full light force so that there are distinct

shadows.  I found a photo of an old house in Maine and spent more time than I want to think about trying to get the lines correctly drawn, perspective is a course of its own! As I struggled with the lines in my Monday open studio group,  many of the other more experienced artists offered their suggestions and laments over painting/drawing buildings.  One artist, (93 years old!) told me she will not paint buildings any longer, too hard.  So, I don't feel quite so bad that I am still not content with my painting, and some more lines will be altered.  I have a new appreciation for perspective, look at lines in a new light, and need to practice drawing buildings.  I am constantly learning and discovering how much more I need to learn to feel good about my efforts.






Next week, the project calls for diffused light.  I will be in Hawaii, taking lots of photos, studying lines and perspective!  So, I am trying to work ahead and have this finished before I leave.  This painting will continue to evolve.

January 2012 Open Studio

After I began taking classes in art, I began to hear about other groups 

that socialize through their art and promote art in the community.

I stumbled into a community center “open-studio” group one Monday 

afternoon, and decided I might try the group painting time. 

Painting, as many hobbies, can be isolating and sometimes hard to motivate 

oneself to continue.  My classes help me keep trying new techniques, but setting

aside time is another problem to conquer.  The open-studio helps the timing and breaks the isolation.  Inspiration and critiques from the others is a tremendous help.  

This was my first time back since mid-November, so I had a lot of catching up to do.

Plus, it was a celebration for one special artist who turned 93 years old last week and 

thought she could let it “slip-by”.  She is a prolific watercolorist and continues to sell her

work in Michigan.  

Another artist in the group has finally joined the computer generation, so she had a great time showing pictures on her new IPAD, and learning a few tricks from some of the other APPLE aficionados in the group.  

This is an example for this weeks class subject: 

“affects of 

 Brighter!

artificial light”

Diptych format