Workshop fun

The workshop is halfway over and boy are we having a ball and learning a lot! Except for the blinding 500 watt light (thus the hat) and a few language barrier moments, of which I'm happy to translate, all are enjoying the class...some are even ready to go to France for round two!

Opening Reception for French Master

This is one of the paintings Richard, my mentor, is bringing for his show next Thursday. I can't wait to see the real thing. We'll be having French wines and wonderful cheeses from Korner-Kopia. Come join us if you can from 5-8 on July 22.

Morning Bread

I just loved this wall...that part was done completely with the palette knife in several layers, darker underneath.

Safe and Sound...

I was spring cleaning in the yard and found this heart-shaped birds nest and just had to paint it! The title "Empty Nest" ran through my head when I finished the nest and I just thought it looked odd without a sign of life, so I added the eggs and called it "Safe and Sound". This was a lot of fun to paint--getting very loose with the sprigs...

Poppies in Three

This was SO much fun!! Painting solely with the palette knife is something I found that takes a lot of courage...and a TON of paint! It's amazing how much more quickly the paint goes when painting in this style....and you must be deliberate in stroke and color (you can always scrape off, but I'd rather get it right the first time. There are really cool effects you can get when something has dried and you go back over with another layer. The most fun was the sky...think I'll do a BIG sky painting next...

"Hope" is Home

I went by the hospital today because I heard that "the giant" had made it to its resting place over the mantle of the fireplace in the Wellmont hospital lobby...it is my hope that it will bring a feeling of peace and tranquility to all who enter--for whatever reason.

Workshop in July

I am thrilled to have my mentor, Richard Palomino (or Lilla Duva, his "pen" name) come over from France to hold a workshop in Kingsport July 22nd-25th. He is self-taught in the Old Master technique of layering with his own handmade mediums and hand ground paints. He will begin with a value drawing (here is one he has done of me) in charcoal and white and create the painting based on that. He only works from life and is really a treasure trove of lessons, most of which he learned on his own through trial and error. There are still a couple of spots left!