October 2009 Workshop Report

I spent a wonderful weekend sharing with fellow artists at my two mini workshops. On Saturday six students met for my second introductory class. We focused on color and value and I shared tips for getting clean and exciting color with pastels. We painted pumpkins from black and white photos and had some colorful pumkins. Who said pumkins have to be orange! I have posted my demo paintings above.

Sunday was the mini workshop on painting the Autumn Landscape. The focus of the class was on painting the light....how to get those vibrant fall colors to look as though they are lit by the sun. We used a color wheel to help us choose the right temperature and value to 'paint the light'. I hope that everyone will be able to applythis idea to any subject they choose to paint!

There are still a few openings for my November 21st mini workshop on underpaintings. Send me an email if you'd like more information!

October Mini Workshops

'Birch Forest' 11x14 pastel

I have been busy preparing for my upcoming mini workshops on October 17 & 18th. On Saturday, I am offering the second part of 'Pastel Explorations' and we will talk about color. My Sunday workshop which is full, deals with painting the Autumn Landscape. I have some great ideas to share and I am looking forward to seeing previous students and meeting the new ones! This painting is on Uart paper with a watercolor underpainting. I only used my Richard McKinley set of Great Americans with just a few additions from my big box. The more I use this set the more I am loving it!

Wildflower Workshop Review

Ten students joined me on a soggy Sunday for an afternoon of learning and painting. Everyone left the workshop after four hours with two wonderful paintings. I was so pleased with how well everyone did. I split the time up into two parts...the first half we concentrated on painting a meadow and ways to add wildflowers to a field without them looking cartoonish or stiff. The second half we worked on more intimate landscapes and painted 'portraits' of wildflowers. It was a great day to spend with my fellow artists! Here are a few comments from my students:

"I had to tell you how much I enjoyed the workshop yesterday. You did an excellent job preparing and teaching. I learned so much"


It was so much fun as I knew it would be! Everything was perfect-the class, your friends, the food. When I read your blog I always think- I want to know them they are having the best time ever and it's true! I would like to take your shell/ocean class(Nov.22) if you have an opening for it. Happy Painting

Fall 2009 Workshop Schedule

It’s hard to believe school is back in session. It’s time to think about Fall plans already. I have put together an exciting and fun group of pastel workshops for Fall and I hope you will be able to join me for one or more sessions. Each workshop is planned as a self-contained unit which allows you the flexibility to choose the workshops that fit your schedule. This Fall I will offer two options:

1) Master Class in Pastel - This class will be held on alternate Tuesday evenings from 7-9 pm in my Marietta home studio. The class is $25 for each session and is available on a drop-in basis. Class will be held as long as two students can attend. Each class will consist of a lesson and demo relating to a painting concept with time to apply the ideas at your easel. The first class is tentatively scheduled for September 22. Please let me know if you wish to be included on my email reminder list for the Tuesday evening classes.

2) Weekend Afternoon Mini-Workshops - These workshops meet from 1-5 pm at my Marietta home studio and the cost is $45 for each session. I will be offering six mini-workshops this Fall. The Saturday sessions are called ‘Pastel Explorations’ and are designed for those who are new to pastels or who want to review the basics of pastel painting. The Sunday sessions are suitable for any level of experience though a familiarity with pastels is helpful. In these sessions, we will explore advanced techniques and painting concepts through a theme. (details below)

Outlined below are the dates and a brief description for the Mini-workshops. Class size is limited so please check your schedules and let me know as soon as possible if you wish to reserve a spot in any of the workshops. Email or call me at (770)977-3386 if you want to hold a spot or have any questions.

Saturday Mini-workshops Pastel Explorations

September 19 Pastel Explorations I : This is an introduction to the world of pastels. We will explore
The materials and tools of the trade as well as explore the many ways pastels can be applied. Students will watch demos and do exercises as well as complete a painting.

October 17 Pastel Explorations II : In this session we will continue our exploration of pastels with a focus on color. Using the theme of the Autumn Landscape we will learn how to achieve vibrant, rich and clean color with pastels.

November 21 Pastel Explorations III: Our exploration of pastel painting continues with a study of under paintings and how they can help you improve your paintings . Students will learn about several under painting techniques and have the opportunity to try several.

Sunday Mini-Workshops

September 20 Learning How to Simplify….Painting the Marsh. In this session we will learn ways to simplify and abstract the landscape. Our focus will be on painting the many moods of the marshes. We will do a large painting and have fun getting down to a simple expression of a marsh scene.

October 18 Fall Color- Painting the Autumn Landscape in pastel. If the colors of Autumn inspire you, come and learn ways to capture the color with pastels. We will use the color wheel to learn ways to paint the light as well as keeping those bright colors from looking garish or too washed out.

November 22 Pastel & Mixed Media II: If you missed the first mixed media and pastel workshop on water lilies then you won’t want to miss this one! We had a great time trying two new techniques and the fun continues in this session with a focus on painting shells and the seashore. We will try two more new techniques in this session.

Wildflower Workshop

'Barefoot Meadow' 11x14 pastel

I am gearing up for my Wildflower Mini-Workshop which will be held on Sunday August 30th. I have two spots left so let me know if you would like to join us. I am looking forward to sharing some ideas on painting wildflowers and meadows. I just got three new books about wildflowers and I am enjoying reading about them. Look for me to share some fun tidbits in my upcoming wildflower posts.

Pastel and Mixed Media Workshop July 12

Here are a couple of paintings I've done in preparation for my workshop on pastels and mixed media. The top one is watercolor and pastel and the bottom one has ink drawing and washes as an underpainting. I am having so much fun getting ready to share some new techniques at the workshop. Registration is first come first served and I have a couple of spots open. Email me if you are interested in joining us!

Mini Workshop July 12, 2009 'Painting Water Lilies'

'Water Play' 8x10 pastel

I will be offering a summer mini workshop at my Marietta, Georgia studio on Sunday July 12, 2009. We will meet from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. The cost of the workshop is $45 and will include the cost of some supplies we will be using. The subject of this workshop is 'Water Lilies: A Multi Media Approach to Pastels'. The workshop will coincide with the Monet Water Lily exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Hopefully we will be inspired to try our own version of water lilies. In this workshop we will be letting go of our usual methods of working and trying new approaches to pastel. It should be fun and liberating! There will be demos and as I usually do, I will work in art concepts that will help us improve our paintings. Come prepared to get messy and play!

If you would like more information or would like to sign up for the workshop please send me an email.