Paintings With Soul

Can you believe that after all the abuse I doled out, my students were kind enough to take me cowboy boot shopping? How lucky I am.      Dear Students,   It never fails, the night before a workshop, I am plagued with doubt and question whether I can share a single morsel of useful info. I dread having to push all of you out of your comfort zones. I'm terrified someone will curl up in a corner in the fetal position much like I did at one of my first intensive classes. I'm even more frightened of being asked a question I can't answer. Or a student walking out and never coming back.   So thank you for stroking my ego. You said I taught some rather key ideas, there was a little balking but no tears (at least not in the classroom), and I think I did a pretty good job fielding questions. And I didn't lose a single person (at least not physically).   And for all you said you were going home to practice and continue studying, let me ...

    The Odilon Redon inspired page spread from my sketchbook**, approximately 14" x 24" overall, mixed media (metallic and pearlescent ink and acrylic paint), not for sale.   Part of my studies this year include an analysis of  Odilon Redon's  work. This page identifies the details and processes he used which I find especially effective. Notes are complimented by my own exercises in paint, trying to recreate some of his patterning, edgework, color palettes and compositional devices.       **My Sketchbook is a textbook repurposed with gesso and acrylics. I am pleased with the idea that my simple thoughts on painting lie overtop a survey of the history of art.   I spent a large chunk of this weekend filling my visual memory banks.   I was treated to several hours of dance and musical theater courtesy of The Princess's dance studio. We spent a gray afternoon being transported to Midd...