RECAP of 1st Quarter 2018 -- What I've Been Up To

The first three months of 2018 have been good -- completed two portrait commissions and a ketubah painting (my first) for my son and his bride.  Also planned and prepped for the year ahead -- The Painted Prism Art Retreat in Estes Park in July, a Watercolor Workshop in Durango in August, and the Workshop at the Winery in Ohio, in September.

These first months have also been full of babies, puppies, and wedding festivities!  After moving from Durango to Denver last spring, we've been adjusting to city living -- but love, love, love being close to our family!


PORTRAITS

I've enjoyed painting the six grandchildren of a dear friend, over the past 6 years.  Little Aiden is the last one . . . 

Portrait of Aiden, watercolor by Pat Howard

This portrait of Lily was commissioned by another dear friend (and my husband's cousin), as a gift for her wife.  Lily had been her very favorite dog . . . and the portrait was a surprise for her birthday!

Portrait of Lily, watercolor by Pat Howard

I think she liked it!

My son, Zach, and his bride, Michelle, asked me to design and paint their ketubah (the Jewish marriage contract), and I happily agreed.  They were married on March 10, and the ketubah was a big part of the beautiful ceremony.

I drew the flowers with metallic ink (bronze), and then painted with watercolor.  They had printed the text (half Hebrew and half English) in a circular format, on watercolor paper, which had been mounted on a board.  

Zach and Michelle were very pleased with it (okay, they loved it!) and will be framing it for their bedroom.

Setting up for the wedding ceremony, with the ketubah on an easel under the chuppah.

Sunflowers in a Jar, watercolor by Pat Howard

WORKSHOP PLANNING

Aspen Falls Estate, the site of The Painted Prism Art Retreat in Estes Park

I was up in Estes last weekend, and was able to check out the progress of the new "cabin" on the property, as well as the resident elk.

This guy, and 8 of his buddies, were also checking out the place -- and acting like they owned it.

the new cabin

Seven ladies have already registered for the retreat.  We have room for about 6-8 more people.

For more information about this retreat, click HERE.

Here is a lovely testimonial from one of our last year's participants:

Pat is a talented artist and a patient and professional teacher. Her personal warmth and creativity drew out the best in each participant. I always felt encouraged and inspired as we worked through each day of the workshop...I learned a lot and met so many happy fellow attendees...exceeding my expectations. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. ..the setting was magnificent and the meals were exceptional. I hope I can return next summer.  - P. Sanchez, AZ

PHOTOS

New grand baby and new puppy . . . 

Getting familiar with our new neighborhood, on our daily walks . . . 

Golf balls on ice.

Peregrine Falcon? or Northern Goshawk?

Wedding weekend . . . 

The bride and groom at the Rehearsal Dinner

Alan and I, with our sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, all dressed up and ready for the wedding.
Just missing the bride and groom, little Lochlan, and of course, Todd.

2018 Art Retreat in Estes Park -- Registration is open!

Registration is open for the 2018 Painted Prism Art Retreat in Estes Park, Colorado.  

PAINTED PRISM ART RETREAT

in Estes Park, Colorado

JULY 12-16, 2018

To find out more about the retreat, click HERE:

To Register for the Painted Prism Art Retreat:

- You can secure your spot at this retreat, by paying a deposit of $250, HERE.  The full balance of $300 will be due by July 1, 2018.

- You can also register by contacting Pat Howard at:  thepaintedprism@gmail.com

- Once you register for the retreat and pay the $250 deposit, you will receive an e-mail from us, describing how to book your lodging for the retreat.  

2018 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

I'm pleased and excited to announce the dates of my workshops and retreat for 2018:

This is a SAVE THE DATE post.  More details will follow -- and, registration is not yet open for any of these -- but, I did want to let you all know the dates.



Painted Prism Art Retreat -- in Estes Park, Colorado -- July 12-16, 2018

This retreat has been such a success and so much fun, that we are doing this again this year.  Cheri Miller Thurston (my partner in creativity) and Mo Garrity (our yoga instructor and personal chef) will be helping me out once again!  Couldn't do this without them.  There is a new Grand Cabin on the property this year, so we'll be able to accommodate more people.

This will begin on Thursday afternoon, July 12th, and end on Monday morning, July 16th.

Stay tuned for information on how to register -- coming soon.




3-Day Watercolor Workshop -- Durango, Colorado -- August 17, 18, 19, 2018

My annual Durango workshop is now being held at a friend's beautiful house/studio near Vallecito Lake.  She was gracious enough to host this last year, and surprisingly, wants to do it again.

This year, the workshop will be in August, instead of September, and will again be a 3-day workshop -- Friday, 8/17, through Sunday, 8/19.

Watch for more details!





Workshop at the Winery -- Wolf Creek Winery, Norton, Ohio -- September 11, 12, 13, 2018

This year, the workshop will again be three days, but it will be in September, instead of August!

Last year, after a fire at the winery, we were unable to have the workshop in their Great Room (which had been destroyed).  But, they accommodated us beautifully -- we had a big white tent, and it worked out fine.  They have started construction on a new building, but we are unsure whether it will be completed by our workshop.  If not, we will still be just fine under the tent.

This workshop will be on Tuesday, September 11th, through Thursday, September 13th.



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Durango Watercolor Workshop at Vallecito -- 2017

This was my first annual Durango Workshop at Vallecito Lake -- September 15-17, 2017.  

The theme of the workshop was "Drawing and Painting from Nature -- Outside and Inside the Studio". . . 

and we did just that . . . 

We had some great discussions . . . 

Diana taking everyone on a tour of her property, before they all started sketching

Bill's lovely arrangements from their garden -- which we brought into the studio in the afternoon.

There was something to sketch, in every direction!

Inside the studio, after lunch, we did some color studies.

Pat's demos

Back into the house in the afternoon -- for wine and sharing . . .

The next morning, we were back outside for more sketching . . . 

After painting in the studio all afternoon, we were ready for a glass of wine, and more discussion and sharing of paintings -- 

Our friend, Janice, stopped by and offered to be our "rotating easel"

On the last day of our workshop, everyone painted in the studio all day -- and in most cases, finished one large painting.  A few people were able to start and finish another one.

So much fun!  See you next year, Durango!