BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK: My 2-Day Workshop in Ohio

Here are some scenes from "Watercolor & Wine" - my recent 2-day workshop at the Wolf Creek Winery in Norton, Ohio:

It turned out to be a wonderful venue for the class, and all 11 of us really enjoyed ourselves.  After painting Sunflowers and Grapes all day, we gathered outside of the Tasting Room at the end of each day, to sample some of the Wolf Creek wines and critique and share our paintings.

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Soundtrack is "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd and "August" by Tim Janis.

Workshops Filling Up Fast!

I'm excited to say that both of my upcoming workshops are almost full!  In fact, a few of the days of my September workshop are completely full.

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In less than 2 weeks, on August 12 & 13, is my Ohio workshop, "Watercolor & Wine".  It's being held at the Wolf Creek Winery in Norton, Ohio -- and I have a great group of 12 already signed up.

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And, in less than 2 months, Sept 12-15, I will once again be hosting my annual Watercolor Workshop here in Durango, at my house/studio.  

Days 2, 3, & 4 are completely full, but there are still a few spots open for Day One.

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I'm sorry if you wanted to sign up but didn't get around to it in time.  You can get on my waiting list, however -- if you send me an e-mail.  Then, I'll call you if a space opens up.  

Thanks to all involved for the great response this year!!!  

Announcing My 9th Annual September Workshop in Durango

I'm excited to announce my 9th annual Four-Day Watercolor Workshop, to be held in my home/studio in Durango, Colorado -- on September 12-15, 2014.

All skill levels are welcome, although the First Day is recommended first, if you are a beginner.

The Price includes a gourmet lunch and beverages, every day.

To reserve a spot in this year's workshop (for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 days), please e-mail me at thepaintedprism@gmail.com

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Day One:   For the Beginner
Day Two:  Water & Reflections
Day Three: Glass & Mirrors
Day Four:   Floral Bouquets on Aquabord

Announcing My Upcoming Ohio Workshop: WATERCOLOR & WINE in August

I'm excited to be teaching my 3rd Annual Watercolor Workshop in Ohio!

This year, it will be in August and is being held at the Winery at Wolf Creek, in Norton, Ohio.  How fun is that going to be!

We'll be learning different watercolor techniques and will paint a different project each day.

As always, there will be lots of instruction and individual attention -- with plenty of time to paint, and maybe do some wine tasting, too.

It is always a friendly and positive atmosphere at my workshops, and this year, we will have the added inspiration of the winery.  We'll have a critique and discussion at the end of each day.

So, come and join me for this workshop -- and get ready to stretch yourself, and even surprise yourself!

If you have any questions or need more information, contact me here, or e-mail me at 

thepaintedprism@gmail.com

MONTHLY RECAP for MAY -- What I WAS Up To

I realize it's almost the last week of June . . . and, I'm a little late with my May Recap.  Finally have a chance to get caught up with my blog!

In May, I finished and delivered the Bridal Bouquet commission, had a One-Day Watercolor Workshop with 12 students, and of course, took lots of pictures, which I love to share here!




BRIDAL BOUQUET COMMISSION

Completed and delivered on time for this young couple's first wedding anniversary . . .

ONE-DAY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP -- in my home/studio in Durango

We started out with a simple layered underpainting . . . 

Used a simple primary triad for most of the painting:  Cerulean Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, and Quinacridone Gold.  

I supplied reference photos for everyone to use -- from my recent camping trip to Valley of the Gods in Utah.  Lots of pictures of the desert southwest and red rock formations.

Lots of good work done today . . . 

Everybody's smiling -- always a good sign!

Next month, I will be posting two tutorials, based on the projects we did in this workshop -- "Painting the Colors of the Southwest" -- two different ways.  (Look for them in July)

PHOTOS FOR MAY'S PHOTO CHALLENGE THEMES

Black & White

Branching Out

In My Yard

Me at Five   (I'm in the middle . . . )

Peaceful Moments

Campfire & Coffee

Some Place Beautiful

Williams Creek area in southeast Colorado, near Pagosa Springs.

2014 WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Here's my schedule for 2014 workshops:


1-Day Watercolor Workshop -- MAY 29, 2014 -- at my home/studio in Durango, Colorado  (FULL)


2-Day Watercolor Workshop -- AUGUST 12 - 13, 2014 -- in Uniontown, Ohio


4-Day Watercolor Workshop -- SEPTEMBER 12 - 15, 2014 -- at my home/studio in Durango




More details will follow.

PHOTO CHALLENGE: 31 Themes for May

Here are 31 themes for MAY, if you want to give it a go.

Doing a photo challenge like this allows you to capture little moments in your life, instead of just the really big ones.  Plus, you will start seeing your everyday life differently, and you may just see some things that you normally miss.  I don't always do this everyday, but I try when I can.

I'm including just a few of my own pix to go along with some of these:

MAY PHOTO CHALLENGE THEMES

1.  Myself --

2.  Those Eyes

3.  Favorite Color

4.  Black & White --

5.  Flats

6.  Branching Out --

7.  Begins with an "F"

8.  Smiles

9.  Hands

10.  May Flowers

11.  Mother's Day

12.  In My Yard

13.  Sunset

14.  Made Me Laugh

15.  Me at 15

16.  Peaceful Moments

17.  Favorite Accessory

18.  Fresh Veggies

19.  Reflection

20.  Begins with an "M"

21.  Wildflowers

22.  Pink

23.  Cheers!

24.  Dark

25.  Unusual

26.  Something Old

27.  Remembering

28.  Door

29.  Candlelight or Fire

30.  Butterflies

31.  Something Beautiful

I post my photos on Facebook, Pinterest, and on this blog.

MONTHLY RECAP -- What I've Been Up To in April

Wow!  April was a creative AND successful month!  Let's see . . . finished and SOLD the Prickly Pear Mosaic on the same day, finished and framed the "Fire" painting, received a commission to paint a bridal bouquet, finalized dates for three workshops in 2014, acquired two new mentoring students, and took lots of pictures, including photos from a camping trip to Valley of the Gods, in Utah.



PRICKLY PEAR MOSAIC

Prickly Pear Sunset, 30" x 22" watercolor on Aquabord -- SOLD

This set a record -- for me, anyway.  Alyson Kinkade, my friend and owner of Columbine Gallery in Loveland, Colorado, saw the painting when I posted it, sent a photo to a client, and BOOYA!  SOLD!

Can you tell I'm excited?  As all of you fellow artists know, selling your artwork is usually not that easy -- it certainly isn't for me.  So, I'm very grateful to Alyson for being proactive, on my behalf.

And, no, I don't teach, or even demonstrate, this technique -- it is such slow going that it would put everyone to sleep.

"FIRE" PAINTING


Finally finished.  I realized that it is more difficult (for me, anyway) to try to recreate one of my own paintings, than to paint it the first time.

and framed . . .

NEW COMMISSION PAINTING -- BRIDAL BOUQUET

Just received this commission, so I haven't even started -- except for preparing the paper.  But, here's the picture of the gorgeous bouquet.  I hope I do it justice, and make this couple happy.  The husband commissioned me to do this, to give to his wife on their first anniversary.  Very sweet . . . 

PHOTOS FOR THIS MONTH'S PHOTO CHALLENGES

The Neighborhood

Mellow Yellow

Old Bones

Valley of the Gods  (this is a place in southeastern Utah -- not as famous as the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, but just as awesome)

It's a Lizard-Eat-Lizard World out There in the Desert

Pastels in My Kitchen