What are you feeling right now?
A winter beach walk has my hands full of sand….good for the soul. Another goodie for your soul, a video tutorial at the end of this blog post!
I’ve been hearing from so many of my artist friends, (and non-artist friends, too) so many of us are exhausted. Last month left many of us stretched to the breaking point. Weather events on top of waiting our turn for the vaccine, mixed in with all the ‘unknowns’…..ugh. Even if things weren’t ‘horrible’ personally, they’re finding that there are moments when they just want to have a ‘toddler melt-down’ and scream, “I’m tired of being a good sport”, “I’m tired of living like a hermit”, “I’m in that no-man’s land of waiting for a vaccine”, “I haven’t seen (my parents, my children, my grandchildren, etc) in over a year, “I’m tired of hearing about….” (you fill in the blanks , name it) - and I’m right there with you. But, it’s finally beginning to feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. More vaccines are rolling out and appointments offered - I’m finally able to get my first one this Sunday (and was so excited to finally get one to register online I nearly cried in relief)! With the new Johnson & Johnson version coming out, the vaccination rates will increase even quicker!
Still, through all of this past year, the thing that has brought me the most joy has been teaching. Sharing this incredible fun of creating! I really do believe we were all created to create…and I see this joy in my students when they realize, “Hey, look at this, I DID it!!” And yes, YOU can be creative, too! I teach on Tuesdays; a morning class, and an evening class. I eat dinner with my hubby after the end of my Tuesday night class (he makes omelets for us at 9pm, when my class ends). And every week, he’ll ask me, “So, how were classes today?”. And every single week, I babble on like a crazy person about how much fun I had! He just looks at me, smiles, and says, “This is the happiest I’ve ever seen you in your whole life”. Yes, I know he’s right! I have found what I really love doing. (He says I have found ‘the elixir to life’, ha!!) I’m so glad my students are enjoying it, too.
Just thought I’d share some of the comments from my students:
-“I’m so grateful for you teaching. I’m not sure what I’d be doing if you hadn’t shared your incredible gift. Painting is so therapeutic. I learn something new each time I pick up a brush and I hear your lessons in my head.” Sue, CT
-“Thank you for all of your input and teaching. I love my new creative outlet and I know I wouldn’t carve out the time to paint without the structure of the class! I love how the class size has grown with virtual classes. You are such a great teacher and your facebook group lets us see each other’s work.” Karen, CT
- “Thank YOU for being my teacher!!!! I so look forward to Tuesdays. I look forward to sitting in my ‘studio’ and picking up a brush…sometimes with no idea where it will take me. I have learned SO much from you and look forward to learn more…and more. When I was young, I thought I would be an illustrator. I loved pen and and ink, technical drawings - detail, so the fluidity and unpredictability of watercolor is a huge mountain for me, however it has always been a dream of mine (with many attempts along the years and failures) to master it (well, maybe not master it, but simply experience it with some success). You are making that happen. Thank you!!! - Barb, CT
- “I just have to say, THANK YOU for teaching us about drawing and proportions and creative liberties. I never would have been able to sketch this out for a painting a year ago, and I certainly never would have thought to change elements like ear position or taking out the leash. It’s amazing what these little skills can do before we even lay down the paint.” - Katie, NC
- “I loved watching our class recording because I saw some things I’d missed or forgotten. I think the food idea is absolutely great! I love it! Thank you so much.” Joan, CT
-”First of all, I wanted to say that I love your Zenscapes Collection. I would love to be able to paint like that some day. So expressive. I enjoyed both the Summer Flowers and the Armchair to Italy series. I’ve learned a lot from these courses - I was starting as a complete beginner. I really like when you talk about different artists and methods and recommend books. I think the Zoom classes work very well. Still hope to take an in-person class with you someday! I have rewatched videos which is very helpful.” - Mary, CT
-“I was unsure how the Zoom class would work for me, but I think it’s great! I can see your brush strokes, how you mix paint, all from the comfort of my home! I also like the fact that if I cannot make a class, I can watch it later in the recorded version. You always answer all my questions and are so positive and encouraging with your feedback. Sometimes I feel a little silly posting all my work for you to see but I find it has really helped me to keep moving forward and look more objectively at my own stuff. I can see my progress since I first started with you two years ago. I love all the techniques you are teaching. All in all, you have helped me discover my love of art and learning to cultivate my own person style.” - Sue, CT
-“I have really been enjoying your classes. You are very talented and your sharing your thoughts and choices have been amazing!” - Cynde, CA
-“I loved your classes on Zoom and learned new things in every class that has helped to build my confidence, and on the other hand, to realize how much I want to achieve.! I’m looking forward to flowers and faces, and everything else you have planned for upcoming classes.” - Jan, MT
-“I wanted to let you know that I submitted three watercolor painting to the Noank art show today. They were attached to birch panels using the method you outlined a few months ago. Thank you so much for your classes and for being such a great teacher. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.” - Brenda, CT
I hear so much joy in these voices! Creativity being released left and right!! This is such a happy feeling for me, to be able to share this - and spread this thrill of what watercolor can do….and watching what the power of building our skills and confidence can do for our disposition. At the beginning, watercolor can feel a bit like your first time on a roller-coaster ride - a bit out-of-control! But as we learn the nature of the medium, and drop the perfectionism, grow more flexible, we start to understand just where to ‘give it some influence and direction’ and when to just ‘let it go’!
If you’re curious about the food reference mentioned above, you can access my free tutorial (in the pop-up box when you first enter my website). It’s called the “Secret to Watercolor” and is all about that water to pigment ratio. It’s probably the one thing that made the most difference to me when it came to painting in this medium.
If you think you’re one of those people who ‘can’t draw a straight line or anything else’, join me in this free tutorial/class about ‘scribble trees’. You’ll find yourself able to put together a ‘late winter scene’ here in CT. You’ll find more tutorials on my Youtube channel. Hope you enjoy them. Then, once you start growing YOUR creativity, let me know…how does that make you FEEL?
If you’re wanting more of this feeling, join us in my “Summer Flowers” (aka Fabulous Flowers) class this Spring. The class begins on May 25th, and will run for 6 weeks. Registration will start in April. If you’re on my mailing list, you’ll be first to know!! I’d love for you to join us in the fun…and beauty of flowers expressed in watercolor!