Awesome Acrylics!!
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The 'Focus-on group' tried their hand at a watercolour warm-up activity to loosen up and have fun. Using a modified colour wheel- Bob Burridge's Goof Proof Colour Wheel- we did 4 small florals. Not really as easy as it seems! Here are a few photos from last Friday:

 In the studio we had a wonderful Christmas Party... eating and toasting the year that was.... then we made some watercolour stars, and 'competed' for prizes ( yes, I had a art studio quiz!!) 

I had the pleasure of visiting and seeing the Goi Pei shaw at the Vancouver Art Gallery in November-- stunning!!
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So much to be thankful for! The beauty of the season, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, family and friends to share all good things with.... I am especially thankful to my art friends, the Wet Paint Group of artists, and my students and drop-in artists. They keep me learning and loving everyday in the studio!
I am taking an e-course this month with Melinda Cootsona, a Californian artist whose art I love. It is entitled : 6 Approaches to Abstracting the Figure. Loving it! It is so what I need to push myself out of my 'realistic leanings' with figures and portraits. I am watching the Class 3 and 4 today --- Using Pattern, Distortion and Exaggeration.   
My Beginning Acrylic Class painters are awesome--- here are a few pics of their first 2 classes:

With September has come cooler days and nights- and this weekend some serious- and seriously needed - rain! Made soup today and am resisting the urge to light the wood stove!
The last days of August were busy, with our Wet Paint Group Art Show and Sale-- check out our pictures on the website-- and for me the beginning of a mural commission. The mural is a large indoor "man-cave" landscape painting to backdrop a serious model hobby. It is coming along - only a few more days I think- and I will post some photos when it is completed. I have learned a lot about this challenging form of painting- very large vertical spaces and quick drying interior latex house acrylic paint- yikes. Luckily it is a wonderful bright space and no ladders or scaffolds needed!!

​Am also setting fall classes: a full beginning watercolour session and a beginning Acrylics (a couple of spots left if you know someone interested). Also setting up workshops...
Ongoing drop-in afternoons continue M-W-F 1:30 - 4:30- and continue to be a supportive, creative time for us all. Last Friday a party broke out-- love these ladies!

The summer is more than half over- wow, where has it gone? In the studio, classes and drop-ins have been steady and fun- with people coming and going around their vacations and guests...
I have been getting ready for the Wet Paint Summer Show coming up in 2 weeks:  trying to finish up paintings, wire backs etc. and  get promos and publicity out,  and on-line.
wetpaintshowandsale.weebly.com 
I am excited to have signed up for an e-course with Melinda Cootsona- California artist- entitled 'Abstracting the Figure'. Love her work, and she works in oils and cold wax- perfect!!  Starts in October...
Here are a few pics of student works in progress: some negative paintings, using at the grid method to enlarge  drawings, a new painting in Cheryl's "India" series, a granddaughter visiting, a mystical city scape a-coming, some zentangling... ahhh what fun!
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While the temperatures soar outside, it has remained cool in the studio. Although many of the 'regular' artists are on vacation, there has been steady attendance in drop-in classes, with a few new artists, and several weekend workshops to keep me busy.
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A new beginner's watercolour class began this week- always so exciting! 
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