Oh my what a beautiful month- the merry month of May!  I love the longer days, the soft greens that are appearing on all the deciduous trees and the delightful smells...
It has been a busy spring so far, so I have a lot of photos of student work, both in classes and in ongoing drop-in students.
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Acrylics III class--- exploring abstracts ; quick studies.

Watercolour III class: these lovely folks have been doing some amazing work on landscapes. They are now beginning to look at portraits.

A Focus On class: painting large white flowers- mostly magnolias. Photos show the progress of these watercolours.

And of course, the awesome ongoing drop-in sessions---- producing a delightful potpourri of subjects and styles...

So March did get away from me... welcome April. Sunny weather, no showers yet, earth exploding with life.
Studio has been steady with focus on classes and drop in sessions- watercolour and acrylic classes will begin again next week. Let me know asap if you are interested in joining one of those sessions.
The studio calendar will be up again by the end of this week, I promise:)
I have got to Victoria and Vancouver over the last couple of weekends- visited several art venues and of course some art shops to buy more supplies!
Here are a few photos of what the 'Drop-in' and' Focus on' folks have been working on:
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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!