Thanksgiving... for art!!

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: