Follow ups and my Art Talk Group Meetings

~Art Talk Group Meeting~

I have been involved with numerous art groups since I started my artistic journey and I always gain something from the involvement. During the last 3 years I've been involved in a small art group that is different from any I've joined before. We keep membership to 13 (one married couple), keeping it to one hosted meeting per member for the year. Our members are varied in interests and participation. We start our meeting with the host serving wine and appetizers then after a few minutes of chit chat we one by one start sharing what we've done since the last meeting. One member is a potter and wood turner, another a sewer, another a knitter, Sumi artist, watercolor artists, oil painter ... there are a few who are not artists at all but non-the-less interested in art and share art books they may have read or where a new show may be opening etc.  Some meetings, like the one above, someone shares crafted items they purchased on a recent trip. Occasionally we will forgo the sit down meeting for a class one of us will teach - no wine until after those meetings. Our meetings last about 2 hours and we always leave inspired by someone or something. It is truly the best art group I've ever been involved with. I always feel so motived when the meeting is over.

Follow-up:  Last Saturday I enjoyed teaching a watercolor workshop here on the island. I had 4 beginning students and all were enthusiastic and fun to have in my class.  I had every intention of taking some photos but the four hours were gone before I knew it.  I always love being involved with others at these community events, catching up with old friends and making new one.

Also: Do you remember the snow scene I painted a while back? Well I have been working on a larger version of the same scene, 24" x 36".  I'm really enjoying working this large for a change and so far I'm happy with it. I should be finished next week sometime and I'm anxious to share it with you.  

Stay tuned .....

Some days are not as inspiring than others

Last night on the news they showed how warm most of the country is.  

Uhhhh, not here in the Pacific Northwest ... just the opposite infact. 

This morning about 9 o'clock, heading into town, this is what we encountered.  Snow! 

About 20 miles from us they are expecting 6 inches of snow today!

We all have daffodils up and ready to show their bright sunny faces, but I think its going to be a little while longer before they open up.  Good thing I bought a couple of dozen cut one the other day.

I've made a decision ...

In my last blog post I asked for help in naming my painting of a barn.  I had painted the barn during a workshop in California last summer. Sylviane gave me what I thought was a great suggestion when she said "Sure,it's hard to name something after, but if you know where it was, you can give the place's name, for instance, or invente one?".  How simple is that?  Well, it sounded simple when I first thought about it.  I was at a workshop and we were painting from an old school yard in Douglas Flat.  That didn't sound too good to me.  "Douglas Flat Barn".  Kinda boring sounding to me, but then I decided that since my workshop was really in  Murphys I decided to title it "Murphys Barn".  That sounds pretty good doesn't it?  Thank you Sylviane that was a perfect solution and one I hope I will remember to use when needed.

~Click to enlarge ~

Other news I want to share with you is that this coming March 17th, (yes, thats St. Patrick's Day), I will be teaching a Watercolor Workshop here at Harstine Island.  The woman's club is offering 7 different classes to the public and I was fortunate to be asked to teach that day.  If you can join us make sure and call the phone number listed to reserve your spot.