Workshop ....

 

 

Workshop group photo....

 Last week I took a plein air painting workshop and the weather cooperated by turning very cold.  First day we met inside the KIA and heard from Steve then worked from photos.  On Friday we braved the 40 deg temps and set up outside at Ensata Gardens in Galesburg.  They grow and ship flowers and have a lovely old barn and Italienate house and a farmhouse on the property.  I set up to paint the homes front porch in the cold flat light with my pastels.  We worked from 9-5 and came back for two more days.  Sat. was much the same with lunch in a small café the best ever...warm soup, coffee and heat!!

 

I moved on to the barn that day and began to work on that painting.  Parts are nice but overall not a great job so I will work it some more here in the studio.  If nothing else it will be a learning experience.  Sunday was warm...60 whee hee....but much better. We went back to the café for the third time and had our critique, entertaining customers at the same time.  Later that day  I left the barn and turned to the long vista of treeline and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon.

 

It was a great experience to meet the different artists at various points in their careers and skill levels.  Each of us took something away.  Several paint with the PAAWM group so I will be seeing them again as I join them this summer to paint around Michigan.   Steve is a font of knowledge about art and the art world and a fine painter as well.

 

Stephen Doherty in middle next to me.  Two missing artists.  Will post photo of the pastels once I get a chance to finish them up.  I'm adding Riley the dog to the porch and still trying to make the values work on the barn.  That flat light played havoc with my work!!  Can't blame it on the cold feet!!