All about Art!!

Things have been busy here for the past three weeks, with more to come.  Along with my class at Big Arts, I did a demo for the San-Cap Art League at their afternoon meeting.  I took all my gear plus both finished and half finished work to show them.  I was nervous, following a master who did the demo last month, but they enjoyed the talk and demo and were a very attentive audience. I'm still getting nice comments about it. 

There was a Golden half day workshop, a Potluck, a card party at the Barry's in Naples, and then I cancelled my slot in the sale that Sunday.   I needed a breather and a chance to get ready for the Spring Show which I chaired.  We had to take down all the paintings from the last show and organize them for pick up and  receive the new art the next day.  My team worked hard and it went pretty well. George was a huge help!!   Judging was on Sunday so I was there again and stayed all day to see the demo and help set up the tables for the workshop the next week. 

Our own Sue Pink was the famous artist for this last workshop of the season.  The experimental artists were excited to learn more from this award winning artist in our midst and had signed up over a year in advance to attend.  The workshop was full with 18 students and stuffed with all our gear.  For doing this type of work we need not only paint and paper but stamps, stencils, scrapers and many types of tools to make marks.  Check it out.....

 our workspaces..that's mine with the toilet paper stacked up..yes we use that too!!

  Sue doing a demo

 We had to wear something outrageous..blue hair for the teacher!!!

  Painting 1

 

  Painting 2

 Painting 3

 

These paintings were done in the workshop so will never be in a show.  I will, however, frame them for sale at some time.  I have one more but I feel it needs a bit more work.

 

On Tuesday our friends Penny and Dirk, from Plymouth, Mass., ventured down to the island and popped in to the gallery to see me and arrange to meet at 4 for drinks. They had lunch and walked the town a bit while I painted.   George joined us at 4  and we all enjoyed catching up at Nervous Nellies. It was so nice to see them and we hope to again next season...thanks for braving the horrid traffic!!

 

Tomorrow is the reception for the Spring Show and end of my duties but I will be busy again with the March class at Big Arts, teaching a two day class at FMBAA and getting things matted up for the Art Bazaar March 22.  in between I'll make a couple trips to Punta Gorda to enter the Winner's Circle show for the first time.  This is the best of the best from all art leagues in SW Florida and I am thrilled to have earned a place with my first place painting Night Lights.

 

Most of my work from now until I leave will be plein air to get warmed up for the Sedona painting trip in April.  How lovely that will be to just paint and talk art with likeminded friends!!!  Life is good!!

A visit with my sister....

My sister came from South Carolina to visit and catch a few rays over a week ago.  Our weather turned cooler for the duration of her stay but she enjoyed walking in the sunshine and finally getting into her swimsuit on the day before leaving.

We drove to Captiva on Tuesday so that I could enter the San-Cap Art League show held in the new community center there.  She helped enter a couple of friends art and got the gist of the procedure.  Because we had to wait a couple of hours to see if any of ours were declined, we spent the time walking around the tiny town, eating at Green Flash and shopping.  Dana was tired of walking and we hadn't reached the center when a nice captain tooling around in a golf cart offered us all a ride.  Nice!!

Arriving at the center again we found the judge finishing up and paintings almost ready for viewing so we took a seat to hear her speak while George walked the beach a bit.  It was interesting to hear why she had chosen certain paintings for awards.  We learned who the winners were and were able to chat with them and add our congratulations too.  And I was lucky enough to take an Honorable Mention with my Sanibel Icon Pastel.  The judge liked the sky treatment especially, where the orange ground peeked through.  Below it the painting in rough stage looking a little tilted by the angle.

Since I had won an award..though a handshake only!!  we returned on Thursday for the reception which was fun and interesting.  The venue is lovely.

We all went to the gallery on Wednesday and while we attended the FMBAA board meeting Dana walked the beach, shopped and caught some rays.  An early supper atop The Beached Whale fortified us for a trip to Michael's to purchase alcohol inks for our project day Thursday.  We found tiles at Home Depot and colorful inks to use.  Dana had fun learning the technique of inks on tiles and is looking forward to showing her friends how to do it as well.

A giant garage sale started early Friday so we had to call it a day pretty early to be ready to shop.  And shop we did, finding bargains and treasures to spruce up and make our own.  Dana has quite a collection by now and is concerned about getting it in her limited suitcase!!  Off to Razzle Dazzle we went where, yes, she bought a bit more, then lunch and a couple more stops, more shopping as both of us found some perfect tops.

So Saturday was beach day finally and we took full advantage of what sun there was by walking to the pier for lunch then back to sit in the sunshine until we couldn't take any more!!

The week was fun for all of us and busy with activities.  Dana had a taste of our art life and a chance to try some new things.  If only the plane had been a little more on time it would have been perfect!!

At the Green Flash, Captiva

  Sanibel Icon, pastel