Journal Friday #17

I'm back on track with Journal Fridays! It's been another busy week, but I've been able to eek out a little bit of time to catch up.

Painting with Markers

Squiggly Lines

Textured Fills: Ink

Stagnation

Song Lyrics

Pop-Up Tents

Intention

Journal Friday #16

Ok, I know it's not Friday, but this is to make up for last week. With traveling to Asheville to teach, last week was a very busy, and I didn't get a chance to work on the daily challenges. So, I am making up for it today, and I'll be back on track for this Friday.

Watercolor Pencil: Blended Colors

Play

Swirls

Collage: Old Artwork

Framed Elements: Drawing

I Don't Believe

Watercolor: Plastic Mesh

Asheville

I spent this past weekend in Asheville, NC teaching a two-day version of my Luminous Liquid Layers workshop at 310 ART in the River Arts District. I love Asheville, and I remember a time when there was no River Arts District, just a single building with the Wedge Brewery and a few artists spaces, studios, and galleries. Now it's a bustling art mecca with hundreds of artists, and an eclectic collection of galleries, stores, and restaurants. It's such a great place for artists and art lovers.

I feel very fortunate that I was able to teach in this exciting and creative place.

I had eight enthusiastic students who dove into the process of experimenting with liquid acrylics and building up layers of paint and collage. I've taught this class before, but only as a one-day class, so it was wonderful to go more in depth with the process and talk about developing images and incorporating mixed media like collage and image transfers.

I am always amazed at what the students are able to come up with, and it's always great to see their creativity emerge. I'd love to go back and teach more workshops in and around Asheville, so I'm hoping to set something up in the future.

But of course a visit to Asheville would not be complete without a stop at French Broad Chocolates. I had to bring home some of their yummy truffles for my wife!

A big thank you goes out to Fleta Monaghan, the owner of 310 ART for the opportunity to teach at her space, and heartfelt gratitude goes out to good friend and artist Erin Keane for advocating for me to teach there. Erin is an amazing encaustic and book artist and a member of the 310 ART gallery. She's also a wonderful teacher, so make certain to take one of her classes at 310 ART or elsewhere.

Journal Friday #15

Writing in Spirals

Space

Random Lines: Watercolor Paint

Wandering Lines

Solvent Transfer: Goof-Off

Discovery

Watercolor: Letter Stencils

Journal Friday #14

I'm keeping up with the daily challenges in the journal. I am finding that I am working more and more in the new journal since the other one is almost full. There's still room to add some things, but when I need to space, I turn to the new journal with the blank pages.

Watercolor: Masking with Hand

Dots

Connection

Stars

Observational Drawing: Room Interiors

Door: Cards

Process

Goodbye, Oreo!

We had to say good bye to our sweet boy Oreo last night. His health had been steadily failing over the past few months. He wasn't eating much, he was losing weight, he just wasn't himself, and it was just time. We didn't want him to suffer anymore.

Oreo came to us about 15 years ago as a two year old boy who had been urinating inappropriately in his home. His family at the time thought that he might do better in our home, and he did. His problem diminished but never went completely away, but we adjusted. He was a very sweet boy, and he loved nothing more than cuddling on your lap, though he was not by any means a petite boy. But as a way to invite him up, you had to sing his song. Some how we began simply singing his name to the tune of the song the witch's guards sing in the Wizard of Oz. I'm not sure where it came from, but years later when we heard the exact same thing in the movie Wreck It Ralph, we realized that we weren't the only ones to think of it.

At some point, he developed lymphoma. We were able to treat it, and he lived quite a few years. In the end we believe that the lymphoma came back and led to his failing health. We watched as he lost weight, developed difficulty walking, and lost that spark in his eyes. Our friend and veterinarian, Krisi Erwin helped him to the bridge, and we are grateful for her support and reassurance through the end of Oreo's life.

The house seems emptier without our sweet boy, but our spirits are lifted a little by the thought that he is no longer suffering.

Goodbye, Oreo. We will miss you.

May Workshops

I can't believe that it's already May. Time is passing quickly. I do have two workshops coming up for the month May, and I'm hoping that you can join me for at least one of them.

First, I'll be teaching my Line and Wine paint night at the Round Hill Arts Center next week on Friday, May 12 from 6:30 to 9:30. This is my take on the popular wine and paint nights, but with a unique spin. There's no example to copy, no step-by-step and everyone makes the same thing. It all begins with an intuitive line, and everyone makes a very unique piece.

I've taught it on several occasions, both in my studio and at the center. It's always fun, and I love seeing the different things that come from it. I hope to see some local folks there!

Later in May I trek down to Asheville, NC to teach a two-day workshop at 310 Art in the River Arts District. I love Asheville, and I am excited to take an more in depth version of my Luminous Liquid Layers there where we can delve into more mixed media techniques, image transfers, and developing imagery. I'm looking forward to creating a creative mess for two full days! There are only 2 spaces left, so hurry if you want to join me in wonderful Asheville.

I hope that you can join me for one of these awesome workshops!