Over thirty artists learned my unique sketching in color technique this spring in several workshops. Yesterday some of them gathered recently with me in one of the MSU gardens to experience painting en plein air together. For many it was their first experience of working outdoors on location. Recognize anyone?
From my sketchbook....
This painting was a workshop demo, from a photograph, created for the members of the Eastside Artists Guild in Harrisville, MI. I've not been doing very many pastels recently and therefore demonstrating was a bit scary. However, I was pleased with the results and apparently so were the students. It sold while still on the easel.
Last Saturday, I conducted the last 2013 one-day Sketching in Color Workshops out of my Williamston studio. What that means is that there are now about 30 more artists this year, aged 12 – 80+, who will have the joy of painting when and where they want in a most satisfying way. Clean, quick, friendly and fun! While it takes a bit of experience to gain one’s personal process, each of the students now have the fundamentals of my unique process to have fun with as they travel or sketch at home.
Students painting flowers on my studio deck and in the garden. Left to right, Soojin, HeeYoung, Elizabeth, Alice, Barb, Lori and Jackie.
As my watercolor sketchbooks fill, I use them as references for light and color in the studio and as special gifts for family and loved ones. Folks seem to love them. The images below are from a new book I started last Friday at Fredrik Meijer Gardens near Grand Rapids, MI. and one of peonies, picked in my garden, over the weekend.
Waterlily on left and Yellow Iris on right.
Waterfalls at Meijer Gardens
My mother's peonies from my garden.
These images are sketches and are not watercolor paintings. I have simplified and consolidated several watercolor techniques into one to make the outdoor painting process easy, clean and light/small for transporting. Using my unique method, I’ve even sketched in color while visiting with friends and family, riding in airplanes and in the car with my husband doing the driving. They all seem to have as much fun watching the sketches develop as I do in creating them.
Fun for everyone! Only minimal drawing skills are necessary.
If you are using my method of sketching it would be fun to read your comments....anyone out there?
Busy! Busy! Busy! But...a fun few weeks.
My regular weekly classes are finished as you probably know and I've begun my summer workshop circuit. In addition, I've had the distinct pleasure of making new friends and sharing gallery space with several others. My new friend is Doet Boersma of the Netherlands who is here in the USA as the Artist in Residence at Pearce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) south of Hastings, MI through July 12th. Getting to know Doet (pronounced Doot) and painting with her has been a joyful and intellectually stimulating experience.
Doet Boersma in her studio at Pearce Cedar Creek Institute
Last Thursday Lori Feldpausch of Marshall, MI, Barbara Childs, Atlanta, GA and I hung an exhibition show of over 40 of our plein air and studio paintings at PCCI in the main building. The show will continue through August 30th. It's an exciting show, primarily of oil landscapes with a few figure and still life subjects included. PCCI is a beautiful place to spend a day hiking and viewing art. Call ahead at 269-721-4190 for their hours as they are a research facility and are not always open. The Institute is located at 701 W. Cloverdale Road approximately 7 miles directly south of Hastings. Be sure to look up Doet while you are there and ask to visit her studio. You wont be sorry you did!
Lori Feldpausch and I after hanging the PCCI show last Thursday.
A week ago, on Saturday, I painted, along with nearly 30 other artists, at Cole Brook Park near Climax, MI to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Plein air Painters of West Michigan (PAAWM). Richard Jordan the director and founder of PAAWM, and I must say the most beloved energy of the group, provided a great picnic lunch, gifts for all and a prize of one of his paintings that everyone wanted to win. David Chene of East Lansing was the lucky winner. The day was great fun and we are all looking forward to the next five years of sharing art, friendship and great west Michigan painting sites with one another. For information on the organization go to www.paawm.org.
Prior to the PAAWM meet, I visited my daughter Renee and her family near Dayton, OH for a few days. While there I enjoyed seeing my beautiful grandaughter, Madison, perform in her dance recital. Perhaps she's walking in Grandma's shoes?
Granddaughter Madison backstage after her performances.
My oldest grandson, Harrison is graduating from high school tomorrow and received a special singular honors award for his overall contributions to the Varsity teams he played on during his years at Okemos High School. Harrison was the only recipient of this honor. He also received honors for his academic performance and will be attending MSU.
Grandson, Harrison receiving his honors award for outstanding Varsity teams contributions during four years of high school.
Enjoy your summer!
