Happy to Announce...

My painting, Staying Afloat, was accepted into the Watercolor Society of Oregon’s 47^th Annual Transparent Watercolor Show.  The juror, Chris Van Winkle, chose 80 paintings from 268 entries.  The show opening will be held at the Resort at the Mountain, Welches, OR on Oct. 6 and the paintings will be on display until Oct. 26, 2012.  

The inspiration for Staying Afloat came from a photo I took of a tree draped with lobster buoys on the quaint island of Isle au Haut, Maine.  The island, which is part of Acadia National Park, is only accessible by boat.  The buoy tree is located near the Town Landing where the ferryboat docks and is a colorful, welcoming site.  The buoy tree is much like the shoe trees that have spread along Oregon’s highways and beyond but I think the lobster buoys are more lively and charming than the shoes and thought it would be a fun subject to paint.

New Local Classes

Here are the classes that I am teaching locally in Bend, Oregon this fall:

NEW CLASSES at Tumalo Art Work in Downtown Tumalo (Bend, Oregon) - Call 541-706-9025 to sign up

Watercolor Toolbox: Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 2012.  1:00 - 4:00 pm.  This class is for beginners only.  We will cover lots of information and make some fun watercolor studies that will get you started on your artistic journey!

The Elements of Design: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 2012.  1-00 - 4:00 pm.  Are you a value painter or a shape maker?  What kind of painter are you?  Take your paintings to the next level by discovering your painting style during this fun series of classes by exploring the different elements of design.  Some experience helpful.

Doodling as an ART Form:  Oct. 4, 11, 2012.  6:00 - 9:00 pm.  Learn to use markers, different papers and various designs to create interesting journaling pages

Trip to Provence, France:  MAY 2013  - full, waitlist only
This is the perfect time of year to catch the beautiful red fields of poppies gracing the countryside of Provence.  Let me know if you are interested in this painting trip.  

Views of Italy

Ponto Rialto, Venice

Hiking in the Dolomites

Self-Portrait

New Friends

How far to the next plate of cheese & sausage

Italy, Every Corner Inspires a Painting

We are having a wonderful time in Italy, exploring, hiking, eating good food and drinking good wine!  I are now in the Dolomite Mountains and hiking everyday.  I have found very little time to paint but have so many photos can be used later.  Here is one painting I did get started of the vineyard view from our bedroom window at a little B&B high in the foothills of Northern Italy.

Second Morning in Italy - I couldn't sleep so I started this painting

Finished Painting of the Italian Vineyard, View from my Window

Art Supplies, Venice, Italy

Letter Stamps

Stamps and stationary supplies

Ciao from Venice!

Oh and leather purses too!

Those of you who know me, know that I will hunt out fun art supplies wherever I go  Last night while roaming the streets of Venice, I stumbled upon a window display that made my artist heart soar.  

New Fall Classes

Dear friends - I am off to Italy with my husband to celebrate our 25 wedding anniversary!  How did that ever happen?

I will be teaching a few local classes when I get back.
check out my website under classes for more info.

Dreaming in Color!

12 Great Lumin Arte Twinkles

I am happy to announce that Leslie, the owner of Dreaming in Color has put together a mix of her fabulous Lumin Arte Twinkling H2Os just for me!  I carefully picked these colors to give a good representation of warm and cools yellows, reds and blues.  Let me tell you that it was hard to limit it down to 12!  But here is the best part - Leslie has sent free samples for me to pass out to some of my CREATE classes in Chicago next week!  I have really enjoyed experimenting with these luscious paints and seeing how to incorporate them into my watercolor journals!

Getting Ready for Chicago, CREATE 2012

Miniature Watercolor Palettes

Everyone loved the miniature watercolor palettes that I had at the Irvine, Create.  I decided to provide even more of them for my classes that I am teaching at the Chicago CREATE.  This way, if you are new to watercolor painting and want to try it without the big expense of buying all new products, you will be able to borrow one of my very cute mini-travel palettes.  These miniature palettes have a variety of colors and hold an amazing amount of paint.  I used empty 1/2 pans that I buy through Daniel Smith Art Supplies and fill them with my choice of colors.  If you find you love watercolor painting, consider purchasing my Watercolor Traveling Kit also available through Daniel Smith.
Here is what Jeanne emailed me about my new Art Journal On-the-Go, on sale today for only $11.97!!!  "Thanks so  much - you are a wonderful teacher. I really appreciate your quiet manner and practical step by step approach. I have assembled - and actually used! - my teeny travel journal kit. It is SO fun to just pull it out and play. It's truly portable, and the way you explain about yours and how you use it made it easy to tailor one for myself. I have even begun making and binding my own custom made books.  I have used it on the plane, in a restaurant, at the doctor's office in the waiting room and to ease the quiet hours at the hotel when I'm traveling for work."  Thanks Jeanne!

Sprinkle, Splash & Splatter: Creating Texture with Watercolor

Sprinkle, Splash & Splatter: Creating Texture with Watercolor is my newest class that I am offering at CREATE, Chicago on Sunday, August  26, 2012.  This is the first time I have ever taught this class and I am having so much fun preparing for it.  Here are a couple of examples of the paintings we will create!  
I have been busy making my fun goody bags for all my students and once again I have some very cool art supplies to give away.  Hope to see you there!

Textured Pears

Textured Landscape

Join me at Bend's August Art Walk, Tonight! August 3, 2012

I have all new paintings for my month of being featured artist at the Red Chair Gallery, located on the corner of Bond & Oregon Streets, Bend, Or.  Tonight is Art Walk (5-9 pm) and it should be a fun time to get out and enjoy the evening.  Please stop by and say "Hi!".    I will will have on display a couple of my watercolor & mixed media journals from my recent trips to Patagonia and Europe.  My journals have been featured in the magazine, Cloth, Paper, Scissors and Daniel Smith Art Supply Company sells a watercolor traveling kit designed by me.