Happy Halloween

Just finished a wonderful on-line class with Susan Tuttle, called Ghostly Figures.
Thought you might enjoy seeing an example of what I learned from the workshop. The lovely ghost is my grandmother.
Happy Halloween.

I've been published!

Good news fellow bloggers! I've been featured in the current issue of Artful Blogging Magazine.
I'm very excited to have been published for my first time. What an experience it has been. I recall reading about artists Karen Cole, Stephanie Hilvitz, and Alisa Burke to name a few in past issues and hope that my article will inspire others like they influenced me.

Sketch for a new painting

Updating my sketchbook for our next project at school. I got carried away painting the glazing steps for my example. The next thing I knew the gesso was out and of course my beloved newspaper. When it was finished, I thought it looked nice enough to transfer to a larger canvas.

First Video (Lync's instinct test for herding)

This is my first attempt at making a video. Eventually I would like to produce small video clips featuring local artist for my art students. Sorry about the lack of sound... it was such a windy day that all you could hear was the wind so it was turned down. I'm taking baby steps with editing. Hopefully, by next spring you will see a big improvement.



Saturday we took our two year old German Shepherd, Lync vom Fichtenschlag , to "White Clover Sheep Farm" in the Finger Lakes. He was there for an instinct test to evaluate whether or not he has potential as a herding dog. By passing the test, he can start training to earn an HGH herding title with Ulf Kintzel, the owner and trainer at White Cover Sheep Farm. Lync is from a long line of protection Shepherds from Germany, and I'm pretty sure he had never seen a cow let alone sheep. It was quite an experience, and yes he did have that natural instinct to patrol and one day herd sheep. Lync will be a true German shepherd working dog.

Acorn looking Gourd

Students in my drawing class have been learning pen and watercolor techniques this week. Today was the first day of watercolor. Everyone was given one gourd and asked to sketch it, paint it and then ink it using a pen.
This gourd looked so much like an acorn I just had to share with you.

Last spring I purchased these en expensive opaque watercolor cakes from Sax's art supply catalog. A few of the colors look very similar.
Students were asked to paint a swatch of each color in their sketchbook, then # each color. This way they could record which colors were used for the painting. My recipe was written on the side.

Love Fall &Painted Newspaper

Just love the colors of fall leaves. After my morning run the other day, I spent time collecting a few samples to use in my sketchbook.

Better yet I decided to illustrate the leaves with a few of my favorite acorns on old newspaper.

I don't know what it is about recycling newspaper. But it has become one of my favorite papers to paint and draw on. I have a wall of papers in my studio just waiting for me to find of a good use for. Bare with me you will see where this is going.

"Unusual Fun"
3 x 4.5'
acrylic and mixed media
The start of a new series of larger paintings.

Just love the Fall colors. Inspiration from the leaves.

Close up of the recycled paper that was added to the painting.

A good friend asked me to apply for membership to the "Arena Art Group" awhile back. The Arena Art Group is a club for contemporary artists. At the time I didn't have an idea for a new series of artwork to show them, but maybe I have an idea.
I love unusual combination's and this week decided to paint a pepper and peach. Looking around the studio for something to add to the painting my eyes rested on all the hand painted newspapers hanging on the wall. Why not collage my newspapers to the painting.
To my students, keeping a sketchbook/journal is a wonderful way to record what inspires you and sometimes leads to bigger ideas.