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.

Color Theory and the Recipe Book

This summer I took another on-line class with Alisa Burke called "Color your World." It's a fun class on color theory, and even though I have my masters in painting I knew Alisa would come up with something new that would excite both my students and I. I'm not giving away any secrets you'll have to take her course.
The past few weeks I've been super busy revamping all my classes. One of the projects has been designing a new way to incorporate the sketchbook into my curriculum. No longer is the sketchbook used for homework rather it has become my students' "Recipe Book." All instruction for new projects will be recorded in the Recipe Book.
As you can tell from the photo, our first project was reviewing color theory.

The students are now ready to paint, and we are using our recipe book to record the process. This is the example I shared with the students last week.

This week, students will be selecting a color scheme of their choice and creating a color palette of it in their recipe book. Its very important that they record what colors were used to create the palette. I keep reminding them in ten years they will be able to come back to their book to see the recipe for their first painting.
After each project, students hand in their book and art work for grading. So far the recipe book idea is working great! Hope you all enjoyed the glimpse into my classroom.

My favorite sidekick is two years old

Lync turned two years old today. He continues to entertain me daily, and never hesitates when I ask if he would like to go on an adventure.

Mary Whyte "Labor of Love"

Mary Whyte is one of my favorite watercolor artist. I own several of her books and reference her work when I'm teaching watercolor to my painting students. This past weekend she was featured on the CBS Sunday Morning show. Just had to post this video for my students. Hope you all enjoy as much as I did.

Final Watercolor Deer Hill

Here is the final watercolor of the Deer Hill suite at
The old Rhinebeck Inn.
I also posted the ink drawing again so you could see the process.
After loading the pictures I realized I should have included the two thumbnail color studies that were done before working on the final piece.
Just love the head board, look at all the detail.