Smart Solutions

Many of my painting pals use acrylics 

and they are always trying to find ways to keep the paint from drying out. 

Sally Dean uses these small containers from the Dollar Store

 in a tupperware tub. 

She just snaps the lid on and goes!

Then I met Susan Guest McPhail and she uses an

extra large "weekly" pill box from Walgreens! 

How prefect is that? 

(I love how the days of the week are marked on the lids!) 

Just thought I'd share these artists' smart solutions 

with you acrylic painters out there! 

"Working" Class

The thing I love about teaching this 

"Painting in an Hour"

class is that it "works" for everyone.

The eight artists

who invited me to give a class today 

have been meeting every Monday for five years.
They are at all different levels and most of them use acrylics. 

They are a truly dynamic and talented group 

and I was thrilled to be with them today.  

I set up a very simple still life

and used a spot light 

(to exaggerate the lesson on VALUE!) 

I did this quick demo using a large brush 

and thick paint, 

to lay in the big dark and light value shapes. 

Then I set the timer and they were off!

The other four did this set up. 

 More wonderful results! 

Incredible!
For most, this approach is totally different 

from anything they have ever done before.
So during the critique at the end of the class
I like to ask if they will use what they have learned
next time they paint.
Most say yes without hesitation!

That is all I need to hear!
Many thanks to Susan Guest McPhail  and
Judith Schroeter
for making this happen!

One Hour Warm Up

I am going up to Essex, MA tomorrow to teach a 

"Painting in an Hour" class.

Today I decided I'd better do a "warm up".

"T Travelers" 

8 x 10 

I chose a rather complicated subject because I 

really wanted to challenge myself to work fast and loose. 

These gals were amazingly relaxed while riding a very crowed train!

Clearly "regulars." 

Routine out of order

This time of the year is tough on artists.

Our routine is put out of order!  

I, for one, have been working on commissions. 

(which I enjoy but I get a bit stifled and cramped.) 

I took today off and went to the Museum of Fine Arts 

with some of my artist pals. 

Stephanie, Sally, Patty

This is "Night", part of the two Night and Day larger-than-life sculptures

 created by renowned Spanish artist Antonio Lopez Garcia. 

The sculptures are fondly known as Boston's "baby heads." 

We saw a lot of great art, had some laughs and got inspired.

I highly recommend viewing art 

as an anecdote to the stress of the holiday season! 

From Big to Small. And Back Again?

A few weeks ago, I bought eight of these 5 x 7 frames at IKEA 

with no idea what I was going to do with them.  

Red Cape 

5 x 7 

I guess I was thinking of a series of some kind? Or gifts. 

Today, I was curious to see what would happen if I took my 

favorite "architecture in the landscape" subject,

and painted it SMALL! 

(I have been doing them very large lately. See older posts)  

So, I did this 5 x 7 on my Karin Jurick easel, 

on black gesso board using synthetic brushes. 

It was an interesting exercise. 

I felt like a caged animal!
I wanted to "bust out!"
I think I need to do this as a 16 x 20 as soon as possible.

Girls Just Wanna Paint Opening

We had an opening reception last night for the 

Girls Just Wanna Paint

show at the James Library.

Over 80 paintings from 11 past "challenges" were grouped 

together around the gallery. 

We had quite a large crowd, sold 19 paintings 

and everyone seemed delighted to learn about blogging! 

Great job girls! 

I feel so blessed to be part of such a dynamic and talented group of woman! 

Getting in the Spirit

It seems rather odd getting the holiday decorations out 

when it's 65 degrees outside! 

I was having a hard time "getting in the spirit" this week,

until I had my art class with the Alzheimer patients yesterday! 

"Christmas Collage"
by Millie

I invite you to visit my other blog

"Patience with Patients"

to see the amazing work they do! 

That will get you in the spirit, for sure!