December Critiquing

LEFT TO RIGHT KIRSTEN, KITTY, MELINDA

This month's Critiquing was full of information. Not only did we change the location for something new, we did a demo. Our location this month was at Melinda's studio in Dripping Springs. Melinda's studio was awesome, lots of creative space to work in, with inspiration surrounding you on the walls.

Our first mini talk was about networking and selling paintings. Some of the area that were suggested were getting your artwork into galleries, belonging to art groups, doing shows, and talking with owners of different venues to show your art like small cafe's. No matter where you live there is at least two places you can have your artwork, look at independently owned salons, cafes, or other places where there is lots of traffic. Art groups are always a great idea. Most cities have an art guild or something similar to learn, explore, and share information. Art shows can run anyway from a weekend up to a month if there is a competition/gallery involved. You need to show your work to potential clients so they know you are an upcoming artist.

What do you use to paint on? We have a variety to choose from. Yes we have the typical canvas stretched on a wooden frame, but have you tried untreated hard board nailed to 1 x 2 strips of wood, then add some Matte Medium, and several coats of Gesso? Melinda talked about how she creates her own painting surfaces by this technique. Amazing. Michael Skalka wrote about this technique in an artist magazine.

There was a demo on how to stretch your own canvas. I used the following tools framers square clamps (4) Canvas Stretcher tool, staple gun, and measuring tape. One thing we found out is not all stretcher bars are created equally or should I say work with other brands. So when you purchase your bars be sure if they are from different companies or they work together. Some company's male tab that fits into the next frame is in the opposite position as others. I started with placing the framing bars in the framers square clamps after putting the square or rectangle together. I measured the opposite corners to verify the frame is absolutely square. I placed staples on the same side but opposite ends of the same framing bar. Then working from the center of each side pulling the canvas tight. The next staples are place on the right of the first center staple then the left of the opposite side so the second staples are on the same side if you are looking at the canvas. Then the opposite ends are done the same way. Back to the first staple side. A staple is now placed on the left side and the opposite end is on the right and you work your way around using the canvas stretcher tool to pull the canvas tight each time. Each staple is place about an inch to an inch and a half from the next. When you get close to the corners pull the first initial 4 staples so you can continue with the stapling to about 3/4 of an inch from the corners. Now there are two ways you can do your corners, one way is like a linen fold for your bed sheets or the second is pulling from the center of the corner then staple each side of the corner.

We talked about pricing our paintings and what seems to work best was length x width x price per square inch.

Our critiquing was so much fun. Kirsten had a small abstract that was not of a woman. It had great lines and lead our eyes around the canvas with great resting places. Her second piece was much larger 24x36. The painting was done with the width being 24, but I felt that it needed to be turned and what a difference it made. Melinda had a well started pastel stick abstract; it had a great red in the center. Her next piece is a still life with a great composition and dramatic shadows. Kitty did something new an abstract sunflower. Great colors and composition, with a deepening of some shadow the piece is done. Kay reworked a previous painting and it was well done; however I need to remove a shadow that now cuts the painting. The second painting just needed a little shadowing added to one plant and we can call that one done too.

Our next meeting will not be till Jan '10' so we are taking a break for the holidays. In the meantime I will post toward the end Dec. Have a great few weeks.

What has been going on

Wow, last few weeks have gone by faster than I ever imagined. As I had stated in the last posting, I had started a critiquing group in the Austin area. We now had three sessions, so I will catch up on the last two first. A few confessions first; on the 1st meeting I was very nervous. I had not done anything like this before but I felt that it's needed. Now I'm really feeling very comfortable with our critiquing group. It is growing and the talent pool is great. We all see something different and our words are kind. I've recently noticed more and more artists are opening up and sharing more. Which I think is absolutely fabulous. There is a group in the Dallas metroplex that I had the pleasure of meeting at a workshop with Carol Marine in Jan of this year. They all work together and that is what it's all about. I would like to invite them publicly to our next session. You hear that Karen, Mark, Suzy, Carol, Grant, Sharon, and Kay; and if I forgot someone sorry. Come on down and we can make a day of it. As for the critiquing three weeks ago was our second session. Kirsten and Kitty were there and Melinda came in a little later. Kirsten had two new paintings, great colors and contrast. You can really feel the mood she is trying to create. Kitty had one she had got closer to finishing and another that she decided to change into an abstract. I was still struggling with one and Melinda has just blown me away with her paintings. And to think she is just getting back into it. This week Kirsten, Kitty, Deborah and Belinda were present. Kirsten you are a painting machine. She had two more paintings done. Kitty finished her floral and with some very very minor color tweaking in this small area she will make it all pop. Deborah, your colt is just wonderful. Belinda was running short of time so she did not bring her paintings with her and I revisited my last painting and got some tips on adding depth and it should be done and I will post by the next session. I certainly learned alot this week about the way I paint and how to make it better. Thank you all for being here it really made a difference in the way I think about my paintings and what I see. We have a great group and I would encourage all artists to get together with other like minds and see how much your own artwork will blossom because of it. Next session I will demonstrate how I stretch my canvas.

Inside the Gate....

Inside the Gate 22 X 18 Oil on Canvas

Wow, time fly's when you're busy. I promised a new painting and I have more. So first things, first. This is a view from an open gate on the island of Cyprus. Hence the name "Inside the Gate". I know you will enjoy the view as much as I did.

Next I started a critiquing group that has met twice thus far. It is really great, they are some extremely talented artists who have a discerning eye when it comes to what little tweaking needs to be done to bring a somewhat complete a painting to am outstanding painting. Example the one above was two inches longer, therefore there was too much shadow to allow your eyes to travel into the painting gracefully. Not to say the shadow was not done well it just was a bit too much. With the suggestion from one artist then verified with several others, I took the plung and cut two inches off before stretching the Canvas. What a dramatic difference those two inches made. I can't thank those artists enough for making a painting for average to great. Anyway, the group is wonderfully filled with lots of caring critiquing, loads of shared information, and new ideas. I had one artist say this is what she had been looking for, a group that is not afraid to share, being honest, and truly wanting the other artist to succeed. Yes my artist friends and collectors there are really great people out there and I have been graced by them and they are fabulous artist to boot. We all have our strengths and we know our weaknesses, and we are not afraid to put our hearts out on the line because we know that it will not be injured, it will be held lovingly and nurtured to create what our souls intended. In the weeks and months ahead I will introduce you to them thru their eyes (or should I say brushes), so stay tuned.

Busy week and then some....

Well it has been awhile. I have not painted as much as I would have liked, but have been busy with kids, and sports. I am working on a scene from Le Suzette from local hilltop, it's about 3/4 done and hopefully be finish this week. In other news, I am starting a critique group. This is in attempt to create an atmosphere of honest helpful critiquing, inspiration, sharing ideas and support. It seems that there are long stretches of time when we spend so much time in our studios we sometime loose sight of our artistic instinct, or just need an extra set of eyes to help us figure out what may be wrong with a painting.

Why are you an artist or better yet what makes you an artist?

A while back, I was reading an art magazine and somewhere along the way I started thinking about why I wanted to be an artist. It's strange but I can remember many years ago my father introduced me to a doctor friend of his and he asked what I wanted to be when I grow up. Now mind you, my father worked in the health industry, this was my first week as a candy stripper/hospital volunteer (for those who are younger) and I am sure this gentleman just assumed that I wanted to be in the same industry, anyhow I replied that I wanted to paint and be an artist. He just smiled, (you know one of those smiles that have more to say but won't say it) but I am sure he was thinking somewhere along the lines of "that's fine little girl but we doctors make more money". (Ah my comment now is" but do they enjoy their vocations for many, many years and even into those retirement years or don't have the fear of being laid off or have some young college kid taking over for less money) So why is it that I wanted to be an artist at such a tender age? Well, the only thing I can think of is that my school took the ling trip to Chicago Art Museum one year, and I was hooked. I remember asking my mother for a paint-by-number kit, which she did. When I got to the real small parts, you know the ones for highlights or nuances of color to make the shape turn and such. Weill, I had already painted over the numbers that indicate what was the number/color was supposed to have gone there. (Hey, it was the first time I had such a kit and didn't know all the rules) Anyway, I add libbed what I though needed to be there and frankly it turned out ok, for the first painting of an 8 year old, and it was all I could muster, and to that same 8 yr. old it was a masterpiece. From that point on that was all I wanted to be. Now mind you this was a long, ok, ok, really long time ago. Now it was not only in my mind but it was in my heart racing through my veins. So now the question remains what makes you an artist? Now exactly what does an artist do? For me I look at an object/scenery and think of it in shapes and color masses. Questions start racing through my head like, how would I paint that, what colors create the colors in the sky/tree/building or whatever. If I add a color like yellow will it make it come too far forward/and the opposite for a green or blue. What if I took this tree out so I could see the building better? Will a square or rectangle canvas be a stronger composition? What do I need to add or subtract to make it a better mood? And then there is the, I can't do anything else, I just have to paint that scene because it just moves me so much. Everywhere I go everything I see; these are the questions that arise. And the questions continue until I decide to paint or not. Whether it is abstract, realistic, impressionist, a photograph, made of any type of material or into any object; it is considered these days as art. Age has no limit on this either. I know, there are some people out there that would say I am wrong, or my definitions are out in left field somewhere, but really am I truly that far off? Is it training or schooling, well no because I know of several self taught artist who are doing quite well. so the only thing I can conclude is that it is in your heart and that it is all you want to do, it is all you see and think about. It is a job that consumes you 24/7, and it is done with great enthusiasm, and gratefulness to be able to create. So the torch is passed to you the reader, fellow artist, art collector: what is your definition?

What would you do part 2

The top is the version that was to be corrected. Can you tell me what was wrong with it? Are you able to see where the perspective is off? Would you have just left it alone?

This is the corrected version, can you see where changes were made? Would you have made similar changes? Granted both paintings were taken in two different locations so the color may seem a bit different but let me explain what changes were made and why. Karen asked/stated a valid point (commented on Blogspot); she asked what decision I had made and she would like to view what was done so she and others could maybe learn from it.

Ok, did you see what changes were done? Well I did some adjustments to the shutters to line them up correctly. Then I did the same for the bottom of the doorway, things were just not lined up. Then the last thing was I added some more stones to the planter.

Both Monte and Gayle had great points also(commented on my website blog), the percentage of changes was not that great, and it seemed to me that when I paint something a second time sometimes I lose some of the spontaneity and spirit that was created in the first painting. So let me know what you all think of the painting and the changes.

What is a person to do?????

This is for all you painters out there. I had finished a painting 2 weeks ago, and I leave it somewhere in my studio to view. This is a practice that helps me know when a painting is really done. As I am working on another painting or just puttzin' in my studio, I have the pleasure of reviewing the painting several times a day for about a week or two. Well this last one that I call Red and Blue, was bugging me. Something about it was wrong or off. I had one of my critique buddies stop by to look at the painting, and she loved it; actually four of them had stopped by and all said the same thing. I had picked these people because they have great taste, yet they are not professional painters but they all have done a great deal in the creative realm. Anyway, it was still bugging me so I left it out for review. For the life of me I spent two weeks looking at the paintings and I could not spot it, whatever it was. I finally re-measured and noticed my perspective was really off. I had used the wrong tools during the drawing stage and got myself in trouble. So my question to you is... If you have a painting that needs to be corrected in a few places, do you correct the original or do you just start over? And to what extent do you work on the first one before you just say you are better off starting afresh? is it a judgement call, or something like if it is less than 25% you work on the first one but after that you might as well start over? I have always wondered. Do you sand that part that needs the correction, what is your process? I am curious, what would you do with it all?

All about Fredericksburg Texas

Fredericksburg Farmhouse

Fredericksburg Farm

These Paintings will have there last hours at The Upper Crust Cafe today. The Group will be taking them down after lunch time closing. It is always a great pleasure to have you painting hanging in an establishment that has a lot of traffic. I would like to thank the management of Upper Crust for allowing us to display there. It was fun to be able to visit with friends, grab a snack and look at wonderful works of art all at the same time. All these opportunities only make my paintings stronger, I always strive to create new and inspiring work. To have them work with each establishment or with the group of paintings that it is being hung with; yet really pop, if that makes any sense. We are working on the next showing, coming to you soon.

Challenge for WildCats

Alone At Last

Also, yesterday I completed the above painting that was a challenge from the WildCats of Provence Group. Deborah had taken this photo of Red Bud Isle last Oct., and challenged the group to paint it in any style, medium, and using our artistic license to crop or change for our own painting experience. So, I cropped and changed a few things to create this lovely scene. What do you think?

AND A WINNING ENTRY IS........

Fredericksburg River II

This past week I recieved a letter from Bosque Art Classic ( aka Conservatory Art Classic), the above painting has been accepted into the competition!!! YEAH :) I have not entered a competition in about a year because you know how life is, it gets in the way of your passions sometimes. Anyway I am soooooo excited. This is such a great honor for me, and I want to thank you for your support (you know who you all are).

Vineyards of Suzette - France 11 x 11 Oil - Canvas on Birch

Sometimes when you are painting you get absorbed into the landscape or object you are painting you just loose yourself. That is what happened here, in a very short time I didn't notice the heat, sun or others conversing around me; a place that I will not forget anytime soon.

Kayak Shack Port Aransas Tx - 12 x 12 Oil - Canvas on Birch - Palette Knife

This trip was great and I had to change the colors of the kayaks to create more drama. Details are hard with a palette knife, at least for now. I am still learning to create shapes and texture. I love painting every stroke is a learning process and it is never boring.

It's been awhile since I said Hello

The Shack and The Vineyard France 8 x 10 Oil - Canvas on birch

When in France do as the French and paint plein air. Well this was done in France except the vineyard. So last week I completed this lovely scene. One the back mountain to the right there was the a monestary and a monk was walking by that would have made a fantastic picture or painting, however he refused to be part of the photograph. I have been very busy with the garden-pulling weeds and watering in this Texas heat with some time to compelete some paintings from the past. I hope you enjoy this painting as with all my paintings they are for sale - if you are interested please email me at kaykm@suddenlink.net.

Now for something a little larger

Split Decision - Italy 24 X 30 Oil on Canvas

This was a painting that I had finished and still am not sure if it is what I wanted. This last week was lots of taking and retaking photos of my entries to the Bosque competition. For some reason two of the four paintings seemed chalky when viewing the online entry but when just pulled up on the computer (which is calibrated) it didn't show that way. I am not sure what the problem was so if anyone else had that issue, some help would be appreciated. Next week I will begin working on a series of four from Agia Napa monestary which translated from Greek is "where the saints go". I still will try to do one or two daily paintings to keep my hand/brush flowing. I have some palette knife paintings that I want to do from Port Aransas. Those will most likely post those first. The Series may take awhile.

So much to catch up on

Hill Country Cactus - 16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

I've had such an exciting week. I don't think you all know that I work at Andreeva Art School http://www.andreevaacademy.com/about-us. It is the absolutely the best job. This weeks' instructor was Carol Marine. Talk about a giving person, Carol is wonderful. Check out her blog at http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/, you'll be glad you did. She has anotherd class in Sept. Also, this week, I entered the Bosque Conservatory Competition. It is so exciting painting and then entering competitions or placing them in a show. The above painting is one of four that was entered, so keep me in your thoughts. Third item in this week is Jill Carver, her opening is today. You can check out her paintings which are great at http://www.wallyworkman.com/jill_carver.lasso or her website at http://www.jillcarver.com/. It's great being an artist with fantastic artists to inspire me. Keep it all fresh.

Yesterday was a visit to Zilker Park with the WildCat painters Nina and Deborah. It was my first trip to Zilker. Funny my first trip and I had to share it with atleast 100 young kids. Yes, there were bus loads of them. They were running all around screaming, laughing and just being kids. In my studio it is very quite with some soft music in the background. Don't get me wrong my house does not stay quite for long, I do have kids. Anyway, I used my brush at first, it just wasn't working, so I switched to my palette knife. It worked for a while then is was getting to the point where it was not working so I switched back to the brush. Ahhh, it was to late. I finallly decided that I was not going to get anywhere with my painting. They say that a great artist knows when to stop and wipe down your canvas and start all over. Well, that is what I did. After about 3 hours of struggling with this painting it was time to make the famouse wipe the canvas decision, and I did. At first it was painful, then I found it very liberating. So, there is no photo of my painting today. I have however been working on two additional paintings for a competition that I am entering within the next week. So, pray for me that I not only win entry but come home the winner. I will keep you posted on that. Also, Jill Carver, an Austin artist, is having solo showing at Wally Workman Gallery http://www.wallyworkman.com/jill_carver.lasso . If you are in the area she is a fabulous Plein air painter so go check it out. If you are out of the area you can check her website at http://www.jillcarver.com/ . Well that is all I have for today, I will keep you posted.

Upper Crust Bakery Austin Texas

Just to keep you all abreast of what is going on... Two of my paintings are currently be shown at the Upper Crust Cafe/Bakery in Austin, Tx. at 4508 Burnet Road. This WildCat showing has about 10 up and coming artists. The paintings were hung this past Sunday and will stay up for approx. one month. If you missed our last exhibit at 300 W. 6th Street. You won't want to miss this one. There are always new paintings being displayed. So come out grab some coffee and a dessert, and enjoy the wonderful art. Who know there may be one that you just can't live without; remember all art is for sale, so feel free to purchase more than one. :)

Victory Garden - Eastside Cafe Austin Texas

Victory Garden-Eastside Cafe-Austin Oil 11 x 11 Canvas on Birch

Today some of the group went to Eastside Cafe in the Austin area to do some plein air painting. They have a wonderful garden in the back of all sorts of vegetables and flowers. I was truely amazed at this victory garden. It has inspired me to rework my own garden to make it more efficent. It was great fun painting there and I hope we will go there again. Most of it was with the palette knife but there were some things I just needed a brush for. I thought you might enjoy the painting done on location.

#2 Port Aransas painting

Birding Center Port Aransas 11 x 11 Canvas on birch - Oil - done with palette knife (a little sand included)

This painting was done at the "Birding Center" at Port Aransas. It was started with a brush and once I got started it was apparent to me that I needed to start over, and use my palette knife. I think it really worked well for this painting, I hope you agree.

Port Aransas Marina

Port Aransas Marina - Red Sail Boat 11 x 11 Canvas on Birch Some Sand included :)

As I promised One of the first ones that I was able to complete was at the Port A. Marina. At that time I could not move much because of my knee so I was limited to where I could go. This sweet spot was fun and I had lots of people stopping by. So let me know how you like the palette knife style I am working on. I even had Leonard L. stop by and take a photo of me and my painting. Thanks Leonard it's a great photo.

It's been interesting....

Well since my last posting I have had some interesting turns. Right after April 17th posting I pulled some tenants and tore the meniscus in my knee. I was on crutches for a week. It took me awhile to get to the Dr. and he said not good. I tend to be more positive so I am just taking it easy on that knee but still painting. Right after the conversation with the Dr. I left for Port Aransas, for plein air painting with five (5) of the WildCat group. Sure I hobbled a lot and took longer to get where everyone else was (kind of like to energizer bunny,, she keeps on going and going - even though she is hurting or is that Timex keeps on ticking even after a beating) but it was well worth the trip. Our hostess Sandra was fantastic. We painted twice a day and had fun in the evenings. Nearly the entire time I used the palette knife. I really enjoyed our time down there and had a great time trying to master the knife if one can do that. As I complete each one I will post them. A loving friend told me I should loosen up my paintings hence the palette knife, you just can't be tight with it. You be the judge, let me know if you like this style or not. The next four paintings were started in Port A, so whoever purchases them you will see sand in the paint. There's no escaping the blowing sand - which ends up everywhere. So the sand is free, kind of a souvenir. Hope you enjoy - Kay

Plein Air A La Palette Knife

This is painting #1 Windmill w/shack 9 X 12 Canvas on Birch

Painting #2 Cactus Up Close 8 X 10 canvas panel

Ok, so it was supposed rain today, the weather people said 50% NOT!!! The WildCats plein air girls Nina and Deborah were afraid they would melt in the rain since they are so sweet (full of sugar no doubt), so I went it alone. Man, what a day! The sun peeked out several times and it warmed up. In just a few hours time I did two paintings, both with the palette knife-Now this is getting really fun. I met some really great people- some from England, and a few local. Hope you like them. Keep those brushed full of paint - Kay

Challenge # 2

Ok, it's official I am having fun painting these challenges. They are very loose, with not to much detail, which is not normally my style. But it is sure fun! Hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to check out the blog for the WildCats at http://wildcatprovencepainters.blogspot.com/ and if you want to make comments the at http://creativeartcritiques.blogspot.com/.

New updated version

Fredericksburg River Oil on Canvas 18 X 24

Well a few days late but I finally got it ready. Here is the second painting of the Fredericksburg River. This painting is more vivid and alot more fun with color. I hope you enjoy this as much as I had painting it. I did have a problem taking the photo though. For some reason the blue in the river close to the bottom had more glare than the rest. I will have to do something to allow the colors to come through better then rephoto it. So there has been some color tweeking via the computer till I can get it to photo well. So please excuse some color variations at this time. I am as all my work, a work in progress. LOL

New posting of River in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg River II 16X20 Oil on Canvas

As I promised repairs to River in Fredericksburg #2. Strange the paint took on an extra shiny consistancy. I had to sand it down and reapply that part of the river. Not sure what happen but hopefully you will find this just as great or better. (I did not notice this was a draft till today 6-13-09) So I am not sure where or when this will post in the grand scheme of things. But anyway here is the painting.

Two weeks update

Well, I have some paintings to share. The group WildCats Provence has a challenge for each member. The original photo can be viewed on the blogsite. Anyway, I took the challenge and in an attempt to create something different I used a pallete knife for most of the painting...well that was not working real well, so I had to go over some with a brush. It's hard learning with new tools. Anyway here is challenge # 1 from the WildCats..... Tomorrow I will post the river painting #2

Two weeks worth...

Well it has been a busy week or should I say two. I was able to do alot of painting on a larger version of the river in Fredericksburg. It is almost complete. I did work in the garden till the rain set in. I will be hopefully posting the painting on Monday the 30th. Oh I also created a new blog that will give you the opportunity to view, comment and vote on paintings that will be posted each Monday. The blog site will be posted on this blog Monday also. Today I went to visit with one of the Wildcats-Belinda. There are so many places to paint out at and near their new home. Thanks Belinda I can"t wait to paint out at your place. The Wildcat blog is looking at doing challenges, which should be fun.

This week and Next - energy is flowin'

This week has been interesting with Sunday's hanging paintings with other WildCats of Provence at 300 E. 6th Street in Austin, then taking it easy Monday thru Wednesday by working in my garden, but having to stop because I broke a belt to the tiller. I wanted to get the ground ready planting artichokes, tomatoes and other vegetables. they are great to paint. Thurs. I was going to go plein air painting with some of the WildCats; since it was cold or what ever, my painting buddies cancelled on me; which was OK because I went around photo-painting instead. It's a great way to use your imagination and think of the ways you would paint something or look for subjects to paint on down days, rainy days or any day when you just can't get your heart and brush to unite onto the canvas. As for the rest of this week and next week, I plan on taking on some spiritual insight with a side of energy and paint, paint, paint. :)

The Paintings are up at 300 E 6th St. Austin

Well for the past week or so I have been working hard in getting ready for the showing at 300 E. 6th St. here in Austin. What a challenge. I had several paintings that were on loose canvas so I needed to put them on birch, then find frames that they would fit into. Some I had to cut down a bit, others I had to have someone cut the frame to fit the painting. But let me tell you it was all worth while. This past Sunday we (10 of us nicknamed "The Wildcats") hung our paintings. What a wonderful collection of talent. I would strongly suggest you all take the time to go view them. No photo magic could do all of the wonderful paintings justice. Anyway, this is one of the paintings that is now showing. I am currently working on a 20 X 24 painting of one of the rivers that runs through Fredericksburg. I did a study on site and use that and a photo to paint the larger one. The boys will be gone next week so we will see how much I can get done.

1st Plein Air in 6 months

Thursday I went to Lady Bird Johnsons Wildflower Center in South Austin. What an exciting place to paint. Deborah and Kitty were great to paint with. I painted the tower on such a wonderful warm day. It was cloudy so there were no strong shadows till after I put my palette up.

Come visit

Fredericksburg Farmhouse

Fredericksburg River I

It's been about a week and I have good news. Attending one of my workshops Jill talked with her building manager(s) and they have agreed to showcase some of our painting. Our workshop was with Ian Roberts from Canada, he is a great instructor, anyway some of us will be showing our paintings at 300 West 6th St., on each floor from March 9th thru mid May. So if you are in the Austin area come take a look and view not only my paintings but a small part of the Wildcat painting group. I know you will enjoy them. I have posted 2 painting that will be there, but there will be more. Now this is the first time in being the photographer and painter, so the quality of the photos will improve as I learn my way around.

In the beginning...Sort of

After taking a workshop at Andreeva Portrait Academy in Salado, Tx. I was inspired by the visiting professional artist/instructor and daily blogger Carol Marine. Carol was amazing, articulate and all around fun to learn from. I highly recommend taking her workshop. I though if she can paint and post so can I, its been two weeks now - guess what, I am too. So lets go.