WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE WORKSHOPS
When my framer (and canvas stretcher & linen board mounter) decided to retire it really threw me for a look....and then my art rep also decided to retire....finally one of my favorite galleries changed hands (whew...they will continue to carry my work), it threw me. Should I hang up my tutu? With a very busy month...two museum shows...lots of inventory management, schlepping canvasess, etc. I wondered if it was all worth it.
I actually dreaded going to the previously scheduled art workshop. But $$$$$ is $$$$ so I begrudgingly set off. Well, three days later, I am a new woman/artist. Colley Whisson was the teacher and he is an excellent artist and a soft spoken teacher who is excellent for the experienced artist. (This was not basic stuff...and most of the students were serious painters).
I always say if you can come away with one new thing it is very valuable...but I came away with three important things:
-Adopting a new color palette
-using medium not just Gamsol when painting
-investing in some better brushes (I knew I had to do this...though I NEVER charge for the extra hairs left in my paintings!!!!)
Like Jon Crump he leaves much to the peripheral vision of the viewer...his edges around the focal point are often vague....a skill you don't learn until you have painted for awhile...it all doesn't have to go onto the canvas. My friend Jean Legassick has been drumming into me "What is it you want to paint?" Meaning set a focal point and the rest are secondary actors...this can be accomplished with the softer edges....and making time to plein air paint. When you paint plein air you realize that your eye focuses on one thing...and the rest is just supporting data.
I am so enthused I intend to take my paints to the Wallowas...it has been a long time since I took oil paints on a trip...usually I am taking a break, but now I am ready to go.
I actually dreaded going to the previously scheduled art workshop. But $$$$$ is $$$$ so I begrudgingly set off. Well, three days later, I am a new woman/artist. Colley Whisson was the teacher and he is an excellent artist and a soft spoken teacher who is excellent for the experienced artist. (This was not basic stuff...and most of the students were serious painters).
I always say if you can come away with one new thing it is very valuable...but I came away with three important things:
-Adopting a new color palette
-using medium not just Gamsol when painting
-investing in some better brushes (I knew I had to do this...though I NEVER charge for the extra hairs left in my paintings!!!!)
Like Jon Crump he leaves much to the peripheral vision of the viewer...his edges around the focal point are often vague....a skill you don't learn until you have painted for awhile...it all doesn't have to go onto the canvas. My friend Jean Legassick has been drumming into me "What is it you want to paint?" Meaning set a focal point and the rest are secondary actors...this can be accomplished with the softer edges....and making time to plein air paint. When you paint plein air you realize that your eye focuses on one thing...and the rest is just supporting data.
I am so enthused I intend to take my paints to the Wallowas...it has been a long time since I took oil paints on a trip...usually I am taking a break, but now I am ready to go.
