weeks one and two of Lynn Ferris art classes

First week of class we did a window with curtains and flowers.  I have never done curtains before and that was kind of fun!  I messed up on my flowers but this was a great lesson in watercolor and I really enjoyed it.  Gabby is also taking the class but her painting is not finished yet so I will post it later :)

Week two we worked on Roses.  I added the dew drops per other demos I have seen.  Roses are always fun!

Shea Studio Summer Classes have begun!

I have just finished week two of my summer Art classes.  We are having a great time!  I have the classes divided into grades K-3, 4-6 and Teens. 

Week one K-3 learned how to make a frog on lily pads without using any tube green! Blue and yellows watercolors were the only color paints they were given.  They also used  salt to create texture on the frog, blue tempera for the water, oil pastels and tissue paper for the flowers.

grades 4-6 learned the color spectrum using glass bottles that they made symmetric templates for.  They painted the transparent colors with watercolor and layered oil pastels on the overlapping areas of glass.mixing primary colors to get secondary.

The teen class has been working on doing the same landscape in three different painting styles - Pointillism, Post Impressionism and Cubism.  We are using acrylics and oil pastels for this project.

They will probably be be working on these for another class or two.

This week K-3 learned about Robert and Sonia delaunay two artists during the Cubism movement who were known for their circle drawings.  We used markers, colored pencils and oil pastels for this.

This week grades 4-6 also did a fairly quick study of one point perspective.  using shape templates, rulers and colored pencils they created some shapes that "shot" right off the page!

 Thanks for looking!!

another Plein Air Painting

Last week we went to the Zoo in Cumberland to paint.
 http://www.tristatezoologicalpark.com/
Its a small place but I found some beautiful birds! I really loved the Peacocks :) They showed off their beautiful colors alot throughout the day :)

Flower shop

I realize it has been awhile since I have posted here.  I have had a bit of an artistic block lately.  I have about 5 unfinished pastels that I just can't seem to finish :(  Yesterday though, I participated in Allegany Arts Council's "Quick Draw" event for local artists to paint in plein air on the square in Cumberland along with Plein Air Artists from allover.
http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/event.php?eventid=4424
It was an intimidating and exciting experience.  I completed a painting to my satisfaction.  Wasn't sure I would be able to do that!  I did however put about another hour into it today to add in some details that time would not allow me to include Saturday.  The day was made even better by my friend Donna painting with me along with my daughter Gabrielle.  to make the day complete and absolutely PERFECT, my dear Hubby brought all the kids to watch me paint!

Flamingos

Worked this week on my flamingo painting.  this is 18X24 pastel.  I keep noticing things and going back in and touching it up, but hopefully it is done now :)

Gabrielle's Clownfish watercolor

Since lately I seem to have an ever growing pile of unfinished paintings, I thought I would take a break and show you work from another family artist.  Gabby just finished this watercolor of two clown fish :)

Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone

For awhile now I have been having alot of fun dabbling in a few different mediums. I have been taking classes online and in person.  I spend my free time reading, watching DVD's,  and practicing.  I have big plans...but, I keep pushing those into the future.  I am at the point that I need to have this VERY expensive hobby evolve into something more.
First, I remodeled a room of our house into an art studio.  Then I joined two local art organizations.  I am taking more classes...Three a week right now. 

Until now I have not tried to sell anything, or teach even the basics, or enter any contests or gallery shows. 

Until now...

Thanks to some encouragement from two very good friends and artists I have decided to enter a Juried show at the Frosburg Museum in Maryland.  I may not get chosen, or if I get chosen I may not win any prizes or sell my painting, but it's a start...and a very big step to just maybe...eventually...calling myself an artist.

Here is the pastel I am entering-
Joscelyn wading in the Potomac...

Actually, what I am learning about the process of matting, spacing and framing a pastel painting is worth the entrance fee!