Why I Paint

Back to work! It feels so great to be painting again, and I'm not talking about the walls!!! Having just spent a whirlwind couple of months teaching in Cape Cod, Bend Oregon and managing to just about complete my new studio /workshop space, has made me look a little deeper into the "why"!! These lists are roughly in order of their importance to me. I believe that making a living and doing something you love are not mutually exclusive, although I know I am most fortunate to have the opportunity. Both painting and teaching painting are part of this equation for me. Here are my lists. I'd love to see yours!

Why I paint

To be enlightened 
To have my breathe taken away
To feel human
To see the world in no particular way
To learn how strong or weak I can be on a given day
To get messy
To be in wonderment
To master a medium or not
To feel at home,(I've always painted since I can remember)
To make a living


Why I teach painting

To share the above with people that are interested in the same!
To talk with other artists
To verbalize and put into language something for which is very difficult to do this for
To get more people doing art
To make a living

HAPPY PAINTING ALL!!

Wendy DeHart!!

My friend and fellow painter Wendy DeHart, is a very humble lady and not one to toot her own horn. So after winning BEST IN SHOW at the North Clackamas Art Guild annual show for her wonderful piece, she neglected to tell me even after quite a few emails back and forth after the fact! I need to pay more attention to these things!

"Sun and Storm", pastel on paper 20x24

It would have been the first thing I would have told her had the tables been turned! So, I'm going to do some tooting for her. Wendy is an amazing painter with a distinctive style and voice that permeates her work.  Her work has grace. She works persistently at her own art yet is always the first one to lend sincere encouragement and praise to other artists work. She promotes art and art awareness in the community by being an active volunteer and member of several art organizations locally.

Wendy was telling me that she did this piece after a photo excursion and it made all the difference for her to have worked from her own reference; she could remember feeling the wind and smellingl the air.  I wholeheartedly agree that having stood in a place and breathing it in, makes a connection that we then, organically and somewhat intuitively transmit to the work. This is the magic. Wendy caught a little magic!! Be sure to check out her work at http://wendydehart.com/!!

CONGRATS WENDY!!!!!!

Lovely Cape Cod

I had the privilege of teaching two Masters series workshop for the Pastel Society of Cape Cod last month. I don't think two workshops could have been much better! I was honored to have such wonderful artists in both my classes. It was so fun to work with such accomplished groups and get to know them.

The first session was Plein air and we couldn't have had more beautiful weather! The painting gods were definitely watching over us! We painted in three diverse and equally fabulous locations; the first day at Gray's Beach which boasts lovely bay views and marshes. Also good parking and bathroom facilities. Always a plus! The second day we were a Bray's Farm. Tons of choices with lovely structure, farm animals, fence lines and woods. It got a little gusty, but was clear and pretty warm. I was working on my farmers tan. It was a terrific group with whom the three days just zipped by!

We had a day off to relax, recharge, explore and enjoy!

Next up was the classroom session and once again the weather gods were watching. It was kinda crummy outside whilst we were cozy in our classroom! Another full class with a lots of energy and enthusiasm! Now that was super fun! Thanks once again to the Pastel Painters of Cape Cod and a special shout out to Joan Dromey and Sherry Rhyno for all the thought and time that went into the organization of the two workshops. It made it super special for us.