Patti Mollica's Workshop. Great fun!

Just back from a three-day workshop taught by Patti Mollica.  She's delightful and an especially good teacher.  Rather than just do a demo and expect the students to 'get it', she uses very specific exercises to convey specific techniques....which I can use at home too.
Today I did a couple studies using one of the exercises from the class:  defining light/middle/dark values and painting with limited strokes.   Also working with a much wider brush.
The workshop was in Carmel Valley - gorgeous area and great weather. My friend Linda from southern California joined came up for the class ..plus I met a bunch of new painters, including one gal who lives just down the road.  I got a lot out of this class - including some special memories.

Free Demo of Paints and Products in San Rafael

I get a lots of questions in my classes about paints and product additives for a variety of art-making effects.  Noticed this in an email today:   Free Demo at Riley Street Art Supply presented by a Golden Paints rep.

Saturday 11:00 - 1:00.  They have limited space so you'll want to register.  Enjoy.

Learn more and register here:  Riley's Demo

An Experiment with a fun result

Take a long, floppy flat brush.  Add acrylic paint and plenty of water. When you touch the paper the bristles splay out, flatten floppily--as the brush decides what marks it'll make versus the ones you intended. Like painting with an old kitchen mop.  Great Fun!!  This took about 10 minutes, if that.  I'm not presenting this as a "finished painting"...just the result of my quick experiment.  It's a technique used many years ago in a Bob Burridge class.  Painted on gessoed watercolor paper.  Will try it on board and canvas.

On a personal note - yesterday brought yet another birthday.  A fun day, a full mailbox, ending with dinner by Phil and my daughter's family.  Topped off, literally, with scrumptious, homemade banana-split treats:  marshmallow, chocolate sauces, praline and strawberry toppings along with the traditional whipped cream and nuts. So Sweet! (pun intended :-)   And, I got my own set to devour over the next few weeks.... Not only am I older - I'm fatter today! (Notice the chalk-board labels.  Really, you write w chalk.  Cool and reusable.)

Winter Sweet

6x6                                                        acrylic

Bought some really fresh California tangerines today.  As I unpacked my bag, this one just begged to be painted.  I find when I'm smitten with my subject it practically paints itself.  This is the first time I've painted pyrex glass, with its faint green cast.  The edge sometimes showed green; sometime was totally clear except for the light reflection.

Come Rain or Come Shine

Denise...........Cristy.....Annie.............Michele

Come Rain: Think a little rain was going to stop these budding artists?  No Way! They arrived wet, schlepping bags of art supplies, ready to jump in, mess around with brushes, create a ton of fun colors, slog through value scales and then, because they worked fast and hard, did I reward them with free time? Nope.. I got out my timer and hit them with a timed painting challenge. Paint your subject in 5 minute-no more. When the bell rings, you stop now..and being the next one.  Come Shine: And STILL they smiled. (  Good sports all!

Denice ...........................Margot

Today's class was at Drake High in Fairfax...offered through Tam District Community Ed. Like the class in January at COM - this class is designed for those who have never ever painted before or if they have ...it's either been a long time ago....or they have been doing their own thing and want to learn some paintings basics.  Some will go on to more formal classes; some will continue to experiment on their own.  But bottom line, I think we were all there for the pure pleasure of playing with paint!  It doesn't get much better than that. 

(folks, forgive these blurry photos. used my phone. wasn't steady- too fast I guess)       

Phil...............Blanca.............Jeanna