Today items are being placed in the suitcase.  Checking to see how many art supplies I can comfortably fit without making the suitcase too heavy and awkward.  I have memories of dragging a suitcase up 3 or 4 flights of stone stairs in Florence back in 2000.  I tripped while pulling that heavy thing upstairs.  A throbbing knee for the next several days as I walked around Florence was a heavy price to pay.
The most essential items are sketchbooks and drawing tools.  Here are photos and some information of what I have found to be the most fun.
1. A sketchbook with heavy enough paper, 90 lbs or more does the trick.  I love the Aquabee line and any journal with good watercolor paper.  You might enjoy using a couple sizes but the 6" x 8" is one I have used a lot.  I also carry a very small one in my purse.
Then of course you will want a pencil, sharpener and eraser.  Old pencil sketches  of mine have faded horribly which sends me to markers for longer lasting results.

2. A great marking tool is the Tombow dual marker.  It has a brush tip on one end and a finer point on the other.  I tend to use the brush tip most.  After I have the main areas blocked in I add a little water on a brush and instantly have the value plan finished.  I LOVE this effect.  It is so fast. You can see below how I was able to create a strong value pattern based on the color photo. By the way you can get Tombow markers in every color too.

3. Another great mark making tool is General's Sketch and Wash pencil.  It is much softer slower and delicate.  I have students who are afraid of the powerful black in the Tombow pen who much prefer this pencil.  It is the same idea of making your marks and then adding water with a brush to create smooth value patterns.

On the market today are water brushes which are nothing more than
tubes with fiber nibs and caps.  If you fill the tube with water you will have a very portable brush to create washes.
Well this short list will give you hours of fun and I hope great success as you record life.  The next post will deal with watercolor choices.  Have fun.

Send This Girl to Camp ( or France)

April 8, 2014.
 I decided to post a painting that is post card size created from a couple photos I took while in Ireland in 1992.  This will give you an idea of the type of work I am offering on my new Indiegogo site. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/painting-in-provence is the link. I am offering perks for different dollar contributions.  Some perks are post card sized paintings mailed from France.  Creating the Indiegogo site was very challenging and now the goal is to promote it.  You can pull it up and click to follow so you will see how I am progressing.  Please share it with art lovers or lovers of all things French. Merci beau coup.

The past few weeks I have been cutting mats and gathering paintings for the big Spring Studio Sale
(this is also named "send this girl to camp sale").  "Camp" being some weeks painting in Provence.  I have matted and wrapped over 40 new paintings.  That is just the watercolors.  There are many oils and acrylics as well.

The sale days and times are Friday April 11 from 4 to 9.  Saturday April 12 from 11 to 4. Light refreshments will be served. If you can't attend either of those times I will be happy to make an appointment with you. Please email me for my home studio address if you don't know it.
Prices are slashed.  I have never cut prices to such a degree before and can't imagine I will do this again.  Paintings that were $1200 are now $350 and $400.  If you have wanted an original work of art but it wasn't in the budget, this could be your opportunity. April is sale month.  I do accept credit cards now.

For those of you who live too far to visit the sale, I will also be posting some paintings on facebook during  April  Here is the link for that  https://www.facebook.com/CreativeArtsWorkshopDenver.

The departure date for my trip is quickly approaching.  I will be posting more often now.  If you put your email address in the box provided to follow this blog you will receive an email every time I post.  It is another way to be part of the adventure.  I'd love it if you joined in the fun.

March 2nd already.  I thought I'd post something white that isn't snow. 

 

 Spring is just around the corner.  Here in Colorado we have had some beautiful weather between the cold fronts so I am not complaining at all. 

 

 This is a 20 inch square oil painting of a peony on a museum wrapped canvas.  It is from a photo I took at Denver Botanical Garden a few years ago.

 

My plans for the trip to France are coming along. I have my plane tickets, passport is being renewed, apartment to rent for 4 days in Paris is secured with a friend.  The week of the workshop is organized as is the week following where I will be sharing a home with a friend and her family.  We will paint and draw day and night.  The following 15 days are still under construction.  I will be in Provence and will probably move a couple times to experience different towns.  During those two weeks I will be available to teach if anyone feels adventurous and wants to spend a few days learning from me there. You will be on your own as far as housing but I am sure we can find places to eat together.  I will be charging for the time teaching.  If you are interested leave me a message or send an email.  

Next month I will be having a big studio sale.  With all the demonstrations I do each week plus the art I create in my private studio time, things are adding up.  Prices will be slashed so that you can take home some original art very reasonably.  I can take credit cards now too.  More about this later.

Bringing a little color to your February

Here are eight of my paintings printed as quality postcards.

This is the beginning of my adventure in Provence.  It seems like the perfect time to offer these eight postcards to generate some of the extra income needed for this glorious adventure.  Those who have already purchased these have given glowing reports about their beauty.  Several people have ordered more than one set.  They will use some as gifts and keep a set for their own enjoyment.  These cards are $2.00 each or $15 for a set of eight.  Send me an email and I will give you my address.  When I receive your check and address I will drop them in the mail to you.  I will pay the postage. 

 Interested in the original paintings? Only three of the eight have sold.  Again, an email can start the process for you to own one of these beauties.

There will be a few opportunities for a student or two to join me in Provence to paint on location.  This will be in the later half of June so check your calendars.  More on this later.

Floral Postcards

Landscape postcards

January 2014

Kent Denver School

This was the last painting of 2013, a commission,  that I completed in time to be given for Christmas.  It is an oil painting,18x24 inches on a deep canvas.
A friend and I took a walk in this beautiful area this fall.  During the walk I took about 20 photos to use as a reference. The sky was spectacular that day as the wind picked up and the clouds were varied.
  I hope the recipient enjoys her gift.  I know that area means a lot to her.  I certainly enjoyed my walk there as well as the time spent painting.

It was a good way to end the year.  There are  exciting opportunities in this new year.  This new blog is the first step to announce my planned trip to Provence this summer. This trip is the result of my word for the year last year and my vision board.
 Last year I had chosen the word "Prosperity" as my word for the year.  I learned so much about making room for more prosperity by eliminating what isn't filling my soul. This includes items in my home, closet, schedule and even a job. (It is on going.)
 I learned that I also must humble myself to accept and receive.  Quite simply something can't be given until it is received.
 Creating the quality of life I want also led me to decline some activities in order to enjoy a quieter, healthier pace.  I am experiencing a deeper relaxation about providing for my needs as well as my desire to live a life of generosity.
 This year I have been given a flight to Paris, France. Once there I will take a high speed train to Provence where I have been given a spot in a Plein Air workshop with an artist I have admired for years. Both of these amazing gifts were a total surprise.  After my workshop in Provence I plan to travel in that area for three more weeks painting as I go.  Learning to speak French seems like a good idea and I am being given private lessons from a friend (a native french speaker) in exchange for some private art lessons.  Both of which are a ton of fun.
I invite you to follow my blog and explore this big adventure with me.  I will be posting while in France as well.  My word for this new year is "Mastery".  I plan to gain mastery in the lessons I learned the past year as well as developing mastery as a painter and as a teacher and a traveler.