Day two of class was a breeze. I was really pleased with my painting of a church or cathedral window. I stayed late to finish it as I knew we had to complete an assignment the next day. Wayland came in a saw me painting late and was so excited to see this he gave me a hug. I had done heave outlines of the window details thinking that I would go in later and thicken up my lines and give them each more depth. I need to do this as I have a tremble in my dominate hand due to a car accident from years ago. But Wayland said “leave it”. He also tells us to S T O P and LIGHTEN UP a lot! Which has taught me a lot about perspective and lighting levels and how to use that to affect height and distance?

I like his idea of levels and suggested a hand out for us one this. After two more days I have another ideal to suggest what size brushes to use to keep me in particular, from getting to detail oriented - too fast.

Wednesday was our assignment day. “Paint three apples and three apple trees. No more no less.” Well I thought I had a cute idea. I came up with at intervals between starting and wondering how to work in background, table, apples and trees. The idea came quick. The painting did not. Well I did it anyway, but did not like where this put me in my head, or where it put me with the outcome of my painting - ok it looks like a third graders. I hated it, I hated this day, I wanted to walk out of the room - well I did but came back in. I knew no matter what I was feeling or thinking I would come out ahead, more advanced with a new trick up my sleeve. Wayland sat with me instructing me and showing me what was wrong and how to correct it. A few things were fixed, but on to next things….which I did not care about because I hated this project and I hate this painting! My idea was three award winning apples and their blue ribbons with an emblem of the APPLE GROWERS OF AMERICA sticker in the center with an apple tree in the middle of each 3 apples, 3 trees, no more, no less at the ______Fair 2009. Well the sign was cut off so you don’t know what country it was held in. The apples were highlighted on individual pedestals with their winning ribbons on the back board. Horrible composition. Just horrible.

I have never been so exhausted as I was this evening. I had dinner, luckily got a massage, had a good night sleep and even though I knew it wasn’t finished I knew I was going back for more because I would choose the next painting.

I love my next subject. COLOR inspires me but I didn’t get to keep those colors and was getting a big time lesson on lightening up for depth - creating near and far objects on the canvas.

Now I don’t want Wayland to touch this one. Cause if I am gonna get it I NEED TO DO IT. If it takes being told 20 times. And I’ll do it that many times. I have probably put that many layers on. But with each critique I am getting there. I see the closeness and the distance and the curve of the subject. I’m not crazy about the color because I like painting what I see in nature. But I’ll go there and see what happens.

I am excited about every new corner I turn in this process. I may not like it in the moment but I go through anyway knowing I am learning something new.

Tomorrow is our last day, sadly. Wayland and everyone at the Folk School have been wonderful and the food is good. Wayland has been fun, joking and taking and giving as much teasing as we can all give and take. He has been exceptional sharing himself truly inside and out. Not only as a teacher, but as a man with a passion about what he does, bringing that to others and sharing his unique experiences, talents, perspectives, and joy. I know how lucky I am to have been in this class this week.

The Folk School has something really good going. Check it out for yourself sometime.

Laura

I am taking a Class at the John C Campbell Folk School with WAYLAND MOORE teaching. We had orientation Sunday night with Wayland talking about many different subjects. He has lots of drawings and paintings to demonstrate what he speaks about and also started and worked a painting himself to further demo. We started painting Monday Morning.

Now he asked us if we mind if HE paints on our canvas. I told him I won’t mind as long as it is not on the final layer. I want it to be MINE…but I don’t mind him teaching me on the levels the eye won’t see.

He did so on my first piece. I was struggling with this inside, but also trying to see what he wanted me to. He was trying to teach me depth and height on a painting along with levels of lighting. A bit much for me at first and I can see that I am on my way to “getting it”!

I hope we will paint more as I don’t feel they are finished.

People that have seen my work would look at the two I have started and NOT believe this is my work!

I asked him to really challenge me on the second with levels by choosing my subject. It is a cathedral window from a black and white photo.

Today I hope to start two more. Next post perhaps I will get my photos of painting on.

Laura

Today the wood thrush did not sing.
The air seemed still and wrong,
Without his fluty, flighty song.

The humming birds buzz in a rush.
Swooping, feeding, fighting jewels,
But they will never be the thrush.

Contrasting gifts these tiny birds
Whose song is but a twitter,
And the reclusive singing thrush,
Whose glitter is his song.
Rodney Roe

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Poll question from EmptyEasel.

I saw this in Tony Moffitt’s Art Blog and thought it was a terrific idea: a handout kit for your buyers, like the press kit that companies send to the media.

As in everything else, advertising is the name of the game. You have just sold your work and this kit gives you the opportunity of reaching people not there at that moment.

It could be just an envelope with some pictures of your art work still for sale, a short bio, a list of galleries or places where you are exhibiting. Make sure to include your business card with information about how to reach you, the address of your website if you have one, an email or telephone number.

Just imagine, somebody just bought one of your pieces, took it home and showed it to his or her friends and family. Now with the kit, they can show their enthusiasm about their buy, sharing with them more information about you and your work.

What else could we include in our handout kit? Let’s hear your ideas.

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