The students who attended last weekend’s workshop in Maryland all deserve blue ribbons. Not only did they work incredibly hard, they produced amazing work. What was the most important factor? They all came to the workshop with an open mind and a willingness to try absolutely anything and everything I challenged them with. Thank you, Carolyn, Nancy, Heather, Deb and Bob! I am so proud of you and can’t resist posting far more photos than I normally do.
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Friday evening was spent painting color strips and choosing a limited palette. On Saturday, using the limited palettes, we created a variety of Mandalas and practiced laying down streak-less washes. On Sunday, using the same color palettes we played with experimental watercolor techniques. The benefit of attending a workshop is that you see how other students transform “mistakes” into beauty and success. The first of many such opportunities occurred early on Saturday morning when Heather connected the “wrong” points on her mandala. Erasing is not an option. She embraced the “mistake” and moved forward to produce the following image (still a work in progress).
Heather’s Marvelous Mandala Mishap
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- Experimental Watercolor Techniques – Works in Progress
Students Hard at Work
Color Scheme Game Mandalas – Triad
Taking a break to smile
Unveiling – Lifting off the saran wrap
Contemplating the next step
Bob mouth atomizing color
Burlap, rusty wire, tools, templates and lace were shared by all. I wish I could bottle the cooperative energy and inspiration the students created on a rainy weekend at the Art Institute and Gallery in Salisbury, Maryland.
Thanks Chris, That was such a wonderful workshop you inspired me to try new concepts
Nancy
I look forward to seeing your new paintings. Hope to see you at the Pen & Ink Workshop in August. I’ll email you the details. It was a joy to have you in the class and I’m pleased that you remain inspired!
Chris
Thanks, Leslie! These students were amazing. I do believe that the key to growth is being open to new possibilities. These students embraced every opportunity that whispered by. I can’t express how proud I am to have been part of that growth.
Oh my goodness! I love this post. These are beautiful pieces, each and every one of them. I like your statement about watching others transform their creations. I think, when we first begin creating, we are too hasty in calling something a mistake, anyway. Thankyou for sharing these, Chris. And to your class, if they visit here. Your work is so good!
You have my permission to post my comments
Chris, you not only inspired us to try new techniques but captured our efforts
through photos. The age old saying “a picture is worth a 1,000 words.” Yes, we
did forget that it was a rainy Sunday with lots of sunshine in our studio. We left
elated with joy sharing our efforts. It was a fun workshop. Thanks, Carolyn