December 2, 2015
The November workshop, ” Exploring the World with Pen and Brush” at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts focused on experimenting with a variety of techniques to find one that is both pleasurable and satisfying, one that can easily become an everyday habit to look forward to. The underlying message is to keep experimenting with different approaches to sketching so as not to limit your drawing language.
I enjoyed spending the day with a room full of enthusiastic artists, willing to both stumble and fly with the techniques I shared with them. A day in a workshop together is often the beginning of friendships that continue to grow; meeting up to paint together, sharing ideas over coffee or wine, planning future traveling plans to distant lands. On a previous trip to California, Nancy Roberts joined me to paint at Mount Diablo. On this trip, she met me again to paint in the abundantly tiled town of Crockett, CA. I’m already looking forward to returning to Crockett to spend several days capturing its unique character, the waterfront industrial buildings and the tiled storefronts.
Attempting to capture the rollercoaster landscape of the town in ink and watercolor wash.
I’m headed back to New Jersey at midnight tonight after a fabulous month with family, friends and artists. Weather and wind conditions did not allow for my parapainting adventure. That will have to wait for another time. The hiking and camping worked out well, though not according to my plan. Flexibility is the key to enjoying each day, regardless of life’s constant detours.
Thanks to everyone for being part of November’s experiences!