Wonderful! That’s the best word to describe my experience last week as I attended a 5 day watercolor painting workshop taught by Judy Morris. She is a master of using textures and other design methods such as stenciling, lettering, and stamping in her watercolor painting. (See her Tratorria painting on her home page for an example. Since my husband and I are wine fanatics and love to go out to eat when we can afford it, I just HAD to buy a giclee reproduction of this painting.) The event was held in conjunction with the annual juried show of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America.
I had a fantastic time! The camaraderie with other artists was great, the teaching was superb, and the organization of the workshop itself outstanding. If you have a chance in whatever media you work in, to get away for a workshop, DO IT!
There’s nothing better to inspire your creativity and give you new energy than getting away from real life and relaxing for a while. It’s also inspiring hanging around in the company of other artists. I was having dinner with 2 of the ladies in a quaint little coffeeshop/restaurant and they stood up and started taking pictures of all the stuff hanging on the walls. A majority of people wouldn’t even notice these items, but they were seeing all of its art and design and getting inspiration to paint from it!
If you can’t get away to a workshop, think about joining your local arts organization. You get the benefit of the camaraderie with other artists without the expense of travel and lodging. It can also open you up to other types of art, networking, and show opportunities. And quite frankly, with the current tough economic times, these organizations could really use your help.
Now I must come back down to earth and get busy on a commissioned jewelry piece, which will transform an heirloom wedding ring into a pendant to honor the ring owner’s grandparents. I’m really getting to like doing these heirloom pieces.
Don’t forget, if you have any recent nature inspired art to email to me for use on my blog, here’s your chance to get some free publicity! (lwjlynn@frontiernet.net)
What a nice post. I do get inspiration from nature quite a bit. My memory of Holland's tulip fields in Kukenhoff is one such example I have written about this in my blog http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteI was just driving today when I noticed some purple salvio flowers and some kind of light orange some annuals in a garden. I thought what a nice combination. I didn't have the opportunity to take pictures. I have to just remember this. May be with carnelian and light amethyst I'll make some thing one day. I have to remember the right shades.
Thanks for this thought provoking article and making us aware that there are enough materials around us and as artists we need to be observant and pay attention to these details.
With all the best - Dita.