my first painting class

well many classes over the last 4 years, but none with a professional oil artist.  Signed up at Mesa Arts center and wanted to really learn more about abstract since the class was titled ' abstract painting'. ...and i did learn...but I also had to learn about oils..we were told we could use acrylics, but I was up to a new challenge and wow..oils is a challenge.  I think worst for me was because I am a Klutz...and everywhere my hands went..or brush went..so went the oil paint..and its just not that easy to wipe off..you have to go get some soap and water..by that time i had it everywhere..I mean everywhere!

The other problem i have with oils is...the inability to add techniques using gels!  Beaded gel...not.

you can use pastes...the other thing was...how to really hi-light the colors.  With acrylics I can use bright gold...couldn't find a gold oil color but maybe i wasn't looking at the 20.00 and up tubes!

But tonight is my 4th class and I have done my homework in both.  Finding out that you can use pastes..I have painted my surface with oils ( all colors)..and then in areas i put some paste so i could use some acrylics...will show you when its finished!!!

 Oh my boxes.  Taking Stephanie Lee's plaster box class was my best idea.  Was making the boxes i donate from cigar boxes but after all my paint etc..the lids would fall off! yikes!  so now. i make the boxes from scratch and here is one of my recent..going to a good home..just havn't found one yet!
check out her halo!

 In one of my many books I saw an art technique by Barbara Jackson so i wrote to her. She shared some tips to have a successful outcome and so I did some experimenting on water color paper and just love love the technique ( again can't do with oils).I would just NOT  throw that gold curve in there next time...but can't wait to try this on a canvas.

 Still remains one of my favorites..and I had not put this on my blog..so added it.  This started with just airbrush colors...poured ( no airbrush)..and it was blah..so added some watercolor..then some gel..then some paste..then some acrylic then some ..then some..then some..and here it is.  should have written down exactly what i did...Have no idea...but then they are never the same anyway!

 SOOOO decided i needed an easel.  hard with your head over the table in the studio..so ordered my
first..which said was 400 on sale for 139.  should have known.  For whatever reason..this easel just
wants to topple over...so it did..and i walked out...and decided..either a sand bag..or put it away.
Haven't decided..its still in there..but at least i stood it up.

So..stood up the easel..and went to san diego!!!  Had been planning this trip for a month..Sandy and Nick were going for 3 days..my hubby john already there..so sandy and i were counting the days.  Both of us are on a journey with our elderly parent..and so life has its moments...but..San Diego was

going to be OUR TIME OFF!

We all met for breakfast..just to celebrate... and tell the beach " we made it"...and as you can see..sandy was soooooo enjoying her special breakfast on her first full day!  yeah sandy!

 But.sandy needs a new travel agent.  Her agent booked them for 3 days...so john and I found our friends of 40 years..joanne and bill..and so..we went t one of our favorite places in Del Mar..Zinc cafe. My friend wanda had bought me a shirt..so i just had to go there and wear it..and i showed it off to
all the employees!!  no. no discount given. dah.   And of course..flapjack...johns shadow!

so. 8 days. 

 My first since December leaving mom with 3 caregivers to cover the days and nights..but we all did just fine.  House didn't burn down..mom just fine...good time had by all!!

Until next time....I promise to show my oil painting..good ..bad..or ugly...and it is possible to be all three at once!!!  cheers!