These were the inspiration for my new ornament designs - I hope they inspire you to create your own, and perhaps, relive a memory with your family while hanging them on your Christmas tree. Make an opportunity to share an old memory or two while creating a new memory--paint one for your Mom, your Dad, sister, brother, your children, your grandchildren, and please don't forget yourself!
Visit Living a Decorative Living Lifestyle to see the Christmas In July Tour of the homes of fellow artists- Sue Dowds and Lynn Spillane. Sue is fairly new to decorative painting. She is totally enthusiastic; is ready for any challenge and does an unbelievable job! Lynn is a very accomplished folk art and stroke artist, having studied with Jo Sonja and as you will see she also loves all decorative art!
For you teachers, I have put together some teaching tips which can be found at Artfully Asked
The dates for my Every Other Wednesday classes have been set and I will be teaching at NET this coming October 7-11, 2009. My projects are pictured in Seminars.
There is a huge Christmas in July sale in the Shop! All acrylic packets published prior to 2009 are 40% off!
Which brings me to this. It has been a difficult year for me creatively. I was painting in oils before I became aware of the decorative painting field. When I started decorative painting we were painting with oil paint. When the acrylic paints came on the market I began using Delta Ceramcoat paint. In fact the first Delta paint I used came in little screw cap jars from the ceramic studio. As many of you know, I have been a diehard Delta paint fan since I started acrylic painting in the 1970's. I have written articles and special color theory booklets for Delta.
I have always considered myself a teacher first. I like my paintings to look real and it is difficult to paint realistically in acrylics. When ever I began the creative process the first question I always asked myself was "how will I paint this design to teach?" Many times I have felt my designs could have used a little more to push them over the edge, but refrained because I never wanted a student to fall off!
Presently, I find it next to impossible to use the new formula Delta paint. This has led to much soul searching about where I want to be with the art form, my own creativity now and in the future.
All of which has led to my decisions to use mainly oil paints, and to paint in my more natural and painterly manner. I will be teaching in oils, encouraging students to use a more natural, less rigid approach, using good art concepts.
I have been using this approach with my Every Other Wednesday (EOW) class and both teacher and students are loving it!
If you are interested in classes locally or for travel teaching please call or email and we can talk more about it.
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