ice amoebas...

I'm calling these "ice amoebas"

I have no idea what made them form...other than freezing and thawing. They look like line drawings of land masses to me. After the warm day yesterday...(40's whoohoo) they have disappeared. 

oh... and if you're interested... here's a link to yesterday's newsletter that includes a video about "expressive drawing."

Getting out of the studio....

Milwaukee Art Museum

We artists log a lot of hours by our lonesome. It's good to emerge from the studio occasionally, and take a field trip.... which is what I did last weekend....

To Milwaukee.

Not your first choice as a spring break destination?  I beg to differ! We had a great time... and really enjoyed the Milwaukee Art Museum.... Here's a link to more about our adventure...

Random Word Generator

Morning Tea & Leaves

Happy St. Paddy's Day!
My weekly newsletter is published  the link is here....
Click the link to find out about using a "Random Word Generator" in your painting warm-ups.

March in Michigan

It's all about anticipation...
Warmer days
Sunny skies
Green growth

We sort of focus on the future here in Michigan...at least in March we do.

painting is a statement of gratitude....

When you decide on a subject, you are choosing to celebrate something in paint. Whether it's a color or color combination, an outside view, a loved one, or a beautifully shaped piece of fruit...you're communicating.

 You're saying....

"I care about this."
"I appreciate this thing I'm painting....
I want to show you what I'm thinking
 and then maybe you'll care about it too."A painting starts out as a monologue. You conversing with the paper or canvas, using paint as the language.

When you've said just enough to get your point across (not too much, mind you... just enough) then you're finished...you sign it, and you can invite others into the discussion. 


Sometimes, lets face it... it ends up a rather dull conversation.

But occasionally, your efforts spark a flood of communion and empathy.

We are grateful together. 

Those are the golden moments and the thing that keeps me at it. How about you?

back amongst the living....

Good morning, sunshines....
A really painful and annoying dental issue was resolved on Monday, when I said adios to molar #18. I'm healing now and beginning to be able to think about something other than jaw pain! Planning on a painterly afternoon...my favorite.

So Many Techniques....what to choose.

"Lyle Lyle Crocodile"~ Acrylic on Yupo

I'm finalizing my plans for my Acrylic 101 class at Crystal Lake Art Center...  but I'm having trouble limiting the techniques that I want to introduce!   We are going to start painting in a watercolor fashion and move to a thicker and thicker consistency... But fitting in or omitting the great stuff you can do within each consistency... now that's just hard to decide!
Oh... and here's a link to last Thursday's newsletter... I made you a valentine that you can print and send.