Glass Fusing

I learned a new art skill while here at Kiawah--glass fusing.  I am hooked.  I think it is so fun and so beautiful.  I only made a nightlight, but now I want my own kiln so I can make dishes and such.  I doubt that will happen anytime soon, so I need to find a friend that has one.

Here's a picture of the beach--it deserves equal time with the marsh.

 

Kiawah Island, SC

We are spending the last of our summer on Kiawah Island near our hometown of Charleston, SC.  It is fabulous.  We rented some bikes that we scoot around the island on, but the beach and marsh are both within walking distance.  I tried some plein air painting of both the beach and the marsh, but each was just a so-so experience.  I thing I need some instruction or a little more practice to be able to enjoy it.  I'll just do some sketching.

One particularly nice thing about the beach house we rented is that it has very nice paintings on the walls of varying styles.

Not Much is New

Since I've been home I've worked on two paintings.  I  helped Meredith do an action painting for her bathroom.

And I did another version of the Mt. Timpanogos painting to see what difference using "mud" as a base would make.  I learned about mud in Chicago.  I also tried to loosen up the brushstroke in the flowers more.  I'll let her choose.
 

Meredith suggested the quail, and I like them better than the deer. 

The Class

I came home EXHAUSTED from my class.  It was not the quiet studio class I was expecting--it was work.  I was always on my feet or on the floor painting, installing, or coloring.  Although I learned some techniques, it was more about how to think like an artist.  What questions to ask and how to push yourself forward.  I overcame my fears about being a legitimate artist, and I understand more the "struggle" involved in creating. It was a worthwhile experience.  Here are some photos from the week.  When I got home, Jeff and Meredith had a graduation celebration waiting for me.

*Note: This post comes a week late because our internet was down for several days.

Chicago

Starting on Monday I will be in a one week intensive painting and drawing class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).  I've never done anything like this before, and I'm excited and apprehensive.  I can't wait to see what I do and learn, but I really don't know what to expect.  I think it will be fun.  Minerva Teichert began her art education there, so I feel like I'm making a good start.

Fresia

I painted this to practice, once again, a free brush stroke.  I figured flowers are good for that.  I also enjoyed painting a vase that I got in the flee market in Amberg, Germany.

Mt. Timpanogos

Wanda picked up her painting of the mailboxes when she came through here, and LaNell placed an order for a painting of Mt. Timpanogos with a meadow in the foreground.  I did a little research and found that most of the views of Timp with a meadow are atypical views of the mountain, so did a little cutting and pasting.  I painted a recognizable view of the mountain in the distance with a meadow that would be found on a different side.  I put the deer in there just because, and I'm uncertain about it.  But, LaNell likes it there.