The Dress

Do you remember your first formal dress? I was in the 9th grade when my mother made me a white long dress out of rows and rows of net cascading down to the floor, with a red cummerbund around the waist. It was strapless and I thought I was "It on a stick."

This painting commemorates that dress in a way. I am real excited about my technique. I guess you could call it "Mixed Media." Months ago I glued papers down on a large canvas (36 x 48"). Then I was stuck. That canvas has languished just outside my studio, taunting me. Well, yesterday I got it out, painted the collage with watered down gesso, rubbed black gesso into that when it dried to show off the yummy texture of the collaged papers. used gold gesso on the part without collage. It looked like a mountain or a pile of garbage. The maroon moon didn't help all that much. I'm not into painting landscapes, so I wasn't satisfied with it until, suddenly, there she was, my young girl in her first long dress. I hope you enjoy her.

Pears

We've been drawing and painting fruit in Laure Ferlita's watercolor journaling class. Here are some I've played around with.

Laure Ferlita's Journal Course

I'm taking an online course from Laure Ferlita at www.ImaginaryTrips.com called "Foundations" class. We are learning to use the waterbrush and watercolor, neither of which I've done much with. She's a real patient and attentive teacher and we have a good group. I've included some of our journal assignments so far.

Paris Sketch

The painting above is one of my series of Paris during the Exposition of 1900. I recently sold this picture.

Study for "Water Closets."

Taking a New Class

I'm taking an online class called "Complex Collage" with Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard. I have to admit. I wasn't connecting to the first six "lessons," a testament to the studying and practicing I've been doing for the past few years and how far I've come, rather than speaking of the class. I just realized that I should have had this course 4 years ago and no telling how far along the art superhighway I'd be. Beginners should take this class to get a great foundation under them. The first six lessons start with fundamental principles of design. More experienced artists will still get their money's worth IMHO. I got 4 "ah-has" in lesson 7 alone.

I also took another Julie Prichard class that I especially recommend if you're interested at all in bookmaking. It's called "Super Nova," and it explains and helps you make three different journals.

So far I've taken just two online courses before this one. The first course I took is Mary Ann Moss's "Remains of the Day Journal." Mary Ann is wonderful. She's the 2nd grade teacher you always wanted (which, in fact, she is). Let's just say, nobody else could coax me into using a sewing machine, but not only did I use one, I bought a cheap machine and haven't looked back!

I really love the concept of taking online classes, and now, with these Flip camcorders, it's so easy. I'm ready to make a video of my art journals. Stay tuned.

"Remains of the Day" Journal

If you're looking for a great online workshop experience try Mary Ann Moss's "Remains of the Day" journal-making workshop. Here are some pictures of one of my journals.