Class at the YMCA This Morning

I had my regular Thursday morning class at the YMCA this morning.  Although I had only one student, we had a good class.  The student is new so this gave me the opportunity to work some one on one time with her.  After class, she indicated that she was very happy with what we accomplished which always makes an instructor feel good.  I think that she has lots of potential which just need to be brought out.  That will also help her confidence level.  As an instructor I have been told time after time that an individual has no art talent, no ability.  Often, that person just needs the right teacher who can break down instructions and encourage that individual.  The most difficult thing for most artists is looking at a blank canvas and trying to decide where to start, just like a writer looking at a blank sheet of paper. Start somewhere...take that first step no matter what your are doing.  To paraphrase...each journey begins with that first step no matter what you are doing.  Where would we be without taking that first step!

As you get older, you realize that there are things that you would like to accomplish before time runs out...a type of bucket list (everyone has one).  Make that list and start working on it, whether it is painting, traveling, education or anything else.  Before you know it, you will be out of time due to health, finances, family commitments, or any number of other things.  Try something new, you will be happy you did.

Last night I had three students in my Grumbacher acrylic class at Michaels. All three are from the same family, a family of five children, and are home schooled.  These are some of the best behaved children I have seen in a long time.  These children are anxious to learn, help one another and very attentive. The oldest works with oil paint and the two younger work in acrylics.  The class was great.  We worked on a painting titled "Hawaiian Evening".  Interesting teaching these students as each has a very different style which makes it fun.  The oldest, about 15, is more free in his style and usually has paint all over himself.  He is also more experienced than the younger two.    The youngest, a female about 12, uses a lot of paint and therefore has a lot of texture in her painting.  She also gets paint all over herself including her clothes and is not afraid to try anything.  The middle child, a male about 13, is very precise in his painting.  He is extremely neat both in painting and in his attire.  He did not even have a spot of paint on his hands. He is also the most quiet of the group.  This is a great group of kids and I enjoy teaching them.

I am working on a painting from a photo that was taken by a friend of my son.  I will be submitting this to Grumbacher for approval to teach.  I am also working on a lesson plan for this painting for approval.  Everything that we teach a Michaels must be approved by Grumbacher which is not as bad as it seems.  They want to provide a consistent program for our students.  Currently we are teaching only "beginners" in a two hour class.  They finish a painting within that two hours.  I would like to have more time to work with some students and teach more techniques.  Sometimes the two hours is not enough to really get into the process.  Hoping for some intermediate classes in the future so we can really focus on individual techniques.  I enjoy painting and teaching.  Sometimes it is so rewarding to see how different students interpret what I teach.  At times, it is difficult to keep my hands away from their painting to "correct" something that I would do differently.  But that is part of teaching and discipline.  My style is not their style.     

Back after a long time away

I just realized that I have not posted anything since March...shame on me.  A lot has been going on in our world. I am teaching classes at two Michaels stores - Gastonia and Park Road in Charlotte.  I have also completed the jewelry certification for Michaels and will be filling in on beading classes at Michaels.  I have three people in my evening acrylic class tonight at Michaels in Gastonia.

On Monday nights I am meeting with some ladies and we are each working on our American Barn Quilt (Eleanor Burns).  Getting close to having the top finished and proudly, I will say that I feel good about my quilt.  Not perfect but good.  The colors are primarily lavender and greens on a white background.  Of course the barns are brown made from fabric that looks like wood.  Also have some animals appliqued in the barnyards and some trees in the backgrounds.  Trying to get a good photo so I can post.

Still teaching at the YMCA in McAdenville on Thursday mornings where I have a great group of ladies enjoying the fellowship and lessons.  They are all doing great with their acrylic paintings.  Currently we are working on poppies in a copper pot.  This has been a fun painting to do and I think that everyone will agree on that.