February Blog

Happy February

​I'd like to think the year starts here, not in January.  I bought myself a 'Maxine' calendar and I love January 21: "I am not crabby. The world is extremely irritating."  Today is: "My hair is the only thing I can count on gettiing thinner."

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Recent Workshops and Our Learning

We just finished a small live workshop and a small online workshop.  I wanted to see if I still want to teach.  The small-sized groups gave me a chance to be more personal.  The live one went extremely well (I thought).  Here are two examples from absolutely novice artists.

Pat Cagle from Sven Birger Sandzem

Kay Hackbarth from Ronald Tiinny

Online Workshops

The online had glitches.  We bought a new internet service to iimprove connectivity...NOT!  Seems we forgot a little gadget that connects.  Many times service went out while I was teaching.  Also, Dale has a way of storing equipment...at random, in boxes.  We needed a microphone; we had 4-all in parts in different places, not assemblable.  We bought another.  We used my computer.  I have it back and I still can't find anything anywhere.  Things like the printer are not connected.  I had to fight to get my keyboard back (it fits the layout of my desk).  Our dining room is a mess.  No one was happy with the lighting.

You students have been amazingly patient.  You were jewels!  Dale salvaged the re-watch video by stitching it together.  Being a bit senior, we need to practice more and set up a totally dedicated area.  It's amazing what you can learn from experience!

I still very much believe in the on-lines.  With our format people learn extremely well and in their timeframe.  They have two weeks to review every lesson.  They learn from each other's artwork.  I love the system!  You stay home in comfort.  It's totally interactive.  We are truly impressed with how many 'hits' the recordings get.  This is learning at each person's pace.

No decision on future onlines yet.  I would love to do them in conjunction with Road Scholar.  I think this would be of great benefit to their travelers who would like a more engaged experience.  If you have loved Pocket Sketching and think I'm a good match, please drop them an email recommending they pic up Pocket Sketching® for their Lear-At-Home program.  To comment, email to: [email protected]

Changes and Additions

Susan will be moving to Cottonwood, AZ. She's our techie who does the website, publishes blogs, helps with all sorts of things, and she's a very good friend. We'll miss having her here but she will continue her Pocket Sketching work from Cottonwood.  She has been wanting to set up a gallery for me to sell original sketches and oil paintings. We need to look at downsizing and I have an amazing amount of stuff to 're-home.' Sketches of Flowers will be first, then other sketches, watercolors and oil paintings of various sizes - some framed, some matted, some not - ALL SIGNED ORIGINALS. WATCH FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT MID-MONTH.

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We have two live workshops coming up in Coupeville, Washington at the Pacific Northwest Art School in July. This is on Whidbey Island close to Victoria, British Columbia, the Olympic National Park and Seattle. There's a shuttle from the Seattle airport. Great restaurants, great lodging and it's stunningly beautiful.

July 10, 11, 12 Basic Workshop Pacific Northwest Art Center​

July 20, 21, 22 Refresher Workshop Pacific Northwest Art Center (Currently listed as Basic but is actually a Refresher Workshop and will be updated)
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Coupeville Street Food

Coupeville Waterfront

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My current bedtime book is a biography on Clementine Churchill, Winston's wife. After he was fired from his impressive position at the Admiralty, he went into a lengthy depression. A friend handed him her child's paint set asking, "Are these toys any good for you?" Winston discovered he could escape into what he liked to call his "daubs" and he became transfixed. Later Winston would say that if it had not been for painting, he could not have withstood the strain of his career. He became a good painter but more important was the relaxing escape it gave him. We can all use this!

Back to the decision on teaching or not. I find the aspect of NOT depressing. Teaching you Pocket Sketching has been an enormous gift. I want someone to buy the business to carry it on in a much larger scale, but I derive far too much joy from your response/learning to totally back off. So, there will be a few live workshops and onlines for my mental health, if not yours.

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Tip of the Month

​Don't dump it! This sketch is one of my favorites. Caroline (?) was a student in a workshop held in an art gallery in Pocatello, Idaho probably 13 or 14 years ago. She sketched from a painting in the room then threw the sketch in the waste basket, saying it was horrible. At least keep them for 3 days and look again when you've forgotten what you were trying to achieve. The sketch may truly be a loser or it may be amazingly good but didn't meet your expectations at the moment. I love this sketch and am glad to have her 'Reject.' (Somebody else may be very impressed by your 'bad attempt'... like me!)

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Happy Sketching!