Cruise Recap

Our ship, the Carnival Pride

Here's some news and a few pics from my class on the Mexican Riviera Colored Pencil Workshop cruise. Thanks to Ann Kullberg who organized the entire workshop, I was invited to be one of the workshop instructors with Ann, of course, and Gemma Gylling. It was a wonderful trip with a wonderful group of workshop attendees. (I think I've made some new arty friends!)

In my workshop we focused on drawing marbles on two layers of Dura-lar Mylar. With this technique you can render an intense, glowing depth of field which works particularly well for glass objects. Below is my sample drawing.

This technique can be a little tricky and complicated since you have to work on both sides of the surface and ,therefore, draw backward from your reference photo several times. I wasn't sure how the class would handle this or react to it, but I was so pleased as they all came away with some wonderful pieces!

And, because I, too, thought of this trip as a little bit vacation, I took some time out on our balcony to enjoy a little refreshment afterwards. In the big comfy robe they provided. With warm sun. Ahhh. (See even if you're an introvert, like me, you can put yourself out there in the world; you just need a little R & R after!)

Bon Voyage

"Reclining Nude"

6 x 8"

colored pencil on canvas

I am currently sitting in a hotel room waiting to board the ship for the Colored Pencil Cruise (as I call it). And being one of the instructors, I am a little nervous. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally looking forward to it; the sun, the fun, the time away; but I'm still a little nervous.

Having been an instructor and business owner for over 15 years (owned a Jazzercise franchise), I know that being a wee bit nervous is not necessarily a bad thing. It tends to keep you sharp, alert and aware of every word that comes out of your mouth. I've found it can energize me, the class and the students.

Wish me bon voyage and to break a leg (what do you wish a workshop instructor!?) I'm hoping to blog a bit about my experience and show you some of the things I see and the people I meet.

Swim Out

"Sorrow"

colored pencil on canvas

4 x 6"

When you step out of your comfort zone and experiment, good things can happen.

Obviously, I like to play with my pencils on different supports. From those experiences, I have had some wonderful opportunities come my way.

First, due to working on Mylar Duralar, I had a piece (Green Lucidity) accepted into the CPSA Explore This 4 show two in 2007. From that, Ann Kullberg asked me to write an article for her on-line publication, From My Perspective, on just how I did it. (Scaaarrry and way out of my comfort zone.) But from THAT, she invited me to teach my Mylar technique on her colored pencil workshop cruise in November.

And, after experimenting on canvas and hanging a show of a series of twelve small female figurative works like the one above, I have garnered a commission for a woman who wants a small series of these for her significant other. Sweet.

See how that works. It's so important that as artists, we don't get stuck in a rut. Don't be afraid to step out and take some risks. Remember, risk takers do reap rewards.

Here's one of my favorite quotes: "My ship will come in much sooner when I swim out to meet it." Swim, little artist, swim!

More New Work

"Morning Stretch"

6 x 8"

colored pencil on canvas

Here is another of my new figurative works on canvas. And for those who left all those wonderful comments on my last post - thank you. My self esteem is greatly improved and, with all my recent BIG LIFE DECISIONS, I really appreciate the boost.

This week I also had a wonderful opportunity to travel to Tennessee to make a presentation to a group of people this week concerning a the orphanage in Bolivia which is near and dear to my heart. We were able show them images of our trip last year and how we are building (physicallly and monetarily) a family home orphanage. They are interested in helping raise funds. Keep that in your thoughts for us that their decision is in our favor (and the orphans).

But, I am not fond of public speaking. Even though I seem to choose career paths that constantly call for it: advertising, owning a Jazzercise francise, and now art. However, making that presentation was a good leap for me; I did very well. Not nervous at all. (I think when you believe deeply about the topic you're discussing, you can just open your mouth and go.) This, too, was good for my self-esteem. All indications seem to point to the fact that my recent decisions may be good ones.

I have also been asked to sit on the Board of Directors of Global Gallery, a fair trade organization and the driving force behind the Bolivian orphanage. Again, another affirmation!

Now I'm getting revved up to teach on a cruise with Ann Kullberg and Gemma Gylling early next month. I so look up to these ladies; they set the bar rather high! So, if you want to get away and escape any of the frenzy surrounding the election, check out the cruise and consider joining us.

Never fear, I am voting early.

Big News!

Welll......................

Now, I can tell all of you because she has posted it to her site (until then, I kept thinking I had been dreaming!), but I have been invited to teach a colored pencil workshop with Ann Kullberg and Gemma Gylling on a Mexican Riviera cruise this fall!

When I returned from Bolivia, and had to wade through all 500 e-mails (350 of which were in my junk box), there was a message from Ann Kullberg asking me if I wanted to teach with her on a cruise..... Mmmmm..... Let me think about that..... for half a second! I am a blonde, but not stupid (most days). What an opportunity! Of course I said yes!

Ann has asked me to teach students how to use colored pencils to draw on three layers of Mylar (I use Duralar) to create the illusion of depth in a drawing. She had seen my use of this technique with my marble drawings, one of which, Blue Lucidity, was accepted in the CPSA Explore This!4 show in 2007.

Ann Kullberg, who is noted for her portrait drawing ability, will be teaching students how to paint smooth, glowing skin tones, beautiful expressive eyes, and realistic looking hair. Gemma Gylling, whose animal portraits are fantastic, will be teaching techniques on drawing believable, touchable fur and (this you need in any pet portrait) how to really get the expressiveness of the eyes in your pet portraits.

Needless to say, I am honored and thrilled to be included in the company of such wonderful artists. Yes, I'll be teaching, but I plan on doing a bit of learning from these gals while I'm there, too. No matter how long you've been an artist (or writer, doctor, teacher, dog groomer), I believe you can always learn something new at every opportunity. These ladies, I'm sure, have a lot of knowledge which I plan on soaking up while I'm soaking up sun and fun on this trip!

And for those of you who set goals for yourselves, I have to share, too, that my one "reach big" goal for 2008 was to be invited to teach at a workshop. Scary, huh?