November is the beginning of the preparations leading up to the significant celebrations, Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, I want to talk about a special celebration that happened in my last workshop. Three ladies attended. Two had not painted or actively pursued their passion for art in the last 3 years. They had painted with watercolors and acrylics, and came to the class wanting to try it again. One brought her palette from her previous class. They were thinking they might still be able to paint, and then decide if they should continue. That day, they put their all into learning the basics of watercolor, the paint and brush strokes. I worked closely with each one. The result was each one completed a picture and had renewed confidence in their abilities. The third student had been actively painting all along. She added a great dynamic to the session. She was very supportive of the other two, and shared some of her knowledge with them. At the end we had a critique, and everyone felt like they had accomplished what they set out to do. It was a milestone event because they had come back to try doing what they really loved to do, and proved that they still had the talents and skills to make it happen.
The Artists Network, an online website, had an article by Courtney Jordan, “How to Return to Art after Years Away” She goes on to say, “It is emotionally intense to return to something you love after years away. A lot of you have experienced that or are experiencing it now.” “You have to figure out how to reconnect with your creativity almost if you are coming to it brand new.” She offers some 6 tips: (1.) Be Self First not selfish. When the opportunity to explore art comes up, you are a better person when you tend to your creativity. (2.) Gravitate to what you Love. What is it about painting or drawing that excites you. Could it be the colors for example? Take a look at some videos to get some inspiration. (3.) Take up Space and set up a place to do your artwork. (4.) Just look at art books and art exhibits. (5.) Do Warm Ups, which means work with your hands and fingers. Familiarize yourself with the movements of your pen, brush, etc. (6.) What makes sense: It makes sense to explore all kinds of media. Try Watercolors, Acrylics, and Oils, Pastels or anything that makes sense to you. You might want to take a class, pull out your old art supplies or watch an art video. You want to see what appeals to you in a tactile way. Let your senses be your guide. So, after reading that article, I say this was a celebration! With that said, here is my art news for this month:
First Saturday at the Hub, November 2nd: I will be at the Hub from 10 to 2. I will work on some small pictures for the Hub’s Holiday Gift Gallery. There will be some new pictures on my wall for November. The theme this month is “Celebration”. In addition, I will have my Christmas cards out and Calendars for 2020 are still available. Save the Dates: Saturday, January 11, 2020, 1 pm to 2 pm. Talk Art at the Hub “The Color of Watercolor” with Evy Okerstrom. “Workshop with Evy Okerstrom”: Saturday, February 15, 2020 will be at the Hub on Canal. Pen and Ink over Watercolor will be the topic. Time 10 am to 4 pm.
Here is my “Thought for the Day”: From Eleanor Roosevelt, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”