Today was the last day of the workshop I participated in with Lori Putnam.  The weather was much cooler today and delightful until the bottom fell out.  One minute we're painting, then a gust of wind and everything is drenched.  My umbrella went flying and I ran after it, the rain came and washed my painting away.  It's repairable and I'll work on it tomorrow.  After our bad luck with the rain, I had some really good luck.  My peers voted my paintings the "Artist Choice Award" and I'm trickled pink.  I think that's an awesome compliment to my work because these artists were really good.    I had a wonderful week-end meeting all the Artists and seeing all their works of art.  I'm looking forward

We painted most of the day today during Lori Putnam's Plein Air Workshop. All the artist are so nice and from all over the south. I'm trying to do everything Lori has shown us, it's a workshop and I'm here to learn. So far, I feel I've learned a lot. I'll be up early in the morning painting God's wonderous creation!

I have to drop off this painting (to the left) to be displayed in the gallery and pick up a painting at the Tennessee Art League tomorrow in Nashville.  I'm also donating one painting for their $100. painting sale (below) so I have to leave it too.  Then pick up 3 tubes of paint for the workshop this week-end.  I will have to get to Le Quire Gallery for a painting demo by Lori Putnam as part of the workshop by 7:00, six if I want a good seat.  Then the painting part of the workshop starts Saturday morning and ends Sunday afternoon.  Busy, Busy, Busy!

I hope it's finished anyway.  I enjoyed this one, the background was the  difficult part and I may change it yet.  The guitar is a "Miss Mississippi" edition that why its so colorful.  John (the guitar player) has the most interesting hair, it was great to paint.  Its really beautiful - 

Below are the step by step stages of the painting.  

I worked yesterday on the guitar  player, I still lack the details.  I played with the background yesterday.  I've got to come up with a way to guide away from the guitar's neck back to the face.  I roughed in these shape just so I could study the background better.  It's actually starting to look more like John.  

Below are photos of the artwork in progress

A fantastic workshop, I learned so much.  It was a long ride (Chattanooga) and thank goodness an artist friend went with me.  We both came home all excited and ready to cut up our brushes.  Yes, we now want to give our brushes haircuts.  Alan is a genius as far as watercolor goes (my opinion) .   My battery went dead in my phone so I didn't get many photos, sorry.  Note the pencils below!!!!!  and his demon of dry brush.  I wish you could have seen his brushes!

The photos are of what I got done today, step by step on the new painting. It is 10" x 20" , acrylic painting on a gallery wrap canvas.  I totally enjoyed my day at the studio.  I even sold a painting today.  I loaded my car up with everything I need for my workshop tomorrow.  I got a lot done today, yeah! for me.

I'm heading out for a workshop Thursday in Chattanooga with Alan Shuptrine at Gold Leaf Designs and Gallery.  I'm packing up the watercolor stuff for the trip (to the left). We will be leaning dry brush techniques as well as other techniques for realism.   I'm very excited about the workshop. Another watercolor artist and I  will be riding together so that long trip to Chattanooga won't seem so long.  I'll try to post examples of the different techniques when I get home Thursday.  

I did this drawing today to prepare for my next painting.  I just felt like drawing today so it's a big drawing   - 32 inches by 22 inches and I really enjoyed doing it.  The painting won't be that large.  After I do the painting I may go back in and finish the guitar and put the finishing touches on the drawing.  Thanks to John for letting me photograph him with his guitar.  It should be a fun painting too.  I'm looking forward to it.