Painting, learning and playing in... Montisi, Italy!!

I'm signed up for a painting workshop with an amazing artist....Darrell Anderson.

The workshop is going to be August 30th through September 6 .... 

in Montisi, Italy!!

I'm excited.....to say the least.  I haven't been to Italy in 20 years and I have been daydreaming about going for months now.  So when this opportunity presented itself....well, it was a no brainer.

I've been following Darrell's beautiful paintings ever since I wanted to learn to paint plein air and landscapes.  He does a little bit of everything...but I love his outdoor paintings and how he sees color....and how he paints the color he sees....he paints it boldly... I love that.  

That's the road I'm on with my own paintings.

Would you like to go to Italy?  Paint in hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy?  

Goof around with other artists....have great food...drink cappuccinos ?

Of course you do!  Do something wonderful for yourself, feed your heart and live the life of your dreams....

THAT....is the reason you are here....

If not this....then find something else that makes your heart beat faster and makes you feel scared and giddy at the same time!!

We are only here a short time.....what are you waiting for? A sign?

This is it!!  Whatever it is you love....go for it!

Click here for information on the 

Painting Workshop in Italy

Sunset on Mt. Rainier

"Sunset on Mt. Rainier"

8" x 18" (estimated)

I'm on a trip and painting.  I have a glorious view of Mt. Rainier from my deck.

a few days ago..... the clouds moved and I saw it standing there....kinda blew my mind!  I had no idea it was there.  I was so focused on the view of Seattle from across the water.  

Sunset was minutes away.

I scrambled...got set up and then....tried to keep up... with the ever changing colors!  Right when I thought..."This is amazing!  I'm sticking with these colors and slamming it in" then the sun would inch a little further down.....and the pinks started glowing in front of me!  I switched gears...mixed the color I saw and just frosted it on over top....haha. I didn't want it to smear in and make mud.  Sometimes a girl needs a pallet knife to lay it on thick :)

I'm happy with this one.  I'm happy with this whole painting trip!  I have met the kindest people here....so giving and friendly....most feel like old friends that I've gotten back in touch with.

What a nice surprise!  And...I feel my artwork is about to change a bit.

Feels like a pivotal moment for my paintings......I've learned some things that I really needed 

from an artist here on the island, Darrell Anderson.  

(pick on his name...it will lead you to his blog and more information on him and his beautiful artwork)

I thought the plan was to come here and be alone with my thoughts...and just quietly paint.

But.... not the case.  I now know I came here to meet new friends... and feed my mind/ heart with new information for my paintings.  I love when life pulls me where I'm supposed to go.  I don't like making ALL the decisions.  Just point me in the right direction and surprise me!

Thank you for looking ....and reading, lol.

Morning sun

14" x 8"  oil

Okay, this is painted on clear plexiglass.  My outdoor paintings have been fun to paint,

but when I bring them indoors....all the color seems to drain out of them.

An amazing plein air artist, Darrell Anderson, has been helping me out ( Thank you Darrell!!!)

  He said to "try putting a sheet of plexi-glass over the painting and paint it again...now with colors pushed bolder and use the style of whoever your painting "hero" is."

I loved doing this.  just like he had told me, the pressure of messing up is gone.......

 and I just played!

Very fun!  I'm going to try this with a bunch of my paintings!!

Darrell is an amazing artist, and he also teaches......

He lives in the Seattle area, and teaches often at the 

Winslow Art Center on Bainbridge Island!

Check out his work.....just beautiful! 

Sings with color!!