Self Portrait, watercolor on 140 lb hot press Arches (5″ x 9″), 4/19/2009
I came home from my trip to Snow Farm last night, happy to sleep in my own (king size) bed. I have to say that it was a nice little getaway and a very productive time for me. I thought they ran a good operation, having a great staff and really caring about their students. The class itself was pretty low pressure and I feel like I really got a lot out of it. It was a great opportunity to practice and get helpful critiques, as well as meet some new art friends. I am brimming with ideas, both for new projects that I want to undertake and for new artists that I want to look up. I feel a bit overloaded right now, with a lot of information to process. I will write more about it and show more artworks when I am able to think clearly. There are funny stories too.
My mother and father came to the fund raiser auction at the end to see my work, and also to deliver some news. My grandmother died last week, which isn’t a shock, but very sad all the same. They didn’t tell me about it when I was away, not wanting to spoil my class. It is a bit of a mental shock to come home to a house full of people discussing funeral arrangements and debating which priest and cantor should officiate the service. I was just having my morning tea and I suddenly remembered a lot of things about her that I buried away in my mind somewhere. I don’t quite know what to do with myself today.
A note on the image:
I did this self portrait on Wednesday morning during my class. It was the first time I did a portrait in watercolor and also the first time I tried hot press paper. There are a lot of things I would change about it of course, but I think it was a good first attempt. I will definitely be trying some more watercolor portraits soon.
My Mom is seventy, um, seven and recently took up watercolour portraiture. She’s always saying there’s something she’d fix, something she didn’t like. Man, I just love her art-play and think it looks wonderful as do I this one by you.
(On my new blog) I trying out Elna’s Every Day In May and purposing to just hit the paper with paint – no prework of any kind. Oh boy, oh boy…
You certainly do have a lot to think about. Take care and take time. Be good to yourself.
This self-portrait is lovely! Softer than the graphite ones you’ve been doing, and the colors really add so much to it. Looking forward to more
It was fun having you in class at Snow Farm last week. You are such a motivated artist which is more than half the battle. And you are good!
I’m impressed by the way you don’t shrink from the challenging stuff and are willing to try new things. I will think of our week at Snow Farm when I look through the window of your little sketch. Thanks. My condolences to you and your family on the death of your grandmother. Betsy
It was me who deleted the previous post! Sorry. Mixed my words up. I love your self portrait it has softer lines and works so well. My heart goes out to you at your loss. There isn’t any more I could say – keep well and talk to your friends x
Wow, that is much better than my self portait (see bottom). The softness and colour of it is just amazing
http://bethanysartblog.blogspot.com/
Carolyn—–
Making art with you in Snow Farm's
Portraits & Figures class was a joy. You are an exceptional artist, as anyone who follows your blog can plainly see. What impressed me most about you is your caring, giving spirit and your pureness of heart. It was a privilege to connect with you through art this past week.
I am so sorry that you lost your grandmother. Reading your past blogs in which you mention her and seeing your drawings of her cherished objects helped me understand what an important person she has been in your life. May your deep faith help you through this difficult time.
Thank you everyone! The kind words are so nice right now.
I love the softness of your self-portrait. Wishing you many gentle memories of your gramma. For years after my gram passed I would catch myself ‘saving up’ tidbits of my life to share with her.
I really love your series of art work from Snow Farm. Please keep sharing your work with old friends from EDM.
[...] think my shift in attitude started when I spent that week at Snow Farm at the end of April. Spending hours upon hours working on my artwork every single day made me [...]