Mindful Mandala

In April I will be teaching a workshop for the Hoffman Center for the Arts. I'm calling it Mindful Art. They asked me to create an image for publicity. It started out to be a personal mandala, but quickly turned into one about my thoughts and feelings regarding my children. It's amazing how impossible it is to keep yourself out of your art. I had a wonderful conversation about this with a fellow artist during my opening reception for the Hoffman Center in January. It reminds me of a thought that often comes into my head, "No matter where I go, there I am." And obviously, no matter where I go, my kids are with me heart and soul.

The Happiest Color

Frank Sinatra said orange is the happiest color. I don't know about that. But I know Sherry was the happiest art student when she finished her orange poppies and orange sunset! She had never painted before this class. She was so timid and unsure about her sky. It was fun to watch her style spring out of her work. When she popped in those poppies at the end her whole painted just popped! One of the greatest things about teaching is watching the unique style of each student. Teaching makes me happy too!

A River Runs Through It

I don't get to paint every day. But if I can't paint, the next best thing is being inspired by my students. Richard just retired as a pediatric neurosurgeon and decided to try those hands at painting. He had never touched a brush to canvas before this class. Pretty impressive, don't you think? I love then enthusiasm of my students. They warm my heart and motivate me to get back to my own canvas as soon as possible. What a fun day.