going to Vermont

Ohhhh, it's been such a busy August, as I'm sure everybody's was. I tried my hand at oil painting for a class that strengthened composition principles. I can't say I have high hopes for ever painting in oil, but I do think that reworking the brain every so often is a good thing. It stretches the mind, makes you think in different ways, and gets the neurons firing.

After each painting in oil, I would go back and do the same composition in watercolor, more determined to create the feeling I wanted. It worked for one painting so far, which I will post later. I am off this week to Vermont for a "flower power" watercolor workshop by Annelein Beukenkamp. It will be a much needed break and change of scenery. More than that, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in life for me without my children at home for long stretches. Two are in Europe for the year; a new chapter for them too! I'm planning on traveling to see them in the spring (Belgium and Germany) and hoping for painting opportunities!