Serendipity

"You must remain open to the unexpected and welcome serendipity."  Karlyn Holman

Love the word serendipity and it's meaning.   Rick and I have enjoyed and looked forward to our serendipitous finds, keeping our eyes open for such events, and remaining open to exploring these occasions. We've made some delightful discoveries.

This is true in relation to his photography and my painting.  We continue to be intrigued with what we happen upon when not looking for it.  These fortunate discoveries are there waiting to be explored.

I've been asked by a NC chapter to teach watercolors in a seminar. Watercolors? I'm an acrylic artist and am just learning about painting with watercolors. I was hesitant at first but decided to look on this as a learning opportunity. I'm always glad to pass on to others anything that I learn. So I've been studying watercolors and the more I learn, the more exciting they become. Since I understand value, colors, line... my greatest  challenge is becoming familiar with the media. What paper do I prefer? How do the paints interact and react? ...  But that's the fun, experimenting and trying different techniques.

Now, what to paint? I had been through lots of photos on my computer looking for an inspiration that might work with the techniques that I've discovered. I had found some possibilities but wasn't excited about any of them. Then, I passed the computer when my screen saver was displaying one of Rick's photos of our cat, Dusty, and that was it.  See what you think.

Day Dreaming: Dusty

This was a lot of fun to paint. This was my second attempt with this painting. I wasn't pleased with the results on 140# paper and the eyes weren't the color I was looking for.  I went back to my favorite 300# paper, first testing all my blues to find the perfect color for the eyes.  Experiments, mistakes, adjustments, and successes, I was pleased with my creation.

Serendipity: unexpected fortunate discoveries.  An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

Open up to your artistic serendipity: explore, try new techniques, recognize an interesting result even if wasn't what you were expecting, learn, and share. Develop your aptitude.
Liz

Ros Stallcup Seminar 2012

I've had inquires about photos of Ros paintings so I thought I would just write a note to everyone.
Each year Ros creates entirely new paintings for us. She usually paints them in March and we receive them sometime in April. It's like Christmas or a birthday to open Ros' box, revealing our new painting for the summer seminar. Lots of oohs and aaaahs.  These new paintings are available nowhere else at this time.

Last summer Ros showed us (seminar participants) some wonderful photos of her trip to France and Monet's Garden. We've chosen some of our favorites for this year's paintings, Visite en France. Other projects are taken from requests from last year's participants. This is the Thurs - Sat block, Around the Word.

The project topics are posted on the seminar page for Ros 2012.  Seminars do fill so don't wait just to see the painted projects. There are seats for all days at this time.  Make your plans and register now.

March Deal Saver

Our Deal Saver dates are filling so if you have purchased one of the deal savers be sure to contact me, Liz, to schedule yourself at a convenient time for you. Check the Deal Saver tab for dates.

Carol's Mar 23, Monday 10a class.

Portraits With Liz

We've just completed our 2 weeks of portrait painting. Students are working on their portraits and you will see them coming in on Tue am and Wed afternoon working on their creations. All the portraits are starting to take shape and are very exciting right now. Everyone is doing a terrific job.  I can definitely see the progress made by students who have painted prior portraits with me.

I thought you might like to see my progress so far. I still to do all the detail work.

Setting the features.

First lights.

First dark wash.

Reestablishing lights and darks.

Features and background.

Starting to develop details and clothing.

Watercolor Rose Bud On Line

Monday's Notes:

• My Watercolor Rose class has opened on Creative Workshops. Register now and get 24/7 access to this fun basic watercolor class.

• Our seminar with Ros Stallcup is now open.  Register now.
• Next week starts our Blue Bird class. See the photo below and on the class page. I have prep ready for you for this fun design.
• Next week we'll start the Mystic Forest on Wed evening.
• Tomorrow evening we'll start the Mystic Forest in Cary!  There's still time to join us.
• Be sure to check out our Simply Art, 3 hr to a complete painting, classes on the Simply Art tab and the class page.
• Plan to join us for our one day workshops.
• My latest article is coming up in this issue of the Decorative Painter. You can see the painting on the SDP face book page.
• Come visit us at Artful Endeavors.

Liz's Blue Bird

Here is my latest painting. A request from my Wed morning group to go with Ginger's Wren.

New Products from DecoArt

I have the new Americana paints for 2012 at the studio. Have you seen them. There are some yummy colors.  Now think of how to use them....

DecoArt's newest products!

Reorganizing the Web Site

Did you notice? The web pages have been reorganized. I've tried to make classes and workshops easier to locate. Peruse the pages and let me know if this is helpful.

We're adding new classes and workshops. We've found some new ideas and projects that have excited us, including a paint your pet workshop; another bird to complement our wren, a blue bird this time; a couple of delightful Trudy Beard designs; a duo of JoSonja designs that we've wanted to paint; and there are more Simply Art Class coming.
There's a new Deal Saver coming up soon that is effective in March/April for prospective new students. Be sure to tell your friends to come paint with us.
Alright, now it's time for me to go paint.
By the way, I have left the couch and am much better although still coughing and blowing my nose frequently. We will have classes next week so I'll look forward to seeing you then.
Liz

Workshops

Saturday:  March 31.  9a-2p.  White Rabbits.  $ 52

Another wonderful JoSonja design. A ring of white rabbits for and Easter flair. 

March Deal Saver

 Note: Remember that March 24 is the last day to let me know which of these dates you would like to take your Deal Saver Class. We want you to come paint with us so respond now.

Welcome to an Introduction to Acrylic Painting art class, taught by Liz Miller, CDA.


 Our Fall Deal Saver was such a success that I am offering another deal for new prospective painters in March. I've met such nice folks in the classes, some of whom will return for more painting with us.  And, we're looking for more new students to join us.
Carol will join me in teaching some of our Simply Art/Deal Saver classes. She has some terrific plans for classes.

There classes are open to those of you are currently painting with us too, although the Deal Saver does not apply.


Here is the schedule and a little class information. Classes are project oriented and the goal is to give you a taste of decorative painting, and hopefully inspire you to paint more.  We'll focus on skills required to complete the scheduled painting. No previous experience is needed to enjoy these classes. 

The package for these three-hour classes includes a canvas and art supplies used during the class. Class size will be limited to 10 – 12 students with a minimum of 4.  This allows for more one-on-one instruction.

Please call or email Liz at Artful Endeavors to schedule your class. Preregistration is required at least 2 weeks prior to class and ends March23. 

Friday        March  9    6p-9p       Liz    Spring Flowers Full

Saturday    March 17   9a-12n     Liz   Lake View  Full

Friday        March 23   10a-1p    Carol  Rabbit flower Pot
Monday     April 2        10a-1p     Carol    A Glass of Wine

Saturday    April 14      9a-12n    Forest Glen.   Liz

Ros Stallcup Seminar 2012

Registration is now open for our seminar with Ros Stallcup. We have 6 fun filled day of painting from projects chosen last summer by our seminar attendees.

Register Now!

Visiting with Ronnie Bringle

We'll not quite as good as a face to face visit, but Ronnie Bringle has some terrific videos on her blog showing how she is painting her latest fruit still life. This design is excellent, and Ronnie's instruction is clear with easy to follow video. Be sure to check out her web site for packets and more while you are out there. You can also get email up dates of her blog messages.  Enjoy.
It was so nice to hear you, Ronnie, and see you paint.

This is one of Ronnie's designs that I painted. It just happened to take a blue ribbon at the NC State Fair this past year.