There were fewer classes to teach with reconfigured websites. There remains a need for increased marketing and plain old fashioned communication to get the word out about classes and exhibits. That being said, I had some wonderful courses with incredibly eager students. Some had not painted previously, but it was clear the art was just waiting to be tapped into for incredible work to burst out. The Snowy Birches began as a class demo and the beginning class asked if I could include an animal demo and throw in a fox. Sure - the painting animals class didn't run and this would be a sample of what it could include. A student held an I Pad up and I painted in the fox on the left. I added the one with the cute smile at home later that week. That was a delightful class and fun moment. I have enjoyed each and every class taught this past year and thrilled to have a combination of new and returning students.
What does the Fox say?
Happy Holidays!!! fyi - a 5th grader clued me into the song/video/related humor.
Other memories include the week I painted a 9' (yes nine feet) long art book about Detroit. That will be in my upcoming show. I enjoyed research a street and home on it as well as painting on the back porch on one of the lovelier weeks this summer. The Muriland Street book will be in the February show, so you can see and read it.
The goal of increasing the number of exhibits I am in is getting back on track. More local and national shows inspired me to think about the messages in my work. Social issues ranges from the plight of bees to water bottles to building community are taking a more visible presence.
The Honeybee festival got me photographing bees in my garden and then adding to the flower paintings. More of that will happen in 2014. Working on the Sweet Bees with Sunflowers painting while on the street in Depot Town during the Heritage Festival was hot (temperature) and cool (fun).
The authors and illustrators exhibit coincided with work on a new book (Little Miss Muffet - the Spider's Side of the story), and inspired me to "up my game" and also get back to work on my mice stories. Lots of time went into figuring how to make a spider cute (polka cots and eyelashes help). It was great help to have volunteers model as Miss Muffet: those were hilarious moments!
There were also many shows I got to see, work on the UM Stamps School of Art Alumni Exhibit, lectures by Ann Arbor Women Artists, new gallery openings, a meeting with art coach Deborah Campbell, reinventing a seascape for a family friend, and evenings with my critique group. So - yes the studio is in need of constant reorganization. My art continues to grow and change as I do, and reminds me of who I am, what I "see" and what needs to be told in the language of art.