2011 FALL ART CLASSES SET TO BEGIN

Wow!  It was a gorgeous August Day here in the Lowcountry and I just wanted to let you know that I will be starting new art classes in September.  The Beginner "Discover the Artist in You" class will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 9 and the "Discover the Next Steps" Class will be held on Thursday evenings, also from 6 - 9.  These classes are six weeks with an art show reception at the end to celebrate your accomplishments. 

  If you need an art supply kit I will be ordering those next week (75.00)- so just let me know - if you have your own supplies email me and I can let you know what you will need to bring to class.  The classes include 11 x 14 canvases; if you would like larger ones, let me know and I can order them in bulk for better pricing.

I am still ironing out the exact start dates, and show dates, but let me know if you are "in".  Space is limited to 10 people per class for this six week session.  Call me at 843 384 9650 or send an email to charlotte2911@yahoo.com

More information coming soon!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Lessons on The Fear of Failure in Art

As I have begun thinking about, praying about and planning out new art classes for the Fall one thing continues to go through my mind... Why are we so afraid of "messing up?" When I speak with women about art, they all sound hopeful and doubtful at the same time: "I can't even draw a straight line", they say in exasperation. Or they say "I don't have an artistic bone in my body." It is a common refrain... but most women would love to just try... but this fear keeps them from it, or keeps them from enjoying it.

I thought about all this because I recently painted a mural on my bathroom wall. The picture of it looks miles better than it looks in person, but it is nice. It only took a couple of hours and I was done with it. Over it, and was not doing any more... and no, I don't want a job doing them. It was fun, it turned out nicely, but it won't be there forever... I will get tired of it and will one day paint over it. But as I painted I thought about the myriad other strange and funny things I have painted (recently the inside of my chicken house - but that is another post for another day) and why I paint them so suddenly and with such reckless abandon... And it hit me:

I AM NOT AFRAID TO FAIL AT IT!!!

I am not so concerned that it won't look good, or right, or be beautiful enough, or perfect enough... because IT IS ONLY PAINT!!! What is the worst thing that can happen? Nothing really bad actually - and the same is true when you come to the canvas... What is the worst thing that can happen when you put paint on a canvas? You may not like it, BUT, it is not a life or death situation. There is nothing to be afraid of.... It is not like you are packing your own parachute!!! You can paint over it! (And I love doing this from time to time - very freeing!)

Upon further reflection I realized that I am just not afraid of failure... Failure in my life has become like an old friend that points me in a new direction. Ask Edison. I have failed at so many things in my life - but I realize now it was just narrowing down my field, honing me in on my desires, tearing away the excess... burning away the dross... and that brings me out less scattered, more focused, less encumbered, more pure... And I need all the help with that I can get.

So - onward to new painting classes with fearlessness!

Next weeks lesson: Packing Your Own Parachute!

Inspiration is where you look for it!

INSPIRATION IS WHERE YOU LOOK FOR IT! Or maybe more appropriately - Where you pray for it... We were headed to the Burnsville Art & Craft Fair here in NC and I prayed, Lord, let me come home with inspiration and motivation! And sure enough - He answered and I came home and began watercoloring and having a grand time of it. (and those of you who know me, also know that I do not consider myself smart enough to water color)

I modified my "Nest Series" with some splattered paint and began to have a lot of fun with some of the same ideas that have been playing around in my head. Met a precious artist at the fair - Michelle Stewart - and really hope to invest in one of her original pieces. Also read some really funny lines: My favorite was this "I laughed so hard that the tears ran down my legs!" Now, those of you who REALLY know me know how often that happens in my life. I count myself really blessed to get to laugh so hard on a regular basis!

Looking forward to returning home and planning out the final details and schedule for art classes to resume this FALL. It has been a while - but I am ready and wanting to begin!