I am teaching Watercolor Accordion Books Saturday, Nov. 2, at Oregon Fall Creek Festival

Picture is of accordion watercolor book class participants

One morning and one afternoon the workshops include my watercolor painting accordion books for the eighth year. Each year brings new exciting ideas about a family oriented crafts that include nature study. Other classes include fish printing, wire wrap Jewelry making, recycled grocery bag printing, and bird house making. Classes begin at 10:30 AM and 2 PM. At the Oregon Hatchery Research Center at Fall Creek Road 13 miles West of Alsea on Highway 34 the third annual Fall Creek Festival. This family event welcomes families with members of all generations. The event takes place in the classrooms of the Research Center overlooking spawning salmon in Fall Creek. A morning and afternoon workshop is free with all supplies and a free lunch included. Also given is a vegetarian option. Don't miss the tour of the hatchery after lunch. The public is invited but reservations are necessary as space is limited. This year will include found supplies, and demonstration of commercial papers, paper folding and ideas on seeing nature and keeping memories. To make reservations call 541-487-5512 or e-mail oregonhatchery.researchcenter@state.or.us

Painted Hills, Oregon are a lesson in painting

The cracked texture of these dolimite clay hills inspires me to pay close attention to enriching my colors by applying them so they are textured.

Mineral Painting Inspiration and Break Through

This is cut from a Chinese vase or snuff bottle. It was given to me by my grandfather who said paintings like these were his mentors in his own watercolor paintings. He also liked the way the Chinese held aging in high regard. This painting also inspires me to make Tango dancers on porcelain and to paint all ages of dancers most especially dancers of many years.

This tile penned with mineral paint last week in Antonia Acock's class is much more spontaneous than my earlier works because I drew out of my head. Previously I was copying from my drawings.

Today for two hours I painted on the plate trying the second step of the filtering technique. Minerals and mineral oil was applied and then some of the color was picked up with the brush leaving the under painted colors to glow from underneath. easier said than done. I did more dancers twirling in the gardenia bloom. Next Monday I promise to post a picture of the plate no matter if it doesn't turn out.

Tango series at Toni Acock's mineral painting class

"Bride and Groom Tango" is mineral china painting on a porcelain tile 3 1/2' x 2 3/4". It is my first China painting. My teacher is Toni Acock of Corvallis, Oregon. She opens her studio twice a week. Today I painted three more tiles.
Her class is a fun cheerful group and Toni is very generous.

I am making these China paintings to give as gifts.

Heron Contemplating

"Heron Contemplates", 7" x 5" is watercolor and acrylic made permanent with UV protecting varnish. I used pencil and watercolors first and then acrylics. The watercolor is painted on absorbent ground on wood and then deeply cradled.

Conclusion of Riparian Dragons

I have learned how the absorbent ground works with watercolor sealing it with matte UV protective varnish. These illustrations are not suited in my mind as being architectural structuring an arch around one of our interior doorways. I would prefer non-objective paintings for our house walls.

Series of three from photographs

This is day two. The series will be a triptych of three watercolors on 12" square chunky board boxes. I do not know yet if I will remain this abstract or if the dragon motif will lure me to making these illustrations like what happened in the story series, "Finding a Dragon is Good Luck". I like the watercolor qualities on the boards sealed with Golden absorbent ground. To see more clearly the paintings and the photos I am looking at just click on the picture and a screen will pop up with an enlargement.

Nesting in a Painter's Motor Coach

When I am recuperated from surgery, my husband and I will go traveling in our Winnebago Coach. RVing is new to us and we are busy customizing our new home. I am preparing a soft sided cooler on wheels for my art supplies. Everyday will bring a chance to paint either inside in my passenger seat studio or outdoors. Managing my painting with as little impact on the environment, I may paint with acrylics on acrylic that I pour and dry. I do not want to use wood stretcher bars and discard cardboard and shrink wrap. Shrinking plastic is not good for the environment. The challenge will be the presentation. Wouldn't it be a kick to recycle throw away trash into something attractive and meaningful.

Thank you Martha Marshall for your comment. Yes low tech pencils and watercolors are good for traveling. I am open and appreciate suggestions on being an artist on wheels.