~Imaginary Trip to Italy~

I rejoined my Imaginary Trip travelmates led by Laure Ferlita and enjoyed a wonderful 'art-full' tour of Italy.  I'd like to share my travel journal with you.  Our first stop was Rome.

View of St. Peter' Basilica across the Tiber River.

This is the triumphal Arch of Constantine...it's located near the Colosseum.

Laure always tries to find ways for us to paint people.  The next lesson was titled Street Scenes.  I chose the 'mime'.  You see them all over Europe.  They are painted up especially well and stand there motionless...sometimes you can't tell if it's person or a manequin.

For this next lesson we were supposed to create a 'sampler' of several sites and it was to be done in ONE hour.  I felt like I was playing 'Beat the Clock'...and felt very rushed.

The window, the fountain and the mail box.

From Rome we moved on to Florence.  So much to see though there is a lot of construction going on.  In this lesson we were to use Google Maps to search out  and  paint something that appealed to us.

I don't care for Google maps.  We used it in New Orleans but I didn't remember much from that trip.  This was a mysterious little alley with the stairs at the end.  I left out all the cars and scooters that were parked there.

From Florence, we crossed the mountains for our next stop, Venice.  I love Venice, it's like no place else I've ever been.  And the architecture is just beautiful.

These are actually windows on 2  different buildings.  The top is very Italian and the bottom is Moorish.

I couldn't leave Venice without a scene that included the iconic gondolas.

This page was to be 2-3 things that had something in common.  I chose bridges.  Very amibitious to do in 45 minutes.  I fussed too much with the details.  And I'm not sure what I thought I was doing adding that striped border in between.

The next lesson was to date my least favorite; we had to design a Carnivale Mask with or without the  gown. ( I should have tried to sneak my New Orleans mask in.)  I took out a sketchbook and started the project.  Then I just painted over the sketch with colors that I thought would go together.  When I was done, I swore I was not going to do a "page" for the journal.  But I did and I'm not posting it because it is horrible.  If I had this kind of failure on a landscape I'd repeat it again....not people paintings.

This class and group is so inspiring, I just want to keep painting.
So I did.

We left Venice and went on to Milan.  The difference between Venice and Milan equals 'culture shock'.  Milan is a hustling, bustling place.  The cathedral is incredibly intricate. And everywhere you turn you see references to Leonardo daVinci.

We left Milan and headed for the island of Sicily.  I know nothing about Sicily except that it is that triangle at the end of the boot.  What a pleasant surprise; so many fantastically beautiful sites.  Sometimes I had to remind myself what country I was in because of all the Greek influence.


Our assignment was to do a page entirely in ink, no drawing with pencil first.  It had to include at least 3 different images and each drawing was to take no more than 10 minutes.  When we were done we could add one color in watercolor.  After I completed the first page, I was so charmed by the scenery that I did a second one.

This was the best lesson.  I had no idea I could do this much in so little time.


As much as I enjoyed our pen sketches in Sicily, I was not a happy camper in Naples.
We had to paint our scene using NO pencil or pen just go for it with paint.  Now normally this would not bother me but we only had 35 minutes to do it.  I tried to choose one of the easier photos to paint but it did not come out easily.

These are the sea stacks at Capri.

Our trip is almost over. On our last day in Italy, Laure told us we could paint anything we wanted.
Since we went out for a lovely 'end of the trip' dinner, I decided to paint the restaurant.

This was a wonderful trip.  Laure Ferlita is an excellent teacher and tour guide.

 I look forward to my next Imaginary Trip.

Mya Learns About YUPO

My 7, soon to be 8, year old granddaughter came to spend a week with me at the end of June.  In addition to a day at Sea World, some serious shopping and a manicure, we did some art projects.

I had bought her her own sketch pad and a wide range of colorful markers.  Her tool of choice however turned out to be a pencil.  She said she didn't like the markers because they bled through the paper. (why didn't I think of that?!)

One of the "projects" that I thought would be fun was to paint on YUPO.  I did have an ulterior motive.  I wanted her to paint a Christmas Angel so that I could use it as a Christmas card.  I explained the meaning of a commissioned work.

We began by drawing a sketch in our sketch books. (silly me, I forgot to take a photo).  Then we used a watercolor pencil to draw the angel on to the YUPO.
 Next, we picked our color palette for the background.  I explained that we wanted to use colors that would look good together and not make "mud" when mixed together.  She said she wanted green~so I gave her choices and she picked yellow-green and phthalo green.  Good choices Mya.  Then, we needed an accent color; she immediately said PINK (her favorite color)...Quinacridone Pink.  So now were ready to begin.
I also painted an angel and "demo-ed" how to lay the juicy background colors on to the page.

Putting down the background wasn't what she thought;  she wanted to paint and spread like she knew painting to be.  I said we needed to splot and dab then we would tilt the paper to mix the colors and make interesting designs. Once she got the hang of it she thought it was "awesome".  I told her we would have to let it dry a bit before dropping in the Pink or it would all mix together and turn to grey.  I showed her on my palette what would happen mixing green and pink.

So this is her background.   We splattered and used a paper towel for different effects then left it to dry. Then we went shopping.

Later that evening when the background was dry, I showed her how to lift off the paint that had flowed into the wings.  Then we put in the wings and dress with a tinted wash.  Again we left it to dry.  She was getting a little tired of  the 'waiting to dry' part.    We finished the next day putting in the hair and the roses.  She wanted her angel to have a halo of course, so we lifted out the green color and painted in the yellow.

"Mya's Christmas Angel"

She finished by adding her signature.  Now I have my Christmas Angel.   

I asked Mya if she liked painting on YUPO, she said, "No, it's kind of boring having to wait all the time."

It did not deter her from drawing though.  She made 10 or 12 drawings of all kinds of things from

 "Chikin Girl" to "Aleons" (aliens).   They were quite detailed and imaginative.   

Maybe we'll have another little artist in the family.

btw:  Her angel turned out SO much better than mine.

~Imaginary Visit to the Garden~

This is the second "imaginary trip" that I've taken with Laure Ferlita.  The class is for 6 weeks with just one lesson a week.  I looked anxiously forward to each week's lesson and while waiting usually paint more than one "page" for my journal.
Lesson One: Wildflowers
I thought this would be easy because I love flowers but my first page had a lot "flaws".

I was really unhappy with the lettering.  I'm learning that lettering is an integral part of the journal page. It's not all about the painting.

Lesson Two:  Window Boxes

I really had trouble with the shadowing on this painting.  After my critique, I painted a second page from a photo that I took in Paris.

This was a window that I had photographed in Montmartre.

Lesson Three:  Water features

I really liked this subject though my first painting turned out to be harder than I thought it would be.  The second painting was done from a photo that I took when driving cross-country.  I was amazed that it turned out so well.  Had it not been for the "Trip to New Orleans" and the lesson where we had to paint people, I never would have taken on this sculpture.

Lesson Four:  Garden Tools
I composed a "set up" with my gardening gloves and hand trowel as my subject.
The second painting is from a photo that I took in Paris.  It is a small garden shop in the Tuileries Gardens.

The lettering style is "bungalow".

After the critique, I went back and softened the white pen lines on the watering can.

Have you noticed that the lettering has improved?  I bought a couple "how to" books and they have really helped (along with practice)!

Lesson Five:  Garden Critters

When  I first saw this topic I just cringed, ugh! ~bugs.  I do NOT like bugs.  But then when I was looking through the choices of photos to paint, I was mesmerized by this one....these are not "bugs".

These Checkered Skippers  looked like two Tiffany creations, so delicate on top of the pincushion flower.  This is one of my favorite paintings.  I didn't put any journaling on it, though I did add the scientific name last (Pyrgus oileus).

 

I mentioned practicing my lettering skills.  I made a "sampler" page~for fun and reference.  The styles "draftsman" and "bungalow" are my favorites

 Lesson Six:  Last class~ Dew Drops

 

This lesson would have been a whole lot easier if I had chosen not to paint in my little 5" x5" journal.

My little rain drops were so small my hand cramped and my eyes crossed.  Some in the class just did a "how-to" page; one large raindrop.  They were the smart ones!

I might have spaced my drops a little better but I was pretty pleased with the end result..certainly learned a lot about light dispersion on a drop of water!

Laure gave us a "bonus" lesson because there were a lot of "computer issues"; but I was out of town and by the time I got back was just too tired to get it done.  But I did print out the photos because the subjects were absolutely stunning~Asian Gardens!

This class, like the last Imaginary Trip, was just a joy. I've learned SO MUCH!  My classmates, and there were quite a few (32), were delightful, talented, supportive and fun.  By the end of the session you feel like you have made new friends.
Laure will be taking an "Imaginary Trip to Italy" and I have signed up~I am ready to go!!

Wanna come along???  I can promise you it'll be great fun!

 

~INSPIRATION~

I've been taking a wonderful on-line art workshop and it has been quite motivating and inspiring. It's been awhile since my Muse has guided me.  It was truly serendipitous that I found the Painted Thoughts Blog.  Now my muse's name is Laure Ferlita.  Besides all the journal pages we've been painting for the class (see the post for Imaginary Trip to New Orleans), here are a few more paintings I've done in the last couple weeks.

"Indian Dancers and Totem Pole", Monument Valley
My sister vacationed in Arizona last year and this painting was her birthday present.

"Sea Oats in the Dunes"
I joined a website Paint My Photo.
  This site allows artists to use other artists photos without infringing on any copyright laws.

"The Old Mill"
The old mill is the oldest building in my hometown of Hatboro, Pennsylvania. It was built here on the Pennypack Creek in 1720 by a Mr. Dungworth. In August of 1777, Gen. George Washington used this mill to grind grain for his troops, on his way to an encampment at the Moland House on the Neshaminy Creek, where General Lafayette joined the army.
 The mill became an eating establishment in 1918.  Sadly, it  closed  a few years ago.

"Maxine Baritt Park" in Venice, Florida.
Thi is our newest beachside park.  It has a large pavilion with picnic tables
 and views of a large pond, the Gulf and the Venice Pier.

"Neuilly-sur-Seine"
This little park is located on a small triangle in the Paris suburb of  Neuilly.
My sister-in-law & brother-in-law would walk their 2 poodles here often.

Painting is so relaxing and I feel so good...the endorphins are flowing!
Art Therapy works every time.

~Art Trip to New Orleans~

On March 11th  I started a journey with artist Laure Ferlita.  The course  " Imaginary Trip to New Orleans" is an on-line art journaling workshop.  The lessons are sent by email and demonstration videos.  The first lesson taught us the 4 E's.

 Evaluate. Eliminate. Edit. Embellish.

The video demonstrated the use of a "water" brush.  I had known about a waterbrush but never used one.  I actually had one in a small travel watercolor kit.  The water is in a reservoir attached with a brush tip.  You squeeze the reservoir to release as much water as you need.  The brush is stiff with a nice point~very good for line work.

Lesson 1 assignment: trolleys.   There are several trolley lines running through New Orleans.  Photos of different views of trolleys were posted and we were to make our "journal" entry from these photos.




Canal St. Trolley



Laure, our instructor, has been a great tour guide.  Today we are taking particular notice of the distinct architecture, especially the "shutters".  Almost every building has shutters to close up the windows and doors, both for privacy and security.  The "Kitchen Witch" is the shop I decided to sketch (it's filled with cookbooks).

Assignment 2:  Sketch with a pen~no pencil! ~no erasing!~no rulers!



William Faulkner House & Bookstore



Assignment 3:

We're on our own today. We must go to Bourbon St./Orleans St, by way of Google Maps, and find something to put in our journals.  Learning to travel around Google Maps took some time!!!



Old Opera House on Bourbon St. (I just love the sign!)

Creole Townhouses on Orleans St.



Assignment 4: Iron Work

When I saw the subject I was excited but I soon realized how difficult it was to create all the intricate designs.

Wrought Iron Art of New Orleans

Assignment 5:  FOOD

You can't go to New Orleans and not experience some of the BEST food.  This project made my mouth water!!  Creole and Cajun cuisine and beignets and Banana's Foster..mmmmm.




Commander's Palace Restaurant est. 1880 located in the Garden District.

 
 Lesson 6:  St. Elizabeth's
St. Elizabeth's is a 19th century mansion designated as an Historical Landmark.  It was built in 1860 as a girl's school, then became an orphanage in the 1870's and remained as one until 1989.  The residence, which is 47,000 sq. ft., was then bought by author Anne Rice in 1993.  She did significant restoration and also added many of her collections, including an extensive doll collection.  At this time, tours are not available.   The White Chapel is one of the most beautiful rooms in the mansion, seating over 200; the green and yellow stained glass windows are original.


White Chapel, St. Elizabeth's

Assignment 7: Pierre Maspero's
Our lesson is do our sketch and painting in 20 minutes.  The lamp post took 20 minutes; the second,Pierre Maspero's, took longer.  I took more time to 'embellish' each.
Pierre Maspero's dates to the 18th century was the site of the Slave Exchange.  Today it is a restaurant.

Pierre Maspero's Restaurant- these are 2 different paintings




 

 Assignment 8: Courtyards

New Orleans has so many beautiful hidden spaces. Homes and shops are built close together; space is a premium  but the city abounds in quiet, secluded courtyards.  They are difficult to see because of walls and iron gates but when one of these treasures is found, it is a real delight.

The sketching of intricate, interesting subjects is getting easier with each new lesson.  Now on to resolving my 'journaling' problems.

Lesson 9: Mardi Gras Masks
We weren't there for Mardi Gras but that doesn't mean we couldn't enjoy the beautiful costumes and masks that are worn to masquesrade parties and parades.  A masque shop in the French Quarter provided the subjects for this lesson.  I don't think I've ever seen so many different kinds of feathers!!


Let the good times roll!

Assignment 10:  Street Performers
(We were really taken out of our comfort zone and forced to sketch people..my biggest nightmare!)

Walking the streets is entertainment in itself; there are so many performing muscians, buskers and mimes.  You never quite know what you are going to see.



Man walking dog....or was he?

 I saw this guy and thought 'how weird~such a big guy and that little dog is pulling him across the street'....then I realized, when he turned around, that the dog was stuffed...he was the act.  It was so funny!!

 Assignment 11:  Mississippi River
So much of life in New Orleans revolves around the river.  Tonight we took a cruise on a paddlewheel riverboat.  I had to capture the beautiful sunset as we went under the Crescent City Connector (bridge).

We had  such a good time on the riverboat cruise, I just had to get a sketch of the paddlewheeler. When you say Mississippi River, riverboat just follows.

Sadly, our trip has come to an end.  I haven't had this much fun in a long time.  We all learned so much to improve our painting skills, we had a ton of fun and made new friends.

I hope you enjoyed this "Imaginary Trip to New Orleans"....the good times did roll!

   I'm now off on "A Visit to the Garden" with my new art friends.

~More Haiku~

Poetry just comes when I am full with emotion.  I like the brevity and the simplicity of Haiku.

   

Paris is Beauty

The parks, the art, the river

Paris fills, lifts, heals.

(2008)

Loss and aloneness
Is living without living.
Beauty fills the void.

(8.15.09)

Simmering summer

Blazing days and sultry nights

Florida August.

(8.1.09)

I was thinking of my friends in Denver when this one came to me.....

Old friends remain near

In my minds’eye, in spirit~

Distant companions.

(7.22.09)

Footprints fade away

Remembrances of happy days;

Beach bums together.

(3/5/09)

Wave after wave flows

Rhythmically on to shore; the

Heartbeat of the sea.

This Haiku was created for a special friend's birthday card~

You, my friend, transform

Plain and simple into the

Extraordinary.