Santa Fe Workshop

I just finished my five-day workshop at Valdes Art Workshops in Santa Fe.  AWESOME!!  I had a fabulous group of sixteen participants, all of whom were pushing themselves and making great breakthroughs, really going out on a limb.  This is what I like to see in a workshop.  I emphasize a focus on process, and hope to give you a few more tools of a healthy art practice. The finished piece is sometimes a byproduct, but it is not the focus in my workshops.

That said, here is some gorgeous work made by the workshop participants.  Some of it is in process, some may be finished:

Study of shapes on Cheap Drawing Paper

series in process, on 4"x4"

Study of shapes on printmaking paper

Taking the Shapes a little further

Two of a series of 4"x4"s

Work in Progress, though I just love this depth and texture

Lines and shapes

Abstract landscape in process

One of a series of Teeny Tiny pieces, about 6"x8"

A practice in Painting Over on Cheap Drawing Paper, 9"x12"

A study in shapes, 9"x12"

Donna's breakthrough piece, 10"x10"

Part of a series of 4"x4"'s

Study in Shapes, painting out negative space

Donna Painting

Darcie Painting

You can see why I had so much fun at this workshop, with all this diverse strong work coming out of it!  I did get a little time on Friday evening to go gallery hopping on Canyon Road, and had a couple of evenings during the week to see the beautiful landscape surrounding the city.  Melinda Tidwell invited me to her studio!!  Check her out.

I'll be returning with in 2016, July 25 - 29, and will announce that officially when Valdes puts together their 2016 calendar. This year the workshop filled up quickly and there were no cancellations, so sign up early for 2016 if you are interested.  THANKS for visiting!

Fogo Island, Newfoundland

I did a recent post on my Newfoundland Paintings, and now I want to show you the place that inspired them.

Hiking trail in the town of Fogo

Loads of icebergs floating through this area

Fogo Island Arts offers artists residencies in four different studios on the island.  These are designed by Todd Saunders, who is originally from Gander, Newfoundland.

Long Studio, front view

Long Studio, side view.  This is in the town of Joe Batt's Arm, where we stayed for several days.

Tower Studio

Tower Studio does not seem all that tall in person, but here I am standing on the side of it, and it looks a lot bigger.

Squish Studio, in the town of Tilting

Bridge Studio in Deep Bay

Vida Simon, who lives on Fogo Island and in Montreal, offers a series of workshops on Fogo Island, called "Funnell Workshops", making use of Squish Studio and other locations.  See Vida Simon's web site and her book, INKLINGS - Gestes, Murmures, Ruminations, which I have and absolutely treasure!  Tiny little personal drawings and ideas.  Here are a few of her recent watercolors that I pulled off her Funnell blog:

Vida Simon, "Voice", watercolor

Vida Simon, "Filaments", watercolor

Vida Simon, "Blue Filter"

A few links to find out more about Fogo Island, see pictures, discover the art scene and local culture:

Fogo Island Inn - we did not stay there, but did take a tour.  The furnishings are all made locally and incorporate traditional forms. 

Shorefast Foundation, which helps fund projects that support economic and cultural resilience on Fogo Island.  See this fabulous short video about the quilts on Fogo Island, from Shorefast.

Newfoundland and Labrador traveler information on Fogo and Change Islands.

Typical fence in the town of Tilting

I certainly hope to return to Fogo Island, though it is a long journey to get there.  A thoroughly enjoyable one, though.  Thanks for visiting.

Pix From Omega

Just a quick note to post pix from my workshop last week - "Reclaim Your Creative Freedom: Expressive Abstract Painting and Collage" at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.  What a week!! 

We had a great big airy classroom with a/c and lots of windows.

Here I am showing off again drawing (making marks, at least) with my foot.

Sally working hard

And  now for a sampling of student work.  This is the tip of the iceberg, just a few pieces to give you an idea of the breadth of work the participants did:

10x10

6x6

5x5

9x12

5x8

9x12

10x10

9x12

9x12

4x4

9x12

10x10

4x4

6x9

4x6

9x12

9x12

8x8

10x10

The dimensions are approximate, but they give you an idea of scale.  I expect to be back at Omega in 2015 for another round!  Thanks for visiting.