Let's Paint Painting Party

Many of you know that I have been teaching online for the past year. I have also taught through an  arts organization many years ago. Recently I taught at a local after school program and workshop at our local school. I came across a business in the city that was teaching private parties at peoples homes, so I began thinking why not give this concept a try. I decided in the fall to have over a few friends, so I began collecting easels, paints, aprons and brushes. I had hoped to do this earlier, but the kiddos and other family activities have delayed my plans.  

We first sketched our still life onto the canvas. Tricia had not drawn in years.

Georgette and Felicia began applying their paint to the canvas.

 Theresa and Diane sketching out their still life.

Their finished work of art all complete.

We all enjoyed eating, talking and creating together!

I already had a finished painting to show them what we would be painting.

A Few Finishing Touches

Since the kids are home for the summer creative time has been a bit of a challenge. Okay basically nonexistent! With vacations and keeping the kids entertained during the summer months. I did however get to paint this afternoon.

This painting I actually started before the school year ended. I just need to finish the background, and add a few more finishing touches. Then I will make this image into a few new items for my shop. I think this would make a great pendant for starters.

Our trip to New Orleans

Here are a few sights and sounds from our trip to New Orleans. We had a little reunion with the family on  Memorial Day weekend. As you can see from the picture above there was a lot of seafood to enjoy the entire weekend.

                

My aunt, mom and family went strolling down Bourbon Street, and other downtown shops and galleries in the heart of New Orleans. The old cobblestone streets are still filled with charm and interesting characters.

We visited this gallery filled with cat themed art.

Michael and Bethany enjoying the sights.

My cousin Michael's backyard barbeque was fantastic.

My husband and I at the banquet.

A montage of my grandparents, great grandparents and aunts and uncles.

Arts in the Park

 

Saturday morning started early assisting the volunteers with the festival. I helped the volunteers with getting the artist and entertainers get to the right location. My favorite part of the of the day is when the entertainers arrived.

  
There were opera singers, jugglers, and musicians to entertain the crowds throughtout the day.

Vickie Johnson is the president of the North Gwinnett Arts Association. They are the organizers of the show.

A view of our city hall from the park on this beautiful day.

A fountain keeps the kids cool during the heat of the day.

Concentric Circles

I decided to do a painting exercise of the famous painter Wassily Kandinsky's Concentric Circles.

I used a ruler to create the boxes.

I started painting the circles in each square using acrylic paint.

Here is a completed square.

Just a few more finishing touches.

It was fun replicating this famous painting. This is a good excercise to better understand color and improve your painting ability. You should try to reproduce one of your favorite works of art.

Barefoot in the Park Festival

I was able to attend a local festival in an Atlanta suburb just northeast of the city. 

I had the pleasure of meeting artist Larry Smith. His tent was filled with beautiful paintings. He and his wife also teach art classes.

Here you see these beautiful ceramic pieces. There was all sorts of wonderful talent on this gorgeous, but hot day.

Duluth has this beautiful city hall that has that old style charm. It actually is only several years old. There is also an amphitheatre that had an old style jazz band playing while I was strolling the show.

If you are ever in the Atlanta area come visit the city of Duluth. There are shops, restaurants, antique stores and galleries and a community theatre that line the main street of the city.

Summer Plants

 I have been adding a few plants around the outside of my home. I am actually going to try to grow some some strawberries and maybe some blueberries on my deck. It seems like more people are starting to have a little garden in their backyards in order to save a little money at the grocery store.

 This hanging plant is on my front porch. I added a few new plants to this basket for the summer season. I look forward to all the fun times and events to come during the summer months.

The winner of the notecard from My Savior is Zuda Gay. Congratulations!