If you can draw a circle, then I can teach you to paint!

Many people have said to me that they would like to learn how to paint, but that they can't even draw a straight line without a ruler. Well, guess what? Neither can I- and I have been an artist since I could hold a pencil!

Making drawings and paintings is not about making straight lines unless you are going for a certain type of realism and in those cases, often a ruler IS used.

Drawing and painting is about SEEING. It's about observing objects and shapes and seeing through them. It's about dissection and observation. It's about coordinating hand to eye.

Sound intimidating? It's not. If you can draw a circle, square, rectangle etc., then I can teach you to paint. I have a method of teaching which will help you break down what you are seeing into simple shapes and connect them to become the objects before your eyes.

I can also teach you simple ways of mixing and dealing with color that will have you creating and finishing at least one masterpiece (or more) during my 9 week painting class which I teach at The Art Studio 310 Kiamensi Road
Wilmington, DE 19804.

This is a photo of one of my previous students at work on a painting.  She walked into my class with zero experience in drawing or painting and completed 2 1/2 beautiful still life paintings during last semester.

If you would like something fun, laid back and rewarding to do with your long winter nights, then consider joining my Acrylic Painting class.

The class meets on Weds. evenings starting on Jan. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The cost is $155.00 for residents and $165.00 for non-residents. Materials can either be bought from me at $35 or on your own from the supply list provided when registering. 

You may register online at The Art Studio of New Castle County or by calling : (302) 995-7661

Feel free to give me a holler with any questions. Hope to see you there! 

Facts About Famous Art

Did you know that Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe is one of pop art’s most famous images and contains 50 images of the actress from her publicity shoot for the 1955 film, Niagara? How about the fact that The Scream by Edward Munch actually has four different versions? By knowing a little more about the art that you love you will be able to impress your friends and have more to talk about when you have visitors. This is because it is easy to get your favorite works of art in your home by purchasing a reprint of the original. You can frame the art that you love without having to pay enormous prices at auction as well. In addition, the art that you display in your home can say a lot about you and your family. Learn more about the ten most popular fine art reprints by reading the infographic that follows. Created by Coastal Printworks, provider of provides Museum Quality T-Shirt Screen-Printing, Digital T-Shirt Printing and embroidery.

My artistic year in review

New Years Day. The one day of the year which causes you to stop and reflect and (if you're ambitious) make a plan for the 364 days to come. I don't generally spend a lot of time looking backward. It's too easy to get stuck there. I am usually more future oriented but I thought that this year it might be advantageous to take a look at where I've been to help me make a plan for where I am going.

 In my private life, I had a very good year which might seem like a strange thing to say given that my husband had a near fatal car accident in March, my father in law had 2 strokes which nearly killed him in May and I had a health scare of my own just this December. I say that it was all good, because we are all thankfully ok and going through each of these experiences caused me to draw even closer to God and to rely on Him for my strength.

Here are highlights of what's gone on in my artistic life.

January 2013- Had a blast with a bunch of crazy artists at Atelier 273 Toulouse Lautrec party

February 2013- Visited the Salvador Dali Museum and the Morean Art Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. 

April 2013- Mini Retrospective at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, De.

May 2013- Bellefonte Arts Festival-funkytown!

June 2013- Featured Artist/Author at Palette and Page in Elkton, Md.

July 2013- Got my own kiln!

August 2013- Spent a day collaborating with other artists

September 2013- Became Philadelphia Area Arts and Crafts Examiner for Examiner.com

October 2013- Started teaching painting at the Art Studio, Wilmington, De.

November 2013- Held a very successful Open Studio

December 2013-  A busy, busy, busy month of sales on etsy and local shows including some custom made challenges.

These are the happenings for the year. I had a lot of successes in terms of my work and grew a lot both as a person and an artist. I had quite a few accomplishments, but the one I am most proud of is having lost 33 lbs. to date on Weight Watchers. I still have a little ways to go, but that will be listed on next years blog- 

Wishing you all good health, peace and prosperity in the coming year!