Painting Class #1

Last Monday I started my first open studio painting class. It is at the Pullen Arts Center and the class is through the city of Raleigh.

I have been excited and nervous about getting back into painting. Its not really a class, although there is an instructor -- but he's more of a facilitator. Anyway, students/artists sign-up essentially for studio space and work on their own projects. Its every Monday for 3 hrs.

The night before I pulled all my painting stuff out and had most everything I needed. It was weird. Between the tubes of oil and the brushes, it was like revisiting old friends. I had no idea what I was going to paint and not a creative nugget in my brain to play with. I decided I would just allow myself the freedom of learning how to paint again and do a simple excercise of painting a pic of me and Danny (oh, dear. how original).

So I get to the class with my suitcase of supplies and there are 10 other students. All of which are 60's and up. I expected as much. They are retired folks except a mother and her teenage daughter (homeschooler?) and this dude who is my age?? or younger with lots of tatoos and very cliche "artist, rebel" look. But in fact, he looks like a poser. And please don't think me rude, but his paintings are aweful.

Everyone else is painting what you expect elderly white grannies to paint (why's it always got to be about race and age, Jacqueline??). Landscapes, and flowers, and city scapes and waterfalls, and fruit. Don't get me wrong, many of them have got some skills and serious talent.

Anyways, they all know each other. The mom + teenager and I are the newbies. I say hi, introduce myself, put my iPod on and go to town.

Ahhhhh, my old lover turpentine. Ahhhh, my friend palette knife. Ohhh, my inspiring spirits oil paint. If ever it was confirmed for me, I am a painter NOT a cake decorator! I haven't painted in years and it was like riding a bike.

So, surprisingly, I got an idea for a painting as I was setting up my space. I was inspired by a pattern I saw in a paper products catalogue. I can't believe how much fun painting is. I'm so sorry I had forgotten. I am so happy to be painting!!!


Here is my painting from class one. I will be posting its progress as I develop it. I hope it turns out pretty decent....