Join me for a fun weekend at Lake McConaughy, NE.

Putting the Passion in Pastel!  Art Workshop on the Lake.

This workshop will be a work out in composition, design, technique, and experimentation.  You will work on a number of pieces and try several genres all within a relaxed, fun, non-threatening atmosphere.  We will try a smorgasbord of ideas to stimulate your creativity.  Daily friendly critiques will help you learn from your current artwork what to take to the next piece.  Informal time can be spent on personal needs from selling and marketing to social networking.  While we will be working with pastels, you may use other mediums if you wish.   Colette will bring some of the latest art supplies to show and share and some for you to be able to purchase.

Instructor: Colette Pitcher (www.ColettePitcher.com)

Date: October 12-14, Fri./Sat. 9-5 and Sun., 9-12

Cost: $325.00 if registered by Sept. 15, 2012, after cost is $350.00. (Price includes workshop, cabin and meals. Special
arrangments may be made to come in on Thurs. eve.)

Location: Eagle Canyon Hideaway, Lake McConaughy, 1086 Lakeview West Rd., Brule, NE;

www.eagle-canyon.com

To make a reservation or for more information, call toll free 866-866-LAKE or Patti Bohall, 970-332-4387 or email

bohall5@hotmail.com

Every Day a Hero bronze dedicated on Memorial Day 2012 at Williston Pa

Williston Park is located in Nassau County on central Long Island.  It is a community with deep roots and genuine people.  The fire department is operated by volunteers as are most fire departments on Long Island.  We heard a number of stories of families that had four generations of fire fighters.  We also heard stories of loss and of course many stories of 9-11.  Everyone here has a story.  Memorial Day is a tradition in Williston Park and it was an honor to be a part of it this year.  A parade wound around the sstreets with Veterans, VFW members, Service Clubs, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Little league teams, marching bands, and every emergency vehicle imaginable.  They all came to the fire department to dedicate the sculpture, bless it and the first responders.  The ceremony began by remembering those who fought for our freedoms, those who has passed away this year and ended with a moving blessinng for the future.  Mayor Paul Ehrbar was eloquent in speech.  Deacon Joseph Connolly led prayers that lifted the spirits.  Nassau county ligislator Richard Nicolello and County Clerk Maureen O’Connell were also there.  Williston Park Rotary President and former Mayor Nancy Zolezzi outlined the project and the two years that wwe have planned for this day.   Eagle Scout candidate Dylan Perro was thanked for designing and implimenting the landscape entrance to serve as a base for the sculpture.  He did a beautiful job which included lighting, flowers, and brick pavers.  And of course we were given hugs,  thanks, and very special proclamations and citations suitable for framing (they will be!).  All the fire fighters were in their dress uniforms looking spectacular but hot in the 85 degree 93 % humidity and at the end of the service every one was grateful to the crew that cooked BBQ and had coolers filled with liquids.  A fabulous ceremony that united people.

Last night I was awarded the Community Impact Award from the Masons – Occidental Lodge #20.  It was the 13th year of the Impact Award program.  I am writing my acceptance here to keep me accountable and remind me to reach for the stars as an artist:

Artists for centuries have brought notoriety to their
communities. Tourists were lured to the west with paintings by Bierstadt and

Painting by Bierstadt

Moran.  Georgia O’Keefe made New Mexico
accessible to others by painting the landscapes.

Painting by O'Keefe

Monet made Giverny live forever with
paintings of his gardens and lily ponds.

Painting by Monet

Arles is placed in museums because of the paintings that Van Gogh did of
the area.

Panting by Van Gogh

Artists give places
recognition by their observations and works of art.  While I cannot compare me to these masters, I
am inspired by what they left us.  I love
using art for good deeds, filled with beauty, moral messages, and symbols of
strength and hope, perhaps to be discovered by generations to follow and
perceptive people who are aware now.  I
feel inadequate to be given this honor, but am inspired to become worthy.  I promise I will continue to find people and
places to elevate through art, especially our own community.

Painting of Downtwon Greeley by Colette Pitcher

Fall meets Frost

The leaves have been spectacular this fall season.

They usually are here.

Marvel.

It won’t be long before they disappear.

Take time to look.

Revel.

The same advice goes for people.

Take time.

Listen.

Enjoy.

Before they are gone.

Juried art shows have a chosen professional, a juror, to decide which works of art get in the show and which ones are rejected.  The juror also may chose prizes and awards.  So what are they looking for in art?  That was one of the questions answered last night at the Colorado Watercolor Society’s program led by two artists that have been jurors for several shows.   The audience, including us, went with the expectation of learning the answer.  I think we were delusional to think that an answer exists.  Of course every juror seeks art that suits their own taste.  Oh sure, they look for creativity, design, originality, but the two jurors couldn’t even agree on whether technical proficiency mattered.  They claimed that an artwork should have some message or idea that grabbed the viewer.  “Intrigue” and “unusual” meant more than the artist’s skill.   As usual, the program dug up more questions than answers.  Art usually does just that.  We certainly had a lively conversation on the hour drive home.

Pastor Nate Miller on a Pumpkin

Here’s a fun portrait idea for Halloween:  pumpkin portraits!  Our church recently had a celebration in honor of calling a new pastor.  Since it was fall, we needed a pumpkin and it was only natural to put his portrait on it.  HA!  He has a great sense of humor so it was fitting.  Here is an easy way for you to do your own pumpkin portrait.  I got a photograph of my subject, imported it to Photoshop elements.  Click filter, adjustments, posterize and choose only 2 layers.  Print out your pattern.  I touched the pattern up with a sharpie until it looked like an artist did it instead of a computer.  Tape it to the pumpkin and place transfer paper underneath and transfer the drawing onto the pumpkin by tracing over the lines.  Remove the pattern.  Use a small knife and carve through the pumpkin skin and peel away the light areas of the picture.  It takes a little time and a bunch of patience, but the result is well worth the effort.  Surprise one of your friends with this project.    Happy Halloween!