What a difference a Day Makes

I am working on a dress in my evil teachers class -  Mimi's dress.  I thought it was one of the ugliest dresses ever until I saw her wedding picture.  She looked fantastic in the photo but the mannequin doesn't do it justice.  

Everyone in the class is working on the same dress. Evil Suzy plans to have a show with all of our paintings and the dress - a very cool idea. This is my painting in the morning.....

and here it is 4 hours later.  The colours are off in both pictures.  The background really made a difference. I have been working on this painting for a very very long time.  I don't think I ever have worked longer.  I am tired of it and yet there is always something to adjust.  I'll  keep you posted.

I could have painted all night

I was in evil Suzy's class this week.  In honour of the new oriental exhibit at the museum she brought in a Russian teapot and Russian slippers.  None of us said a word  except the Russian student who was pretty sure it wasn't of Chinese origin.  Doesn't matter - I had such a blast -  the paint just flew from my brush onto the canvas and the floor.

And I felt real joy.  What a moment not to worry about the final outcome and just enjoy the process.  It must be the oriental influence - it was zen.

 It is too bad because I can't paint in my studio for 2 weeks.  I would have liked to continue this mood

Evil, mean teachers

I have a teacher named Suzy which is complicated because my name is Suzy.  During the class students are always calling for her which drives me crazy because I think they are calling me.  Eventually I learnt to ignore it with the problem now if someone is really talking to me I don't answer and I look like I am a snob.  Oh well  as my hairdresser used to say when I told him I want straight hair ``we have issues``.

Suzy is an evil and vicious teacher.  She takes lots of showers and in the shower she thinks of ways to torture her sweet students. Today was the same as usual - she had us painting candles - lit candles.  I thought we were going to get away with it because she forgot the matches but eventually the candles were lit and the torture began.

Flames are hard to paint  - really, really hard.  They  move.  The longer you paint, the shorter the candle.  If someone breathes they flicker and don`t ask what happens if someone walks by.  I thought it would have been fun if they set off the sprinkler system but nothing happened.

I had a lot of trouble with this one.  Who knew that the inside of a flame is dark.  You really have to observe the colours.  I really did observe - I just didn't paint them. I am satisfied by the middle candle the glow just under the lip. What I like about Suzy`s class is that everyones painting is different.  She really does bring out the best in us and she does it with patience and a smile.  She is too good to be true.    I think if you learn something the class was successful, I did learn something but I am just not going to tell Suzy. 

Suzy's Class

In Suzy's class this week the challenge was to paint foreground middle and background.  What do you think - did I do it?

I think I did, but what I really like is the shadow on the door.  I am quite pleased with my

Happy Halloween

Rembrandt is still on my easel - I wonder if we have moved on to first names. Whoops just googled him and Rembrandt was his first name. Rembrandt, Oprah, Madonna - who needs last names.  I'm going to have to change my name if I become famous.

At least now he looks his age.  

I miss taking my kids around for Halloween.  My son is 30 and lives 6 hours away - I don't think he would let me dress him up and take him out trick or treating but don't you wish you could turn the clock back for 5 minutes. I remember the anticipation they had before and of course I remember my husband and I looting their bags when they went to sleep.  He ate all the Coffee Crisps and I ate the rest. Good times.

The instruction for Suzy's class was a painting with a focal point.  

I think I did okay The door is the focal point and everything points to it - sort of.  Anyway it is creepy because of the tree shadows.  Perfect for Halloween.

The forecast for tomorrow is rain - I forgot about trick or treating in the rain and snow.  I'll just stay home and eat the candy I bought for the kids.  Good times.

On my easel

This is on my easel

This is the the third shirt colour and the second background colour.  I seem to like to use a lot of paint. Someone has to keep the economy thriving.  The sun  glasses are fun to do  because they are reflecting a landscape.  It is like working on a miniature painting.

This is what I did in Suzy's class (another Suzy).  We were to copy a famous painting.  I think it isn't bad for 3 hours work. Do you recognize it?