more pears

Life-size Bartlett pears. Pears are so subtly colored ... and subtly shaped!

I need to add some background stuff.

pears

Taking a class with Michael Weller at Winslow Art Center: four weeks of drawing and painting pears.

I'm really trying to cut back on the classes I take; sometimes I feel I use them as an avoidance tactic...

But the idea of concentrating on simple shapes for four weeks appealed to me: seems like the kind of effort that might lead to a breakthrough.

travel sketchbook class

I am taking a recorded online travel sketchbook course with Liz Steel. The class is very well produced and put together, and the lesson videos are short, which really helps me get through them.

The course is $59, and, I think, worth it. Her other classes are longer and more expensive (but they're probably worth it too).

This is my homework for lesson 1: lines.

The idea is, to delve in quickly and simplify a complicated subject, start with 7 lines.

I found it not always easy to choose 7 lines ... but I also find it doesn't matter all that much! You just look, then start; then keep going!

rocks + sea

                              8x10

Returning to a favorite subject, Scotland, to help get me out of my slump.

Tried to keep it simple and fresh and stop before overdoing it.

marshes

Whew. In a terrible long-lasting slump ... lots of ideas, some desire, no execution. It's depressing.

I know it will end eventually ...