BALL JARS - 2

Here are the paintings at the end of the second day.  All were at about the same state of completion - that is to say - not finished!

My aim was for everyone to get one jar, board and peeling paint section completed and then they could all finish up at home.  Mission accomplished!

Each artist was happy with her work and everyone not only got along well, but created some new friendships.  I consider this weekend workshop a success!

BALL JARS WORKSHOP - DAY 1

I held a workshop on August 15-16 for 5 students.  Our subject was some old Ball jars.  The object was to learn to paint not only the glass, but wood and peeling paint.

At the end of Day 1 this is how all of the paintings looked.

And ALL of the student work was better than the instructor's!  

If some look a bit curved, that's because we are using Arches 140# CP and not taped down, so some are getting a bit curled during the drying process.

It was so pleasant that we ate lunch outside and enjoyed the view while we got to know one another better.

Later in the afternoon we looked out across the lake to see the little piggies terrorizing the little calves - and watched all of the mama cows terrorizing the little piggies!  We decided the piggies looked like a "gang" of thugs - and they had obviously gotten out of their fenced area.  So now we have the Piglet Gang - wonder where they will strike next!  (My husband later found them and will get them back where they belong!)

OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY DEMONSTRATION - KATHLEEN CONOVER

On Sunday, August 2, I attended the demonstration by Kathleen Conover in conjunction with the OWS drop off day.  Kathleen was going to have a workshop that following week, and had graciously agreed to give a 2 hour demo on that Sunday.  Since the show is in "my neck of the woods" this year, I'm trying to go to as many of the events as possible (but could not attend the workshop).

Two friends went with me and I dropped my painting and another friend's painting, and then, since we were a bit early, we went into the demo room and helped Kathleen put up a few of her paintings on easels.  She needed that help - she had a broken foot (!) and was able to stand, but needed the aid of a walker which she used like a scooter (!) to get around.

Her demo was straighforward, well thought out and explained clearly.  I'm sure her workshop was very worthwhile, interesting and entertaining - she had a few fun stories she shared with us, and I'll bet she shared more during her workshop!

Kathleen told us that she has very few old, bad paintings any more since she has begun using this technique.   Now she has to borrow them from  her artist friends!

Here are some photos of her delightful presentation.

Loosening paint on an old painting

Adding scribbles from a Caran d'Ache crayon

Adding her "secret formula" . . .

. . . and spreading it around . . .

. . . scraping around for texture 

Another old painting on which she had begun painting - note her value study lower right corner

Adding interest with small areas of paint

At the end of the demo Kathleen held up the painting she had been working on and one that was near
completion - that she had done using the same value study - so that we could compare them.

MORE "DRAMA IN REAL LIFE"

I had been out running errands and it was H-O-T out there.  What a relief to come inside, put away the groceries and sit down with some iced tea and a new art book!  Ahhhhhhhh, the tea was delish with just the right amount of ice and lemon, the book was going to be delightful and I was ready to sit for an hour before I had to start dinner.  When . . . . . the phone rang. 

It was my husband.  Wonder what he needs? . . . .

Me:  “Hello”

Him:  “If you want to get some good pictures for your blog look outside – I just tipped the tractor into the lake”

Me:  “What???  Where?  Are you OK?”

Him:  “I’m fine.  I was mowing along the edge, almost finished, when I got too close to the lake and it tipped over.  Your son is coming to pull me out”.

Sometimes I wonder if he doesn’t do these things on purpose, just to see how far he can push the limits. 

Well, dutiful wife that I am, I got my camera and zoomed in on the proceedings, which I have here for your viewing pleasure.

Most of the equipment has been upside down, sideways or – yep – in a lake or pond at some time in its life.  Seems it was John Deere 110’s turn to do something fun – like go swimming!

Here is the scenario – my husband is standing on the left by his Gator, the tractor sideways, about 1/3 in the lake.  The mowing bar is totally underwater.

 Help is on the way . . . . .!

  

Getting the chains hooked from the loader to the tractor.

Dad’s ready to pull her out, with some supervision.

When these guys work together you can hear them a quarter of a mile away! 

One can only imagine THIS conversation! 

Always best to let a Pro do it! (or The Changing of the Guard)

And up she comes . . . . .

Being pulled to safety – where she sat overnight to let all things that should never be sideways settle back to an upright position!

Amazingly, the only damage was dirt so she got a good wash, some new oil and will need a new blade on the sickle bar mower!  Some small hand tools were lost in the mud, but easily replaceable. 

No lives were lost, only minor nicks and dings, fortunately most in the head area of the human, so no damage there!  No harm, no foul.  He lives to break more machinery and tempt Fate another day!

Just another day at the Ranch!

Ps – by the time I got back into the house the ice had melted, the tea was weak, the lemon was all fuzzy and it was time to start dinner!!!  (Livin’ the Dream, Joe, Livin’ the Dream!)