Becoming One with the Studio

We now have outside wall windows and the addition has officially become one with our house...today they opened up the wall that will form the L-shaped room with the addition and framed in the entry from French doors through the family room. It is difficult to get a decent camera shot to show the room in its entirety, but it looks to be a nice size to me right now. Next is the inspection before any more work is done.

I have started another Canyon de Chelly painting and will be posting it here when finished. While all of this has been going on I have been able to paint some, but my art things are in about three different rooms and the garage. No matter, I can paint almost anywhere!

After an almost one-week delay after the wrong trusses were delivered, followed by the long holiday weekend, we now have an official roof over the studio. Hopefully, tomorrow they will move the windows to the new outside wall and that will be the beginning of the wall demolition of the family room and bedroom. We are progressing!

Status quo

No photos today. The awaited trusses were delivered but, alas, were built with the wrong pitch. So, a new order went in and we are all hoping for next Monday for them to be delivered. Due to the holiday week this is all okay with us!

I hope everyone will have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pears in a Silver Bowl

This is the finished demo painting I started for the Thursday Watercolor II class. It is interesting to see how everyone interprets the same reference photo, so I am looking forward to our next class.

My studio will have walls! The framing for the outside perimeter is finished, awaiting Monday's delivery of the trusses for the roof. They put back in temporarily the cutouts for the windows for support, my studio room will actually have windows, too. Those will be the same ones that are currently on the outside wall. Onward and upward!

Pot on Satin

This is my demo painting I did during the Watercolor I class yesterday afternoon. I chose this as a simple shape that would enable me to demonstrate the importance of modeling to make objects look three-dimensional. After painting so many pears to demonstrate this principle, I chose to change the subject and do a pot! The class did very well considering they are in the beginning class. I was very happy with their results.

In doing a self-critique on this, I recognize there are some problem areas, but considering my two and one-half hour time spent on it, I think it did demonstrate what I hope for and am not too bothered by the flaws. I want to do another, probably a half-sheet, in blue and rust colors. Another day, another time!

Framing Day One

Today they finished the wall demo and will return tomorrow to begin working on the trusses and walls framing. This is beginning to get exciting!

It's Getting Worse!

At this point, after they stripped away all the stucco and part of the roof tiles, the back of our house definitely looks the worse for wear. But, the floor was poured and they will start tomorrow with the actual framing. This is going very rapidly at this point.

I'll keep everyone posted with progress photos as it goes along.

Return From Zion

We returned from my Zion workshop last night to find the busy studio builders have been preparing for the concrete pour this morning. Lots going on! Photos to follow later today.

I had a wonderful time at the workshop. Except for one day of cold, cloudy conditions the weather was beautiful. Here are two of the paintings I did while there. Painting en plein air is not my forte, but I am getting more tolerant of those conditions and enjoyed being out there, painting.

The focus of the workshop was exporing the fluidity of watercolors and letting the water push the colors together on the paper. I punched up my color choices and had fun adding colors I normally don't use (manganese blue, for one).

Sign me tired, but satisfied, from a good workshop experience in a beautiful setting...Zion National Park.

The Studio - Day One

The permits came through much earlier than expected, so the builders started digging the footings today, big surprise! Now, the fun begins. As soon as we return from our Zion trip, we have to clear out the art room and half of the family room, we had started sorting through things, now we have to get down to the nitty-gritty since they have started. Exciting, but tiring.

I'll keep posting photos of the build as progress is made. The room will be 8'6" x 25'7".....all for my art! I can hardly wait. Lots has to happen before then, though, so I will try to be patient.

I am beginning preparations for my Zion workshop with Carl Purcell next week. This is always a highlight of my artistic year, it will be my third Fall Workshop with Carl in Zion National Park. Carl is a wonderful instructor and demonstrates his magical brushwork for three days in this marvelous setting. What a treat! I have also registered and been accepted for his March workshop in Zion. Spring is the only season we have not visited Zion, so I look forward to that as well. Hopefully, the room addition project will be finished by then!

If anyone needs reference photos of Zion, I have thousands! Just contact me and I will share.

I am teaching my first Watercolor II class of the season this afternoon. Should be fun....I usually have fun anyway!