Acrylic Painting

It's fun trying something different here in Key West every winter. I believe experimenting with another art form enhances your creativity as a quilter. This year, I couldn't resist the acrylic painting class wth local artist Maggie Ruley.

A 4 week class to paint a portrait of your pet. Right up my alley. The class was at the local art center, The Studios of Key West. What could be better than walking to an art class? I have waited until the end to share, basically because I had my doubts. I am certainly not giving up quilting to become a painter, but it sure was fun.

We came to the class with a photo.

And used clear acrylic to outline our piece. (Something I have done with quilting).

Then we practiced by drawing it on paper.

Then transferring it to the canvas.

And outlining it with paint.

 

Next step was painting in the general colors and the ground. I was not thrilled at this point. I didn't think it looked like Bailey girl. It did make me happy when people recognized it as a dog! Just kidding! Recognized it as a poodle/cockapoo.

The third class gave me hope. We painted details over the basic colors. I thought it looked more like her, but she had the big shield on her chest that was supposed to be a shadow.

My homework was to do a background. Since one of m favorite pictures of her is on the chair in my studio, I decided to make that my background.

It really made her pop.

During the last class i was able to get rid of her shield, put in wispy hairs and do little adjustments. I think Bailey ended up looking a bit chubby.

Here are some of the other pet portraits.

Maggie was a great teacher. I think everyone did a great job. Now that I have the paints and the brushes, I'm going to play with this. It taught me observation skills and that I need to work on those. Maybe I'll end up with a wall of Bailey paintings as I practice!

 

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Why I Love Key West

Many people think of Key West as a place to go to drink and party all night. But if you know me at all, you know that drinking is not on my agenda and I'm usually in bed by 10:00. Although I do spend a lot of my time quilting, and I do try to fit in an exercise class every day. Life here is filled with such unusual encounters.

During the past week, I volunteered to help set up for a brunch at The Studios of Key West, which is where I am also taking a painting class. It was fun to set up for a party for the patrons, but even more fun to see this wonderful painting being finished by island painter, Rick Worth. I didn't measure it but I'm guessing 10' high by 20' long. It's a collage of the island and he finished it in 1 month!

I was invited by one of my neighbors to attend a meeting of the KW Orchid Society. It had been raining for a few days and I needed to get out. Besides, I have been thinking about an orchid quilt and knew I could get some pictures.

There is a raffle at each meeting. Dan bought tickets for both of us, and I won! Not one, but two orchids. Woo Hoo!

Today I went with another neighbor to Nancy's Secret Garden. It's filled with parrots, 23 of them. Nancy owns them and takes care of them and brings them all inside every night.

 

Baby Blue liked me and walked onto my arm, apparently a first in Nancy's Secret Garden.

And afternoon walks with Bailey to savor a latte or cafe con leche, my new vice.

Life is definitely not dull here if you allow yourself to embrace the opportunities. Why wouldn't you?

 

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Watercolor Class #3

For my third watercolor class, we graduated to marbles in 3 colors!

These are the lime like marbles.

 

These are the orange like marbles.

 

I did not do any practice painting this week. 

Watercolor Class

I thought it would be fun and mind expanding to take a watercolor class this Winter.  Key West is home to many painters and I just love the watercolors with local flavor. 

The local art center is called The Studios of Key West (TSKW.org). 

 It was the Key West armory, built around 1900 and is a very cool looking building.

 It's a great old building.  There are artist's studios, lots of classes and exhibits.
 There are also concerts.  It is definitely the place to be if you are interested in learning.

I decided to expand my horizons during this winter sojourn and take a watercolor class.  My instructor is a local watercolor painter named Sean Callahan.    Can you see the mirror slanted over his worktable? That's how everyone could see his demo.

 I know that my desires and expectations were high.  But I was seriously worried about my talent!

I don't know why I am sharing my first attempt.  I wanted to paint palm trees with bicycles leaning against them, and I painted marbles. 

 I am supposed to paint a weekful of marbles.  It's always about the basics!

Stay tuned.