Apple Hill - Plein Air Art Journaling

Next class dates are May 3rd & 5th. We will be painting at the Bluebird Iris Farm. Please join in the class.

Today was a gorgeous day at Smokey Ridge Ranch in Apple Hill (Camino, CA). We sat under blossoming apple trees with petals fluttering down around us. The view looked out over a pond with geese and red winged black birds. Up the hill behind the pond was extended vistas of the orchard and vineyard.

Today our painting focus was using liquid mask to maintain the pristine white of the apple blossoms while painting wet on wet in the background. We also used the resist to mask out the fence line in order to paint the pond behind it. Our morning and the lesson went quickly as we enjoyed each other's company and the beautiful area we live in.

This summer we will be continuing the series of meadows, gardens, and orchards of El Dorado County by painting lavender, lilies, peonies, and mountain wildflowers. Please email me for more information sbk317@yahoo.com.

Be well,

Susan

Art Journaling on Rainy Days

The last couple of classes I have had to find a Plan B for our outdoor painting class due to the wet weather. Luckily the local plant nursery said that we could paint in their greenhouse.

Today our thoughts to consider were fear & courage and rigidity & flexibility. First is fear of making art & making mistakes. The second for our outdoor painters is making art & making mistakes in public. It is important to acknowledge that the fear is there, it's just a feeling and we can gentle bring our focus back to our painting. Also, the act of painting in public, when we feel people looking at our work, is an act of kindness because it is a reminder to ourselves and others that it is ok to be creative, to be imperfect, and to do something we enjoy. We can support each other in perusing happiness.

Rigidity is when we have expectations of how the day should go, how our paintings should look, and we close down. Creativity doesn't flow. So we can bring our thoughts into the present moment and see how things are. That's what artists do. The look, feel, listen, and open to perceiving things in a fresh way. This is flexibility.

Art is a practice that teaches us to sit, be aware of our bodies and surroundings, and to be open to the creative energy that is all around us and within us. It's a tool that can bring us to a place of clarity and calm.

Hand Illustrated Accordion Book

Making this accordion book was fun. I took a piece of watercolor paper and illustrated jackrabbits with pen and watercolors. Then I used scrap cardboard for the ends which I covered with Chinese packing paper, rice paper, and raffia. I glued the watercolor illustration to the cardboard ends and here is my lively jackrabbit book.

Illustration for Accordion Book

I've been admiring the styles of Beatrix Potter and Tasha Tudor for illustrating books. So I am working on an accordion book of a jackrabbit. I'm almost done with the painting; then I'll put the covers on it.

Painting at Daffodil Hill

Watercolor Journaling outside at Daffodil Hill in Volcano, CA.

Two great days of plein air painting with my students. We studied the delicate colors in shadows, looking at contours and shapes, and be present with nature. Really fantastic start to the series. Next week is painting the wildflowers of Coloma.

Great morning art journaling!!

Plein Air Art Journaling

4/5/12 at Daffodil Hill

Beautiful morning teaching, sketching and painting on Daffodil Hill in Volcano, CA. Sunshine, fragrant blooms, thousands of daffodils swaying in a cool breeze - and art!! Best combo ever.

"If one daffodil is worth a thousand pleasures, then one is too few" ~ Wm. Wordsworth

Painting & Journaling

Plein Air Mornings

Enjoy outdoor painting,

sketching, & journaling trips to

gardens, meadows, and orchards in El Dorado County.

"I perhaps owe having become a painter

to flowers." ~ Claude Monet

See more of her art on Facebook page: Studio Akhyana.Teacher: Susan Keale – Susan is best known for her whimsical illustrations and paintings. On these outings she will share her experience with materials, color, and what to look for to capture the charm of nature.

Fee: $25 each outing (includes carpooling and instruction). Registration and payment due by March 17^th. Non-refundable and no make-up dates.

Dates & Times:

Spring Session 2012: (Times and dates subject to change due to weather or bloom)

Leave Park 'n Ride at 9:15am. Return by 12:00 noon.

Schedule A (Saturdays)*

April 7^th – Daffodils

April 14^th – Meadow Wildflowers/California poppies

April 21^th – Apple Blossoms

May 5^th – Iris

Schedule B (Thursdays)*

April 5^th – Daffodils

April 12^th – Meadow Wildflowers/California poppies

April 19^th – Apple Blossoms

May 3^rd – Iris

*Minimum of 4 preregistered students required per date. Date will be cancelled if not enough students.

Summer Session 2012: (Times and dates TBA)

May/June – Peonies

June – Day Lilies

June – Mountain Wildflowers

July - Lavender

Meeting Place: Missouri Flat Park 'n Ride, Placerville. (Corner of MotherLode and Missouri Flat)

Endorsed by: El Dorado Arts Council's Arts & Ag Program

Membership info: www.eldoradoartscouncil.org

Register and Info: Call Susan at 530-228-8775 or email sbk317@yahoo.com

What to bring:

Backpack with Travel Art Supplies for painting/drawing outdoors (journal, pens, paints, etc).

Water and snacks. Appropriate clothing for the weather. Travel chair – optional.