A relaxing retreat

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Journal cover with paper cutout hand

A journal cover

On a beautiful day last week I collaborated with mental health professional Mary Jo Pfeifer Wulf to lead a retreat for a group of people who work with hospice patients. I can tailor my activities to fit the organization’s objectives for the day, and this day was all about relaxing and getting into a creative frame of mind, to promote individual wellbeing and the strength of the team. We met at the Fairview Lodge in Story City’s North Park, next door to the antique carousel!

I brought out paper, pens, and supplies from the vault (like this paper cutout hand), and we made journal covers. Then the staff members started filling the journals with our healing activities, such as drawing, watercolor painting, an observational exercise, and “cleaning out your emotional closet.” The participants could choose their activities, and many of them chose to keep working on their journals even when they could have simply strolled in the park! They were so pleasantly surprised with the results from the upside-down drawing exercise that they thought it could be a good breakroom activity at work, for 10 or 15 minutes of creative relaxation.

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A new outlook

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker

My second cataract surgery went very well, too! This time I didn’t use the drugs they gave me the first time to help me relax. Being an observer, as an artist I’m very curious and wanted to be awake and alert to know what they were doing. There was no pain, just a sense of pressure as the work was done. This time I didn’t see the colors as intensely during the procedure — they were more muted and serene, instead of the psychedelic effects the first time. I still need to paint a picture of what I saw with each eye’s surgery — the doctor asked me to do them since he knows I’m an artist.

I can see dust now! I had thought the place I’m living had some special type of filter that removed it. Now, I can see the dust on top of my paintings. On the “plus” side, I can also appreciate the painted colors’ effect from a distance.

I got some reading glasses (shown below left) for when I need to see things close-up. I took my bank statement with me to the store to make sure I could read the fine print!

Jo Myers-Walker in new reading glasses

Who’s that behind those Foster Grants?
(My new reading glasses, before I managed to get the tag off)

Jo Myers-Walker in round tinted glasses

I found these John-Lennon-style glasses in the vault. I’m feeling like I’m in the 1960s, ready for a peace march!

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Fall stories and colorful cats

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Cats of many colors by Jo Myers-Walker

Cats of many colors

Last week I did some activities with area assisted-living residents in celebration of National Assisted Living Week. At one location I took a microphone and recorded people’s stories about fall, and hope to use them on KHOI.

At another location, we painted cats! Purple, green, yellow kitties… my versions are pictured. I showed the participants the technique for the eyes, and we used tape resist for the nose, and salt to create a textured effect, like fur. Even with such a light-hearted subject, we used several real watercolor painting techniques!

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Painting glass in the Studio class

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Colorful glass used in painting class at The Left Bank Studio

Colorful glass used in painting class at The Left Bank Studio

This is some glass we used for Watercolor Painting class last Thursday at The Left Bank Studio. First we used Winsor & Newton art masking fluid where the reflections are. The painting in the photo has five layers of watercolor paint, drying in between layers.

The lines on the table are made with masking tape to start working with perspective so that there is depth in your painting. Working with Paul Jackson I noticed that if you can have a path of light or movement through the glass, it’s more inviting and pulls the viewer in.

We’ll be working more with perspective at this week’s Watercolor Painting class (perspective in still life) and Drawing & Composition class (perspective in landscape).

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Glass painting

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Paul Jackson's work, and my copy from the workshop exercise

Paul Jackson’s work, and my copy (at right, in progress) from the workshop exercise

At last week’s workshop taught by Paul Jackson, we worked from his sketch of backlit glass, showing beautiful overlapping colors (pictured at right).

To paint, we used masking fluid to keep areas white or light. The big red vase on the left has eight layers of paint! Often people think watercolor is done in an instant and you can’t go back. But you can, if you let it dry thoroughly and then go back and add layers, starting with the light colors first.

I’ll be teaching what I learned, and we’ll be working from real glass still-lifes at this week’s Watercolor Painting class at The Left Bank Studio (Thursday morning, Sept. 13). (Update: I’ve sold the little bank in Gilbert, and now I’m based in Iowa City. Check out my blog to see what I’m doing these days!)

I started painting an arrangement of some of Betsy’s glassware (shown below, in progress) – the reflections are done by using masking fluid which is later removed. There are three layers of paint so far, and more will be added.

One of the models in an attractive pose

One of the models in an attractive pose

Glass painting in progress: more layers to come!

Glass painting in progress: more layers to come!

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Pub bird

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Bird painted at The London Underground to benefit KHOI

Bird painted at The London Underground to benefit KHOI

I’ve been painting birds at The London Underground pub in downtown Ames to raise money for KHOI Community Radio (89.1 FM) to build a studio.

You can make a difference by supporting KHOI’s Kickstarter campaign, which ends this Saturday (Sept. 15, 2012). (Update: the Kickstarter campaign was successful—thanks to everyone who helped!)

KHOI’s mission is “[t]o welcome all voices of our community, regardless of their perspectives, to freely discuss issues, nourish the spirit, and entertain.”

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Stilettos with straps

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker

Slumped-acrylic high-heel-shoe sculptures are a popular make-and-take project at The Left Bank Studio, and they’ve gotten fancier, with straps (pictured below left)! I also have a new cowboy-boot design. (Update: I’ve sold the little bank in Gilbert, and now I’m based in Iowa City. Check out my blog to see what I’m doing these days!)

Pictured below right is the Cobb Girls’ Retreat last Saturday at the Studio, where they made the new stylin’ stilettos.

Slumped acrylic shoes, now with straps

Slumped acrylic shoes, now with straps

Cobb Girls' Retreat at The Left Bank Studio

Cobb Girls’ Retreat at The Left Bank Studio

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Inspiring reflections

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Multicolored glass for painting workshop

Inspiring subjects for painting, from the workshop by Paul Jackson

Look what I will be painting this week, very inspiring glass! I’m taking a workshop called “Painting Glass and Shiny Things” taught by watercolorist Paul Jackson, this year’s juror and instructor for the Iowa Watercolor Society’s annual exhibition and workshops (held in conjunction with the IWS annual luncheon and meeting). After serving as President, I’m going off of the IWS board, leaving it in wonderful and capable hands. (I’ll have time to paint!) I’m thankful for the board members who will continue to serve.

This year’s exhibition at the Ankeny Art Center has 65 watercolor paintings by many different Iowa artists. The show continues in Ankeny through September 27, 2012 and about 30 works from the exhibit will be picked by the juror to make up this year’s traveling show, an Iowa Watercolor Society tradition. This new batch of traveling artwork will start in Dubuque in October, then continue to art center galleries around Iowa with a month or two at each place.

Last week the red van hit the road to pick up the 2011-2012 traveling show in Storm Lake and bring it back for the artists to claim their works, completing their travels. I’ll be back in Gilbert for the start of new classes at The Left Bank Studio on Thursday, September 6. I hope to see you there! (Update: I’ve sold the little bank in Gilbert, and now I’m based in Iowa City. Check out my blog to see what I’m doing these days!)

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Bird angel and emerging artists

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Bird angel by Jo Myers-Walker

Bird angel

Last Saturday morning was rainy for the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market. I demonstrated painting a bird (like the one pictured) and it rained on the bird! Instead of salt for special effects, I had raindrops.

That afternoon in Gilbert we opened the new exhibit of artwork (some pictured below) by this summer’s drawing and painting class members. We nibbled some wonderful cheeses brought by Rae, and showed visitors our sketchbooks so they could see how we worked. The display will be at the Studio through September 8 (this special display has now ended).

Anyone who came in could try drawing things upside-down. They were amazed they could do it!

Drawing and painting by Bonnie Dix

Drawing and Painting on the Right Side of the Brain – works by emerging artist Bonnie Dix

Artwork by Kelley Sutton and Sharon Morrical

Artwork everywhere! Works by emerging artists Kelley Sutton and Sharon Morrical

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A natural expression

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Jo Myers-Walker
Mary Swander

Mary Swander (photo from her website)

The Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames will be hosting an exhibit called “A Natural Expression: Art Inspired by the Poems of Iowa’s Poet Laureate, Mary Swander.” (Update: the plans for the exhibit changed — you can find details on my blog post, “Literary influence.”)

If you’re not familiar with her poetry and other works, you can start by checking out Mary Swander’s website!

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