Category Archives: Classes

The fountain in the conservatory

Painting by the fountain in the Hughes Conservatory at Reiman Gardens was a great prelude to Easter, enjoying the warmth and sunlight! We worked with the mirror effect and capturing water’s movement. Underpainting first, we then went back in and … Continue reading

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Smell the flowers

Look what we’ve been doing at Reiman in the conservatory — smelling the flowers, and painting! Starting with a composition sketch on cardstock, and painting a 10-minute wet sketch before we paint “the big one.”

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Inside looking out

Here’s a work in progress from last week’s watercolor class. We were painting on location inside Reiman Gardens, with smells of spring and flowers blooming around us. Outside, there was melting snow and cardinals at the bird feeder. We worked … Continue reading

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Finding community; finding the story

Last week I was in Cedar Falls for a watercolor workshop at the Hearst Center for the Arts. I arrived the night before to attend a get-together held by local watercolorists (many of whom also attended the workshop). It was … Continue reading

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Homeschool workshop

I’ve worked with students in many different schools throughout Iowa, and recently I was in Ellsworth for a workshop with home-schooled students! The event was arranged by Joyce Matters, one of the Home School Assistance Program teachers with South Hamilton … Continue reading

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Social Justice Week at St. Theresa’s (updated)

“Thank you” to everyone at St. Theresa School for allowing me to be part of their Social Justice Week! I grew in awareness, and they enlightened me in the ways we can bring awareness to others. The focus of the … Continue reading

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Workshop in Cherokee

I was at the Sanford Museum & Planetarium in Cherokee, Iowa in January for a watercolor workshop and the opening of the Poetic Expressions in Watercolor exhibit (which runs through February 17, 2013). In addition to scientific and historical programs, … Continue reading

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New year’s journey to Greenfield

As I traveled to Greenfield, Iowa last Friday, I was feeling anxious about the time and getting to my destination — until I drove south of I-80, and the countryside made me feel like I was coming home! The anxiety … Continue reading

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Journal birds

The feathered friends flocking around their journal — we had another retreat recently at The Left Bank Studio working with the meaning of color and finding gratitude, awe, and wonder. We painted, cut things out, and made funny lettering for … Continue reading

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Seasonal trees

The Left Bank Studio class members wanted to paint Christmas trees one week, so we painted trees in snow. I told them, think of the snow as whipped cream and you’ll be fine! First we painted the “whipped cream,” then … Continue reading

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