Art Classes in Oil and Acrylics

Darryl and I came to South Bend this summer and I was fortunate enough (thanks to my very generous husband) to be able to take 2 different art classes.  

This post will focus on the Artist's Choice Class - Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:00

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September 11, 2019

The instructor for this class was David Learn, an extremely talented, and slightly unconventional teacher who leaves you on your own to create your art, but is always ready with advice and instruction if you need it. 

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My first painting choice - Oil on canvas.

I have never painted people or movement before and felt I needed to try, so I used this photo I took  of Emily and Lily in 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as my subject. I asked David "What do I use to draw or trace this photo onto the canvas"? His reply was "We're painters, we don't draw. Just use some paint and put in a rough outline and go from there". 

Well... Okay then. That's what I did. 

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David has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and stretch myself, and when I felt like I might be doing it wrong he showed me how to improve, never changing my 'style' but teaching me how to look at my subject for light and shadow, tint and hue, and transfer what I see to the canvas.

September 18, 2019

It took me three, three hour class sessions to finish.

September 25, 2019 

Thanks to David it is recognizable as two little girls in the water. I realize it's a long way from perfect, but for a first attempt, I am so happy with it!

 October 2, 2019

 My second oil painting was a landscape from a calendar picture. I loved the colors in this and there were many different elements in the photograph I wanted to try and capture.

I spent three weeks getting this painting to where I wanted it to be, constantly trying new techniques and being encouraged by David and the other artists in the class.

October 9, 2019

I used a paint brush on everything but the orange and purple flowers. To get more texture I used a palette knife on the blossoms.

October 16, 2019

I love the finished piece..

And so did Darryl. He didn't waste time finding a frame for it.

October 23, 2019

The course is only 8 weeks long and the first two paintings took 3 classes each to complete. For week seven I wanted to do something quick and familiar, so I covered my canvases in black gesso and did a 16 x 20 version of a Bill Alexander tutorial I had done before. It took me right at an hour to complete this painting and I only used 4 colors on my palette. Indian Yellow, Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow and Pthalo Blue.

October 23, 2019

My fellow classmates were impressed with how I did this painting. I was almost embarrassed, because to me it was fairly easy. Since I had time to spare, I did a black and white gesso forest scene with an oil wash over it. This is a painting I have done several times and I always enjoy doing them.

October 30, 2019
Acrylic on Canvas

To be able to see the world not just as a glorious riot of colors, but also in variations of light and shadow, highlights and low lights, tints and hues, is like seeing the world  anew or for the first time. This is what painting has done for me. For my final class painting I decided to use only the palette knife and to do an autumn painting with loads of color.

My inspiration came from a tutorial on YouTube, so I just watched it a couple of times then tried to do it on my own. I LOVED IT! This is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing oil paintings I have ever done and I can't wait to do more.

 Following our final class we all went to our instructors home for a delicious German Dinner of  knackwurst and sour kraut, new potatoes and more. 

(David Learn, the instructor, is in the blue plaid shirt)

(L-R Tony, Michelle, Kay, Paul, Nektaria, Barb, Diane, Rosie, Dee, David, Jim and Katie.)

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How I have enjoyed being with these great people, watching them create beautiful art and learning from them.

As Darryl and I prepare to leave South Bend for a new work site I will take with me very fond memories of these good people.

Enjoying Autumn in Indiana and Life

A lot has happened in the 6 weeks since the Eppert Family Reunion

Look at this beautiful young woman! Emily Mae you are a doll!

My oldest grandchild and my youngest daughter. The seemed more like sisters when Emily went out to stay with Hillary and her family.

You never know what you are going to see on the streets of South Bend on a Wednesday afternoon.

I started my first art class on Wednesday Sept. 11th,  at the South Bend Museum of Art. My first attempt at painting people and movement. My medium in Oil Paints.

I saved a frog from getting squished and returned him to the pond.

 On Saturday September 21st, Darryl and I took advantage of the beautiful day and took a canoe down the St. Joseph River.

This is such a slow moving and relaxing river .... ahhhh.

We pretty much had the whole river to ourselves.

And I started a watercolor art class on Mondays. 

My finished Oil painting... I think. I may have to do more. We'll see.

I bought a couple of new tea cups from which I enjoy my evening herbal infusion.

I worked on some acrylic abstract paintings at home.

The last Saturday in September we went to the pumpkin patch to get some festive decor for our little apartment.

The pumpkins, Indian Corn and chrysanthemums were beautiful to behold.

Our little bit of autumn at home.

 Each week I have painting homework from my watercolor class. Here is a sample.

I also started work on a new 12x16 watercolor.

I also started a new oil painting the first of October.

Every weekday morning I call my 11 yr. old grandson Gideon at 8:00 a.m. my time, 5:00 a.m. in Phoenix, to go for a walk together for 20- 40 minutes. He tells me what he did at school and we talk of things he wants to create and do as we try to get 1.75 - 2 miles in.

After we walk we do some stretches before we start the day.
I love the mornings I get to walk with my "Gid the Kid"!

After we hang up the phone he has to get ready for school and I usually do yoga.

Darryl and I enjoyed our General Conference weekend.
Dome Technology has Darryl building two salt storage domes for the Indiana Toll Road. He has a small crew of 5 guys and I think he is enjoying this job quite a bit. A little less stress perhaps than the bigger domes? Maybe.

 We also enjoyed a day at the Indianapolis, Indiana Temple. What a gorgeous edifice. Incredibly beautiful on the inside.

Finished.
This painting is from a photo I took at Tybee Island, Georgia this summer.

And more watercolor technique homework.

 Finally the leaves are starting to change color and I can't tell you how happy it makes my heart to see it!

I finished my second oil painting...

and found a great Halloween costume at an estate sale.

And I spend my days in awe as I take in all of the vibrant colors of this beautiful autumn.

This last weekend, October 19 - 20th, we had Stake Conference and a North America, North East Area Devotional. This was probably the best stake conference I have ever attended. Well, in the top 3 at least! It was definitely the best I've ever attended where there were no General Authorities or Apostles.
We were Spiritually fed and uplifted from the first talk to the end of Conference. I was happy to get to lead the music in the Saturday evening session, and oh, do these Hoosiers love to sing out! I think I smiled the whole time. The Music was fabulous in both sessions and Darryl and I enjoyed singing in the choir. And I wish you could have heard the Saxophone solo of 

O' Divine Redeemer. It was exquisite and something I will never forget. We finished off the weekend  at the devotional listening to Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder M. Russell Ballard talk of the founding of this great Nation and admonishing all of us to Pray for our Country and leaders. Oh how blessed we are!