EARLY WORK

Here's a painting done plein aire in our old backyard in Kokomo. I grew everything possible - hundreds of varieties of perennials and exotic, unusual dwarf plants. We had no deer to eat our garden like we do here, and the soil was not such a hard packed clay.

These windflowers or anemones danced gracefully in the breeze that May day and begged to be painted. I was a fairly new watercolorist and had to touch up a spot or two with white gouache... should've planned ahead better or used miskit.

"WINDFLOWERS" Transparent Watercolor on 140# Arches about 10 x 7" COLLECTED

NICK SIMMONS WORKSHOP HERE

Artist Nicholas Simmons will be teaching a workshop here at my studio next August, SIXTEEN months away, but I wanted to let anyone know who's interested. Check out his work here with fluid acrylics. He uses them JUST LIKE TRANSPARENT WATERCOLOR, taking advantage of the fact that once they're dry, they're immovable, but while they're drying, they're partially removable. Nick's results are stunning and have been compared to a batik look.

In 2007, Nick was here to give a workshop, right after he won the National Watercolor Society's GOLD MEDAL. We learned so much and had a blast.

Next August, Nick will present a fabulous four day workshop from August 6 - 9, 2010, a Friday through a Monday, here near Cincinnati, Ohio. Cost is $400, and a non-refundable down payment of $50 holds your place in class. He is an excellent instructor who has the expertise to teach, motivate, encourage, and critique.

Contact me for my mailing address at sandymaudlin@gmail.com if you have questions or want to sign up. Nick's workshop will fill up very, very fast so don't delay. And if you can't get here to southeastern Indiana for the workshop, make every effort to find another NICHOLAS SIMMONS workshop to attend. You'll be so glad you did.

MY ARTISTS

Saturday we dyed 18 Easter eggs. Aren't they gorgeous! Sunday morning before church, the artistic Easter egg dying crew was ready to go on an Easter egg hunt. And aren't THEY gorgeous!!! Three 5 year olds, one 8 year old. We had a blast.

Two eggs are missing??? Maybe they'll show up soon. The kids found over 70 hidden eggs with treasures in them. Busy bunny. Happy Grandma:-D