Saturday 26th April--change of Class

Next Saturday was supposed to be an encaustic day-unfortunately Bev and Maureen who had booked to do that class cant make it after all. I will re-schedule the class for another date

So I have decided to hold another oil painting class instead.
Forest Pool is also a class subject for July but I have 2 people interested in doing it next Saturday.
If you would like to join them please get in touch via http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk

This painting is suitable for total first time painters as well as more experienced ones.
It is painted onto a black background which makes life much easier!
Its a very atmospheric picture, the light just glows through the background trees and onto the surface of the pond.

Latest Commission

I will begin working on my latest commission tomorrow.
I have been asked to paint "Trio Of Sunflowers" on a bigger canvas,I thought I would have to order a canvas in to start with then discovered that I already had some here--you have got to see my spare room --there are hundreds of blank canvas in there in all shapes and sizes.The size I wanted was hidden away behind some others!
I'm going to paint it on a 100cm x80 cm.
I'm really looking forward to starting this one tomorrow.
As usual I will email Debbie each stage for approval, before going to the next stage.
Its an interesting painting to do-quite difficult to get the 3D effect, but I love a challenge and as its done in acrylic there is no waiting a long time for it to dry in between stages.

A Litttle Gem

I found this gem on a forum I use--it makes a lot of sense!

A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes".
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now" said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are important things- your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."
"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car".
"The sand is everything else- the small stuff. if you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."