I start my first experience as a teacher today with the two day workshop being held at the Yates County Arts Center in Penn Yan. I have to admit to being a bit nervous even though I will simply be doing what I have done nearly every day for the past two decades. It’s just that I normally do it in the privacy of my studio– silently and without a group watching every move. I hope all the spitting and swearing doesn’t turn the students off too much.
Of course, that’s a joke– I don’t swear that much in the studio. But in the weeks leading up to this workshop, I have become very self conscious of my actions as I paint, trying to minimize any goofy traits that might come across when I am standing in front of the group. I think I have the spitting under control.
During this time, as I was prepping for the workshop and finishing a group of new work to take with me for Sunday’s Gallery talk at the Principle Gallery, I noticed that so many of the techniques that I will be showing in the next couple of days still make up the basis for my new work.
Take for example the painting shown at the top, a 12″ by 12″ canvas called Past Present Future. Outside of several layers of glazing, it is very much painted in the same manner as much of my work from 17 or 18 years back. The shapes evolve and layers are added, but the basic technique is very much the same.
I am excited to see how the students at this workshop adapt this technique to their own sensibilities and their own expression. I will let you know how it goes.
Redtree Times 