Earlier in these musings, I mentioned Marie and I transform into art hippies when we are down south. I dabbled with oils when I was a wee lad in high school and have always admired water colors. So, when Marie said she was interested in learning something about painting, I went for water colors, and that story will be later. Marie has dabbled with pencil drawings on and off for several years so when she saw a notice of an art class here in the resort, she decided to give it a shot. The class, taught by an extremely talented lady by the name of Virginia, was a three season Marathon that met for three hours once a week. The approach was to bring the students through three paintings in each of three mediums --- charcoal, pastels, and oils. I think the order was important because the cost of the materials gets higher from left to right and Virginia --- called 'Tiny' for reasons that will be apparent later --- is no dummy. Her program is not unlike getting people hooked on drugs, and Marie will attest she is an art junkie now. If you are into trivia, a 'painting' is any medium that covers the entire canvas, whereas a 'drawing' does not.
The first season, 2005-6, was the introduction to charcoal and each medium must have three paintings, one of which must be a portrait. The first painting is a still life of a pitcher and everyone in the class must produce a pitcher picture. Say that three times fast. The second painting was of the baby hand of Marie's nephew, John
Kime. Tiny was impressed, as was I. I need to interject at this point, Tiny will not 'let you sign' your paintings until it meet
s her standards. Marie entered 'Baby John's Hand' in the end-of-season art show and won an honorable mention ribbon. Lest ye think there were only 4 entries to the show, there was well over 160 paintings, at least 40 of them charcoal. At any rate, the next charcoal was a portrait of David, Number 1 son, at the age of 7. That got Marie through the first season and a graduate of charcoal painting. During the following summer (off season) she did two more charcoals --- a portrait of our neighbors (her first commissioned work), and a portrait of Phil's family. Those paintings are hanging in the respective homes.
Charcoal Paintings
s her standards. Marie entered 'Baby John's Hand' in the end-of-season art show and won an honorable mention ribbon. Lest ye think there were only 4 entries to the show, there was well over 160 paintings, at least 40 of them charcoal. At any rate, the next charcoal was a portrait of David, Number 1 son, at the age of 7. That got Marie through the first season and a graduate of charcoal painting. During the following summer (off season) she did two more charcoals --- a portrait of our neighbors (her first commissioned work), and a portrait of Phil's family. Those paintings are hanging in the respective homes.
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