Painting Together in COVID-19 Times

Just look at those happy faces in that group photo!

Ok... so you can't see their faces, but you know they're smiling with pride under those masks!

And... it's not a group photo, but it's a COVID-19 safe group photo!

My painting partner Julie and I were scheduled to teach this class of amazing senior citizens in March. Well, we know what happened in March.  It was postponed until May when we assumed the coronavirus would be over. Well, that didn't happen, so it was postponed again.  This week we finally got to do it... COVID-19 style... Big open room, masks, extra distancing, separate tables, all supplies out ahead of time... 

We were a bit nervous about how it could go, but do you know what? We modeled, encouraged, explained, and encouraged again. And, you know what else?  The students watched, tried, learned, laughed, and ended up with beautiful paintings!

In many ways students in their 60s and 70s are so different from those 9-10 year old students Julie and I taught for so many years. (ha ha) In other ways, they're just the same. They want the teacher to stop talking so they can do it for themselves!  They want to be sure they're doing it right.  They need encouragement.  They are so proud when they've finished.  What a pleasure to get to be a teacher... but glad it's 2 days a semester instead of 72!

1st
Prepare and
make examples.

2nd
Give everyone an "Artistic License"
and make sure they know they can use it! 

3rd
Explain 
Lots of "how" and a little "why."

4th
Model
So they can watch what they're going to do.

5th
Stop talking and let the magic begin! 

Two Tiger Lilies

How do you "get back in shape" after time off?

I have done a lot of traveling this summer and just didn't have that much home time.  Since I didn't get to paint much, I felt a little "off" when I finally did sit down in front of a canvas.  I decided to start with something small and comfortable.  I've painted lilies many times before.  These two grew in the flowerbed beside my front porch. I know I've said it before, but I do love lilies.

Click Two Tiger Lilies if you're interested in purchasing this little painting.

A Stunning Pair (Red & Yellow Lilies)

How many kinds of lilies are there in the world?

I love them all... the plain ones, the fancy ones, the usual colors like orange or pink, and the amazing ones like these.

I like using a chunky little canvas so that the painting can continue onto the sides.  I did it for a friend who planned to give it as a gift for master gardener.  These are her lilies. (I wonder if she'll recognize them!) Maybe she'll hang it on her wall, set it on a shelf, or put it on her desk.  I hope she liked it!  

[SOLD]

 

Pink Lily

What makes you smile when you come home?

I love pulling into my driveway.  We have kind of a winding gravel road through wonderful trees.  There's usually a yellow cat sitting on the porch rail who's waiting for the door to open so she can go inside. And there's a black and white cat rolling in the dirt or pouncing on some poor grasshopper.  In front of the porch there's what could be a fabulous flower bed, if only it had someone who thought it was great fun to keep it weeded and watered.  I have planted all my favorite things there, irises, daffodils, tiger lilies, day lilies, and hyacinths.  Luckily those are all fairly hardy flowers who bloom and are beautiful even with weeds and little attention.  This pink lily bloomed last year and is almost ready to bloom again this year.

 Here's sweet Daisy relaxing on the porch rail waiting for her chance to run inside.  And, here's crazy Pounce; she's crawled through the tomato cage in order to roll on top of the little tomato plant.  Thanks, Pounce :(

Sometimes we see other friends in our yard as we come home.  Seeing our deer as we drive in makes us smile too.

When I come from school tomorrow, this is what I'll see, purple irises blooming in the flowerbed. And here's what I'll smell, a wall of honeysuckle on the edge of the woods.

Click Pink Lily if you'd like to purchase this little painting.

Orange Lilies

Tiger Lily  or Day Lily? 


Take your pick!  I love hardy flowers - those that come back year after year, that manage to survive and be stronger than the weeds, that are able to thrive without much attention. I guess that's why I've always been drawn to lilies. They grow and multiply and never to fail to announce that summer has finally come.

Click GREAT (and say that word like Tony the Tiger would say it!) to enjoy an Etsy treasury (collection of related vintage items and art pieces) celebrating all kinds of tigers - including these tiger lilies!