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! 

Tiger Lilies

If you've followed me for a while, you might be thinking... Really? Another lily?  Well, yes... another lily. I don't know how many I've painted, but I like them all! Click HERE to see a few.

I know, I know there dozens of other kinds of flowers to choose from.  But... I do love a good day lily... or tiger lily... or stargazer lily...  That alone should be enough reason to paint yet another one.

There is another reason I've been practicing orange lilies though.   In a few weeks my painting partner, Julie, and I are going to teach another class for senior citizens, "Oil Painting for Beginners - Floral."  We loved doing it so much the first two times that we decided to do it again. First we did an apple. Then we did a bluebird. Next we'll do a single tiger lily.  I'm just painting a few different examples for them to have as inspiration... different backgrounds, different leaf styles... 

Also I'm doing them to be sure I'm confident enough to teach someone else how to paint one!

Original Oil Painting on 8"x 10" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

Orange Tiger Lily II

I love orange lilies.  
I love having them in my flower bed and on my painting easel.

 

 

 

I knew that flowers have certain meanings, so I decided to look it up. Google would know what the orange lily symbolizes, right?

According to FTD, the orange lily symbolizes confidence, pride, and wealth. 
According to 10 Flowers You Should Never Give Anyone, the orange lily symbolizes hatred, pride, and disdain.
According to Flower Auora, the orange lily symbolizes respect and honor. 
According to the Flower Expert, the orange lily symbolizes passion.
According to Fresh Flowers, the orange lily symbolizes energy and warmth.
According to Teleflora, the orange lily symbolizes a 30th anniversary.

I quit looking.
I'm pretty sure you can just assign any meaning you want.
So...
According to Helen Eaton, the orange lily symbolizes home, joy, and peaceful times.

Thanks to these two cuties who volunteered to be my practice students.

Original Oil Painting on 8"x 8" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

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.

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!