workshop day 2 -- the stretch

It was just 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot to the Bridal Veil overlook. I am so glad I brought a collapsing cart in my full little trunk. I was able to load all of my supplies on the cart and then wheel it along the paved trail to the overlook. I have now used absolutely everything I brought with me on this trip (except for clean clothes!). 

I knew I wanted to paint the basalt columns across the river. In the top painting, you can see that I saw everything in shades of gray. Many things went wrong with this painting, but it set me up to discover what I wanted to focus on in my second painting. 

Standing on the Oregon side, looking across the Columbia River to Washington

My personal goals for this painting: to apply paint more liberally, to use more pure color, to use interesting brushwork. And, I accomplished all three!

 

A good workshop teacher gives you new ideas for your personal growth and development, as well as generously sharing how he/she "does it."  A great workshop teacher takes the time and interest to ascertain where each student is on his/her art journey, and then helps them figure out the next step and how to get there. 

Elio Camacho does all of that and more. What a wonderful experience! 

(I do feel a bit like the "Far Side" comic where the pin-headed student raises his hand and asks the teacher if he can be excused now because his brain is full.)