workshop with Bill Park: don't stop me now!

22 x 17, acrylic on sketch paper

I know I have been to a good workshop when I come home alive with energy to paint more.

After Bill Park's five day workshop, "Painting with Pleasure, Seriously," I want to paint and never stop. I am not sure how it happened, exactly, but during the course of the five days I felt a door open inside me and I not only stepped through, I have taken a few steps to the other side.

Words seem to limit the experience, so I'll just share a few images of my new work and let them speak their thousands of words.

30 x 24, acrylic on canvas

30 x 24, acrylic on canvas

Queen "Don't Stop Me Now."

workshop and retreat Day Three

12 x 12, acrylic and oil pastel on plywood

workshop and retreat Day One

diagonal design, 15 x 15, acrylic on paper

I am with the Portland Women in Abstract Media this week at a very special workshop and retreat.

First day off the starting blocks we played with composition. My challenge was to create a painting with a diagonal abstract design. My personal challenge was to keep it from zipping off the edges.

This piece reminds me of the beauty of space and some of the images we've gotten to see because of the Hubble telescope.

More from the workshop

Yesterday's painting was so, well, so something (abstract, watery, vibrant, weird) that it stopped these two bikers in their tracks. Today's painting wasn't as successful. But, there's one more day to paint with Kitty Wallis. Any day painting with Kitty is a great day.