Paint Party Friday: The Art Party

Last Friday I had a great opportunity to get together with friends in one of their art studios along with a number of other women, most of whom are or had been art teachers.  It was a wonderfully creative experience.  Everyone was working on different things, including sewing.  

Never a dull moment, the conversation flowed!  

Sometimes I feel intimidated when working among other artists which is exactly why I think it is a very important experience to have right now before school starts again.  I can put myself in my students' place and understand their fears and help to alleviate some of them by the words I speak and the projects I assign.  

The piece I started on Friday started off as a traditional watercolor but because everyone was trying to stretch themselves and most started their paintings minus the preliminary drawings so that the pieces were freer and looser.   I had to jump in and follow along.  I must say it is difficult for me to abandon my safe zone and venture out into uncharted territory

BUT

...I never allowed the piece to be "precious" to me!  

By that I mean if it ended up lining the trash can...

so be it...

I would just start another.  

I allowed myself to play and have fun. 

I have worked on this every evening while listening to a movie or something in the background.  

It has numerous layers.  

I applied a little bit of stamping, numerous watercolor washes, detailed in watercolor pencil and then outlined using a Sharpie and then went back in varying values in the designs. 

It has been a positive experience.  

Although I may not abandon my traditional style of painting, it certainly has changed my perspective.

Have a great Paint Party Friday! 

I know I will!