Dabbin' with Dawbon

Putting a Sky into Perspective

2011-07-05T22:19:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!

I just had the most interesting conversation with my friend Paul Seymour on Skype. Right now we are both painting landscapes. Paul is working through Dave's landscape series and I've just started one from one of my favourite photos.

We were talking about the sky and how to paint it into perspective. When the sky is an important element in the painting it is really useful to spend time on it and develop it in a thoughtful, logical manner.

When painting a landscape the sky at the top of the canvas is generally a more saturated or intense (usually slightly darker in value too!)than the sky at the horizon line. Take a look the next time you go outside. Lock your eyes on the horizon and observe the value and intensity. Next tilt your head way back and look at the sky directly above your head. This is the 'richer' blue you will find at the top of a canvas.

The blue at the horizon is the sky that is the most distant from your eye, it will contain the most atmospheric perspective. The angle of the sun's rays bouncing from the ground and the amount of pollution or dust in the air will dull the blue and lighten it in value compared to the sky overhead.

Next pay close attention to the temperature of the sky. You may have a warm or cool sky depending on the mood and the weather in your painting, BUT it will be cooler at the top of the canvas and warmer at the horizon.

When painting an alla prima sky, decide how much movement and interest you want and then choose your brush accordingly. If you are looking for lots of movement and interest, choose a small brush, less movement = larger brush (fewer brush strokes!) I LOVE the Global Art Bristle filberts. Right now they are my favourite brushes of all time and if stranded on a desert island would be my first picks!

I spent a lot of time on my sky today. Maybe a bit too much, but I was learning and experimenting with a few things. I found that working into wet paint was wonderful for creating clouds.

I began by laying in a mass tone for the cloud that was a mid value. I used my brush on its side and really coaxed and pushed paint around to create shapes and tonal differences. I added a grey shadow tone to the bottoms of the bigger closer clouds. Gradually I worked up to pure Titanium White tones using thicker and thicker viscosity paint as I got lighter and more detailed. Often I would go back to deep sky tones and dance a little into a cloud that was getting too 'thick' to help break it up and help lift the light values up.

I have a class tomorrow so this painting will have to simmer a little while Anyone else painting a landscape? Any thoughts and observations as you go?

Georgia

Summer Painting Classes at Dawbon Art Studio

2011-06-23T09:24:00.000-04:00

dawbonartbannerfinal copy

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the First Day of Summer! I hope that this summer finds you with a brush in your hand and a painting in your mind's eye.

I've just come back from an amazing 10 days at the Jansen Art Studio in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Sixteen Heritage Educators from around the world were gathered together painting, creating and writing new material for you! This summer will see the publication of 3 brand new E-Books.

After such an exciting time I've come home raring to share all of the new things I've learned! I've decided to run Wednesday 'Casual' painting classes here at the studio.

Wednesday, June 29

Wednesday, July 6

Wednesday, July 20

Wednesday, July 27

Wednesday, August 17

Wednesday, August 24

Classes will run from 10am - 3pm. Please pack your lunch and all of your regular painting supplies. Cost of each session is $25. We will be using Heritage Multimedia Acrylics that you may purchase or pay a dipping fee and use some of the studio paint.

I will be teaching you Casual Florals using the Paint it Simply techniques. These classes are perfect for all artists ~ from the first time painter to the seasoned painter. The technique uses only 6 tubes of paint and 1 brush! How much easier could it get? No sideloading!!!! This technique depends on the use of tones! It is so much fun I can't wait until September to begin teaching it, so we're starting NOW! Laughing

You may paint on any surface of your choice (we have lots of plates in stock if you feel inspired!) just check with me ahead of time to make sure it is prepared properly.

Each day's lesson will begin with a talk and demonstration about a flower's shape and structure. After that you will be encouraged to paint your very own creations. Perhaps you have pictures from your garden that have always inspired you? Bring them in and I'll teach you how to put them into a lovely design. This open, casual studio atmosphere will allow you to learn from what your neighbour's are doing too!

If you are interested in reserving a seat in any of these sessions please email us at:

Blake@DawbonArtStudio.com

Seating is limited so don't delay! Barrie is beautiful in the summer, why not visit and paint with me! If you have a group and would like a special lesson let me know and we can schedule a special class for you.

Happy Painting!

Georgia

Georgia Dawbon,

Heritage Education Coordinator

www.DawbonArtStudio.com

88 Letitia Street, Barrie, Ontario

705 792-9377

Learning to Paint with Bottles

2011-01-09T13:06:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted here for quite some time and my friend Yumiko gently (OK, not so gently!!!! LOL - hai!!!) reminded me to update my blog. Thank you Yumiko!

In 1994 I painted my very first decorative painting piece and I was hooked. I learned how to paint using bottled acrylics. My first lessons came from local teachers and books. I fell in love with the landscapes. Creating beautiful scenes in a step by step manner was the hook. The unfortunate part of the story is that although I was learning to reproduce these lovely landscapes, I really wasn’t learning how to paint them on my own. The bottles of paint were holding me back.

In my studio, Dad and my husband Blake built me the world’s largest spice rack! LOL, it was a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood fitted with shelves that held the entire line of Delta Ceramcoat Acrylics and the entire line of DecoArt American Acrylics. This was mounted on the wall and held over 600 bottles of paint. There came a time that I wanted to design my own pieces and I would sit in my studio alone faced with a blank canvas and a wall of colour staring at me. I really had no idea where to begin or what to do.

So, I did nothing. I continued to paint other people’s designs and followed the instructions to the letter, never deviating in colour because I had no idea how.

Recently I was writing Landscape instructions for Dave’s new DVD series and I realized something: the entire painting “Along the Seine” requires only 13 tubes of paint! I was watching him develop the foreground flower area in the bottom right of the painting and I suddenly wondered “how many bottles of paint would that take?” I hit pause on the computer and enlarged the screen a little…How many tones were in the grass? How many tones were in that bush? Hey! How many tones are in the river and sky??? Then I started to look at the village that I’d already written the instructions for, every building was just a little different. There was so much interest in that painting! I looked back in the notes and counted up the tubes he used, 13!!!! I’m going to guess conservatively, that if someone had designed that piece using bottled acrylics there would be upwards of 40 bottles required.

It made me really think about how far a limited palette can take us in a painting. Even if the painting had used 40 bottles of paint, the slight variations of colour and subtle nuances in the sky and water that come from an uncomplicated mix on your brush could never have been duplicated. Add to that the gamble that the 40 premixed colours would relate to each other and things could get dicey. Take a look at these paintings and see if you’d ever have guessed that they were all painted with the same palette:

I learned how to paint during the peak of the Decorative Painting industry with bottles of premixed colour that were supposed to make life so much easier. But when I think of that imposing wall of paint I freeze again like a deer caught in headlights. The limited palette lets me create my own painting, even when painting another artist’s design because I get to chose and make it my own. I know it sounds harder (ahh! I have to learn to mix????) but it is SO much easier and there really are no mistakes.

Olympic Torch Run

2009-12-29T22:33:00.005-05:00

Hi Everyone! We just had the most inspiring evening with the kids! The Olympic Torch is spending the night in Barrie, Ontario. We braved the cold and went to City Hall to watch the events. Here is a video of our evening.

The girl who painted on stage was amazing! It was so much fun to watch ~ she painted with her hands and spun the canvas while the painting just evolved in front of our eyes. Too cool!

Just double click the title of this post and hopefully it will link you to the youtube video that can also be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54iWBRqyidA

The House is Decorated

2009-12-23T23:40:00.014-05:00

Well it is Wednesday and tomorrow is Christmas Eve....I love this time of year and I thought I'd take a little stroll tonight through the living room and rec room and share some shots of all of the Christmas decorations here in my home....

LOL, I don't really have a lot of painted things throughout the house all year but at Christmas all bets are off!!!!! It is such a fun season to paint for and none of it has to match or be the same style...it just has to be Christmas and it has to make me smile. I hope you enjoy the pictures and the short tour.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Georgia

OK, this post has been edited! I just wond the battle of wills with the new computer and managed to upload a proper video on YouTube. It is much better quality! Please enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3r_0fuRsA

Merry Christmas!!!!!

2009-12-23T23:21:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone!

It has been a while but I am back and my New Year's resolution is to keep this up more faithfully!

I was so lucky this weekend to drive down to Dave and Martha Jansen's and meet Heritage Team members from around the world. Yumiko was there from Japan and Veronique and Francois were there from France. I unfortunately missed Serina from Taiwan by only one day.

We had a fantastic time eating, designing and talking all weekend. Just getting to know eachother and learning to break the language barriers with smiles, teasing, jokes and dictionaries! LOL Food also helped ~ the universal leveller!

For dessert one night I made a Traditional English Triffle. I think Dave liked it!

No that isn't one serving, but some of us (guess who! LOL wished it was!)

We got quite a snowstorm while I was there. A blizzard actually! And I'm from Canada and know what those things look like....I arrived Friday night and there was no snow but on Sun. morning look what we awoke to:

It was soooo pretty but sheesh! What a lot of snow in a short time! So much in fact, that poor Paul and Cathy Seymour were unable to join us for the day on Saturday....they live 3 hours away and the roads were all closed. It was even so bad that they lost their internet connection for most of the day.

We have so many great things planned for 2010. I just can't wait! This team is incredible and I am so proud of everything we have done in 2009 ~ I really can't wait for the exciting ride that 2010 will bring us.

when life gives you lemons

2009-07-30T22:08:00.002-04:00

Hiya!

Well Cousin Camp 2009 is in mid stream and we're all having a fantastic time! The kids are all having a ball together and the weather has finally decided to show us that it actually is summer. (I fell asleep on the lounge chair yesterday listening to an audiobook on my iPod and burnt the stink out of places that haven't seen sun in quite a while! Ouch my knees hurt! LOL)

Anyway, the title of my blog. You know when no matter how well you plan something it just doesn't work out? Well, Kari, Jodie and I very carefully planned a week long menu and who was bringing what. This is important in an area that has no electricity and depends on propane fridges and coolers with ice! The corner store is a boat ride then a car ride away! LOL

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade....well, in our case ~ when Jodie brings up a 10lb bag of rotten potatoes you let the kids play "potato baseball" on the dock! LOL

Yup, my crazy sister cut all of these stinky, rotten potatoes into smaller pieces and then proceeded to be 'pitcher' to the kids on the dock. She would lob them a potato and WHAM they'd hit it out into the bay. Some potatoes were much funnier than others....some exploded into a million mushy pieces (ok, took 3 of these before we wised up and moved the boat! LOL), and then some came screaming right at the pitcher! Jodie got hit twice by a potato and she now has the bruises to show for it! Only at cousin camp....My sister Kari and I were laughing so hard we forgot to take pictures. On the bright side ~ we have a basket of peaches that aren't looking too good.....LOL, that will be a photo op for sure!

Not a painting related blog this time, but what the heck we're having a really fun week!

Transferrable Skills?????

2009-07-20T19:49:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Well we are now well into summer and the family visits have begun. My sister and her two kids are visiting us here in Ontario from BC. They are staying with us this week before we go to the cottage for our annual "cousin camp" with my other sister and her kids next week. Here is the 'rub'.....lol.....my studio has been taken over.....

Now imagine, not in the usual way when family comes to visit with suitcases, mattresses and piles of 'stuff' that collects when you have company and not enough bedrooms... but ~ my painting studio has become a TATTOO PARLOR!!!! My sister is a tattoo artist and she has booked lots of appointments in my studio for this week.

Ok, I'm going to admit something....I know nothing about tattoos. I grew up in a family that WENT to tattoos (you know, with pipebands and drums?) not got tattoos. Anyway, Jodie has several and they really aren't what I expected.....what did I expect? well, I'm not really sure but I guess skulls might have popped into my head. LOL I definitely fell into the 'stereotype' mentality and this is the first time I've really, really looked at them.

Having just come from Dave's Teacher Seminar where we were all designing, and learning about scrolls I was VERY aware of 'c' and 's' in the designs Jodie was coming up with and had in her portfolio. We had a really long conversation after dinner last night about the acanthus, root c's and s's and line of design. She actually looked at one of the Rosmaling designs I came up with last week and declared it to be a tattoo waiting for ink! LOL

OK, so just when you learn that Rosmaling is a transferable skill to all other painting ~ BANG!!! ~ I learn that it is also transferable to tattoos.....LOL

Now, the big question, to ink? or not to ink?

Seminar at the Jansen's!

2009-07-11T08:22:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone, this will be quick....I'm eating breakie and class starts in 1/2 hour! But I took a shot of Dave making us all a spaghetti dinner last night with Arlene supervising.....but, this next one was worth a movie! LOL This is our dear Paul vacuuming before the students arrive!

Our small piece of paradise and how we decorate!

2009-07-07T20:53:00.006-04:00

Hi There,

I thought I'd share some photos of my favourite place in the world, the cottages that belong to my family and my husband's family on the Severn River. Since Rachel and Hale came along I ha

ve been the luckiest person in the world and have spent my entire summers on the Severn River with the kids.

Someone asked me recently if my home was stuffed with paintings, LOL, well not really but there are lots of paintings at the cottage and these are just a few of my favourites.

The one at the top of the page is a painted screen at my Mother-in-law's cottage. I love painting screens, it is so much fun! Once painted you only see it from one side, it provides privacy because you see the painting but not really much inside! From inside it is just a normal screen and you can see out perfectly. You can see Rachel inside in the photo sitting in front of the woodstove.

LOL, I love this painting! It was a Christmas gift to my sister Kari and her husband a few years ago. They have decorated their cabin in an 'Elvis' theme and actually named the cabin "Graceland"....trick is they only decorate with 'tacky' Elvis stuff....So hard when all the Elvis paraphernalia is all so classy and lovely....giggle...they have a whole shelf full of 'Elvii' isn't that the plural of Elvis????

Ok, if wasn't clear earlier, it's going to become very clear very soon that we all have a bit of a weird sense of humour! My sister Jodie painted my Mom a rock garden next to the outhouse....she actually painted flowers on the rocks. LOL, well at least we don't have to water them!

Kari and Jodie love signs, and this is the 'waiting in line' spot on the path to the outhouse....when both my sisters and parents and all of our families are up at the same time there are 14 of us sharing one outhouse.....grin....might as well have fun while you wait!

This is the play structure we all built one summer for the kids. Between my parents have 3 granddaughters aged 8,9 and 12 and 3 grandsons all aged 11. What a crazy crew...my sisters and I all have one boy and one girl and all 3 of us had a baby boy the same summer. My son and my nephew are only 1 day apart and my other nephew was born 9 weeks later! Every year we have the 6 of them together for a week for 'cousin camp' it is a ball! This pirate ship was built from "the scrap crap, lumber pile"...LOL every cottage has one, it is a neatly piled stack of odds and sods that isn't good for anything but too good to throw out.

This is Blake's and my bunkie. It is a 12' x 12' cabin that 4 of us and a golden retriever sleep in. I decided that since we couldn't afford nice siding I'd faux paint some! LOL The door isn't real, it is just paint on the outside wall but it has a real handle and real hinges. LOL, my cousin actually pulled on it 3 times to open the door as I patiently explained it wasn't real! too funny!

This is the front!

This is a painting I did for my Mom and Dad one Christmas. It hangs over the entrance to our kitchen cabin.

This is a fun 'junk box' I painted with fishing lures. It holds everyone's car keys every weekend...the odd rolaid....elastics and other stuff you never knew you needed.

The kitchen is so much fun! Kari, Jodie and I painted all the cupboard doors one year for my Mom for Christmas....Each door is a little different. You often hear things like "where are the garbage bags?" and the inevitable reply, "try the loon or duck cupboard".....LOL

It is only appropriate that the raccoon peaks his head out of the garbage cupboard under the sink! LOL

Kari and Jodie painted chipmunks and strawberries on the other cupboards.

Everyone has their own coffee mug with their name and a lion painted on it!

My family's cottage is called Lion's Head Point. Jodie painted these for Mom and Dad for Christmas....do you see the theme here????? LOL

This was a fun stencil we did on the wall.

Here we have a woodpecker and 2 field mice.

A chickadee and another mouse. (silly mice, like them in a painting but not in real life! LOL)

A hummingbird.

Another woodpecker and some dragonflies.

Jodie did a mural on all 4 doors, it is awesome, a great blue heron, frogs and a saucy snapping turtle.

We have no hydro at the cottage and so we own 2 1950's (I think!) propane fridges. I painted the front of this one with a picture of our outhouse.

This one has a painting of our kitchen cabin from the river.

Well that's it for now! Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into our crazy cottage. It is a fun place where we all laugh and enjoy and don't worry about high end decorating! as is probably painfully obvious!!!! LOL

Peoria SDP Convention

2009-06-25T20:13:00.013-04:00

Hi Everyone,
First, let me apologize for taking soooo long to post this blog! I am currently having a love/hate relationship with my laptop, network, camera and basically anything electronic! LOL But here are finally some great photos and some wonderful memories of our (Blake's and my) very first Society of Decorative Painting National Convention. Here is a picture of some of the team that was at the convention: l-r Paul Seymour, Cathy Seymour, me, Hazel Anthony, Martha Jansen, Dave Jansen, Jessica Jansen, Dave Parmer, Bobbie, Koelsch and my hubby Blake (who was standing next to my new sister-wife Bobbie! LOL)

Blake was so funny all week, he just kept me intact and sane amongst the chaos...it got to the point that he was my 'purse' and he was totally ok with that...as a matter of fact he actually said "I go with everything." LOL, so maybe Bobbie just had 'purse envy'....so I leant her mine! This is a shot of me, Hazel and Bobbie painting some of the new mixing cards that are included with one of Dave's new Limited Palette mixing DVDs. Paul is trying to supervise apparently....actually, I think he just wanted in on all of the giggling that was going on.

Here's a shot of the young married couple who celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary while we were there!

Our wonderful editor Frieda joined us on Friday and was busy taking lots of photos of some of the new paintings that will be included in our new Heritage Education Manual.

This is what remains of my one and only attempt at trying to take a video with my camera....LOL, obviously was unsuccessful! Not sure whose pretty toes those are, Bobbie or Hazel I think. LOL

The sales team! Martha, Dave and Jessica!

Paul busy running a 'make it and take' or several students and Bobbie making sure he didn't forget any steps!

Why, it's a global palette Vanna, brought to you by Global Art Supply! Your's for only $24.95.

In the very blurry background is Hazel carrying the Australian flag to the general meeting of the SDP. That was a real honour for Hazel. There were 14 countries represented at this year's convention and over 1000 registered attendees.

Cathy, Paul and Arlene Newman. We stayed for the meeting and got to watch as all of the wonderful awards were given out for this year's achievements by artists around the world.

Me in our hotel room. I was on a 'help line' (and I use that term loosely!) with HP for almost 2 hours trying to fix our laptop. No go....

Blake and David hanging paintings the first day.

Paul hung a few too.....LOL, then he got to hang them again after they fell on the floor.....

Dave and Martha unpacking numerous crates while we set up the booth....(I'm sorry these are all out of order but tonight, I've given up fighting with Blogspot too and trying to place the photos chronologically....)

Oh my gosh, I think I have a love/hate relationship with this blog...LOL, I love to 'read' it when it's done but my oh my, sometimes I hate writing it! LOL It seems that when I have time to write it there typically isn't much going on in the studio and consequently not much to write about! BUT, when there is lots to write about I barely have time to catch my breath let alone blog about all of the really, really special and interesting events that are happening! LOL such a conundrum! But such a blessing.

Well, I'll begin by saying that Blake and I spent last week in Peoria Illinois at our very first ever Society of Decorative Painting Convention. What an amazing time we had! I got to meet other members of the Heritage Design Team with whom I've been working so closely these last few months. It really felt as though we were all old friends even though we'd never actually met in person before. I got to meet Hazel Anthony from Australia, Arlene Newman from New Jersey, my dear friend Cathy Seymour from Pennsylvannia and Bobbie Koelsch from California. Bobbie and I had been Skyping at least once a week for the last couple of months so it was like seeing a sister I hadn't seen in a long time.

Dave hanging some paintings.

We had an amazing time and met some really great people. If I try to name them all I know I'll fail but meeting Marsha McDowell, David Vernon and Mark, Julie King and so many others was such a joy.

I know that I'll always treasure my memories of this week and I really can't wait to go again next year to Wichita Kansas!

Seeing the World with an Artist's Eye

2009-06-05T22:44:00.003-04:00

OK, it is now official...I am an art geek and I've dragged my husband along for the ride! LOL Tonight Rach and Hale were off to a city wide dance for all of the public school safety patrollers. Rachel won patroller of the year for her school! We are so proud of her and her brother for all of their hard work. Blake and I found ourselves with a few hours to kill so decided to go on a 'date'. We went to see Angels and Demons. Great movie!

http://www.angelsanddemons.com/ for some great clips and photos.

Here is the hilarious part....throughout the movie I was having a little trouble entering the "suspension of disbelief" and losing myself in the movie. I was having so much fun looking at all the artwork! LOL, no secret, it takes place in Vatican City and Rome....there seem to be a couple of nice things to look at there! LOL I found myself looking over character's shoulders so I could study the trompe l'oeile on the wall behind them...studying a painting that was stealing the scene...or admiring a sculpture during a gunfight! LOL

Then I was looking at furniture....the marquetry, the decorative paintwork on the legs of chairs etc., etc.....

At the end of the movie, Blake leaned over and asked me what I thought of the movie and I remarked on all the great background 'stuff' going on....he looked at me and said "yeah, and did you see the desk???? Wow, I'd love to paint that marquetry." He then went on and asked if I'd noticed the faux niches painted on walls and if I saw the decorative cartouche in a hallway....okay, I didn't even know he knew that word! What a hottie, my hubby is! LOL such sweet nothings being uttered....LOL He even finished by saying he'd love to go to Rome someday and see it in real life. Ahhhh, I love that guy, knew he was a keeper the moment I met him.

Creative Energy and Learning

2009-05-29T09:25:00.004-04:00

It has been an incredibly productive and creative week here in my studio. During the day two students have been coming in to paint with me and we are working on completing our Willem van Aelst study. We are all in the 'July' portion of our instructions so we have officially come halfway and the paintings look amazing.

We had some really great moments this week...Lynn and Lynn both had serious 'aha' moments when they came to the realization that they were painting 'their' painting and not David's or Willem's....sounds silly I know because they are painting a reproduction piece, but as an artist it is an incredibly liberating moment to make the transition from painting "cause it says so" to painting "cause that is what MY painting needs". It means that they are seeing and executing as an artist, they are making reasonable judgements and decisions that are based upon what is happening on their own canvas. I think it was a moment that has building within them for quite sometime and then snuck up on them and took them quite by surprise. I know that this painting has stretched them both and they have both learned so much from the exercise.

My Wednesday night class is exercising some creative freedom as well....lol, bunch of rebels! What I had intended to be a floral study from their own photographs has morphed into something even more wonderful and rewarding. There are 4 of them in class and all 4 of them are painting something different. Some based on published patterns and some based on photos. It really is stimulating as a teacher to be the 'guide' and just facilitate and help along the way instead of standing at the front and having them copy step by step exactly what I do. Everyone is learning so much from the different skills that are necessary in each different painting. I think they might say that it also allows a lot more time for 'social' time in class. LOL

Painters are amazing people. Everyone comes to the studio from different backgrounds, different lifestyles, different families and yet they all have something in common....I've watched some really great friendships develop over the years because of classes and it is so wonderful to realize that I am part of such a large family.

Here's a shot of my van Aelst so far....I'm in the middle of July instructions and working on the watch.

Cottage is open!

2009-05-25T22:55:00.005-04:00

Well it has been a very busy couple of weeks around here. My American friends are celebrating their first long weekend of the summer today and we Canadians celebrated our Victoria Day long weekend last week. Usually, this would mark the beginning of our cottage season...but, high water and threats of snow flurries (holy macaroni! how weird was that???) scared us away! LOL

Blake and I took the kids up to my mother in law's cottage this weekend and we opened up. It is always so much fun to go up to the cottage the first time of the season...It always feels like I was just there yesterday even though 7 monthes has passed. We did the usual cleaning up of mouse poop, fighting with leaky pipes and water pumps and dodging black flies. We had some boat trouble and hopefully that will all be worked out soon.

My Mom and Dad have a cottage directly across the river from Blake's family. That's how we met actually...he was the boy next door. LOL He is the 3rd generation at his cottage and I am the 3rd generation at mine. We watched eachother waterski as kids, play volleyball at picnics and passed eachother probably a million times at the marina....but we never met...May 19 marked our 18th anniversary of meeting and this summer we will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. It was on Victoria Day and my 2 sisters and I had our cottage to ourselves...we were 'bonding' because Kari was about to spend the summer in Germany on a university work exchange. We had been there all weekend and on Sunday night we were sitting on the point having a cocktail when we realized that the crazy guys across the river were setting off fireworks and playing some great music. My sisters and I debated for a while and finally decided to go across the river and meet the neighbours...afterall, we had just run out of beverages...LOL

We pulled up to the dock and what to our wondering eyes did we see? Five really, really, really cute guys. And boy were they happy to see us! LOL I distinctly remember hearing one of them say "hey, that boat is coming in here....and there's women!" LOL The rest as they say is history. I fell in love with the guy around the campfire as he did his best (worst ever! LOL) impression of Louis Armstrong singing What a Wonderful World. My sister Kari ended up marrying Yuri one of the guys on the dock and Jodie and one of the other guys are still great friends and dated for a long time before parting ways.

Yuri actually proposed to Kari on the May long weekend about 15 years ago...he did it in front of all of Blake's relatives and all of our friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, my youngest sister, mom and dad and even my grandmother was there.

It always amazes me that we never met as kids, but I'm so glad we didn't...we just found eachother when we were ready one night way back when and there were fireworks...literally and

figuratively! LOL

My Special Board

2009-05-16T00:44:00.002-04:00

Hi All,

This year I began my second attempt at painting a board for the certification program with the Society of Decorative Painters....wow, it is such an amazing experience to paint this board.

It is a test in which the SDP mails the applicant a board and a line drawing. It is up to the individual artist to paint the line drawing...sounds easy right? Wow, wrong! LOL

It is so difficult to choose a colour scheme and then follow it through, every stroke asks the question "what is the quality and quantity of light in this area of the painting?" I found myself continually questioning my choices and pushing, pulling my painting limits and experimenting...how far can I safely take a value and intensity in this element of the painting?...

This year's test has really, really stretched me. I feel pretty good about the result...I know that I have some areas to study and work on still but I really like my finished product.

Now comes the hard part...waiting for the judges at the convention to critique my painting...then the REALLY hard part ~ LOL~ accepting the critique in the positive way in which it is meant! Putting my ego aside and really looking at it as a guide and map to the areas that I need to study this year. I love that it will provide me with direction.

My critique from last year explained that I needed to study value and intensity...so, that is what I did this year...I think that this year's board has a marked improvement over last year's attempt I am really excited to see if the judges agree.

Now, it is all 'zippy lippy' until the judges have completed their task so come June I'll share my photos of this journey.

Catching up After a BIG Weekend

2009-05-06T20:36:00.007-04:00

Hi All,

Wow, what an amazing weekend...when I last left off it was Sunday and we had just finished our 2nd full painting day. Dave and Martha host a BBQ at every seminar and ours was on Sunday night. It is so much fun...after painting together for a few days everyone is comfortable with new friends and having a relaxing dinner together is great. Often we get to meet spouses and other family members who have made the journey to seminar. We also get to snoop...LOL

Dave hand Martha open their home and we get to see the hundreds of paintings hung on every spare square of wall and sitting everywhere. Talk about inspiring! Ok, confession time...I had a brain fart and forgot to become obnoxious paparazzi at the BBQ...soooooo, I'm going to show you pictures of the Jansen's upstairs and paintings from my seminar last July! LOL

VGB, I couldn't resist this shot of Dave's upstairs office...So I'm not the only one who leaves my brushes in water...unfortunately, I don't manufacture them....hmmm LOL

I did take a few shots of the classroom before I went to bed on Saturday night:

There is nothing being spoiled at a Jansen seminar...Martha, Dave P., Kaitlyn, and Jessica take such good care of us all day. Martha feeds us breakfast every morning, a beautiful lunch and snacks all day. I don't think any wish or want is overlooked and she makes it look so effortless but I know how much at work she puts into it... What an incredible hostess. She even finds time to chill out with Bacchus.

Bacchus, Maggie and Kaiser (the dogs...forgot a shot of them!) keep us all company throughout the day, hanging out in the studio and snoring while Dave is trying to teach.

Dave P. and Jess took some time during lunch to fulfill their role as 'the marketing team' and put together an updated catalogue of all of the DVDs, books and wood that we could shop for.

Paul and I got up REALLY early one morning and at the behest of Martha ran some of the new Heritage MultiMedia Acrylics through the paces. All I can say is WOW!!!!!! I can't wait!!!!! They are absolutely amazing....

Thank you Martha it was an honour to play with it.

Here are some paparazzi shots of my new friends in class!

Louisa and Jessica.
Dorothy. She is a triple crown winner in doll making! Her faces on Father Frost and the Santa were beautiful.

Carol.
Linda.
Betty AnneAbi

Brenda

Dave.
Paul.

I left for home on Tuesday morning so I stayed up on Monday night and finished my box and Santa Claus. I really love them. I think these Santas will become an annual thing for me! Creating a collection would be wonderful. I brought home 7 blank Santas so that I can teach a class myself. I'll be taking a look at the calendar after I post this blog so watch our website if you're interested.

Well, it was a wonderful weekend and I can't thank Dave and Martha enough for their generous hospitality and wonderful class. I still can't believe that Dave and Martha arrived home from Japan on Thurs. morning at 3am, I arrived at their house at 6:30pm and then class began Friday morning at 10am. They had jetlag and must have been exhausted but made everything look so easy and smooth. I had so much fun with my classmates and managed to create something beautiful and learn all at the same time. I love to learn with DVDs and take online classes but there is nothing in the world like a real live class....Now the countdown begins for National in Peoria. I can't wait!

More Seminar Stuff!

2009-05-03T23:46:00.002-04:00

Well, we had a wonderful day today. We got a lot of painting done and had a fantastic BBQ. Martha also invited Paul and I to try a little of the new Heritage paint too! Wow!!!!!! It is sooooo AMAZING!!!! I wish I could sneak some home with me! I think Martha and Jessica might notice though and I do want to be invited back...Perhaps I could figure out a way to blame Paul???

I am very sorry everyone, it is late and I am exhausted! I'll post lots more pictures and stories tomorrow night. Tomorrow is our last painting day and I'll make sure the 'paparazzi' snaps lots of candid shots! Our class is so great, everyone is wonderful and the creative energy in the room is amazing. I do take requests and will answer any questions about the studio and will take close up shots of anything you'd all like to see, just leave a comment and I'll do my best.

Palekh Painting

2009-05-02T21:56:00.010-04:00

Greetings from Elizabethtown Pennsylvania!

Well, with 'prep day' under our belts, we were up and at it early this morning and started the first official day of seminar. This weekend we are painting a Palekh of the Russian Fairy Tale "Father Frost and the Maiden". Palekh is one or 4 traditional styles of painting Russian Fairy Tales. It is fascinating to hear the history and traditions associated with the different styles and learn the characteristics that make Palekh so unique.

Here are some photos of the Carved Santa and the box that we are painting this weekend.

Isn't he something? Today we got the surfaces basecoated and the colour assignments done on the elements of the design. We also began a really interesting layering technique to execute Father Frost....hmmm, well maybe execute was a poor choice of words...LOL, I'm sure by the time class is over none of us will have 'murdered' this pattern....hahahaha.....gosh I'm tired.....

This class is having so much fun. Everyone here is so nice and we are all doing a lot of laughing and learning.

As you can see, all of the students work really, really hard.

But, please pay special attention to how hard the teacher works ~ you can see in the following shot...LOL, man am I ever going to be in trouble tomorrow when he sees this...sheesh....but, I think it is worth it!

Jessica is painting with us this weekend too ~ check out Bacchus the cat, making himself at home while poor Jess tries to paint!

Ok, I have to go to bed...it's been a long day and I have to figure out how to trick Paul into 'showing' me how to vacuum the studio tomorrow morning before everyone arrives....hmmm, he had promised to vacuum if I didn't post this photo of him in his headband magnifier glasses....LOL

Prep Day at the Jansen Studio

2009-05-02T00:43:00.003-04:00

Well, the drive yesterday, was long, boring and most importantly uneventful. Whew. Between the Tom Tom and the mapquest instructions that Blake downloaded from me I made it in about 9 1/2 hours driving...Blake did, however, mess with the TomTom settings and set the voice for something I think was called "British rude guy" LOL...yup, he is rude..."turn left...idiot" is one of his endearments to me and also "you're here, you've arrived...what a bloody miracle! Now get out of the car and get me out of this tiny box!" LOL Yup, he got me....not sure how to prank my dear hubby back...but, I'll think of something.

The first day of seminar at the Jansen studio is 'prep day' and it is so much fun! There is absolutely no pressure and we basecoat, trace and visit with our classmates. It is our opportunity to renew old friendships, put faces to names we have met online and meet brand new friends. It is, I think, my favourite day of seminar. It is such a relaxed atmosphere and such a great opportunity for us to bond as classmates before the work begins.

I was so caught up with chatting and painting today that I completely forgot to take photos, so I'll have to make sure that I do that today.

Hittin' the Road!

2009-04-30T08:33:00.002-04:00

Hi All!

The car is packed, the brushes are clean, the suitcase is on the way out the door. Passport, check...keys, check....sunglasses, crap....(hope they're in the car!)....directions, check....

I'm on the way to the Jansen Art Studio to paint Santa! Woo-hoo! Stay tuned and I'll try and blog as often as I can....hehehe, I'm also going to try and get lots of 'behind the scenes' pictures to share!

Stay tuned....I should be there in hopefully 9 hours....Now, to drop my darlings off at school.

G

Finally Springtime

2009-04-25T23:23:00.003-04:00

Hi All,

Sorry, not much painting talk this week...it is all 'zippy lippy' while I paint my 'special board'...but, I promise that after we have the results I will bore you to tears with the "Diary of a crazy woman painting the board"...I'm taking pictures of the process it is a journey.

We painted a van Aelst class this week and a colour theory class this week. They were both lots of fun. In colour theory we are studying the limited palette and mixing a simple "tight" palette for a simple painting. Yup, we're still using our colouring books!

Now for totally non painting fun stuff...Blake and I took the kids to the drive-in tonight for the first time this year. Keep in mind, it's only been a couple of weeks since the snow FINALLY bid us adieu, so for us this is a sure sign of spring and the summer is not that far away!

Wow, the drive-in is so much fun. We pulled into the 'complex'....it is really cool, we have 3 screens to choose from...and drove by the concession and the playground. It was actually a pretty warm day here today so I had my window down (Blake, my weather guy, tells me it reached a high of 21 degrees C LOL). There were lots of kids in the playground playing on ancient equipment (that I know I played on as a kid!) in their pyjamas (I know I did that as a kid too!) We parked and we could hear the Canada geese in the distance honking away and we could hear the spring peepers in the trees. (I think they're frogs???? but the sound is unmistakable, and is the sound of a quiet evening outside of town.)

My sister, brother-in-law and niece and nephew came out too and parked right next to us so the kids could make faces at each other through the windows. It really was a wonderful night. Simple and relaxing. Just hanging out at the drive-in, eating buttered popcorn and enjoying the fact that it is no longer winter.

I love the drive-in. It is so relaxing, and you know what? They still play exactly the same cartoons during the intermission that I remember as a kid...remember the count down 'til showtime? 9 minutes and the dancing hot dogs, the guy being shot out of the cannon etc.? I laughed tonight when they showed photos of 'top movie stars' coming soon to our movie screen...they showed Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand, and lots of others that I am going to pretend that I am too young to recognize.... it was cool.

So we saw 17 Again and I am officially in love with Zack Effron. I already love Mathew Perry, but Zack is such a cutie. My niece (who is 8) and my daughter (who is 12) both completely agree. If they read this they will both give me HUGE 'eye rolls' and a chorus of "Oh Mom/Aunt George"....so I'll sign off before I embarrass them even more...

I'm just so happy it is finally, officially Spring. I think we can safely take off the snow tires and put away the snowblower...knock wood...

Painting Tip!

2009-04-21T17:10:00.001-04:00

Hi All!

Had a great day painting the van Aelst today. Yay! I am FINALLY finished April...hmmm, I guess I'm not that far behind...LOL

I took a picture of my really super cool extender dish today. It is a little ceramic square that is the absolute perfect size for my brush when I'm using Extender. It is nice and low so it won't spill and is heavy enough not to get knocked around easily. I just love it. I got it at a Pampered Chef party, I think it was a set of 4. I now have 12 of them in my studio so there is a 'class set'...I do think Blake did sneak one out though for mixing his Wasabi when we have Sushi.

Here is a picture of the completed April lesson of the van Aelst. I can't wait to start adding colour!

A busy Weekend And Coast 2 Coast

2009-04-18T10:08:00.008-04:00

A very dear friend's Dad passed away on Wed. and so we went to a visitation last night and we're going to a funeral this afternoon. My heart and prayers are with her and her family today and I truly hope she finds peace in her fond memories.

That said, we were unable to attend the Mix and Mingle party at Coast 2 Coast last night...but, Blake and I did manage to go down to the trade show yesterday! Wow it was fun.

http://www.c2cevents.com/

This show happens every April at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga Ontario. It is a wonderful venue for Canadian Decorative Artists to 'strut their stuff'. Boy there are a lot of talented people up here in the Great White North. The hosts of this event plan classes, the tradeshow, Cash & Carry Classes and Teacher and Exhibitor Demonstrations. The place is literally buzzing with creative energy and comraderie.

I think that Decorative Painters are the friendliest bunch of people on the planet. I was lined up at a booth to pay for some beautiful new wood (more on that later!) and chatted and joked for a long time with the nicest group of painters I'd never met... We were complete strangers but we all shared a common interest and we were all gushing over the wood and what we were about to paint.

The lady I talked to couldn't say enough about what a great experience she was having. She had registered, was staying at the hotel and was taking as many classes as humanly possible. She was shopping during her 'lunch break' from class. LOL

I belong to an online group of painters called DAIC (Decorative Artists in Canada) http://www.daic.com/ but please don't let the name fool you! There are now members from all over the world. What a friendly bunch! I got to see so many familiar faces and meet so many in person for the first time. It was great. We have a nifty little mapleleaf pin that we each paint to our own desire that acts as our name tag. If any of you go to National watch for these pins! I know there will be a few of us there.

My purchases you ask? Well, there were many! LOL to Blake's great chagrin. First, there was a booth called Stirling Fine Furniture. Wow, it was a wood junkie's paradise. The man who works to create these pieces is a true craftsman. He said that he prices his wood so he makes $10/hour. He said he likes to sell lots and lots of wood at a reasonable price to bring everyone happiness instead of expensively to only a few. Wow...I don't know how he does it...seriously, if I have to sand any of this stuff I will be shocked and it was all so reasonably priced. I picked up the most beautiful domed bridal box for $20...and that is Canadian funds! They don't have a website but their email is mbles@reach.com

A jewellery box.

A coaster box with 6 coasters ~ $12!!!!

A game box with one drawer ~ apparently lots of people paint a checker board on top! cool!

That Stirling booth was hoppin! Very, very busy indeed, but can as you can see from the photos the quality and price acted as a well deserved shopping magnet!

During our wanderings I also picked up a set of 10 Russian nesting dolls in Heather Redick's booth. Oh they are lovely, they are...so smooth and full of possibilities! I didn't buy a pattern for them...I'm challenging myself to come up with my own design for them...I kind of wish there were 12 for the 12 days of Christmas but my mind is now zeroing in on a Nativity Scene Set...we'll see how that goes! I think Blake is secretly starting a pool to bet on when my brush actually touches these new treasures...contact him with your 25cents and betting information...LOL

I also picked up a couple of books. The first was "Artists Eat Too" compiled by the members of the DAIC, this was in exchange for a donation. What a cool book, full of recipes, painting tip, household tips and cute little line drawing done by the members. I just love it.

My other treasure is "Celebrate St. Nicholas" published by the Decorative Arts Collection. Wow, what a beautiful volume of hand painted, hand carved Santas by all different artists. I am going to the Jansen Studio in a couple of weeks to paint Dave's version of the carved Santa found in this book. I had intended to bring 6 of these lovely Santas home to my studio so I could teach the class when I came back....hmmmm, I wonder if Blake would mind if I horded them all and painted a whole army of St Nick's for the fireplace mantel???? Would he notice??? LOL, hmmm then what would the students paint??? Oh this could be a puzzler indeed...I might need some more Santas...LOL

Colour Theory and Colouring Books!

2009-04-16T16:19:00.004-04:00

Ok, so the studio was a lovely, creative mess today! If I waited for a time when the studio was spotless to shoot a picture...well, you guys may never see the place. LOL Rachel posed with my exercise sheets so I could take the photos.

Lynn and Pauline recently completed the Traditions Modules ABC and now want to venture into the world of painting alone and designing. So today we began some colour theory experiments and exercises. We spent the day talking mother colour and colour screams...oops, I mean colour schemes! We worked extensively with the limited palette and had lots of 'aha' moments and solidified a lot of the information that they've been studying for so long in the manuals.

It was fun, we painted a chart that had all of our colours and then showed them toned with different earth colours or toner choices. Later in the day we took a simple colouring book line drawing and created a palette for it...wasn't as easy as it sounds! LOL

And in between all of our hard work, we even solved the problems of the world and determined the next winner of Dancing with the Stars. LOL

We're going to expand on the colouring book exercise next week and learn to create our own palette and this time control value and intensity as well...well hopefully!

The very first picture is of Pauline and her very first portrait that she painted way back in 1974...I think she did an amazing job considering she couldn't have been more than 5 at the time!

busy brushes!

2009-04-14T21:10:00.002-04:00

Hiya,

Well things have been pretty busy here at the Dawbon household and my studio this past week. First, the snow finally stopped and has almost disappeared...there are still just a few stubborn patches at the back of the house and in the shaded areas of the garden....

The Easter Bunny made his appearance and left some lovely treats...the kids had lots of fun searching for eggs...I still don't think they've found them all! lol Rachel is now 12 and Hale is 10 and this weekend had me thinking back to Easters past... I asked Hale, and he said it was ok if I told this story.

When he was 3 and my Rach was 5 my sister and her family came for Easter. My nephew Elijah is 1 day younger than Hale...yup, 2 peas in a pod...anyway, my sis and I sent them out to play in the sandbox with their chocolate Easter bunnies and next thing we knew Rachel was in tears...."What's wrong Rachel?" she was sobbing...."Eli kicked my bunny and smashed it." Well, my sis Jodie was furious. "ELIJAH, why did you kick her bunny?" The big blue eyes looked up so forlornly..."I thought it was Hale's."

Sheesh, boys....they really do love eachother, but I swear....

Later that evening, we thought a 'communal' bath would be fun for all the toddlers. Jodie peeled off Hale's track pants to find the kid covered in something brown. all over his but, legs and ankles...it was his chocolate bunny. He had decided to hide it from Eli and didn't have any pockets so had instead put it down his pants for safe keeping...sheesh, boys....

Anyway, painting this week? Well, been fighting with my CDA board....sigh...just over thinking the whole darn process and questioning every stroke my brush makes...I can't wait until it is finished. LOL, funny thing is, if I were helping a student with this design (don't worry that IS NOT happening!!!!) I'd be able to 'remove myself' from the process and lay out logically exactly what has to be done. LOL we are our own worst critics, aren't we?

Today I had another open studio to paint van Aelst study. It is going well. Lynn Arra and Lynn Hoppe are chugging right along and their paintings are developing really nicely. I can't believe I forgot to take pictures today! Next week for sure.

This week is a big Canadian painting convention called Coast to Coast in Mississauga Ontario. It is a great show and Blake and I are going to a mix and mingle party for the DAIC list on Friday night and then going to the tradeshow on Saturday. I can't wait to see some friends and do some shopping!
http://www.c2cevents.com/index.php is the website for this amazing show.

The DAIC list is Decorative Artists in Canada, a really wonderful yahoo group I belong to. I have made a really dear friend on this list and I can't wait to see her this weekend! I'll have to blog all about Sue Beckerton. LOL, she'll love that! LOL, not!!
http://www.daic.ca/ is the website for this fantastic group. There are members from all over the world.

ttfn! and next blog will have some photos...promise....grin...

It is STILL Snowing!!

2009-04-07T17:26:00.005-04:00

Hello from 'The Great White North'! LOL Ok, I am getting seriously worried about the health of the poor Easter Bunny who is supposed to come and visit us this weekend...he is going to freeze his little paws off!

I took this photo last night before bed, quite a pretty picture of our crabapple tree in the front yard if it was FEBRUARY...lol, it snowed all day today too. Yesterday the kids had a 'snow day' home from school. Wow, I think they only had 1 or 2 days off all winter and then bam, one in April...weird.

Today was an open van Aelst studio day. Several of us here in Barrie have been working away this year trying to finish our year long Willem van Aelst study provided to us by David Jansen. Lynn is doing a great job! She finished June today. She has officially passed the halfway mark! She mentioned today how much fun it was to paint something so challenging and what a great stretch it has been for her. Today her white chrysanthemums came alive. If you double click the photo it will open up for you in a new screen and is a little bigger.

Now, as you can see, I am not as far along as my dear friend Lynn! LOL, I am plugging away on the April lesson....I am almost satisfied with my grisaille layer, I just need to add some of the background buds and leaves and I'm off to the May lesson!
.
Wow, just so much going on in the studio right now. My easel and painting table runneth over! It's getting close to the mailing day for the CDA boards and I'm also working on some lessons for the new education manual. Whew...it's overwhelming sometimes, but it is so much fun when the brush is in my hand. Back to it!

Painting Eachother

2009-04-05T18:08:00.005-04:00

Well, I guess a picture is worth a thousand words. These little darlings are my daughter Rachel, son Hale, nephew Elijah and neice Jada... We were at the cottage on a hot, hot summer day and decided to paint. "What will we paint Aunt George?" well I thought they'd paint pictures of each other, but they very clearly had other ideas. LOL boy they had fun. Rachel is 5, the boys are 4 and Jada is 3 in these photos.

My Morning View

2009-04-04T09:17:00.005-04:00

Out my Back Door

Wow, what a way to wake up this morning! I let the dog out to 1/2" of fresh snow...On April 4! What the heck is that all about? My camera didn't really pick it up but, it is snowing in the picture...the really fine, icy kind of snow...the kind that can't decide if it really wants to be snow or rain or hail...Oh well, the raking and tidying up of the dog's 'Land mines" will have to wait for a little while longer....

Let me tell you a little about our dog...ughhh, where to start? She is a 2 1/2 year old Golden Retriever and such a love. The kids named her DimWoof. That is Dragonese for 'dog'. (anyone with kids should take a look at the series of books by Cressida Cowell called How to Train Your Dragon, my kids loved them!) Anyway, she loved the snow. Yesterday it rained so hard and she didn't want to go out at all, today she stood at the open door, sniffed the air for a second and bounded into the backyard and rolled. She is so funny.

I got a fun call from Dave this morning, he is so excited about the paintings he just did for the education manual. They are so great, they made me want to run into the studio and start painting. That's the thing about talking to creative and passionate people, it really feeds my enthusiasm. I really love this industry and I am amazed at how the internet has brought us all together to share a common passion. (I like the word 'passion' so much more than 'addiction'....) If you are on the Teacher's Forum I posted the photos of Dave's paintings there. I think that Martha might be adding them to her blog though, so be sure to check it out. http://jansenartonline.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-weeks-painting.html

Sounds like Dave and Martha are still struggling with jet lag, Dave said something about being up at 4am this morning. Sheesh, I feel so unproductive and guilty for rising at 8:30! LOL, but I'm sure I'll get over it...especially being, that I'm so refreshed and all....giggle....

So, with yard work off the list for today I can focus on inside stuff today...and maybe sneak in some studio time.

George

My First Blog!

2009-04-03T10:03:00.006-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, please bear with me for my very first blog post...take 2...

huh? you ask....yup, take 2...LOL, I got very fancy a little while ago and my entire post was published in Hindi! Please, please don't ask me how...I'm really not all that sure. Hopefully, this one will appear in English.

Well, after Dave sharing his thumbprint mouse with us this morning on the forum, I thought I'd share my very first painting.

http://jansenartstudio.com/TraditionsForum/comments.php?DiscussionID=184&page=1#Item_5

(I've added this link mostly as a test, to see if I know how to do that... so I guess we'll wait and see!)

She makes me smile, every single time I look at her. Does anyone know what pattern this is or who the designer might be? I painted it in 1994 and she looks an awful lot like something by Helan Barrick? If you have any ideas, please leave me a comment!

Well, off to the studio, to work on that special board...wish me luck!

Georgia