Three Starts

​It is mid-week of the Pat Dews workshop and there are paintings (and paint) strewn about the venue.  Piles of supplies, wagons of whatnots and a table full of snacks and good, strong coffee for bleary-eyed but determined students.

Going into day three, I have three good starts.  Pat has taken us through a myriad of processes to find inspiration and design.  There is glory in the room as each artist presents a start for public critique.  Oooooh and aaaaaaahs for these unique and triumphant paintings.  Even those "fails" seem brimming with potential as Pat outlines and points and tapes colors to spaces to demonstrate what could be.

​I have to pause here to point out the courage of each artist in the room.  Not just to paint (and for some outside of their usual wheelhouse) but to then place it on the easel in front of all the others and then listen, look and learn as each part of her painting is touched and critiqued.  It is in that very moment of bravery where the golden nuggets lie.  To really listen - without ego and insecurity - truly the act of a hero.  And the room is full of heroes.

Pat Dews with one of my "starts"

I am brimming with anticipation as we pile into the car for the drive back to the workshop this morning.  These days of scheduled, devoted, uninterrupted creating and learning are an exquisite gift.  And to experience it in the presence of heroes...well, it is humbling.

These starts and others will be further altered during the workshop and afterward, perhaps.  I will post the final versions when they're done, but thought you might like a peek into the wildly creative teachings of our instructor.

Now off we go. There is paint to be tossed about.