It was pretty thrilling to experience several firsts in one week: my first visit to Whidbey Island in Washington, the first time I’ve taken a class at the Pacific Northwest Art School, and my first time taking a class with the talented Lisa Pressman.
I had a week of bliss. I invited my friend Tory Brokenshire to join me for the week and she enthusiastically said yes. It started with loading the car.
After a day of driving (okay, we might have stopped in Centralia for lunch and some junking in the many antique shops in that little town), we arrived on Whidbey Island. Our Airbnb was just as we pictured it would be: light, bright, cozy, and right on Penn Cove.
Class started on Monday morning and went for four days. Holy Moley. It was all I hoped it would be: lots of lessons, demos, prompts, and experimenting. Lisa left plenty of time for painting and was always circulating offering feedback, suggestions, and encouragement. The extensive demos and talks about R & F Pigment Sticks was an added bonus because I have been using these oil sticks for over a year, but didn’t know all the ins and outs of how they could be used. The answer is: endless ways.
Even my blotter papers turned out exciting.
I finished several 6×6 pieces on Arches oil paper.
And completed a series of little pieces on paper.
I came home inspired and motivated to continue experimenting with some new ideas burbling around in my head.
