In the Studio (My title bar is still acting crazy)

My artist friends Myra and Joeann were here this week and we worked in the studio a couple of days. Myra is working on a still life and Joeann is painting sunflowers. I have started a new landscape while continuing to work on a non-objective piece. Presently, I have four or five unfinished paintings staring at me when I enter the studio. This is something I enjoy. Often I will walk into the studio look at one or more paintings and see immediately how I need to advance with it. However, unless it’s a large painting I will put it away…some place I can’t see it. Later…weeks, months, years, I will bring it out and look at it as though it is something new…it is at that point. If I’m inspired I will begin to work on it again. If not, that is all right too. Sometimes Joeann works on my old paintings…those I’m not inspired to do anything about. I like what she does to them. She has been taking art from me for more than four years. I have watched her grow from being a beginner into an assured and developed artist. Myra has been taking art much of her adult life. She likes to work alone and doesn’t want or need that much input from me. I try to be as involved or non-involved as my students like for me to be. This coming week I hope to complete my new landscape and the non-objective piece I’m working on. Too, I’m thinking that I want to keep either a non-objective painting or an abstract painting going as I do my impressionistic style. Enough for now, Sassie and Isabella, my son’s dog whom I seem to have adopted, are calling to me… Later, Ann

http://womenofgodartretreat.net

थे आर्टिस्ट Mind

Something peculiar is happening with my computer “again.” The title of today’s topic is The Artist Mind. At least that is what I typed in above and I have no idea how this was translated into some other language…one I certainly don’t recognize!
This week I’m working on an abstract painting and I can’t wait to see if I can accomplish what I’m trying to with it. When I learn how to post photos here I will put it on the blog so that you can see it. It is different from anything I have done before. I’m confidant about painting landscapes which evolve out of my indirect ideas. Using this technique in an abstract way is new to me. More so when I don’t have a subject in mind.
I started the painting with a watercolor pouring. This is a technique I use in my landscapes. I think about light and paths when I work this way. While the watercolors were still wet I placed crumbled up saran wrap over the painting. I did this to get an organic textural look. The next day I took the saran wrap off and began to look at the patterns which were there. Next, I decided to define some areas and in the center I created a mandala. This became my vocal point. Yesterday, I worked more on the painting, going to other areas. I started working with an idea I stumbled on by accident several days back. Using a circular design I began to paint convex and concave circular objecdts (for like a better word). Next week I am going to see how far I can push this idea. The paper is about 24″ X 30″ and there is a lot of space to work with. I think this would be a fun workshop to teach. It’s a way of getting out of a fixed mode into a more creative realm…letting the muse tell me what to do. I’ll let you know what happens next week. Have a happy Memorial Day Weekend.

http://womenofgodartretreat.net

It’s quiet at the retreat today. It is also rainy and cold. Tonight the temperature is expected to drop into the 40′s. May in Alabama!

Do you know that you can actually change your moods by painting. If you paint somber colors, like those of a tornado, you will become depressed. If you paint colorful colors, you will become more cheerful. Hmmm, my moods “are” dictating my paintings. But often the paintings, the weather, many things dictate my paintings.I’m versatile but I don’t think there many (any?) famous painters who do this. Yet, I can understand why some of them leaned more to abstract work in their latter years. I think they simply tired of doing the same paintings over and over.

My last painting was of a tornado. Where did that come from? We have had quite a few near here during April and May. I think I am a mood painter…that is why I do not stay with a subject matter. My students like that.
My mood today is quiet and introspective. I’m enjoying writing more than I have in years. It reminds me of my newspaper days-those where when I was editor, first a reporter, for a small county newspaper (Scottsboro, Al.) It is a good feeling! For so long I did not enjoy writing. I found it depressing. It’s different now because my life is different..more joyful. This is because of my art.

Another reason that I’m enjoying writing is I have a new laptop (my first laptop) computer. My old computer crashed…I hope my son can retrieve my documents. I did not back up anything…There are precious photos, etc that I may have lost!
Once I had a newspaper column called “Ramblin Round,” it seems I still write that way.

What was it that I started talking about when I began this blog…let me think, can’t see it without scrolling back up…Memory test….”It’s Raining in Georgia.” No, “It’s Raining in Alabama; it’s cold, I have to take the dog out and I want a drink (of water.) Another day at the retreat is closing!

http://womenofgodartretreat.net

Press Release

http://www.prlog.org/10234367-grand-opening-of-women-of-god-art-retreat-web-site.html

This week I got the news that my Women of God Art Retreat press release had been published. Above is the link to the site. Also, I’m happy to share the addition of a spiritual retreat. Following is information about it:

The Women of God Art Retreat;Connect your Creativity to the Creator; introduces art as a creative path to spirituality in a new and special way.

Curriculum:

Mornings: 10-12 am
Afternoons: 1:30-4 p.m.

Day One:  Morning-Opening with prayer of silence, and expectations from the retreat; introduction of watercolors;beginners and advanced using techniques of Ann Hamilton, including demonstration. Afternoon Session-Painting a landscape with watercolors. End of day session, discussion of paintings, creativity and spirituality. End of day, silent prayer of gratitude.

Day Two: Morning- Opening with prayer of silence; Painting a Watercolor Landscape to take home to your family;.Afternoon-Continuing to work with watercolors under the guidance of Ann; end of session, discussion or retreat experience, creativity and spirituality.Day Three: Morning-Opening with prayer of silence; experimental workshop using mixed media by Ann Hamilton; workshop begins with demonstration; Afternoon, compete a painting to take home using techniques taught by Ann. End of day: silent prayer of gratitude.

Day Four: Morning Opening with prayer of silence; “Easily Amused Workshop; using acrylics to paint a favorite subject. Discussion on choice of subject matter. Finish painting to take home. Afternoon, use medias to further develop style with ;Theme of Light and Paths Close of day: Write your families, friends, yourself an open letter describing the retreat experience (with permission letters will be sent to all members following the retreat.) End of day, silent prayer of gratitude.

Day Five: Schedule of Private Lessons.$25 per hourFour Day/Four Night Retreat: $400 (Basic Supplies Included)

http://womenofgodartretreat.net

Decoration Day

It has been a busy week at the retreat; preparing for new guests; taking time out for Decoration Day at the cemetery were my paternal grandparents, my parents, my infant brother and other family members, and friends are buried. It is a tradition in the south to decorate the graves on a special day. I go along with traditions, even the silk flower arrangements, rather than live flowers. It is in keeping with the Church’s suggestions, making it easier for the groundskeeper. The day brings back memories of my childhood and past Decoration Days, before silk flowers, when roses, peonies, wildflowers, dogwood blossom and sprigs of forsythia and other plants and flowers were used for bouquets on the graves. These events, like all-day gospel singings, Sunday School, worship service, Wednesday night prayer meeting, and revivals at the small church I attended were the center of my social world. And since the church was only a mile away from my home, I attended all of these from the time I was put onto a “Pallet” underneath a pew until after I graduated high school and moved away from home.
They remain much of who I am today, except that God’s grace much more abounds in me than the hell fire and damnation sermons that I often heard back then. I must say, however, that for many years these “probably” kept me on the straight and narrow path. Not until I fell away from this path, though, did I truly discover God’s interest for good in my life, and His desire to bless me through art!

Sharing news from this week’s emails:
“Budding Artist”
Hi Leigh Ann,
Wonderful things are happening with my new art retreat and one of those is the creative spirits God brings to the retreat. Have you checked out my web site? I have redesigned it as the result of my first artist retreat guests in April. Their visit here was a transforming experience in my concept for the retreat. The web site is: http://artforartlovers.net. I have renamed the retreat to “Women of God Art Retreat.” And my first guests have become my Goddaughters. I have a feeling that the remaining years of my life will be blessed with many more Goddaughters. Your daughter, Alley, may well become one of them. My heart is open to the gifted people God chooses to send this way. I love working one on one and in small groups. As the retreat evolves according to God’s plan it is still quite flexible…and I can be flexible as well. I would love to have your daughter attend a retreat with you, by herself, etc. There is nothing I love more than sharing what I have learned about art, being an artist and how God has affected my life bringing me to this new creative juncture. I celebrated my 70th birthday in March and am happy to say that I believe the best years of my life are ahead of me as I do mentor others through my work. My rates/fees are modest. Five days at the retreat, including accommodations, use of kitchen and the studio is $250. Private instruction is extra and can be designed around the person’s needs. If you were to want me just to take your daughter in two for four to five days I will be happy to work something out that will help all of us. She will have the opportunity of living with a real artist, working and learning for much of each day in the studio, and we can be creative in the kitchen as well. The $250 does not include food but we can talk about that as well. I said flexible and you can see this is what I mean..It is important to me to live as I live daily in the retreat and I believe it is the best way I can serve other artists. If this interests you, let me know, give me some of your ideas, and we will keep talking and see what develops. Sincerely, Ann Hamilton

Subject: Budding Artist
Hi Ann. I have been reading about you (via the flying monkey arts center website).
My daughter is 15 yrs old (Alley) and has a natural talent for art and is a creative, free spirit. I read about your retreat for artists and I think Alley would be a bit young for that, but I was wondering if you offer anything similar for teenagers/young adults? If not, I would love the opportunity to bring Alley to your beautiful place for a visit.
My goal is to find Alley an Artist Mentor to help her on this path and not let it go by the wayside.
I have not been successful going thru the school she attends and do not want her to under appreciate what God has given her.
Hope to hear back from you soon and have a good day.

http://womenofgodartretreat.net