31 Paintings in 31 Days - Day Thirty

"Woman in Red Hat" - acrylic and oil on canvas, 14" x 11"

I had the best time last night.  And I wasn't out on the town, hanging out in bars or causing trouble.  Oh no!  I was in a painting class at the gallery.

Emily Andress is the largest personality on the Charlotte art scene.  She is the most generous, enthusiastic and ENERGETIC artist I have ever met.  She is also a sincere advocate for the creativity inside of each person.  So last night she was teaching impressionism in portraiture.  What makes this class incredibly special is anyone could attend.  Never picked up a paint brush?  No problem.  Can't tell an acrylic from an oil?  No worries.  Emily makes portraiture as easy as paint by numbers, and does it while pouring wine!  

It was my first time using oil paints, and I am in love.  Dreamy, creamy oil paints.  How I love them.  How delightful and serendipitous that this class should occur at the end of the month-long challenge, just in time to make me want to paint another 30 pieces!  ART INSANITY is happening here in my studio, and I am thrilled.

Emily kept telling her class last night to paint with "reckless abandon."  And so they did!  Every person in the class walked away with an original painting which clearly demonstrated their own personality and style.   More than one of us felt like we'd discovered a new passion.  Not every teacher can make that happen.  But Emily did.

So, what does this mean for me?  As the gorilla indicated yesterday, my endeavors are on firm footing, and branching out into new techniques is exactly the right thing.  Now, I have to stop typing and go buy some oil paints!