Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Sunday, September 01, 2013

Another hobby ruled out



We have traveled about 900 miles north of home and currently visiting our daughter Katie and her husband Dain in Dayton, Ohio.  We made a stop in Georgia to visit our Grandson Aleister and his parents.  It was great to see them for this brief visit, but we plan to be back in just a few weeks.  In one of my rare photographic failures, I did not get a single picture. 
 
Katie arranged for us to take a painting lesson with a local organization called Raise Your Brush.  I agreed to go along as the comic relief for this experience.  I was known in college as a the guy who had a hard time drawing a straight course line on a chart with a straight ruler, so I knew this was going to be a humbling experience for me.

One of the good parts of this experience was apparent right away.  They encouraged you  to have a glass of wine to relax and let the artistic juices flow.  I was beginning to feel artsy.   After gathering our color palettes and setting up in a position to view the instructor and her canvas, let the magic begin.




Our leader walked us through each  phrase of the project.  There was a finished work on display that  we were essentially going to copy.  We started with the back ground, which worked out for me, as it was basically like getting the right color for a house painting project and just applying the right amount of paint.



Then came the hard part, actually putting in the details of this landscape scene.  Following the instructors examples and keeping an eye on the finished sample, we moved along.  It turned out that my deciding that more trees was better tended to deform the symmetry of the structure.  So much for more is better. Finally, we closed in on the final steps and a new piece of art was complete.




Anneke and Katie did a pretty good job on theirs.  I can honestly say that I was not as embarrassed as I expected to be, but clearly my future as an artist is not in the works.  Perhaps as one of those starving artists that were selling their works for give a way prices.


16 comments:

John Hedges said...

As one who failed coloring in kindergarten, I think you did a pretty fair job.

Ruth said...

I think you did a pretty good job. Maybe next time you should try having another glass or two of wine!

BTW, your grandson Nico is a real cutie, love that header picture of him.

Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

So Picasso's secret has been revealed. He had too many relaxing glasses of wine before he started painting.

If his works sold, why wouldn't yours? Maybe you need more relaxing wine, too... :cD

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

I think you all did a super job. Waaaaaay better than I could ever do.

What a wonderful gift your daughter gave you both.

Travels with Emma said...

Not so bad. I thought at first that maybe the one without leaves was yours... :(

Mike and Terri said...

They all look good to me. And as long as you had fun, that's all that matters.

Luci & Loree said...

Well, I liked the painting!! Maybe more wine, to relax more :)

Big EZ Travels said...

You are an inspiration to me as I have the same "story" about my artistic talents, or lack thereof. Your final piece looked impressive. Thanks for sharing.

Sherry said...

Loved your title! I'm always in awe of those who can draw what they see and have coveted the ability all my life. I think your many trees looks wonderful personally. I took a painting class hoping I could learn and I did some pretty nice things as long as the instructor was there to show me what to do. She declined to come on every painting outing I took and without her it looked like the same stuff I did as a 6 year old. I had a lot of nice painting supplies at the end of the class though not much I could do with them.

Bob said...

You're braver than I for trying. That kind of painting isn't something I'd ever even attempt.
Maybe if I go with the wine program?
Nah.

Laura said...

For a first painting class you did pretty darn good! I've tried to learn how to sketch from a book - epic failure!

Gypsy said...

I think you did a fine job. As one who has no artistic talent whatsoever, I might try again some time with the addition of a glass of wine!

Gail Houle said...

It looks pretty darn good to me! Next time, try it with 2 glasses of wine. It might be brilliant :)

Rick said...

Great job, Chuck! Way better than I could do. I tend to be one of those 'impressionist' painters who just paints rooms - like living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms etc.

Phyllis said...

Had a lot of fun, I am thinking.

Bob and Jo said...

Way, way better than I could do. My best one was snowflakes in a blizzard.