Lana Grow Workshop ~ Granbury TX ~ Texas Daily Painter Nancy Standlee

Gold Leaf Floral
(This wasn't painted as a floral but it reminds me of a floral.)
10 x 10" Illustration board
This is one of my favorite pieces I did while at the workshop and will probably try some others later. It is very difficult for me to get a good photo of anything with gold in it without it getting a bad glare. In the painting below I lifted up the edge so the painting is not square and the acrylic gloss medium made it shiny.
Abstract Landscape
10 x 10 in. Acrylic on illustration board with tissue paper collage
This is a great technique and Lana had some stunning pieces on a large piece of Strathmore. I didn't get to the workshop with my large piece but I used this 10" to learn the technique. This has lots of gel and gesso from a squeeze bottle for the lines.
Lana with one of her symbol pieces on Strathmore Illustration board 10 x 30. At the end of the post you can find other work in a slide show.

About the Lana Grow workshop:
Two friends, Pat and Marie, told me about the workshop in Granbury, TX. October 19-23, 2009, and I'm so glad I made the effort to go and it was an effort as I came home from the Liz Hill workshop on Sunday evening, unloaded and loaded and drove over early Monday morning. Lana, A.W.S. is an excellent teacher and gives the kind of workshop she says she would want to take and I would recommend this one to anyone who wants to pursue some experimental abstract using acrylic paints. She won me over when she handed out a 3 ring binder of approximately 50 pages filled with wonderful notes about the techniques we'd be covering this week. She and her husband Norm, drove down from Minnesota so she brought lots of work to show us and all kinds of supplies to share.
In many workshops on the last day about 10:00 A.M. the instructor starts packing up and many do not have a demo that day. I could tell you some stories about some of the experiences. This class began on time at 9:00 A. M. and it was push, push all week and because she knew some would need to leave early on Friday and she wanted us to get our "money's worth" she had us all arrive at 8:00 A. M. Friday the last day of the class. Lana was always upbeat and sharing of all of her techniques and if you want to learn about acrylic or abstracts try to take one of her workshops.
Slide show and mouse over for captions:

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BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

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Daily Painters of Texas

Daily Abstract Painters Gallery

Daily Painters Marketplace



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NANCY STANDLEE ARLINGTON, TEXAS ART FOR SALE

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Liz Hill Workshop Day 2 and 3 ~ Texas Daily Painter Nancy Standlee

Patricia with Hat
Watercolor, collage, charcoal on hot press 15 x 22 in

See my previous blog post about the Liz Hill workshop and the 3 days I spent in the Houston class where we were encouraged to add anything that will make your figure pieces more exciting. In the upper left corner this piece has some newspaper collage and peeling back of the layers and the hat is collage paper made in a previous workshop.
Patricia (seated)
Watercolor on hot press 15 x 30
One technique we tried on Saturday was to make some large loose shapes before drawing the model. First thing was to paint and get the paper prepared so it could dry and we used charcoal and were instructed to draw with a continuous line which is sometimes difficult and we'd forget. The above 1/2 sheet hot press paper was my attempt. This was an exercise to get us out of the habit of drawing and then painting within the lines as in a coloring book fashion.
In the slide show there are several photos of some of the student's work and just mouse over them for the captions. This was an exciting workshop and I learned several new techniques besides needing more drawing instruction and my concern was - it wasn't long enough. I want to go back so Liz, send me an email when your next 3 day workshop will be as I loved this one.
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Liz Hill Workshop

"Gloria" by Nancy Standlee
15 x 22 in.
watercolor, collage, charcoal on hot press paper

I joined Daily Painters of Texas and discovered Liz Hill's work and it didn't take me long to get signed up for a workshop, Figure Painting in Mixed Media, October 16, 17, and 18Th in Houston at the WAS-H building. Check out Liz's blog and web site and you'll see some exciting work using watercolor, acrylic and collage.
We had a model each morning to sketch and would spend our time getting warmed up on sketch paper and then taking a longer time to draw with charcoal on 140 lb. hot press half sheets of paper in preparation for the afternoon of painting. Liz works in an intuitive and very exciting method of applying washes of color, and going back in with more charcoal, using gesso and collage. I don't know how long or if ever, it would have taken me to produce something even similar to "Gloria" without her instruction and supervision. She was fun to paint with and she shared her knowledge with about 12 of us in demos and while walking around the room giving individual attention. If you enjoy working with figures and collage check out Liz's schedule for her next workshop but she is a busy lady drawing from models 3 times a week.
An added treat for me was a visit the Archway Gallery where she and Susan Sheets have a show, Double Vision and I was able to view several of Liz's recent works. One particular painting called my name and is making the trip back to Arlington with me, Liz's painting "Patricia".

In this painting above you see some of Liz's award winning style of texture, pattern and exaggeration and how she pushes traditional watercolor a step beyond. I have enjoyed this workshop very much and seeing the beautiful facility and meeting new friends and painting and learning some new techniques. In a later post I'll try to show some of the other student's work.

"Pears" ~ Acrylic Painting by Texas Daily Artist Nancy Standlee

"Pears" by Nancy Standlee
8 x 8 in. Acrylic Painting on Canvas

This painting is one of several works that can be seen at the Dutch Art Gallery and the opening reception will be Saturday October 17. It is a celebration of artists across the state of Texas and the Daily Painters of Texas.

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BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

WEB SITE ........Nancy Standlee

WEB SITE ........Canvas By Canvas

Other blogs where I post:

Daily Painters of Texas

Daily Abstract Painters Gallery

Daily Painters Marketplace


TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST FINE ART DAILY PAINTER
NANCY STANDLEE ARLINGTON, TEXAS ART FOR SALE ACRYLIC

Contact: NancyStandlee@sbcglobal.net

"The Board of Directors" ~ Watercolor ~ by Daily Painter Nancy Standlee

"The Board of Directors"

9 x 12 inches Watercolor
Strathmore Bristol Smooth 100 lb.
Watercolor and collage and charcoal

Liz Hill:
I've been busy gathering supplies for the 3 day Liz Hill workshop. I know I'm taking too much "stuff" but when the supply list has watercolor, gouache, acrylic and collage paper, isn't that just about your whole studio? We will be working on hot press watercolor paper. Liz from the Woodlands, is one of the Daily Painters of Texas and that is where I first saw her work and love what she does with line and wash.
Alex Powers:
Liz said in an email that she liked Alex Powers work and his book, "Painting People in Watercolor" so I've revisited the book and have gotten weary of packing and had to try out some charcoal line drawing (6B soft) on a Strathmore Bristol tablet I had. (Alex uses Strathmore 2 ply in the book.) His take (probably) on my attempt "Read the book again". He will be in the area in 2011 and I plan to take his workshop then.
The Model:
We will have a model each day and I thought I might need a little warm up to keep the anxiety to a minimum level. In the small piece above, I added some collage pieces of a metroplex map from the newspaper, a stamp, a piece of gold paper, a hand decorated paper and some text, then I can't leave the gold pen alone. I should be spending time on improving my drawing skills. I hate to be drawing figures in a group from a live model. I'll try to stay in the back and cover my work when anyone gets near. And I'm really not comfortable when the model takes a break and walks around to view how I've drawn her.. and then trying to explain that unflattering something ..hummm, well, I ... I haven't drawn in a while or I need to warm up more...I wonder if she'll believe those old lines. Visit again to see the work from the workshop and I think you'd enjoy a visit to Liz's blog and an exhibit.

Liz's Blog: http://lizhillart.com/LizHillArt/Blog.html

Liz has an exhibit at the Archway Gallery now..

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BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

WEB SITE ........Nancy Standlee

WEB SITE ........Canvas By Canvas

Other blogs where I post:

Daily Painters of Texas

Daily Abstract Painters Gallery

Daily Painters Marketplace


TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST FINE ART DAILY PAINTER
NANCY STANDLEE ARLINGTON, TEXAS ART FOR SALE WATERCOLOR

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"Candy Corn Dreams" ~ Acrylic Figurative with Birds ~ Daily Painter Nancy Standlee

"Candy Corn Dreams"

10" w x 12" ht.
Acrylic on paper
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O.K. you say "About this title?" - is it the color or shape or the season? Or am I Halloween candy corn hungry? It could be all of the above.
I've found that candy makers consider some of the same principles that artists think about. Watch this delightful YouTube video on the making of Candy Corn and listen for the statements about color, shape and texture (or mouth feel in this case).
YouTube Video
Do you have a favorite Candy Corn story? I have a friend who buys Candy Corn on sale the day after Halloween and freezes it for the year ahead. Now that's loving Candy Corn.

This could be a "Lylas" with birds or on steroids (I just had to say that). More "Lylas" Love You Like a Sister can be found on my web site HERE - http://nancystandlee.com/Lylas.html


Please visit my website and comment on my blog.
Find me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

WEB SITE ........Nancy Standlee

WEB SITE ........Canvas By Canvas

Other blogs where I post:

Daily Painters of Texas

Daily Abstract Painters Gallery

Daily Painters Marketplace



TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST FINE ART DAILY PAINTER
NANCY STANDLEE ARLINGTON, TEXAS ART FOR SALE ACRYLIC

Carole Barnes Lecture/Critique ~ Day 3, 4 and 5 ~ by Daily Painter Nancy Standlee

"Tina's Abstract" by Nancy Standlee
SOLD
22" x 30" acrylic on paper
Nancy painted this on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and sold during the workshop.

I spent last week at Artists Showplace in Dallas taking the Carole Barnes "Watermedia and Collage: Making Your Paintings Stronger and More Personal", September 28 - October 2, 9:30-4:30, $375.00, and I ended my first blog post about the class with a plea "I hope on Wednesday we can see Carole painting more on her demo. We are all needing help and asking questions like "Am I doing this right?" "Help"!!" and on Wednesday morning as we were gathering for our morning lecture I repeated that I hoped she would spend more time on a demo on Wednesday than was spent on Tuesday. Carole said, "I rarely finish a demo painting in class." Then why am I in this workshop and spending $375.00?




Carole's Monday Start

Carole's Painting Progress on Tuesday on the demo



Carole's last work on the Demo on Thursday.

One of the finished pieces she brought to show and your guess is as good as mine as to how the demo gets to the finished stage shown here. That information went back to Colorado with Carole.
You can view some of her other finished work HERE.


If you've been a reader of this blog for very long, you know I love taking workshops and meeting new artists and learning new techniques and I report back with posts about the daily activities. I take workshops to see instructors paint and discuss their work and share their methods of paint application. I've taken about 75 workshops since 2002 that range from a one day to 2 weeks in length and I've taken from some favorite instructors more than once. O.K. I confess I've taken from Robert Burridge 6 times. On the occasion of a new instructor the days before the workshop contains some anxiety as packing begins and the unknown comes to the surface with questions like - Where will I sit? Did I bring the right supplies? (always a concern if you're out of town) Do I have the correct reference material? If you're an artist and have taken a workshop then you can relate and you may have your own personal group of anxieties. I know from talking with many fellow artists few sleep well the night before and a lot are packing right up to the last minute and many fight heavy traffic jams and pay a costly workshop fee. Why? For the love of learning, fellowship and the chance to try out new techniques. Now I must add to that list of concerns - Will they demo and for how long?

On Wednesday her demo was super short and she showed us how she creates a sharp straight line by putting down two pieces of blue hardware painters tape and rubbing briskly with an alcohol soaked tissue or paper towel. The rest of the time (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday was lecture and she made appointments with individuals for a critique on previous work they brought in and we enjoyed lots of "good painting time" . I belong to a critique group that meets once a month and I pay for this privilege. In a workshop I appreciate critiques on what is done then and there and not on past work. On Friday we had lots of "good painting time" after our morning lecture and at 2:00 p.m. met for our group show and tell under the large mirror.

In a workshop I anticipate and expect a demonstration each morning to set the stage for the days' work. That is all I've known. Various teachers may vary from painting a full sheet morning and afternoon, leaving less time for the participants to paint. Others teachers begin the day with a full painting and by the time they are finished the class is excited and ready to paint. Sometimes after lunch, we regroup and have a short lesson or a time for questions then more painting time.
I was very disappointed that Carole didn't complete a painting during the five days so we could see her steps of problem solving and how she arrives at her stunning pieces.

Please visit my website and comment on my blog.
Find me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

BLOG.............Nancy Standlee Art Blog

WEB SITE ........Nancy Standlee

WEB SITE ........Canvas By Canvas

Other blogs where I post:

Daily Painters of Texas

Daily Abstract Painters Gallery

Daily Painters Marketplace



TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST FINE ART DAILY PAINTER
NANCY STANDLEE ARLINGTON, TEXAS ART FOR SALE

Contact: NancyStandlee@sbcglobal.net