Margo Spellman "Improvisation 1"

'I painted this on a Saturday afternoon listening and dancing to King Sunny Ade, who always makes me happy.  I had a blast!  It was part of a series of samples I was developing in preparation for teaching a group of volunteer parents who are joining me this month in teaching a local grade school about abstract expressionism and the work of Kandinsky.  I had to show them what the process would be, and simplify it enough to work for kids ages 6 and up.  I taught my first class last week to about 40 first graders and it brought me such joy to be with them for those precious 75 minutes.  Next week I tackle my nephew's 3rd grade class and can't wait to see what happens

Margo Spellman

50ish

"Improvisation  1"

Watercolor and Oil bar on Paper 9" x 12"

January, 2009

Brittani Faulkes "Dusk"

"This pastel is a creation of the imagination.  I live in a climate with a grey, rainy and seemingly endless winter.  It is a very positive experience to visualize our coastal landscape in a Spring and Summer setting!  I end up feeling optimistic and energized and look forward to sunny days ahead when I can leave the studio and return to Plein Air Painting."

Brittani Faulkes

Age: 50

"Dusk"

Soft Pastel, 24" x 18"

February, 2009

Bill McEnroe "Heliotrope"

" ...I began writing free form prose poetry about my paintings a couple of summers ago.  The process seems to solidify my raison d' etre for making paintings.  It began with a series that

had as a theme BC Art or Cave Man Art, and I thought it would be interesting if I could use one art form - words - to explain another art form - paint.

Heliotrope

Heliotrope, daughter of the village smithy,

one of many,

-all named above their caste-

was a child of another time.

A nonconformist, and a drop-out

  In a heart beat

    She would vanish into nature

      exploring wild, majestic places,

        seldom seen and never tamed.

Her greatest joy was to disrobe, run there naked, unafraid,

    luxuriating in the heat of summer's sun,

        an illicit lover's touch upon her teen age skin.

One day she saw a bear.......

Bill McEnroe

Age: 87

"Heliotrope"

Soft Pastel, 20" x 20"

October 19, 2008

Dawn Emerson "Behind the Veil"

"This painting was inspired by a recent trip to India.  A young woman was sitting on the ground in the shadow of the wall of her home  after just finishing her washing.  Upon seeing me she raised her veil to cover her face, and that simple gesture became the focus of this painting."

Dawn Emerson

Age: 53

'Behind the Veil"

Soft Pastel on Rives BFK, 15" x 23"

January 9, 2009