Blog

Hello again!

I have the best intentions but never seem to write as often as I think about writing.   But maybe this is a good thing.  This way, I don't wear my audience out with too many blogs.   I have been thinking about this subject for awhile now.   Workshops.   I am always thinking of how to teach workshops and that will be a blog for another day to a more limited audience.  But for the larger crowd I think I may have enough experience  teaching workshops that I may be able to help you make the most of your workshop ventures.  To go forward however, I must go backward for a moment.

2010, My first workshop.  My first "real" workshop.  I studied in Holland, Michigan with Janet and Steve Rogers.   My time with Janet changed my life forever.  I saw a whole new way to approach painting in watercolor.   I learned who she had admired and studied.  And I studied her mentors.   I worked hard applying what I learned from her for two years.   At that point, in the fall of 2012, I took my second high level workshop with Keiko Tanabe.  The following year, 2013, I took my first International workshop with Keiko in Spain.  This was plein air.   I practiced painting outdoors for almost a year before I traveled to Europe with her.  The following year, 2014 I traveled to Italy to paint once again with Tanabe and in the fall I traveled to New York to study with Alvaro Castagnet.   I learned more from him than any other instructor, but maybe not.   Maybe I was just prepared to learn what he had to offer from the foundational work I had done with my other teachers.   I learned a great deal from my journey as a student.   I also learned that at some point, I had to stop taking workshops and start living my life as a professional artist.   This is only my philosophy but you may entertain the idea that I am going to offer you.   I had learned all about composition, values, color theory, execution, pigments, papers, brushes.  I learned the process of painting traditionally, light to dark and I also learned how to paint dark to light, (a process I love and employ most of the time).   I learned a great deal and I needed those courses.  But there came a time when I had to stop being influenced by the techniques and styles of others and focus on developing my own.   That is where I am at now.   But it took 4 years of workshops and painting with tenacity full time.  Almost non-stop.   And I still paint with that same intensity.   It is my life.   

Now, I am blessed to teach workshops.   This year I taught my 43rd workshop.   I began teaching in 2012 before I felt ready but was given opportunity after opportunity that I could not pass up.  Having to teach made me work that much harder.   After my last workshop I realized that there are things a student can do to have a more successful experience.   I would like to share some ideas from my experience as a student and teacher as to how to take a workshop.

Take workshops from an instructor whose work you identify with and who has student referrals if asked for them.  If you want to paint looser but study with a photo realist, you will be frustrated.  Follow your heart.  Find someone whose work resonates with your own intuition and study with that person.

If given the opportunity in advance ask any questions that you have of the instructor.   I love it when I hear from students in advance.  Most often the questions have to do with equipment but other times they may ask about their skill level and if I think they will be a good fit.   I love students who respect the course description.   If you are a beginner take a beginner course.  I remember asking my local watercolor instructor if she thought I was ready for an intermediate level workshop before I signed up for Janet Roger's class.   If you go to course where you are over your head because you don't have enough experience it will be frustrating for you and the instructor.   

Respect the course description and don't try to change it.   Believe it or not I have a well thought out agenda that I have prepared for in advance.   From time to time I will arrive on location and well meaning students will try to rearrange my plans.  I have a reason for doing things the way I do them and while they may not make sense  the individual student, I have to consider that I have 16 different personalities to work with.  Just go with the flow.   Follow the instructions and trust the outcome.

While I learn something from my students in every workshop, be careful not to teach the teacher or the class.   If you are blessed with advanced skills, paint beautifully, but quietly.   You are not there to instruct or help the instructor.   A wise teacher will recognize your ability and perhaps draw you into the instructional phase using your work as an example.  But remember, you are there to learn, not instruct or critique.   Often well intentioned advanced students will be found  working with students while the instructor is busy helping others.   This is nice but can be counter productive and at time offensive.  Especially if your help is not solicited.  Really be careful about this.   Many students are nervous and insecure and do not need you leaning over their shoulder.

Let your teacher get their hands on your work.   I adore my students who allow me to use my brush on their paper.  Many of us are visual learners.   I use many many words while I teach but I also will rework students' works showing them exactly how the painting can be improved.  I never do this without the student's permission.  Those who allow me to show them how to transform their own paintings right in front of their eyes learn the most.  Their willingness to let me dig in to their work shows a humility that is the basis for being a wise student.  Be willing to learn. 

Be rested.  Bring your best self to a workshop.  Leave anything negative behind and embrace the couple of days that you have paid for to be a positive and beautiful experience.  Be prepared with the materials that you have been asked to bring.   If you are attending an intermediate to advanced level workshop,  I expect you to know your materials.   I will not have time to help you understand the properties of your paint.   As I said,  when I knew I was going to Spain to paint en plein air, I worked for six months prior, painting en plein air so that I would be comfortable holding my palette in my left hand.   I respected the opportunity and did not want to waste  it by being unprepared.   From time to time I will have students ask if they can substitute a pigment with one that they feel is similar and this is fine.   What I am trying to emphasize is knowing the course requirements and being as prepared as possible.   

Respect the material that the instructor has brought.   Often times instructors will bring paintings to be used as examples and are also for sale.  This does not mean that you can move them from the display area to your work area without permission.   I carry inventory of paintings and brushes with me to my workshops and I sincerely appreciate it when it is treated with respect.

Listen and take good notes.   Respect the instructors wishes as they pertain to photography.  I allow photography during my painting process but not videos.   If the instructor has asked for quiet during his painting process, be quiet.   I always encourage questions while I am working.  I offer a ton of information but if you ask a question it might be interesting  to others as well and something I may have forgotten to mention.   

Remember that the instructor is only human.   They are trying to help many people in the room.  Keep your questions simple and direct.  Try not to monopolize the instructors time and attention.  When it is lunch time, be sure to take the time to eat and rest for awhile.   This is important for me as the instructor too.   Most workshops students feel no hesitation seeking my time and attention when I should be eating.   And I have to learn how to be a little more proactive in resting midday.  I love to help and it's hard to stop.

I understand insecurity and anxiousness.   Believe me,  I understand.   I am finally to the point after 8 years of hard work that I am confident as an instructor to where I no longer feel physically sick prior to a workshop.  I used to feel that way as a student too.   Physically ill.  As artists we put ourselves out there in a very vulnerable way.  Trying to be creative but also trying new things at a workshop.   Don't expect masterpieces at workshops.  I expect to see disasters actually.  And these always make me smile because I know that the student is working hard to try something new.  We crank out six paintings in a two day workshop.   By the end they are looking beautiful but the first few, if the student is really working with me will be pretty messy.   I begin every workshop trying to put my students at ease that we are there to learn.   Masterpieces will be created down the road.   I usually see shoulders relax and hear a audible sigh of relief.

It seems silly to talk about things like arriving a little bit early so that you are ready to begin on time but that is one way you can get more out of your workshop experience.   Arriving 15 minutes early to get settled and comfortable and ready to learn.

Keep your impulsive comments to yourself.   I remember one time when I was painting a demonstration piece and a student blurted out,  "Oh I loved it up until now, that last stroke ruined it".   Can you imagine how distracting THAT was!   It not only distracted me but other members of the workshop lost their focus and concentration distressed that such a statement would be verbalized out loud.   I kept my cool and carried on, trusting my process.  Sometimes impulsive comments can be incredibly funny too.   I remember one such comment that still puts me into a fit of giggles but I can't write it here.   But I made quite a few squiggly lines and totally lost my train of thought.   Think twice before you speak, if it will add or detract from the moment.

Lastly, just have fun.  Respect your fellow students, remember your instructor is only human and has worked hard to help you have a great experience.   At least I do.   If you take a workshop with me, you can expect that I will be there ready to paint and help show you everything I know about watercolor.   We always have a blast and without fail, I am always invited back.   And there has never been a group that I have not wanted to paint with again.   In all of these events I have had only three students that I regret crossing paths with.  That's not bad considering I have painted with a couple hundred people now.  You know?  I didn't start out wanting to or expecting to teach workshops, it just happened.   It's an extraordinary life I am leading and grateful for every moment and every student who has thought time with me might be time well spent.  I sincerely hope that at some point in time we will meet and paint together.  If your art group is interested in working with me I would love to hear from you.   Let's Paint!