Yes, it’s true. I’ve recently found a source offering many popular, current colors of 3-pack Adirondack alcohol inks for $4.50-$4.85 instead of the usual $9.99 we’re used to paying.
I’ve ordered, received and am very happy 
Just a quick post to share this good news with my alcohol Ink friends.
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One of the most helpful tips I ever received from another artist was to, learn from the best. Even if it means paying a little more. It will be worth it.
She was referring to taking art workshops. And as much as I agree and have tried to follow her advice, time and budget constraints have sometimes prevented me from enrolling in as many workshops as I would like.
But all is not lost. Thank goodness for content-rich, art instruction available on-line, in magazines, books and DVDs. Especially DVDs.
Through these methods I have been able to learn from the best while snacking on granola bars in the comfort of my studio or while sweating it out on my treadmill. And no worries if I didn’t get it the first time
I really don’t know where I would be without these accomplished artists who make home visits. They have been Jiminy Crickets whispering in my ear offering direction and personal trainers giving me a push when I’ve been lagging behind. Most of all, they have been encouraging, real-life, role models, leading by example.
So, you will understand how thrilled I was when I received an e-mail from Kelly at Creative Catalyst, www.ccpvideos.com a few weeks ago about the possibility of reposting one of my earlier blog posts, Eleven Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Next Workshop, as their February 2011 Blog Spotlight, http://ccpvideos.com/community/blog/eleven-ways-get-most-out-your-next-art-workshop.
They have 9,000+ subscribers to my 39. I didn’t even have to think about it
Eager to meet some of the best art instructors in the nation? Visit, www.ccpvideos.com
Enjoy The Journey,
June
Yesterday, while in the throes of artist angst, struggling through a challenging watercolor technique, I checked my blog site stats and saw one of my referrers was from an artist I admire. www.donnazagotta.com .
How is this possible? I clicked the above link to visit Donna’s blog and I hope you will too.
This unexpected blessing gave me the necessary jolt to pick my brush back up and continue.
Enjoy The Journey!
June
I found out yesterday that Come Test The Waters, the absolute beginner watercolor class, I’m teaching on Jan. 7 through www.artistleague.org, Artists League of the Sandhills in Aberdeen, NC is full. Ten people are trusting me, or at least trying me out 
to help guide them into the wonderful world of watercolor. Not something I take lightly.
In early November I set out 24 potted pansies in hopes of garnering a few models for the class. This afternoon I deadheaded spent blooms to encourage an abundance of fresh ones.
Symbolic, especially during Advent when I review the past year’s activities and consider the next. Eliminating some, readjusting others in order to make room for the new I hope will come, like the bouquet of just-picked pansies for my students on Jan. 7.
I brought in a few blooms not damaged by the recent freezing temperatures and practiced what I want to share with the class. Painting a simple subject from life in a loose style using both wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet techniques is the plan to help get my students off too a fresh start.
And the fresh start for me was the sweet serenity of a quiet afternoon painting pansies on December 22 instead of wildly rushing about searching for last-minute, holiday whatevers.
Saturday was a just for fun, artist’s day out for me. I accepted an e-mail invitation from Mary Erickson to come to a sunrise-to-sunset, plein air open house at High Ridge Gardens.
Mary is an accomplished oil painter www.maryericksonart.com. And High Ridge Gardens is a 39-acre bird sanctuary and artists’ retreat facility www.highridgegardens.org in North Carolina.
It was quite an adventure leaving before sunrise for somewhere I have never been before to be with other artists I had not met before. And to make it even more of a stretch, I rarely work plein air. Like four times in ten years. Now, five. Plus, I chose a medium I have little experience in, pastels.
There were 35 artists scattered throughout the 39 acres and I actually did already know three of them. Someone new I was happy to meet was Ginny Dauth, an accomplished pastelist who offered valuable insights www.virginialdauth.com (I’m not sure why this link is not working. It’s worth the effort of typing in to see Ginny’s work).
Why did I choose to spend a day in unfamiliar territories of location, method and medium? To help me let go of “results” and just enjoy “art-making.” Plus, there was the good food, camaraderie and optional group critiques. Enjoy the journey!
Once a month or as needed , I plan an Artist’s Day Out. It’s a day to nourish my artist’s spirit and usually involves a field trip. I might go to an art exhibit, festival, museum etc.. Or, visit other artists I admire and exchange war stories and ideas. Both serve to uplift, inspire and encourage, recharging me to enter into the next painting with renewed zeal.
Yesterday, I visited with Susan, an artist friend I met 10 years ago in my first beginning watercolor class.
I admired her then and continue to admire her as she works towards excellence in all she does. To see her exceptional watercolors visit www.susancrouch.com
Susan and I went to the Mooresvile Artist Depot in Historic Downtown Mooresville to view the 2010 American Watercolor Society (AWS) Traveling Exhibit.
These works by modern day masters were breathtaking. My favorite (shown left) was Casi In Casa by Alan Wylie www.alan-wylie.ca
And how is it that the 143rd International AWS Traveling Exhibition came to Mooresville, NC, it’s only location in the south?
One person wrote one letter.
I had the opportunity to meet the letter-writing artist with a vision, Ellen Patterson, who told us a future AWS Traveling Exhibit will return to Mooresville in 4 years.
The 2010 exhibit will be in Mooresville through June 27.
For more details, visit www.mooresvilleartistguild.com
