Back at the drawing table, but this time the "table" is in a new place! Just returned from a watermedia painting workshop with Billie Shelburn (artist in residence at John C. Campbell Folk School) at magnificent Wildacres Retreat in North Carolina.
Up in the clouds, above 3000 feet, Wildacres snuggles up by the Blue Ridge Parkway close to Little Switzerland. In other words, just a few steps from heaven. YES! The leaves were "peaking" and the "leaf peepers" were on the roads. The temperature was in that delightful 70 degree range.
Billie offereded demos for great painting and collaging techniques, along with a plethora of art materials, that got our "creative juices" flowing.....watercolor papers and boards, inks, lots of textural rice papers for collaging and mediums to try. Mother Nature provided our subjects. 
Wildacres was a superb host, offering wonderful food, comfortable rooms and diverse evening activities (showcasing the artistic pursuits of various groups at the retreat). We enjoyed listening to the retreat's director, a professional vocalist, serenade us with songs from the 70's, heard very talented writers reading from their new "in-the-works" novels, visited the sketchers' studio and, of course, enjoyed painting, painting and more painting. The studios are available 24 hours a day, which is a really nice perk. Our painting group could be found in the studio late into the evenings painting and enjoying chocolate and red wine . How good is that!
Although I am back in the beautiful "green" of Florida, I am still working with autumn themes and collaging on the leaves brought back. Today, the temp. here took a nose dive and a definite Fall feeling is in the air. Yahoo!
Some of my new work is featured in my Etsy store and additional pieces are to be added soon. You're invited to visit and leave a comment.
Hugs, Marcy
Recent Comments