"THE BIG REVEAL" WCBTO

We have a secret weapon here in the SF Bay Area and his name is Mike Bailey. (to check out his blog, look to the right of my post and scroll down) Mike developed this fantastic 10 week class sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society (SCVWS) called Watercolor Beyond The Obvious. I have taken the class 3 times. This is hardly a record. Many have taken it time and time again. It is offered once a year and sometimes twice a year. My schedule has become too busy to have 10 weeks free, otherwise I would take it every time it is offered. The strategy is to take an image and create a series of 20 paintings (2 full sheets a week) changing it each time by manipulating the elements of design. You can view my series on my website www.myrnawacknov.com. The 10th week meeting is when everyone brings their 20 paintings to class and, one person at a time, spreads their paintings out in sequential order on tables that have been set up in a huge "U". Everyone walks around the tables and looks at the development of the series. Mike talks about the artist and the artist has an opportunity to talk about their perspective on the whole experience. This 10th class is what I fondly refer to as "THE BIG REVEAL". Guests are welcome and there is a wonderful pot luck luncheon for all. It is one of the most special days of the year.

This is Stephanie. You can see part of her series which was based on the marvelous shoes she is wearing. Stephanie is new to the group and she just did the most fantastic job. The reason I have this photo of Stephanie is because while everyone is busy walking around and taking photographs of the art work, I am busy looking at the art work and taking photos of everyone who is walking around. You can see why I fixated on Stephanie. The striped hose, boot like canvas shoes, model lythe body and she is a painting waiting to happen! Not only is everyone on to me, now, many are busy photographing the crowd, as well. Stephanie was definitely the star...look for lots of long striped legs in lace up canvas shoes appearing soon!

All the students did phenomenal work but there is one woman who has stayed with her same theme through 5 separate sessions of Watercolor Beyond The Obvious and completed her 100th painting of "Liberty". This is a series with serious content and Laurie Barna has put her heart and soul into it. Check out her website at watercolorsmyway.com and view this exciting and moving expression of love for America.

FINALLY!!

My first series that I did in Mike Bailey's fabulous course "Watercolor Beyond the Obvious" (see sidebar for a link to Mike's blog) was "Vern". These two images in the series were inspired by a landscape by Wolf Kahn. Kahn is a master of incredible color. I analyzed his painting, deciding which watercolor pigments would reproduce the colors I was seeing. Then I determined the value number for each color and lastly the percentage of the painting each value had. I loved the results...the painting "glows" and it was one of my favorites in the series. Unfortunately, I was never able to adjust the color in the photograph I took so it always looked dreadful on my website and anywhere it appeared. Until today!!! It was a gorgeous sunny day, so I took the painting outside and re-photographed it. I am thrilled with the results. Looks like I will have to do more serious photography of paintings outside. I do have a setup of special lights, etc. for indoors but it is a total pain in the ____ to do, so I usually just prop the painting up on the kitchen counter and take the photo. I re-photographed another painting so I could enter it into a national watercolor show.

The second Vern painting is a different value pattern using the same pigments as the first. I loved how these color came together. Now I have a "pair" that I like to hang together. I need more walls!

BOZZETTO #5 & WCBTO SLIDE SHOW

I like this bozzetto because it is looser and more in the spirit of color sketch exploration rather than a finished work. Why is it so difficult to relax and loosen up? I have been fussing over the others too much. I hope to stay in this less finished mode for the rest of the page.

I finally got the slide show together from the Tuesday Watercolor Beyond the Obvious class. I tried to get everyone's efforts recorded but I'm not sure if I missed someone. I foolishly didn't write down names, so I left that out. These photos do not do justice to the work but will give you an idea of the range and creativity. I was holding the camera over the paintings that were laying flat on the table. Some of the images are cut off, some are crooked, some have the shadow of my arm. With all these problems, I think you will still be excited about these wonderful paintings. Enjoy!