Learn, Teach, Share

The only way to get better at something anything, is practice, regularly, consistently.

Bobbi Levitt's painting and easel at Painting by the Pond

The best way to really learn something is to teach it.

And to find joy in something you need to share it.

I loved having my students at my home and studio last week for Painting by the Pond. It was exciting to watch everyone's work develop and I know for sure that teaching makes me a better artist. Takes me from auto pilot to being present, demands clarity and good communication, and I learn and am inspired from what each student, regardless of experience brings to the class.

Kay S. set up in the shade (smart lady) and
kept on going all week.

Milan's first oil painting...

"It was a wonderful, invaluable experience, an inspirational 5 days with a fabulous instructor and mentor who helped me to grow not only as an artist but as an art teacher as well."

Kathy N.

Kathy at work

So much fun we're going to do it again... look for shout outs about a Fall Weekend Workshop of Painting by the Pond. The colors are glorious and the fish are still active.

Daylight Savings Time

I've been away... not really, I have been teaching- Teen Arts Festival in Union County on Friday, and with my teens on Monday Nights at the Middletown Art Center on Church St. They did some great large scale charcoal drawings from a still life that I set up for them. It is a portfolio class and most of them have not gotten any strong drawing skills from their school. However, we put a large roll of newsprint and these guys were awesome!

I am also loving this daylight savings time! Longer days... and the sun is out. In fact, having been in my studio this am, I am to meet Barb and Marian for a beach walk. Lucky me!

Clearing Out

It is hard to believe that today is already January 24th - 2008! Time is such a curious element in our lives. This week I have been up at Brearely High School and the kids are doing some wonderful monoprints - and what is great is that some of them, most of them are actually admitting that they LIKE their own work! Talk about life as a mirror! When I think about all the negative self talk I can admit to about my own studio practices at times, it is enlightening to see in others how destructive a habit that is. And where does that come from???? I have an appointment this afternoon with Joy Principe, a former yoga teacher of mine and a life coach who does this new practice using the The Rubenfeld Synergy Method. I am signing up for a 3 session package as a New Year's present to myself. I am curious to see what issues and emotions my body is holding on to so I can begin this new year and new adventure with an open heart.

Image above: Danielle Denson's Paper Prayer (Linocut Text to be added....)

In addition to teaching, I made time for myself in my studio- though I actually did this in my laundry room- dipping my wire cutlery into a 5 gallon bucket of heavily beaten abaca and flax pulp. As you can see I hung the wet and dripping pieces from an exposed pipe in the laundry room- dripping into a bucket- and sometimes on the floor when Thunder, my pet rabbit decided to play with the bucket! The pieces dried fairly quickly- with the help of a dehumidifier placed in the room. I will down load some of those pictures later. I also spent some time printing a silk aquatint collograph plate that I had made several months using an image that has been in my mind for quite some time. The first two proofs needed some work which I have since gone back into, and will print that again tomorrow.