I tell you guys that I CAN draw but don't. Why? I don't really enjoy it. Why? Because my professor Ms. Grimes is still in my head telling me I will never be a good artist. Yesterday, @Heather van Doorn was here IRL during Open Studio here in Wisconsin and I decided I should take my own advice. Push past my fear of fucking it up and just do it. After all, Heather is a really cool cat and isn't judgy. She is super positive, open and just all around cool. So I drew her. It's the first time I have tried any figure drawing in 32 years. Guess what?? It FELT good! I got lost in it. I know it's not right but that is perfectly ok. The FEELING is what I was after, not the outcome. It was the first time I have done something for ME in a while.

Another great day. We fished a river. The Chippewa. We got sunburned We fell in We lost a fishing pole And found it again. What are you doing today?

this is a fun group to be in, we are wildly different yet we are all exactly the same….. we are all artist at some level with all the insecurities that go along with being a artist. I am here at Michelles request to help with all things skills and color related. In other words ask me any questions that you may have about light source, texture creation, color , contrast and most importantly connecting your work by creating work that touches emotions. No question is silly or stupid…… it is only silly if you don't ask. Yes, I draw in black and white but II retired after 47 years as a automotive paint rep. For 47 years all I did revolved around color and color matching. After 47 years you learn a thing or two about color. I am a open book guys, use me!! Now, back to this 4th of July follow challenge. It takes about five minutes to go to the members section and go down and follow everybody that is a member of this group…… that way we all see each others post and can each respond. We all have something to offer each other but it works best if we follow each other. I personally check every couple of days and follow all new members……last time I checked, three of you follow me and one is Michelle…… so…… lets all meet each other!!!

Today we VOTE 🥳 Which of your submitted images do you want to learn to paint? You guys submitted 45 images! That is up from 33 last month. I don't know about you but I love seeing this process unfold. I have no idea what is going to happen. ❤️ Very well done.❤️ You're learning to see like an artist and make objective decisions along with your very emotional decisions. BOTH are important. Below are the Top 6 images based on community input. Why 6? Because they got equal votes. 2️⃣2️⃣ PLEASE VOTE FOR TWO IMAGES.2️⃣2️⃣ 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎 💎 💎 My plan is to teach two paintings at a time: 💎 💎 One weekday painting 💎 One weekend painting 💎 💎 LIVE sessions are free for Level 3 members. 💎 Replays are available in Premium. 💎 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎 But what if YOUR image didn't make it but you still want to learn to paint it? VIP membership is the answer and it's all about the personal 1:1 lessons. That means YOUR image. YOUR story. YOUR painting. With much closer 1:1 guidance from me. Now let’s vote 😏

I would love to hear what you have planned for the 4th of July. I have absolutely no plans whatsoever. So I would like to celebrate vicariously with you. On our Nations 200th birthday, I was in Washington DC with my church youth group. I remember it vividly. I wouldn't have minded doing something very special for this 250th birthday, but it just isn't to be. This is not a sad post. This is a "just what is" post. And I do have an art class on Sunday. Thank you @Michelle Cyr for making that time for us. Found this oil on board painting by Daniel Wayne, 4th of July Cazenovia Lake