Great Class!

I had a great group of women in the Chinoiserie class yesterday! It was a great small group. And these women rocked! They completed a 6 hour painting in 2 1/2!!!! Way to go ladies! Now, I did prime and crack the canvases before they got there. So that knocked off about 2 hours. But still!!! Wow!

I am always amazed at how artistic people really are if they just let go. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "I can't even draw a stick figure". I really believe that there is an artful side to everyone that balances out their "thinking" side. When the left side of the brain is turned off, the art begins to emerge. These women were fearless. They sat down and let their right brains run with it. Not a word of complaint or criticism of themselves...they just painted. Before we knew it, the time had flown by! Hopefully they learned enough to try it again on their own.

One of these three women will be taking a 4 week acrylic painting course with me. Can you guess which one it is? I am so excited to share what I have learned with her. I will have to post her final painting when we are done.

Thanks ladies for the wonderful class yesterday. I hope you will enjoy your new paintings for many years to come!

Chinoiserie Painting Class Dec. 4 1-3pm

Saturday, Dec. 4th from 1-3pm, I will be teaching a "Chinoiserie" painting class at 16 Main Gallery in Historic Downtown Madison. Chinoiserie is a french term that refers to a "Chinese-esque" style that began in the 17th century. We will learn some basic acrylic painting, how to do shadowing and highlights along with an aged glazing technique. This will be a great class for beginners and intermediates.
I hope to see you all there!

Sold

"Chinoiserie"
Acrylic on Gallery wrapped Canvas

by Michele Lee

Copyright 2010

Here is what's going on at the Gallery!

Honored

I was honored to be asked to participate on the Huntsville Arts Council's Social Media Workshop yesterday. I really wish that I could have listened to everyone. There was some very helpful information! If you have not been to the new TAC website..here ya go. http://www.artshuntsville.org
I was lucky enough to be accompanied by Lori Miller of WHNT http://www.whnt.com
and Ashley of White Rabbit Studios http://thewhiterabbitstudios.com. Those girls really know their social media. Ashley has been using this for years with her business and Lori in constantly researching different social medias for WHNT. All that to say, these girls were a blessing to have sitting next to little ol' me :)
Now, I can give you all a breakdown of what I learned yesterday on why Social Media works so well and how. But, Joanna White of TAC put a great video together. So I thought I would just share it with you. Click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhPgUcjGQAw

Enjoy!

"Safety" goes to her new home

In June of 2008, I took a trip to Asheville, NC. I had just gotten done with a painting featuring an egg. The egg reminded me of birth, new beginnings, starting over and just generally finding my way. During the trip, I was flooded with artists of all kinds! I felt like my life had finally found its direction. Like I was safe in the "knowing" that just by taking a baby step every day with God, I was finding a new me. A me that was so different from what I had ever expected. I came home with such inspiration that I could hardly get to the easel quick enough. So at 4:30 that morning....I began to paint. Out came this wonderful egg and colors. I didn't think...I just painted. When I stepped back I could see the layout of the painting very clearly. It was me. I was safe. I was nuzzled against my God, protected. The road before me was not scary anymore.

I have carried this painting with me for 2 years now. I took her to a show and was actually glad that it did not sell. I took her home. When I decided to become part of 16 Main Gallery and artist community, I thought long and hard about what pieces I would take with me. Most of my work is very easy to let go of. But this one.....not so much :) I thought...."I paint each painting specifically for someone" The fun part has always been to see that someone finally appear and connect with their piece. "SO , how will the owner ever find her if I keep her all to myself?" So I took her into the Gallery.

A few weeks later a magical thing happened. In walked her owner. I knew when I saw her eyes connecting with the painting that SHE was the one! She left and then came back the next morning, her husband in tow.

She left with the painting that had been such a part of me. And now......it has become part of her ....on her journey to a new road. Safe and protected, I know they will be taken care of.

All my blessings and love,

Michele