A Workshop to Remember

I hope everyone is enjoying the first week of 2008 as much as I am. Thanks to the awesome people at Scottsdale Artists' School for giving me a scholarship, I just completed a wonderful three day workshop with William Whitaker, master figure painter extraordinaire. He was thrilled by the Bravery project which made me feel like a million bucks. Here was this amazing painter with 5 decades of experience, telling me he thought my project is wonderful. Not only did Mr. Whitaker field my gazillion questions, but he did it with good natured humor and an honesty that comes from being an experienced teacher who genuinely wants to help students. I have to admit that I do envy those chosen to be his apprentices. (He lives in Utah.) Nonetheless I am honored to have learned from a living master with his integrity and skill. My portraits will increasingly improve from what I learned. ( My hair, on the other hand, maybe not.)

One thing I did take away from my experience was that I am a much better pastelist than oil painter; thus, I am going to continue the portraits as drawings or pastels at this point. Oil's will come later. The main thing is to put out the best possible work, especially since Bravery is already going to be on display in February.

I am very excited to partner the Bravery project with the Phoenix Women's Forum and vdayphoenix.org. For one night, on February 23rd, the completed portraits will be on gallery style display at the Vagina Monologues event in Glendale. For those of you who can make it out to the beautiful Glendale Renaissance Hotel and Spa, this evening promises to be an amazing experience with celebrity performers. I will have a table with information about the Bravery project so people who are interested can learn how to participate. Tickets have been selling already for the past two weeks, so make sure to order yours soon.

I hope to see you there.