Update: I have a 2012 workshop at the Art Barn that still has some space left. The dates are May 7-9, 2012. For details, visit http://www.artbarnin.com/. Below is about last year's;
"The Figure in the Landscape" seems to be a popular theme in plein air workshops. After this week's workshop in Indiana, I'm seriously considering doing one that I'll call "Chickens in the Landscape." At the Art Barn, where the workshop was held, we were up to our ankles in chickens. Chickens scratched in the dirt, pecked at the ground and even examined a pastel stick or two. They were a lot of fun to watch, and we found that they are particularly fond of watermelon rind. Scatter a few pieces in the grass, and you'll have a whole harem posing for you.
The Art Barn is one of my favorite places to teach a workshop. The upstairs of the barn provides a great studio space for lectures and escaping the hot springtime sun. The grounds seem to go on forever and provide a wealth of good subjects. The other night, we took a hike up to the hilltop and saw trillium, spring beauties, violets, mayapples and jack-in-the-pulpit in full bloom. Springtime doesn't get any better than this.
Below are a couple of demonstrations I did, including, of course, some chickens.
9x12, pastel - detail
12x9, pastel (sold)
Now, it's on to Lima, Ohio!
