Wanderlust

Florence Cafe

Oil

Available 

When you close your eyes, where are you? Are you still in your own environment surrounded by things that are familiar to you?  Or are you someplace where you have been where you remember the sights, sounds, and smells?  Maybe you can imagine a place you would like to go.  Is it very different from where you are?  What do you envision you will see?  What do you hear? Are you alone or around others?  Is the language the same as yours? Are you in a town or out in the country? Maybe at a beach or in the mountains?  Do you smell traces of flowers or freshly baked bread at a market?

There is something about experiencing a new place that has always drawn me to travel.  Perhaps you enjoy discovering new places, new sounds, and new foods?  Where would you go if you were given a trip?  There are places I have been where I would return.  Still others that I would like to visit.  

Part of the joy of being a teaching artist is helping others to record what they see in sketches or paintings.  It is like you can stop time for a moment and capture it all to yourself.  When you return and see your artworks you created, you can still feel the presence of the place.  You can close your eyes and imagine being there again, hearing the sounds, smelling the air,and feeling the heat, cold, or breeze.  

Let me know if you want to experience some of the places I will be going this year.  I would love to have you join me!

Plein Air Painting in Venice  October 5 - 12, 2013, contact:      info@ilchiostro.com 

Painting in Provence  May 25-June 1,2014, contact:    contact@frenchescapade.com

Ciao!  or Au Revoir!

Durinda

Opportunity Knocks

Tuscan Door

Oil on linen

There are some subjects that I never tire of. Doors and windows, flower fields, street scenes, and marshes really appeal to me. I am not much on greenie green landscapes. Summer is not my time to paint outdoors unless it includes architecture or flowers. So, I am painting a series of Tuscan and French doors and windows right now. I don't care if my subjects are "romantic" to some people. I like to paint things that I can live with on a daily basis. I want to give viewers the sense of, "Ahh, I would like to be there right now." The difference between a television show and a painting is: you can't turn the painting off if you are tired of it.

So this post is two fold: One, this painting is from my Tuscany workshop last fall. Plans are underway to go in October this year. You have the opportunity to go, tour, paint if you like, eat local cuisine, drink local wine, and enjoy the company of like minded people. My feeling is, you never know what may happen by putting things off that you really want to do. Contact www.ilchiostro.com for registration and do something you've always dreamed about.

Two, this painting will be up for auction at the Arts & Education Council's Art-a-ma-jig on Thursday, July 22 at Tanner Hill Gallery, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Arts & Ed Council sponsor lots of projects in the area. The Young Authors awards I attended this year to see my oldest grandgirl accept a medal for her poem and be included in a published book of works by children from schools across the area. You have an opportunity to support this organization by attending and purchasing original artwork. If you are interested in biding on this painting, email:

www.artsedcouncil.org and let them know.

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. -Maya Angelou

Are you listening?

Durinda

New Paintings for Autumn Art Show

Tuscany Tables

8 x 10

oil on canvas

Lunch in Florence

20 x 24

oil on linen

Two new pieces that I am planning for the Autumn Art Show, Nov. 19 - 22, at the Lookout Mountain Studio, 116 N. Watauga Lane, Lookout Mountain, TN. My "gals" in the Tuesday weekly classes will be showing oils, pastels, and watercolors. Those exhibiting are: Ann Curry, Evelle Dana, Martha Elder, Sarah Fowler, L.J. Huffaker, Betty Moses, Barbara Murray, Jeanne Rudisill, Anne Platt, and Wendy Williams. Some of them have been painting with me for nearly five years now. Their paintings are topnotch, if I do say so myself. I expect over 50 paintings in the show. This show is a great way to add to your collection and by directly from the artists. This is the Third Annual for us and always a pleasure to see the guests and patrons. Let me know if you need directions or have any questions. I would love to see you there!

My heart is still in Tuscany following my workshop there in late Sept and Oct. There is a painting everywhere you look! I am making plans now to return next October so if you are interested, let me know! We will be creating a sketch journal using a variety of media. This experience will inspire you for a very long time.

On the home front, Bill and I are moving back into our "old" neighborhood at the golf course this week. We lived there 18 years in a house we designed and had built until 3 years ago when we decided it was time to downsize. Now we see we need to upsize a little, not much, but this house is just the right size. I am looking forward to having Thanksgiving there.

Happy Fall, Ya'll!
Durinda

New workshop: Tuscany in the Fall

Announcing... a week of drawing and painting in Tuscany this September! Bring your sketchbook, drawing tools, and watercolors! Maybe you have been to the area before on one of those whirlwind tours or maybe you went with family. Now see Tuscany through an artist's eyes! It's time to do something for yourself that you will never forget. I have structured this workshop for all levels of experience in drawing or watercolor painting. We will explore the region without heavy equipment, messy paints, or wet canvases. No worries going through the airports with paints. No stained clothes or tired shoulders from carrying easels. This week is all about observing your surroundings and choosing your own focus. The accommodations are superb, the food is excellent, and the company of others will be enjoyable. I have chosen Il Chiostro as our hosts. Linda and Michael will make sure you are well taken care of. Airfares are down, the dollar is strong, now is the time. You only live once!

Check out the information and go ahead and register for this week in the land of dreams. You will be amazed at how much you will get for the price. I will be happy to talk to you further about the trip and will send a supply list with your registration: Durinda@Durinda.com.

Now, Let's go to Tuscany!

Ciao!

Durinda