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

"The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that outlasts it." William James

I like to collect quotes, don't you? It all started with a sixth grade teacher, Ms. Lanham, who would write a quote on the board every day. Did I write them down? Of course not. But I do remember thinking about some of them and who said them. Who writes all this stuff down? If I say something "profound", who will ever know it? My cat? She's like the Bush beans dog, she "ain't tellin". :)

This one speaks to me as an artist. Hopefully, the "good" ones will live on and I can mercifully get rid of the "bad" ones while I am still around. All forms of communication: writing, songwriting, painting, etc take some thought, some editing, some twinking before they are audience ready. I like to have my paintings around for awhile in the studio and sneak up on them sometimes to see if there is something not quite right. A color? A value? A kissed edge? When you self-critique, you should first say what's good about it. What did you do well? What did you learn from this painting? Then, look at what can you improve? What didn't work? Would you attempt a "do over?" Why or why not? Unless you are Margaret Mitchell, you probably have more than one story in you. Keep going!

Happy Painting!

Durinda

Welcome to my artist blog!

Welcome to my new artist blog! I will be posting my works in progress as well as new paintings that are available for purchase. Since I love to travel (who doesn't?) I will keep you informed of my locations and painting schedules. This year, I am primarily developing a series of my works for galleries, exhibits, and collectors. After having my own teaching studio for three years, I felt the need to get back to my original plan (after leaving the art department of McCallie School in 2002) of working on my own. I will keep you informed of the progress!

My new working studio is located in the historic town of Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a beautiful area of valleys, lakes, ridges, and the Tennessee River. I will be offering painting workshops this fall locally. I love to paint en plein air (on location). Many times I use these studies to paint larger works in the studio. I have so many now that will make wonderful paintings, scenes from Paris, Venice, Tuscany, as well as New York City, Florida, and other areas of the southeast.

I hope that you will stay in touch. I will have news of upcoming shows and classes, paintouts, and other events.
Back to Painting!
Durinda