Sketching Callaway- May 3 & 4

Callaway Gardens has posted the 2008 workshops on their website. Sketching Callaway is my new workshop that will take place in the gardens May 3 & 4. We will be working in a sketchbook with pens and watercolor pencils. One of the education staff will work with us to identify the different plants in the area. My goal is to have everyone create a "Garden Journal" with notes, thoughts, and sketches.

The webpage is: www.callawaygardens.org/foundation/info/education.workshops.aspx

Their phone# is 706-663-5153

Or email: education@callawaygardens.org

If you are interested in the workshop, please register with the education department. As many of you know, I have been fortunate to paint in the gardens several times and belong to the Callaway Painters. It is a beautiful setting. Accommodations are available in the gardens and in Pine Mountain. You are sure to enjoy this opportunity!

New Classes in February

Starting February 19, a six-week course in Beginner/Refresher Watercolor will meet mornings and a Beginner/Refresher Oil Class will meet in the afternoons at the Happy Painters Studio on Lookout Mountain. This is a step-by-step class covering all the basics of handling and mixing colors, values, and composition. We will work from still lifes and photographs. One of my loves is to introduce people to the pleasure of painting. I am looking forward to working with those who want to learn a new medium or just refresh their skills and get back into painting. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please email me for registration. The class size is limited to six.

Durinda@Durinda.com
423-802-9787

Warmest Season's Wishes

From Our House to Yours

May your Christmas Season be warm, colorful, and shared with others!

Bill and Durinda

Caylea Williams Wins First Art Award in Turkey Contest

This is my pretty Princess Caylea who came to the art opening at Hollis Gallery. Today in the Chattanooga TimesFree Press the award winners for the Turkey Coloring Contest were posted and Caylea won Third Place for the 2 - 5 yr olds. I had saved her our copy of the turkey to color when she came to visit a few weeks ago, but she said she had already colored one and her mom had entered it in the contest. Caylea received a gift certificate from Wal-Mart. She loves to draw and create her own "books" with stories she writes. I predict lots more awards in her future!

Class Luncheon for Mountain Classes

Our last classes met Wednesday before the holidays and the January break. At noon we traveled to the home of Anne and Peter Platt. We were greeted by a very festive Tally. She invited us in for a wonderful lunch. The two classes of watercolor and oil enjoyed seeing Anne's eclectic art collection and sharing upcoming holiday plans. Thanks to guest artist Wanda Lacy who snapped this for us. I will miss you girls in the next few weeks while I am in Florida! Keep Painting!

Tennessee Watercolor Opening

Opening night at the Tennessee Watercolor Society Region III's show at Raymond James, Chattanooga.
Left: Harriet Chipley in front of my painting.

Center: Region III director, Helen Burton

Right: Betty Jo Smith with her painting

The reception was very well attended with TnWS members, their guests, Raymond James staffers, and their invited clients. I enjoyed seeing the artists and also meeting new ones. It will remain on view until April.

Tennessee Watercolor Regional Show

This is my watercolor painting "Clouds Over San Gimingnano" that is currently on exhibit with the Tennessee Watercolor Society Region III show. This is the Chattanooga regional members show with twenty-seven members participating. Statewide, the society has over two hundred members. The theme of the show is "Square Off". All the paintings selected are in the square format.
My painting is 22 x 22 on cold pressed Arches paper matted to 30 x 30 with a wood frame. It is based on one of my Tuscany stays in San Gimingnano looking out my hotel window. For you watercolorists out there, I created the textures in the tiles using salt and letting it crystalize.
The exhibit is in the Raymond James & Associates main office, 537 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee and will open on Tuesday, December 11 with a reception. It will be available for viewing during office hours: 8:00 - 5:00 daily. The works are for sale. I hope if you are downtown, you will stop by and see the show! I got a preview when I took my painting in and it is very diverse in technques and sizes. If you need directions or have other questions, email me or call them: 423-756-2371.