My Students Work

Students work in progress

 
















Dear friends,

This year I am going to give more private art lessons to children.  I just really enjoy doing so, even after 15 years of volunteering as an art teacher at the local elementary school, I still find it wonderful to see children's faces light up when they learn a new tool to create.

This week I taught two kindergarten classes and one 5th grade class.  I was so impressed with the kindergarten children. It had been a while since I had worked with little ones and they were so into the art lesson, asking questions such as "Where can I learn more about artists?". Ah...kids after my own heart :)

They all just joined in when it came to the creative process and created beautiful paintings.  My fifth grade class were also very creative and it's so exciting to be able to go deeper into art at their age.  Above is an example of the artwork created by my students.

Boldly Creating Life Foundation brings these art classes to children who do not have an art program in school.  It saddens me sometimes when I think that these 50 kindergarten children will only get this one single art class for their entire academic year! How is that okay?

I can only do so much with my volunteer work, but how I wish more people would be involved and would contribute so that more children could have the experience of art. Parents are willing to volunteer their time to help with the art classes, artist like myself are willing to go and share our time and gifts with the children, but without donations to purchase art supplies, we are very limited in what we can do.

Anyway, at least for one brief moment, we were in bliss creating art.

With love,
Glad

Sign up for my newsletter

Gladsart.com

What a Challenge!

Dad's Garage, 6"x6" oil on canvas

Dear Friends,

It's been a challenge for sure to paint 30 paintings in 30 days. I have learned so much already.

For starters, I don't like to paint in a hurry. Painting is a process that brings me joy. I am a slow painter and enjoy each brush stroke, and taking breaks, and let the painting unfold. So glad I am more aware of my painting timing.

I like to paint large! I tried to paint smaller, but it seems that the small paintings take just as much time as the larger ones for me, so I prefer to paint on larger canvases.

I like to paint what makes me happy. Today I got an email from some one who viewed my website and told me I didn't have my own style. I do have my own unique way of painting but perhaps I do not have a theme. Most artist do themes, but I am at a point where I want to paint whatever inspiration brings.

Sometimes I do start a series, but it's ever evolving with time. I usually do three pieces for a series, but always with the intention that it will grow with time, when it needs to grow.

It's been hard to keep up with the painters who do daily paintings, but I also noticed that there are those who are doing a big painting instead of 30 small ones, and posting updates instead. I like this idea better as I do have a few big paintings that need to be expressed soon.

Anyway, back to painting!


Love,
Glad

Sign up for my newsletter

Gladsart.com

Painting 14 of 30!

Laguna Beach, 6"x6" oil on canvas



Dear friends,

Today for painting two of thirty, I decided to work smaller and create a painting inspired by Laguna Beach, California.

I love the ocean and I took this photograph last year, when I went to the Pageant of the Masters.

Tomorrow I may work a bit larger. Would love to hear your comments on this piece.

Love,
Glad

Sign up for my newsletter

Gladsart.com

30 Paintings Challenge

Pink Flower, 8"x10" oil on canvas


Happy New Year my friends!

Here is painting one of the thirty paintings I plan to do this month.

This painting took me a bit longer than I expected, which is great because I'm already learning to evaluate the complexity of the painting before deciding to paint it, and leave the more complicated paintings for when I have more time.

The paintings I will create during the next 24 days are from photographs I took and put it in my "Future Paintings" folder, so there may not be a theme, other than they were in this folder, waiting for me to paint.  

This particular painting is from a photograph I took last year, while visiting watercolor artist Tom Tiedeman. I don't really know the name of the flower, but if you do, let me know. I just saw it and found it to be so beautiful. 

Enjoy you day.

Love,
Glad

Sign up for my newsletter

Gladsart.com

Happy New Year!

Sweetness, 5"x7" oil on canvas panel



Dear Friends,

I decided to participate in the Leslie Saeta's January 2014 challenge of 30 paintings in 30 days!

Leslie held this challenge twice last year for the first time and I so wanted to participate, but as some of you may know, last January I had surgery. Then the second time she held it, I had just moved and there was so much stuff to catch up on. 

This time I don't really have that much extra time, but that's why it's a challenge right.  I truly can't wait but I still have no clue what to paint, so I'm asking for your help.

Please attach a photograph below that you took or have rights to it, that you would like me to consider for one of the 30 paintings.  There is no compensation if I choose your painting but you can see the painting on this blog and on my facebook page, with credit to your photograph.

May you have a wonderful happy New Year! Let the fun begin :)

Love,
Glad

Sign up for my newsletter

Gladsart.com