My husband has a genius not understood by mere mortals. And so, I wasn’t totally shocked when he told me that he has no swim trunks – and we leave on a Painting Cruise this Friday. That’s in three days.
First there was the hunt through closets, where a pair from the 80’s was found. Thank God the elastic waist band had given up hope and drooped to twice the waist size. On to Plan B – shopping.
Understand that we live in Ohio… where it’s 18 degrees at this very moment with about 8 inches of snow. Asking for swim paraphernalia of any type this time of year can elicit strange ‘looks’ from clerks and passersby.
Still he persevered and returned with a bag. Swim trunks inside, I presume. I understand they were on sale big time…last one on the rack. I’m afraid to look. Hope it’s not a Speedo. Please, dear God. In any case, I have promised all concerned that he will wear a suit of some type. To be continued…
SO, YOU HAVE MADE YOUR JOURNAL…many wonderful journals of all types? I think we should use one of them, don’t you? Here’s the plan and I’m hoping you will think about joining me. Beginning in February, I’m going to talk about what it’s like to attend an overseas workshop. What are the preparations? What skills are involved? So many of you have written to ask what it takes – if you have the ability. All questions will be answered.
You say that you could never go on such a trip? It’s a long-held dream, but seems impossible? Hold on, dear ones. I have a surprise for you, to be announced on June 1st. A long-held dream of mine, to give to you.
BACK TO OUR CHAT. DRAWING seems to be such a boogabear for most of us. It seems I hit a chord last October when we talked about drawing. We want to do it, but we don’t know how to do it. So, finding the time to do it just never happens.
Well, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE! LET’S DO THIS!
I propose that we get together and do a 30-day, “I’m going to draw in my journal every day for 30 days” challenge. I’m getting ready for trips of my own and can use the practice. Drawing with you will help me, too!
Perhaps you are one of the lucky ones joining us in France later this year? Or maybe you are painting at home? It doesn’t matter. Here’s a chance for you to do it! Don’t pass this by. It’s doable! We will give ourselves a time limit of 10 minutes a day – EVERYONE HAS 10 MINUTES AVAILABLE for heaven’s sake.
Beginning in March, I propose that we get together, whether going on a trip or not, and do a 30-day, “I’m going to draw in my journal every day for 30 days”. Make a commitment by signing up and putting your name out there. It will encourage others to join us. We have safety in numbers!
So, share this with your friends and your art groups. Let’s make this the year that we actually learn to draw. It’s about time we conquer that monster. We are artists – a bit timid sometimes. It only takes practice, my friends. That it! Anyone can do it. CLICK THE INVITE BELOW TO JOIN US!
Back to packing for the cruise. I will NOT peak into that bag…I will NOT worry about what’s in that bag.
Thank you so much for reading.
Kathie xo
I have painted in my journal every day sincebthe 1st of Jan. I’m really into it now and it feels sooooooo good. I’m finally accomplishing something instead of just thinking about it. Thanks for the inspiration. i even made a journal from sn old painting. What fun. have a great cruise. What painting cruise is it, sounds like fun.
Signed up. Sounds like a great idea! Have fun on your cruise!
Celeste wish I could see some of them. I LOVE your work. And Sarah, I’m so glad you signed up!
I too have been doing something in my journal every day since jan 1, and it feels great! I look forward to the challenge to keep my momentum going.
Wow Paige. You are SO going to be ready for France!
OK, I haven’t draw seriously since children…oldest is 36!! That’s a long time! I can still draw, which is encouraging. I actually found some drawings on cards. The challenge now is to paint them and not “ruin” them!!! I signed up for the challenge…and hopefully you’ll take it then next step too….painting them!
Great idea! Glad your husband found a pair of swim trunks. Might also find some on board or even at a port-of-call. Something to bring home which is needed instead of what I always find, something I didn’t need.
Have a wonderful time. Looking forward to our challenge together. Hugs:)
Can’t wait to see pictures of the “swim trunks”! I had to finally throw away his “trunks of love” from the 80’s because I couldn’t repair them anymore. I haven’t heard the last of it yet after all these years! Have fun on the cruise.
There seems to be some interest in my husband’s swim trunks. he, he…..I’ll have to write about it this next week. I’m home now and am so excited to see so many of you signing up for the challenge! Do you know that we already have over 120?! Let’s do this!
Thanks Kathie for this challenge..I’m really excited about getting started drawing again. I have gotten away from it and it is hard to get back to doing it. I too tell all my friends who say, “oh I can’t do that, I can’t paint or draw.” but I tell them it’s like learning to do any other thing, like riding a bike, it just takes practice, practice. This will be so much fun, doing this with you and the others on the blog. Maybe someday I can take one of your trips, I have been lucky enough to take several classes with you at National though.
Yes, it is always difficult to get back into it – or make a start at all – even for me! I would love it, Linda, if you joined us on a trip in the future.
30 days / 10 min. a day sounds workable into my month. I may need to challenge my Thursday Gals to join me. Have a great trip, and yes you can find swim trunks onboard if the ones he found don’t meet with your approval. Looking forward to seeing you next month.
Kathy , can you send me information on cost of your workshops? As workshop chair for WBAG ion Westbank of New Orleans, I am gathering quotes for future workshops to sponsor
Hello Deb, I emailed info to you before I left on cruise. Did you get it or do I need to resend?
Thanks for the encouragement and the invite. We all need a challenge to work out of our comfort zone. Have a great cruise!
Thanks for the push! By the way, there’s always skinny dipping, around here we call it chunky dunking!
Well…I think what’s in that bag is a “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”!!! FOR YOU!!!!
Have tons of fun on your cruise!! Happy Painting!!
OK so I can’t resist this, please don’t think I’m hustling here cause I’m not… BUT I teach ‘Drawing Without Fear’ a 5 day drawing workshop where everyone always learns to draw, cause I learned and teach the scientific method of how to draw. I teach it step by step. My high school art teacher (aka God) taught us this. I’ve discovered no one else really hits the ‘how to’ of drawing and for some reason it’s not common knowledge. Teachers mostly say: just draw… they don’t explain it.
So if you and yours want to do some kind of online thing I’d be up for it… contact me through my website peggysands.com.
Otherwise get yourselves ‘Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain’ and go through it step by step together.
But even these guys don’t break it down into the why…
It’s like baking. You try to figure it out on your own when you never baked… good luck.
You follow the recipe you get a cake.
Good luck with it! Drawing is a total love affair.
This sounds veeeeeerrrry interesting Peggy. I don’t normally teach drawing, so I’m sure you are a MUCH better teacher and have tons of great ideas. I’m new to blogging and……well, just gonna do my best. Wish me luck! I’m hoping I’ll do a good job and get people motivated along the way.
Feel free to give us tips and feedback at any time! I’d love it….and thanks so much for reading my blog!
and puleeze keep me posted on the swim trunks
I am inspired Kathie, although I either need to be encouraged or pushed. Looking forward to this, as I need something to look forward to. Haven’t painted in a long time due to health problems. I had a detached retina in November and now only have 20/50 vision with glasses. But who says I can’t paint? I’ll just close the bad eye. Or maybe it will just look really good when I squint. Now how’s this going to work out with drawing? I’ll just have to give it a shot and see. One last thing, wish I could be there to see your face when Hubs comes strolling out with his new trunks on. You will describe this event in detail, won’t you? Have a wonderful time and come home with all kinds of beautiful ideas for new paintings.
Martha, somehow we all have the idea that drawings have to be perfect. They do NOT! We’re only human and we’re not perfect – our drawings will be part of us, which is the really cool part. If we begin to see that perfection isn’t necessary – and even start to love our imperfections – then who knows. We may even learn to draw and love every moment of it. xo