Friday morning I woke up and realized I really had not made any plans for my birthday on Saturday. So I decided to go to DC for the night. I love Washington, especially the National Gallery of Art so I booked room at the Hyatt Regency, one of the closest hotels to the gallery. It was storming really hard when I got there around 3 p.m. but the people couldn’t have been sunnier! When the young man checking me in came back after copying my i.d. and credit card he said, “It’s your birthday!” I said “Yes, tomorrow.” The young lady working with him at the registration desk said, “OMG, mine too!” I said we must be twins then. She laughed (could have been because she was a tall, beautiful, slender Black girl and I’m a dumpy white middle aged chick) and told him to upgrade my room. Then he gave me a coupon for breakfast. She told him to also give me a $50 room credit since I was 50! WOW! I felt really special.
I spent a wonderful evening having dinner and then relaxing and reading about the Chester Dale exhibit that I was planning to visit at the NGA the next morning. I wake on my birthday, have a wonderful breakfast (on the house) and start out for the National Gallery. The capital view above is right out of the front door of the hotel. As I walk closer I
realize there is some kind of rally going on at the capital. I walk right up to within about 30 feet of the stage and see that it is the Dalai Lama. He was in town for a conference on world peace. So I listen for awhile and get a few shots.
It was really crowded. You can see the capital lawn was full of people.
What a surprise and joy to get to hear his message about making a better world by making a better self. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. What a wonderful birthday message.
Come back tomorrow for Birthday Adventure Part II – National Gallery of Art.
Posted in Serendipity, Travel | Tagged birthday, capital, dalai lama, Washington DC, world peace | 1 Comment »
I spent a couple of hours with the young artists at Angel’s Korner painting mountain landscapes. The students, ages 5-11, did a fabulous job painting….don’t you think???!!!
Posted in Art Camp | Tagged acrylic, Art Class, art lessons, daily painter, impressionism, Landscape, Virginia Artist | Leave a Comment »
A few weeks ago, these lovely painters at the Southerlands created beautiful poppy paintings. Good job girls!
I was so busy posting art camp photos that I didn’t get them onto the blog. Here they are!
Posted in Art Class | Tagged acrylic, Art Class, art lessons, daily painter, flowers, impressionism, Virginia Artist | Leave a Comment »
Here are some of the demos that I completed during the first week of Art Camp studying and learning to paint in the Impressionist style. We had a great week and I’m looking forward to the next week, beginning July 25th when we will begin studying Modern Art. Fun!!! If you know a young artist (age 7-12) let them know it’s not too late to sign up for one of the three remaining weeks of Art Camp this summer.
Posted in Art Camp, daily painter | Tagged Abstract, acrylic, Art Camp, daily painter, impressionism, Landscape, Virginia Artist | Leave a Comment »
The final day of the first week of Art Camp was Friday. We completed out Still Life paintings and then made Art Trading Cards. Each camper painted five cards and exchanged them with their new artist friends in class. We all had a great week. Looking forward to the next one 
beginning July 25th. Come join us. See more information here.
Posted in Art Camp | Tagged acrylic, Art Camp, Art Class, Artist Trading Cards, ATC, daily painter, impressionism, pie, Virginia Artist | Leave a Comment »
The Art Campers completed their “Masterpiece” painting yesterday. The emphasis for this week of camp is impressionism so of course, we painted a Monet.
They chose the Japanese Bridge over the Lily Pond as their subject.
And look at what a super job they did!!!
But art is exhausting. After taking two camp days to complete the large 16″x20″ painting they were pooped. At break time yesterday, they all took their snacks and went out into the lobby and laid down on the floor to eat their snacks. Pooped out!!!
Posted in Art Camp | Tagged Art Camp, Art Class, bridge, daily painter, flowers, impressionism, Landscape, Monet, Virginia Artist | Leave a Comment »
Art Camp continued yesterday at the Blue Ridge Arts Council with the young artists producing two beautiful paintings.
The first was these great blue birds.
They also painted a terrific cardinal. They will put final touches on those this morning as well as start working on their “Masterpiece”! Stay tuned….more to come.
Posted in Art Camp | Tagged acrylic, Art Camp, Art Class, bird, blue bird, daily painter, impressionism | Leave a Comment »
We had a great first day of Art Camp yesterday at the Blue Ridge Arts Council. I have six students (one is camera-shy) and they all produced great art.
We started with the basic color wheel, mixing colors, learning about primary and complementary colors. They picked that up really fast!
Then they painted their first piece of art. It’s a beautiful mountain scene. Everyone of them did a fabulous job! No kiddie art for these guys…they are making real grown-up art! I love it!!!
Posted in Art Camp | Tagged acrylic, Art Camp, Art Class, art lessons, daily painter, impressionism, Landscape, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Artist | Leave a Comment »
Last week I was commissioned to paint Hamlet, a Japanese Chin, that was much-loved by his people. He was a sweet old man and quite handsome.
Here is the beginning sketch.
Next, I chose a background for Hamlet. A strong blue seemed to suit this painting.
And this is the completed painting. I think Hamlet turned out great! How about you?
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, Pet Portaits | Tagged acrylic, daily painter, Dogs, impressionism, Virginia Artist | 2 Comments »
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Friday morning I woke up and realized I really had not made any plans for my birthday on Saturday. So I decided to go to DC for the night. I love Washington, especially the National Gallery of Art so I booked room at the Hyatt Regency, one of the closest hotels to the gallery. It was storming really hard when I got there around 3 p.m. but the people couldn’t have been sunnier! When the young man checking me in came back after copying my i.d. and credit card he said, “It’s your birthday!” I said “Yes, tomorrow.” The young lady working with him at the registration desk said, “OMG, mine too!” I said we must be twins then. She laughed (could have been because she was a tall, beautiful, slender Black girl and I’m a dumpy white middle aged chick) and told him to upgrade my room. Then he gave me a coupon for breakfast. She told him to also give me a $50 room credit since I was 50! WOW! I felt really special.
realize there is some kind of rally going on at the capital. I walk right up to within about 30 feet of the stage and see that it is the Dalai Lama. He was in town for a conference on world peace. So I listen for awhile and get a few shots. 
It was really crowded. You can see the capital lawn was full of people.
The Studio 