Trés excited!

Let's face it ... I'm a crappy blogger.
I have the best intentions but look at this... almost four months since my last post!
My apologies, dear readers! (If you're still following!)

I'm just back from moving my mom into an independent living apartment in California, which she luuuuuuuuvs. So glad that worked out so well! Next up; clearing out her house of 31 years as it is currently in escrow and will close on Feb. 28.

But between now and then I'm about to embark on a paint-athon. The deadline for submissions to the Austin Pastel Society annual juried exhibition is Jan. 31 and EEK! I daresay that's right around the corner. I have a couple of paintings I could enter but I really wanted to have some new and improved, fresh work. So I'm crankin' it. Here is one I did after Christmas I'm considering entering, of my daughter cooking.

Annnnnd, I may also consider entering this one if I can clean up those messy taxis. Which I had to make up because there were no taxis in my New York reference photo, oddly enough. Which I never should have made up. I call it "Green Pants at 44th & 6th." I loved finding this green pants guy in my street scene photos when I came home from NYC and uploaded them!

But on to positively exciting news! I've registered for Margaret Dyer's 2 week pastel workshop in France this June! Along with my two other great pastel buddies, Katherine and Jane! We are over-the-moon excited! Trés excited!

Margaret Dyer during her demo at IAPS Convention, June 2013

I've been a huge admirer of Margaret's work for some time now but when I attended her figure painting demo last year at the IAPS convention I was swept away by her unique process. She whipped out that little beauty in the photo above in less than 2 hours. I can't wait to spend 2 weeks in the studio with her, absolutely steeping in instruction and inspiration! I believe this is her 4th year teaching at La Bonne Etoile, a wonderful artist's retreat in Fontaine-Fourches, not too far from Paris.

And this year they are arranging to take us to Provence to paint the last 4 days of the workshop! Lavender and sunflower fields! Fantastique! Breathtaking landscapes! Merveilleux!

I've got about 5 months to learn more French than that! But I'd better say au revoir for now and rush to the easel. Happy painting and happy 2014, everyone!