Sometimes good things happen

Long-range studies imply that doing something with other people, especially something for them, is the most powerful of all stimuli to longevity and health.-Jon Poppy

Sharing what you have is more important than what you have. -Albert M. Wells, Jr.

... and I believe that .... so in light of sharing I put together a series of art classes... once a week for four weeks... to share some of the info that has been shared with me.

The first class was attended by four ladies ... there is one more who intends to be there for class 2. The ones in attendance for the first class were a fine group of very educated and talented artists. The class was well received and generated  some very fine compliments for which I am very grateful.... best of all, I was able to share with them some information and techniques which, on the most part, was entirely new to them. We all had a terrific time.
Even if all the information presented was not new, going back to the basics is still a very worthwhile endeavor. We can not review the basics too much.
Of course I worked very hard preparing for  the class ... many hours of study... many hours of internet research and documentation .... many hours drawing and preparing demos and examples. It is my great pleasure to be able to share. I want to be sure to have something worthwhile for everyone. Personally I feel their level of artistic skills is far ahead of mine which makes them able to take this information and run with it ... this information and technique will certainly help them produce even better art. .. it is something they will never forget.
The class was a definite success.

Generally my artwork is something that only mom and I enjoy ....  however..... occasionally someone else actually likes it.

The piece below was entered in the Nevada Artists Association (NAA)  Fall show which is running as we speak. The artists' reception will be on 12 November 2011. Evidently the judge liked my piece well enough to award it first place ... the blue ribbon ... and cash !! .... and yesterday someone walked in and viewed the Fall Show and bought my piece. I really appreciate the vote of confidence. They are so kind to me. Thanks folks.

Meanwhile I am busy drawing and painting ... who knows... perhaps something else worthwhile may come off the easel.... nevertheless .. I am having fun painting and drawing.

Yeh, you saw this before on the blog but now it's gone  :-) .... Janet, we hope you will enjoy this for a long time.

Fire in the hills

Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only be deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. -Douglas MacArthur

The protestors are still out there so I had to sketch one of those happy souls... didn't bother with the message though ... who cares ... I don't think it's going to change things for the better this time

Fall has come and almost gone .... the Aspen trees were yellow for only a few days... hard to believe... they normally stay yellow a lot longer.

The Forest Service is up there burning  debris again ... last year I think they let it get out of control and had to call in air support to bomb the fire ... let's hope they do a little better this year.

I get out for a walk every day ... especially during this fine weather ... to day it was a bike ride up the Franktown hill. Never an end to the beauty around here. Following is the picture tour including smoke from the fire ... and a little haze elsewhere that they created.
Enjoy.

First snow this Fall

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes ... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. ... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. ... They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." Steve Jobs

So Winter is coming early this year... check it out. We may still get an indian summer but there it is... great views.. snow capped mountains while we still have green grass and green trees... wonderful.

One of the things I like best about this area is that a storm may come but it usually is just passing thru.... the same day the sun may shine.. or the next day .. then it is bright and cheery again ... what is better than that? ... and it all produces such magnificent scenery

Enjoy the view.