Into The Thick Of It
Ooey gooey oil painting
Saturday I tried out my second oil painting workshop with the Summerville Artist Guild. Carla Johannemeyer https://carlajfineart.com was our instructor. I saw her work last spring at the Piccalo Spoleto in Charleston. She had such big, bold brush strokes and vibrant color and contrast. Her work has a beautiful movement and pattern to it. Some are almost Mandela like as if viewing through a kaleidoscope. I especially love her luminous fluffy cotton.
Our Guild was lucky to get her to demo for our last meeting before summer. She gave a rich informative talk while painting and showing her process and how she works out compelling compositions. With her architectural background, she appreciates a good fractal and sees the beauty in the golden ratio. Carla appears so comfortable behind the easel and spoke and painted with ease. It's no wonder her workshop sold out.
I am glad I stopped procrastinating and signed up for Carla’s workshop. The workshop was about painting from life and working out a successful composition. I have never been much for still lifes, but Carla made it a treat for the senses. She spoiled us with lavish fabrics with vibrant color and rich texture covered with rystal and copper pots filled with aromatic flowers and herbs.
Everywhere you looked there was rich color and contrast and reflection. Plus the whole place smelled amazing.
One of the biggest challenges was determining what part of the cornucopia to paint. The rain outside kept us from exploring with plein air, so most of the artists moved around the room and created two completely different paintings. I loved every part of the day. Carla's free and easy brushwork encouraged me to loosen up and not fuss over little details.
It was such a joy mixing the colors and watch them interact on the canvas.
Painting with other people is a wonderful experience. There is a definite value to the feedback and encouragement from other artists. I think I learned from everyone that was there. It was an insightful, generous group. Everyone had very different styles and backgrounds and gave each other wonderful input. I was inspired by everyone.
I would love to get together and paint with this group again. What a great group of artists!
