Watercolor Class Season

After a long winter, it’s a joy to be in the season of Green again! Although I like painting snow scenes, it’s fabulous to be surrounded by the vibrant colors of Spring. Yesterday was my first class of the year – held at Tin Cat Studio in a wonderful creative space with four enthusiastic and talented students. And we had such a good time painting skies, rocks, water and a lighthouse! In spite of my best efforts, I face these classes with some reluctance – frankly, it’s a lot of work to gather all the supplies but I also think it’s because I’ve never thought of myself as a teacher. But once the tables are set up, the supplies for each student in place, and the doors open, I’m filled with a positive anticipation and can allow my spirit to settle into the process. And the results are amazing! I’m continually amazed at the tremendous creative abilities of students – even those who haven’t painted for many years. The next class will be held at the Arts In Hand Gallery in Spooner, WI, on Thursday, June 16.

Deep into May!

And suddenly . . . it’s Spring! We had cold weather right through the first week of May this year, so when the winds changed and the temps warmed, we have been outside almost full-time. It’s been so lovely to dig in the earth again and get some seeds planted and the pots near the house filled with annuals again. I’ll have another trip or two to the greenhouse, but it’s wonderful to see the yard change every day. And the four bareroot River Birch clumps that we purchased the end of April and then stored under mounds of straw and compost in the garden for about a week (until the ground thawed out!) are all leafing out! What a thrill!

I’m getting prepared to teach a class tomorrow at the Tin Cat Studio in Amery, WI. It should be fun and we’ll be painting one of my favorite subjects – lighthouses! It’s always an adventure – I never thought of myself as a teacher – but it has turned out to be such a rewarding experience. And I’m always amazed at the ability of students – many who haven’t painted for years.

It’s also been an extraordinarily busy time of preparing and hanging paintings in exhibit space. It is such an honor to have requests for my watercolors, and currently, my work is on display in the Osceola Medical Center Gallery (May-July); in the Amery Hospital Gallery (May-August); and I’m the featured artist in artZ Gallery in Amery (May-June).  This along with the artwork on display in the Arts In Hand Gallery in Spooner and at the two Plum Bottom Galleries in Egg Harbor, Door County, WI. I’m continually astonished at how the Lord opens doors in the journey!

Let’s Paint . . . Lighthouses!

After a little break, it’s fun to look forward to teaching classes again – and it seems like a great time to paint a lighthouse! The upcoming classes are already scheduled: 

·         Tuesday, April 19 – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - $50 (all supplies provided)

Tin Cat Studio, Amery, WI

·         Tuesday, May 17 – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - $50 (all supplies provided)

Tin Cat Studio, Amery, WI

·         Thursday, June 16 – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - $50 (all supplies provided)

Arts in Hand Gallery, Spooner, WI

If you’re interested or to register for any of these classes, send an email to me at dstullkinsley@gmail.com. 

Sweet Dog

It's always a challenge to accept a commission - never sure if the painting will meet the vision of the client - so it’s especially rewarding when the painting turns out to be a wonderful hit with the client! This week’s painting, Sweet Dog, 8” x 10” watercolor, features a much-loved 11-year old dog named Banshee. So happy this is going to a good home.

Walking Humbly

I’ve been reading one of my favorite authors, Ann LaMott and her book, “Hallelujah Anyway.” She is such a talented writer and never minces words when she’s talking about being in relationship with God. I love her transparent honesty! Today, she was writing to me about Micah 6:8 – “With what shall I come before the LORD, ... but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? What an incredible challenge – especially when the world doesn’t seem to honor or even recognize justice, kindness and mercy. And given my humanness, it certainly isn’t anywhere near the top of my toolbox of gifts. So often I don’t act with grace, kindness or mercy.  It’s truly hard work – and so much easier to stomp away and mutter harsh thoughts under my breath.  

This week’s painting speaks to me of walking humbly. The sheep of the high country are a wild breed, but they are also terribly vulnerable to predators. Their instinct is to either run away or to huddle together during times of uncertainty and danger. The painting, Highlanders, 10” x 13” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures the wonderful myriad of colors of a highland moor and a band of humble sheep.

Waiting on Spring!

 The calendar says we’re in Spring, but step out the door and you’re not so sure. While the sunshine seems warm, because of the cold wind, the lake is still frozen and the standard of dress is still pure winter! Ah, but we hold on to hope and I’m planting summer bulbs in pots for putting outdoors in another month or so. And the countdown is on for the upcoming art shows. I’m honored to have my artwork on display at the Osceola Medical Center Gallery, beginning Friday, April 1 through June 31. The gallery is located in the public hallway of the clinic, and it’s a wonderful space for OMC staff and patients and family accessing the clinic services to view an ever-changing display of art. Special thanks to Sara Cutts, OMC Community Engagement Manager, and Han Huisman, artZ/OMC coordinator, for their tremendous work in organizing these exhibits.

This week’s painting is another in the Liltie Series featuring rural mailboxes. Red Letter Day, 4” x 6” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a mound of red tulips soaking up the spring sunshine while waiting for the daily mail.

Sunset today: 7:30 p.m.

It’s a banner day! I think the temps got into the high 50’s today with warm sunshine and brilliant sunset happening as I’m sitting at my computer typing this message. Hooray! We’ve had so many spectacular sunsets this winter over Fox Creek in the backyard, and we’re still enjoying them out our west windows. With summer, the forest leaves in the woods pretty much block the view. But the Sandhill cranes came back to the lake a couple of days ago and it’s so noisy most days with the Trumpeter Swans, Sandhills and Canadian Geese all coupling up and vying for the best nesting territory. I love that we live in a place where I can hear their amazing honking sounds far into the night.

I’m preparing for the 2022 Earth Art’s Spring Tour, happening May 6-8, and today’s painting is of another favorite sheep. I especially loved the weathered blue-green building in the background and the title, Fluffy Ewe, seems to perfectly fit this 4” x 6” Liltie Series watercolor.