Beginning and Designing an Abstract

Painting Abstractly

In our Wednesday class, we have begun a designed approach to abstraction.  Based on sound principals of design, and on a method taught by renowned artist John Salminen, we are beginning a journey into abstract painting.

How do you paint when there's nothing to paint?  

If there is no "subject", how on earth do you decide what to do?  

If you enjoy non-objective art or if you are simply looking to broaden your artistic experience, studying abstract art can be mind opening.  I would also predict it would make you a better designer of your objective work if you took the time to paint non-objectively.  Good design is the foundation of good paintings, whether or not we have a realistic subject to paint.

Tuesday Oct 16, 2012 We will begin an abstract painting that will take us a few weeks to complete.  If you'd to learn more about designing abstractly, come to class 12:30-3PM.  There is still room and I predict you'd enjoy it!  Contact me and I'll save you a seat, or just come to class on Wed. 5001 N Kings Hwy, Art and Soul Art Center and Cafe' in Myrtle Beach, SC

Exp!ore Watercolor and Acrylic Class- New!

Exp!ore Watercolor and Acrylic Painting Class with Rebecca Zdybel

Wed. Evenings Beginning Oct 3, 2012 5:30-7:30 PM

I am happy to announce that I will be forming an evening class beginning in October 2012.  In order to begin, I will need at least 4 students to make an advance reservation with the gallery.  This can be done over the phone 843-839-2727 or in person at Art and Soul Gallery, 5001 N Kings' Hwy in Rainbow Harbor next to the Melting Pot.  

Cost:  An individual class is $18.  A package of 6 classes brings the price down to $15 and essentially makes you a reservation for 6 consecutive sessions of class.  You may reschedule one class per package.  I recommend buying a package, since it guarantees you a seat and helps me to plan lessons.  I will be limiting class size so that everyone's experience is optimal.  Since you get a free class by purchasing the package, AND you may reschedule one missed class, you don't really lose money until you miss 3 classes out of 6.  Even then your price per class only ends up being $22.50.  In my estimation, the package really is the best deal.  

Supplies may be purchased through the gallery for $12 per class, or $7 if we are continuing a project from class to class.  This can be a very convenient way to avoid having to carry materials back and forth and a way to avoid a large up-front investment in something you may be uncertain about.  My supply list will be available if you wish to purchase your own materials in advance, but materials may sometimes need to be purchased from me at a nominal fee for specific class projects. On that occasion, I buy in bulk and simply ask you to cover my cost.  

Below you will find my new class description.  I encourage you to view actual student comments regarding their experience in my classes.  These comments are some of my most treasured possessions.  I really do love sharing what I know with the amazing people who have chosen to study with me.  =)  You may follow this link in order to read their comments:

 http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/p/comments-about-rebecca-from-actual.html 

It is my sincere hope that you and I may come to know one another better and share the journey of exp!oring art together.  

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Rebecca

Exp!ore Watercolor & Acrylic With Rebecca Zdybel

All levels welcome: Teens to Seniors

Class Description

Have you always wanted to try your hand at art, but didn’t know where to begin?  Are you an artist that has fallen into a creative rut?  Have you wondered which kind of painting style you should try? Are you curious about different water and acrylic mediums, but hesitant to explore them by yourself?   Have you wanted to experiment without the commitment of a huge investment in materials?  Are you interested in being acquainted with new surfaces or new techniques? Would you like to explore topics of interest to most artists?  This class might be the one for you!

Join me in exp!oring various water-based mediums and approaches to fun art projects that may stimulate your inner artist and re!ease  your hidden creative self.  I will make it easy, and together we will make it fun!  We will be talking about art, learning about different techniques and approaches to making art, sharing the journey with like-minded souls, and learning from one another in a risk free and encouraging environment. This is my goal for our class.  There will be no failures- just fun!

I believe strongly that we are all endowed with inherently creative spirits.  Some of us have had our creativity nurtured throughout our lives.   Others of us have been discouraged in that realm or had our creative spirits neglected due to the constraints of life.  I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late or too early to begin to explore the JOY of art. I’m a perfect example of coming to art late in life and becoming a late-bloomer.   It’s added so much to my life that I can’t wait to see the difference it can make for you as well!

Students can bring their own materials or purchase materials through the gallery for various art exercises and “projects of the day”.   I am always open to work on your own art projects while the class is in session, no matter what the subject of class might be.    Approximately once a month we will have “open studio” sessions. This will be a time when you can bring in unfinished pieces or work on something of your own choosing.  I will always be available for consultation and encouragement both in and out of class. 

My hope is to create a community and an environment where we can gather weekly to immerse ourselves in art.  I hope to expose newcomers to a variety of approaches and art concepts, and broaden the horizons of those who may be familiar with some aspects of art but curious about others.  Ideally, I’d like to let our class members have a role in determining what our lesson plans might cover. ..we will be in this together!  Though I will be the instructor, I fully expect your fellow students to also be a source of inspiration and learning for you, and for me. 

See the following page for some ideas for class topics.  I look forward to meeting you and having fun exploring the wonderful realm of art together!

Ideas for Class Sessions:

Painting on a collaged surface

Exploring composition through collage, abstract, and representational subject matter

Image transfer- different ways to take an image and transfer it to paper or canvas

Painting with Ink and Watercolor

Line and shape as compositional elements- what makes for a good shape or an interesting line?  Ideas for how to draw/paint them.

Sumi Brushes and other oriental brushes- what fun!

Using a mouth atomizer and other unique methods for paint/ink application

Exploring Yupo Paper- a relatively new surface which allows for interesting effects due to its non-porous surface

Painting on surface prepared with gloss medium

Thinking positively, but painting negatively:  This skill can separate the amateur artist from the professional

So you’ve completed a painting? What now? A checklist  and some suggestions for once you finish a piece.

Painting on an acrylic textured Ground

Saying more by doing less- see how wonderful paintings can be done in 50 strokes or less!

Rescue a Dog: Saving a lost painting with Collage

Making your own Collage papers- staining your paper in creative and unique ways

Painting on a colored ground

Making beads and using Fimo polymer clay for sculpting jewelry and various creations

Making acrylic skins for use in collage

Gesture Drawing: do your figures look “pasted on” or stiff?  Timed exercises in drawing.

Painting a figure in your landscape- Ideas to incorporate life into your landscape

Composition- Exploring various compositional styles and their varying impact

Abstraction:  How about a guided approach to coming up with a “good” non-representational image

Watercolor- Exploring tricks to making corrections, graded washes, color mixing

Creating an appearance of texture on your painting surface using stencils and various materials

Creating Funky Hearts in Watermedia- Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.  You’re going to love this technique so much that you’ll want to tackle many different subjects using the same approach

Funky Florals in Watermedia-  Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Funky Landscapes in Watermedia- Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Funky Personalized Crosses in Watermedia-  Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Funky Chickens in Watermedia- Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Exploring the Use of Elegant Writer Markers and Watercolor (never tried it? very cool!)

Exploring Acrylic Ink

Exploring the use of Acrylic lines as a “resist” with watercolor

Exploring Use of Masking fluid and other “resist” materials like crayons or pastels

Using the color wheel-  what’s the deal?

Painting with limited palette- Analogous color palette, Triadic

The importance of intention- In Art and In life what we do ideally should have an intention.  Exploring our intention and setting a goal for our paintings.  Ways to do this…

Focal point:  What’s the point? Where is it?  How to get the viewer’s eye where you want it to go.

Monoprinting with Watercolor and Ink- Simple and Fun way to shift your painting toward Semi-abstraction

What’s in your paint box?  Fun exercises to learn more about your paints, their properties, and how they behave.

Art Studio Make-over!

All journeys begin with a small step, right? My studio was a chronic mess. Part of me relished the ability to leave it that way, but on the other hand...too much mess was paralyzing to my process.

When you can't find the tools you need, it's hard to be productive.

The proverbial snowball began to roll down the hill a few months ago when I purchased a set of flat files on Craig's List. I thought it would be a great way to organize and store the many types of papers I use in my watercolor painting. When I got my flat files home and loaded them with things that needed a "place", it was the best feeling! I wanted MORE!!!!

I love organization...it gives my somewhat manic psyche a sense of peace and the ability to rest...

on the other hand, the best thing about having a studio is being able to leave it a mess. I go back and forth between my love of organization and my capacity to make a mess constantly. It's the yin and yang of my artistic existential experience.

My studio is in an ideal space...set apart from the house but located at home. It's spacious and I can leave it a mess. I LOVE THAT. The only problem is that it's on my 3rd floor...so lots of steps. The idea of organizing my studio began to become more appealing as the amount of materials grew. With the flat files in place, more storage seemed like a good idea. I had my son screw in some 2X2 furring strips from Lowe's. My hope was to get my pieces that were " in progress" off the floor. This did not work very well. I didn't like poking holes in the paper to tack them to the furring strips, and I couldn't find a good way to hang them without tacks.

After stalking Pinterest, I decided to put up some pegboard. I began by measuring my space. Then I went to Lowe's and got some pegboard. I had already attached 2X2 furring strips to the walls where I wanted the pegboard to go. When I got the pegboard, I had them cut it at the store to fit the dimensions of my walls. I decided to do 2 of the 3 walls that surround my work table. Then I began to shop for things use in order to hang stuff on the walls. OMG...so much to choose from if you are near an IKEA, but I'm not...I only had Lowe's. So I had to get a little creative.
Shelves were needed, but they couldn't be too heavy. I used long hooks to support small shelves...you can see them in some of the photos in this blog. Take my word for it...it works!

I wanted to spool ribbon, so I used dowels and a hook





I had all kinds of scissors to organize, so I stuck them here.





This is what I did with my Cricut and Cuttlebug. ( Note the gift portrait from Janet Rogers! A souvenir of time spent with an inspirational artist and lovely person. A reminder to myself of the generous teaching that I've been the recipient of...Thanks again Janet!)

Then came my art materials:

Acrylic Paints: I have them sorted into colors now and my brushes in general groupings of orientals (in the basket on the wall) and cheap/little brushes. My new awesome set of Isacryl acrylic brushes are sitting in the jar on the table...Love them!

Watercolorsand palettes: Note the fact that this is an Ikea table with a TV stand sitting on top. i have my watercolor paints in bags sorted according to colors again...
Collage papers- Hung in bags according to color families are hanging on a line in bags sorted into color families.

My cutting station is also pictured below: on top of my flat files

My work table- an old dining table we have had since we first got married supporting an old corian island countertop which we removed from our kitchen and just set on top of the table. I have covered the top with freezer paper and plastic. I have a step ladder near my right hand so I can set a palette on top of it or sometimes my water bucket will sit there.

This shelf holds some other things: stamps and Acrylic Mediums,Glues, fixatives, spray paints, gouache, oil and watercolor pastels, charcoal, etc.

This is a very important "note to self" about what to do prior to framing any piece of work...you'd be amazed (and I'd be embarrassed to admit) how many times I've gone to the frame shop and forgotten one or more of these steps.

The finished space- Overhead lighting from 4 canned lights and 2 Solatubes, since I have no windows. I also have 2 table lights for cloudy days or night-time work.

I am all about sharing what I've learned. It's one of the things I love about teaching...the opportunity to share the things others have shared with me. Nothing I know is original...it's all wisdom someone else has taken the time to share. If y

Feel free to share this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/ou're at all inspired or have some other great ideas to share with me, leave me a comment or pin this to your website or pinterest board! Happy organizing everyone!

Therapy or Art Class? I choose ART!

The "couch" or the studio?  

I choose ART for my THERAPY!

Having experienced counseling a few different times in my adult life,  I see the benefit when it comes to wading through periods of distress.  I've gained insight and would never discourage anyone from going to counseling if they felt the need.  However, it's expensive, and it can feel as if you are paying someone a whole lot of money to tell you all the things you're doing wrong.  Don't misunderstand, I think there is a place for self assessment and hearing hard truths.  There's a place for being held accountable.  But I'm not one to dwell on the negative.  If I hear it, and I experience that "aha!" moment, I don't need to keep talking about it for months and months in order to get it.  That's what extended therapy would be for me.

However, one of the things I have learned about myself as a woman, is that I'm not all that special or unique.  I'm not being self deprecating when I say this, I'm just observing that much of what I feel is very typical of other women.  My experience in being an art instructor allows me to interact with lots of women.  I do have some really wonderful male students, but for the most part, the majority of those who seek art classes are female.  I love women and find that the things which motivate them and make their hearts sing are usually the very things that animate and delight me.

I've come to see our classes as a shared safe space.  A place where confidences are shared, spirits are nurtured, and talents are celebrated.  It's a time to tune out the demands we all are subject to, and carve out a time to nurture ourselves.  It's the ultimate encounter group! I would liken it to ART THERAPY. It's my pleasure to be a participant in the process.  I feel honored to have the gift of my students' time...probably everyone's most precious commodity these days.  I try to honor that time by spending time to prepare and bring my best to each class.  I do this because I recognize that my students are essentially trusting me enough to pay for the privilege of dwelling in the space I create as a teacher.

In a good therapist's session I would expect to learn something about myself.  I would also develop a relationship based on trust, experience, and insight.  I would expect to be nurtured and challenged at times.  I would expect to be pushed a little...especially if it might help me overcome a predisposition that held me back.  I would hope that the process would instill habits of behavior that were healthy and perhaps find ways of operating which were more effective.  I would also expect to pay a lot of money for the experience.

I would argue that art class can accomplish all of the above...without the tremendous expense. I would also argue that you might make real friends and develop real relationships, rather than having a therapeutic relationship, where you may or may not even acknowledge one another at a party. The shared opportunity to encounter one another in class was described by one of my students recently as "exposing yourself". We all laughed, but that's not so far from the truth! When we create something, take a risk, or to try something that we may not be successful with...it can really feel risky and produce anxiety. We might not be great! We might not be perfect! What we make might not be beautiful! We might ruin that piece of paper. We might have to try it again. OOOohhhhh noooooo!

AS WE SAY DOWN SOUTH ; " DON'T BE SKERD"!  EXPOSE YOURSELF!

When I encounter things in life that are anxiety producing, sometimes I like to look at it this way:  What's the worst that can happen?  If I can find a way to deal with that prospect, then somehow the fear factor gets lessened and I can move ahead less anxiously.  I'm a positive thinker, but fear is a reality for all of us.  I believe fear is what shuts down the creativity which might reside in most of us.

Fear of failure is the reason we don't even try 

The beauty of failing in an art class, is that the worst thing that can happen is that you might have spent time on something you will want to try again, and if you do, you will be smarter for the experience.  I would also predict that the next time you tried it, you would improve. Who would expect to play a concerto on the piano without having to practice and perfect that performance?  Why should we be able to draw or paint without practice and instruction?  Art is a craft that can be taught.  Practice is necessary and poor results can be improved upon with practice. Mistakes can be redeemed.  That piece of paper can be washed clean, or you can use it as a collage element or apply gesso over it and use it again.  No failures, just opportunities to learn and grow.

If you've been thinking about trying your hand at art, then I encourage you to do so.  We have all kinds of great teachers at the gallery.  Find someone you feel safe with, and who can help you to explore your area of interest.  I predict you will come away joyful and on your way to a pursuit that will bring you happiness for years and years to come.  How many other activities can you pursue into your 80's and continue to excel?


My mom volunteers at a hospice facility and had an inspiring encounter the other day with a 95 year old woman who is a resident there.  This lovely old lady sat at the piano and played song after song, entertaining the staff and fellow patients alike.  She turned to my mom and had these words of wisdom which I will leave you with...

"You're never too old 

to learn something new!" 

Feel free to share this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

HOW TO MAKE COLOR SWATCHES! GET TO KNOW YOUR PAINTS

COLOR SWATCHES! 

Who knew they could be so much fun and so instructive?!

Do you have paints you have never used?  

Try this fun exercise and get to know your paints!

Ok, so if you're like me then YOU LOVE COLOR! In fact, I might actually be a bit of a paint tube junkie. When I have an order for art supplies, I confess that I will buy another tube of paint to qualify for free shipping. Sound familiar? I'm sure I'm not the only one... This habit has left me with lots of paints that I know very little about.

This week, I decided to do something about it. A few of my students are new to watercolor and have all new supplies. They are not at all familiar with the consistency or the color potential of any of their paints. I began to think about how I could help give them a way to "play" with their paints, and then I realized that I also needed to do some of this myself. So, I decided to make a reference tool and came up with this great idea for color swatches. Maybe you'd like to try it yourself.

Swatches seemed like a great idea...designers use them all the time for tools in making color choices. As artists, we are designers too. Ideally, our color choices should be thoughtful, and those choices impact the outcomes of our work. Once I decided that my goal was to make swatches for all my watercolor paints, I wondered what kind of information I should include on the swatch? After doing many hours of research, I basically realized how much I didn't know about my colors, and how much I SHOULD know when I use a color. I'll go into that information later.

HOW TO MAKE COLOR SWATCHES!  

I divided my full sheet of watercolor paper into rows of swatches that were  4 X 3.5.  Once the sheet was done I painted a black line through the middle of each rectangle by painting long lines of India Ink across the page with a 1" flat.  The same could be accomplished with black acrylic or a 3/4 flat.  This is how it looked.

The Ink Line provides a test for Transparency.  This transparency test lets you know whether a paint is opaque.  If it sits on top of the black line, then it is not transparent.  

Next I took tubes of one color and laid them out on the sheet to get organized.  I tried to put similar colors together near one another on the page.  Basically, you take a tube of paint, and put the information about that paint on the swatch with a sharpie or in ink.

This is the information I decided to include:

1. Manufacturer
2. Manufacturer Paint Name
3. Pigment(s) Number(s) and Name(s)
4. ASTM Lightfast Rating
5. Other Permanency info
6. Transparency Rating
7. Staining or Non/Staining
8. Warm/Cool 
9. Granulating capacity if known
10. Warnings or Stars if I loved the color

Now it was time to paint!  I took each paint tube and made a strong mix of paint on my palette. I wanted a dark wash for the first stripe...not pure paint, but a very rich dark version of the color.  After laying that down in a stripe which crossed the black line, I would rinse my brush and bring that brush full of water to the puddle and mix it in.  With that 2nd more diluted mixture, I would make a 2nd stripe of paint which was theoretically lighter value.  Again, I would rinse my brush, and bring another brush load of water to the puddle to dilute it even further.  With that puddle, I would make a very light value wash.  My 1/2 in Loewe Cornell one stroke brush was a great tool for this, but it isn't a requirement. Here is a representative swatch.

Note the transparency of this color is evidenced by how it "disappears" behind the black line. An opaque, semi-opaque, or semi- transparent color will be visible on top of the black line.  

Hint!

I would advise starting at the top of your page and moving down, so that the swatches above can dry while you work on the ones below. learned this the hard way and found that the wet swatches got in the way of my painting on the squares above them  (there was no place to rest my arm).

After your page is full it might look something like this

You could leave it this way and have a "chart", but I wanted something more portable. 

I cut my squares out using a cutting mat, a yard stick, an exacto knife and a paper slicer.

Once they were cut out, I punched holes with my cropadile and placed them on a ring.  

Then I arranged them according to color...going round the color wheel and trying to put similar colors together.  HINT- Color numbers are sometimes more reliable an indicator of hue than are color names.  

Voila!  A Rainbow of 

COLOR SWATCHES

Complete with everything I might need to know about any color at my fingertips!   If I want to order a color, I now have a ready reference for what it looks like and how it performs.  If I want to find a color substitute, I can find one easily.  I also have the pigment components identified in case I need to mix something similar. 

Notes on what I learned:

Along the way I found that some colors were wonderful to paint with...creamy, smooth performers, lovely to use.  Others were horribly weak, granular, or unappealing.  I made stars on cards of the paints that impressed me.  I made warning signs on paints that I hated or when the information I learned about them caused an alarm.  ( Warning if you use "Alizarin Crimson" and Colors with "Lake" or "Madder" in their names be sure to stay tuned for my next post!  You won't believe what I've learned!!)

Note that these paints have different names but the same pigment composition and similar color.

Why even bother with this?

Note that these very different colors all have the same name "Cobalt Violet"

1. First of all, I now feel so much more informed about the paints in my paint box!  It feels good to literally be able to say, "I've used each of these paints and maybe have some idea of what they can do!"
2. Second of all, I feel more informed about the materials I want to order and use in the future.  I have some idea of the difference between my Daniel Smith paints, and my Holbein and American Journey colors.  I did not find that one brand was better across the board.  I did observe how wonderfully the M Graham colors kept in the tubes...that honey that they use does keep them gooey for a long time, but they can feel sticky even when they dry.  I also observed that those colors with a permanency rating of less than excellent, were typically wimpier and sometimes even impossible to mix into a  strong wash (e.g. W/N Rose Diore')
3. I became familiar with some paint categories and qualities that I have an affinity for...(e.g. I love the quinacridones!!  They are transparent, and lovely and generally fall into the Excellent or Very Good Lightfast rating)  I am less a fan of the opaque colors, but now I know which ones these are (e.g. Cadmiums and Ochres)
4. Next time I order, I have a ready reference tool for what brand option or color I might want to reorder.
5. I also can use these swatches a teaching tool for students in class.  They are portable and beautiful to look at!

If you enjoy this, please leave a comment on my blog and/or subscribe to my posts.  I would love to hear from YOU!! 

My next post will go into greater depth on the meaning of the numbers and information  on your tubes and in the color charts.

The research I have done is both surprising and sometimes disturbing. 

For Example:  Warning if you Use Alizarin Crimson:

 Did you know that the primary pigment for ALIZARIN CRIMSON is FUGITIVE and known to fade?!!!
How did I not know this? DO NOT USE PAINTS WITH PR83 AS THEIR PIGMENT. (e.g. M GRAHAM's Alizarin Crimson) As much as I love M Graham, I cannot believe they market this pigment without a warning attached. The lightfast rating given to PR83 by some research indicates it could begin to fade in a matter of weeks if exposed to light!

More on this subject and other pigment information you need to know in future posts...
Let me know if you enjoy this project! 

Feel free to share this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

UnCorked Art Nights- ARTY PARTY! Easy and Fun for Everyone!

Never  picked up a paintbrush?  

Isn't it about time you tried? What are you waiting for?

Remember Mikey in the old LIFE Cereal commercial?  

"Try it, you might like it!" 

There's a new trend in art experiences that is sweeping the nation: it involves helping inexperienced painters pick up a brush and complete a painting in one sitting, even if they have never painted before.  Common to this trend is a low key environment, room to bring your friends along, the ability to BYOB, and an instructor capable of leading the process and helping you along.  There are numerous franchises out there catering to this trend: Wine and Design, Painting with a Twist, etc.  These franchises do not own the concept, they merely market and cater to it exclusively.  I LOVE THIS CONCEPT!  What I love about it, is the idea of taking art and making it accessible to ANYONE.  We are offering these kind of experiences at Art and Soul Gallery, Cafe and ART CENTER in Myrtle Beach!  The images on this blog post are just a few of the paintings which can be done if you were to join us.

Why is it 

that so many people have never tried to paint 

or feel unable to express themselves artistically?

There is a mystique promoted by many in the art world, that without "talent", one cannot be an artist.  I disagree.  I ran into an American woman who was in Tuscany on a vacation a few years ago.  An acquaintance of mine studied art in the USA and also in Italy, and came to this conclusion:  

Painting is a "craft that can be taught" not "something you're born with".

That's what I'm talkin' about!! 

I believe there is a creative spark in all of us...
a spark of  the divine creative spirit...
which simply needs to be nurtured & encouraged. 

I think that's why I love the idea of getting friends together to paint for an evening...sharing a bottle of wine, some snacks, some laughs...and doing something creative and different together.  We all go out for dinner when our budgets allow.  Maybe we go to a movie or the beach together if we get ambitious.  Maybe your night out with friends involves cards or watching TV.  Taking an evening to make a memory and then have a souvenir of that evening seems so much more unusual and fun!

Have you been afraid to try because you don't feel you have the talent?  

I've heard some high-brow artists turn up their noses at the idea of encouraging painting in an evening while drinking wine.  Perhaps they are threatened by the idea that anyone might be able to do what they do without taking it seriously.  They want to keep the unattainable mystique surrounding art, perhaps because they feel threatened by art becoming "common".  However, I believe that the attempt to paint will only increase your appreciation of those who really know how to paint well.

Like playing an instrument, you begin to appreciate the incredible talent of a virtuoso when you try it yourself.

I say, the more people who are interested in art the better! Art has become my personal antidote to stress, a source of friendship and fun, a job, a passion, a love-affair which always affords something new and fresh. I don't feel threatened at all by making art fun and easy for people to enjoy successfully. In fact, my enthusiasm is almost evangelical...it's a gift I've been given that I want to share with everyone!

 NO FAIL!! Guaranteed

When I host a painting party in Wine and Design BYOB Night format I make it a 'No-Fail' experience.  In fact, there are even stencils available to trace the images so you can paint that much sooner!

Experience the PROCESS  of painting.  Enjoy the sensual feel of the paint on the canvas, the excitement of color, and the exhilaration of expressive lines...this is what these nights are all about!  Sharing it with friends in a mutually supportive, low key setting, just makes it better.

Are you someone who always loved art, but didn't have the opportunity to paint? 

Looking for a fun night out with friends 

or a great DATE NIGHT?

Email me or post a comment and I will be happy to help you have a fun, memorable, and NO FAIL art experience!

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist/ Art Instructor

Myrtle Beach, SC

Seeing It Like It Is: Getting In Touch with Our Right Brains

Strengthening our connection to our Right-Brains: a fun foundation for Watercolor!

How can we improve our ability to render our subjects more accurately and more artistically?

Our stored images of things get in the way of our capacity to truly see that which is right in front of us.  Sometimes this can be a good thing...like when my husband continues to see me as the adorable 18 year old girl he once met, and as a result, he glosses over the little things that have changed over the years (like sagging body parts and crows feet.  =)  This same phenomenon of glossing over reality is not quite as positive when you try to see something as an artist...really see it, as it is in the moment.  Our stored images and our symbols for things will often be substituted by our pushy left-brains for the real appearance of something.  Our left-brains get in the way of really spending time and dwelling on the details of our subjects.  Our left-brains are used to being in charge in the modern world- they keep us on schedule by processing time, store symbols, process speech, and allow us to quickly sort through the chaotic information that crowds our senses on a daily basis.  Bottom line:  our left-brains are used to being in charge and don't move out of the way to let our right-brains take over without a fight.  

Promoting the connection with your right-brain is something I think is worth your time as an artist.  Our right-brains are essential in artistic pursuits. Raising your consciousness of how that right-brain connection feels can take practice.  Have you ever felt as if you completely lost track of time while doing something artistic?  Have you ever had trouble carrying on a conversation or keeping track of conversation as you've been engrossed in writing or some other task you loved?  These are symptoms of being in a "right-brain dominant" mode of thinking.  It can be a state which very much resembles a high...and which is associated with a feeling of contentment or bliss.  I've found that art is a wonderful substitute for that blissful state, and it's a whole lot healthier than some of the other ways of seeking that condition!  It can even be a facilitator for meditation.  Try playing inspirational music or inspirational books while working on your art, and you might find a wonderful way to inject content into your art and meditation into your process. 

One quick and easy exercise for moving your left brain aside and developing some right-brain muscle is doing contour drawing.  This term simply refers to the process of drawing without looking at the paper on which you are making your marks, and keeping your eyes focused on the subject you are trying to render.  Blind contour drawing is done without looking at your paper at all.   You can modify that slightly, by only periodically looking at your paper in order to reorient yourself when you get lost.  Both are really good ways to make yourself slow down and SEE your subject. It's incredible how hard it can be!  When I do this, I invariably feel my left brain's impatience with the process.  I begin to think of all the things I should be doing, all the time that is passing, all the reasons why I should hurry up and just get it over with already!  Then as I continue the process, I feel a relaxation of awareness and an unveiling of details that were previously missed when I looked before.  Nuanced shapes and contour changes become apparent.  It is really cool!! 

One of my favorite new techniques of late is using a pen called the Elegant Writer.  It's a calligraphy marker.  Karlyn Holman referenced this in one of her books, and so I tried it and LOVED it!!  I brought the pens into class the other day and shared them with my students, and it was so gratifying to see their reactions and witness the cool paintings that resulted from their usage!!  They used contour drawings of images as the foundations for their watercolors, and here are some of the incredible examples of what resulted in that class period...a couple of these have been developed even further since this class, but I don't have photos yet.  Perhaps I'll post them in a another blog.  I hope the photos below can inspire you!  If you've never given contour drawing a try, I encourage you to spend a little time with it and let me know how it goes.  I'd love to hear from you about your experiences...

If you're interested in reading more on subjects of this sort I would recommend Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.  link to purchase Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Rebecca Zdybel
Artist, Instructor, Art Lessons
Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

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Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/