Kim English Workshop-Day 4

 First thing I checked the tire and it was the same so I needed to decide to ride it or call AAA to fill it in order to get to the garage--which is what I did.  Saira (Airbnb hostess) called her mechanic and got me in right away.  He was a delightful chap who told me all about his hip replacement and highly recommends Brigham & Women's and to have it done from the front, not the side or the back.

I was on time to meet the group and off we went to Manchester-by-the-Sea to paint.  The weather was a bit milder and the sun even peeked out once or twice.  Kim started to paint almost as soon as he got out of the car and did a nice painting of the intersection near Central Street Gallery where several of my friends show their work.  Again he demonstrated using more or less a notan to start and then continue to use color and refine areas.  His method of brushwork and applying strokes over strokes or cutting in with the negative side works wonders.  We all spread out and worked on a painting.  Mine looked like a second grader did it and Kim was so nice to say, no, probably a third grader. I have to keep in mind that this happens to everyone at every workshop.  Although its tough every time, working outside your comfort zone, using a technique you're not used to or colors also, it's always hard. Kim set up near me facing the other direction and did a great painting (which I bought). He has the amazing ability to create beauty where it more or less doesn't exist.  Surely there are nice subjects, but he can push the colors and sizes and shapes creating beauty--this is what separates the men from the boys, you get my meaning.  This may be what people say when they say you have to picture the finished painting in your head before you begin.

After lunch break, we all went back to work and I made myself paint anything--in other words I didn't see something I wanted to paint so I just painted something.  It was a very busy boat scene.  Just what I should not have done.  Keeping it simple is what it's all about.  I imagined I was doing a Movali!  I was the last to leave and went to the Causeway--a GREAT place for fish and had a friend oyster appetizer.  I asked what is the smallest serving of friend oysters on the menu, and was told the appetizer--it had 20 on it!

Tomorrow we meet at the studio and will probably work from the model, starting early at 8:30 and maybe quitting early.

Kim's first painting of the day.

Two artists painting.

Fried Oyster Appetizer at the Causeway